When Tanaka and his squad fired off, Inoue and his team heard the gunshots. They also saw a fire dragon flying among the mountains. However, just moments later, the mountain was quiet once more.Having guessed what could have happened up there, Mano roared, "Damn it, what's the sitch? Where's Tanaka and his squad? And was that a fire dragon we saw?" The burly Mano glared at the mountaintop, clearly outraged.The officer with a tablet in his hand looked pale. "Mr. Inoue, we… we lost contact with Tanaka and his squad."'We lost contact?'The remaining cops looked somber. That could only mean Tanaka and his team members were dead. The fact that more than twenty special forces units died on the mountaintop in mere seconds left Mano in shock."What now, Mr. Inoue?" one of the officers asked.Mano's face was contorted. "Now we wait!" he said."We just wait?" The officers were stunned."Yes, we wait. My sources tell me that Garuda Temple, Izanagi Temple, and Amaterasu Temple have sent
The merging went on for half an hour before a loud bang came from the top of Gurenu Peaks. The mountaintop was then covered in a wave of great fragrance—the fragrance of a pill. Even Mano and his team could scent the aroma."What's that? Smells like medicine," a long-faced officer asked.Everyone chorused, "Yeah, and it's real strong too. I think it's coming from Gurenu Peaks.""Dammit, what on earth is happening in Shinogawa Temple? What's with this medicine scent?"Everyone looked at the mountain with surprise. The officers were wondering what was going on, but then a dark voice boomed behind them, "That's Faeastian alchemy!" The voice shook everyone's heart, and they trembled.The voice came from a red-haired silhouette. His face almost looked like a panther, but his eyes resembled that of a viper. He wore a white kariginu cloak and radiated a powerful air. Behind him were a dozen Yin Yang Masters who wore eboshi hats.The Yin Yang Masters wore white kariginu cloaks, and the e
These Yin Yang Masters, however, were clad in black, and their emblem was a serpent. Once again, Mano recognized who this was. "That's Great Priestess Nami from Izanagi Temple!"Eastsun had four temples that reigned supreme: Shinogawa Temple, Izanagi Temple, Garuda Temple, and the strongest of all, Amaterasu Temple. These temples were important for Eastsun, and all had existed for over a millennium.Mano quickly bowed to the entourage from Izanagi Temple.But Sachiko Nami ignored him. Instead, she walked up slowly to Mutou and bent over a little. "It's been a while, Great Priest Mutou."Mutou put on an eerie smile. "It has.""I wasn't expecting you to show up because of this, Great Priest Mutou. Perhaps this Faeastian is more powerful than I thought." Sachiko smiled.Mutou looked at Gurenu Peaks coldly. "Ever since the Battle of the Ten Nations, we've never been insulted this much by Faeast. This cur has the gall to barge into our nation and refine a pill in the ruins of one of o
"He's alone?" Mano blurted. "He did this all alone?"Hitomi nodded."He destroyed a temple that's been standing for a thousand years by himself? How is this possible?""Yeah, and that's not counting Kitagawa Temple, too. That one has thousands of worshippers."The officers and Yin Yang Masters saw Hitomi nod, and their expressions changed to bewilderment and disbelief.Mutou slowly said, "I see Greenshade is a Legend Realm, then.""A Legend Realm?" Sachiko froze."Yes." Mutou looked at the far east and muttered, "I had the chance to travel to Faeast and saw a powerful Legend Realm. Mousse, that was his name. He's a powerful man from one of Faeast's ancient families."One look from him, and he crushed my confidence. I was petrified for a whole afternoon. If he hadn't spared me, I would've been…"Everyone present had looks of shock on their faces. After all, Mutou was one of the top ten fighters of Eastsun."Of course, that was ten years ago. Now, my divine arts are on par with
Just when they were about to trek up the mountain, another loud boom came from the mountaintop, and then, a crimson pillar shot into the air. The scent of a pill radiated from that pillar.Everyone shivered and looked at the mountaintop again."A pill. Faeastian alchemy! Dammit, what is he making? What kind of pill radiates that kind of aura?" Sachiko was looking at the mountaintop solemnly."Who cares about that? There's three of us and one of him. We can take him!" Jirou said.Mutou was quiet, but he, too, was looking at the mountaintop, though his gaze was cold. "Let's go."The great priests and their retinue leaped up the mountain.On the mountaintop, Nox, bathed in golden light, sat before a green cauldron. The aroma of pills came from within."Finally done, I see." Nox's eyes snapped open, and beams of light shot at the cauldron. He raised his hand and summoned something. A blood-red pill flew out of the cauldron and fell into his hand. It was the Bloodchanger.The pill w
Before the memorial tablets, a vague silhouette of an old man sat quietly, cross-legged. There wasn't an ounce of vitality around him, as if he was a phantom.But then, his forehead started to blink, and the emblem of fire appeared. "Hm?" The old man's eyes snapped open. His right eye sparked with lightning, but his left was filled with gray fog. A frown creased his forehead."No… Kirin Firepoison… Something happened to it. Did he rid himself of that poison?" the old man gasped and leaped back up. His eyes went wide, and he touched the fire emblem on his forehead.When the old man confirmed that the emblem had appeared, his face turned into a mask of solemnity. Then, a loud rumble shook the air, and the ancestral hall started to tremble.Cracks came from underground, as if something was breaking, and then, another gash formed on the hall's ground, as if an earthquake had landed. The hall was broken in two. An ancient voice said, "Ah, I expected no less from the Great Lord of Faeast
As the patriarch's voice disappeared, the silhouette bowed once more, and he leaped out of the dark chamber.Phoenix Chamber, the bedchamber of Faeast's new lord, Aphrodite. Aphrodite was in her room, clad in red and cultivating. Dark crimson auras swirled around her as she made hand seals, and the auras formed an armor around her.On her forehead was a petite emblem of fire. This was the mark of the Mousses' Kirin bloodline. This mark meant Aphrodite had awakened her bloodline power. With that power within her, Aphrodite's cultivation was rising rapidly.Then, dark winds blew into Aphrodite's room."Who goes there?" Aphrodite harrumphed and swung her right hand. The crimson auras around her converged into a saber and darted backward. It fell upon the sturdy walls, leaving a five-foot gash."Good. I expected no less from the family's future pillar. You've awakened sixty percent of the bloodline's power."A dark voice came from behind, and a vague silhouette appeared before Aphrod
Though he had regained his full power, he still couldn't make the news of his survival public. After all, the military, court officials, and sects would be plunged into disarray. When that came to pass, the ten nations would avenge their humiliation.Nox's survival must be kept secret. That was why Nox never told anyone.Still worried, Aphrodite said, "Even so, if he does regain his full power, no one in the family can be his match. No one can fend off his Eight Techniques and Ultimate Sun Dragon Manual.""You worry too much. Greenshade might be a powerful genius, but our family isn't as simple as you think," said the silhouette cryptically, and he waved his hand. "Come out."A pair of shadows appeared. One was in white robes, while the other was in black. The man in white robes looked like a scholar, while the one in black robes had the face of a grotesque phantom.As if these two had just returned from hell, the air around them was filled with the stench of death. "Greetings, Ms
Back in the regular guards' camp, Harley spat blood. He was lying in the ruins of a building, his body covered in slash marks. His Celestial technique was broken. This man was leagues above him. Celestial techniques were useless. The swordsman was too powerful."Magic Mountain's techniques? But their swordsmen are on good terms with the lord!" Harley stared at the man in green. He defeated Harley using Magic Mountain's techniques.Magic Mountain and Mystia had always been at loggerheads. They had slain many demons and monsters throughout the years, and their swordsmanship was a bane for the cultivators."I wonder how Nox managed to make a Mystian like you loyal to him. Yes, I am a Magic Mountain swordsman. Was, to be honest. I was kicked out a hundred years ago. My master said my heart is astray. How laughable. I have killed demons over ninety years, and hundreds of them have died to my blade! My heart is not astray!"Your sins are innumerable, Harley, and you must be slain! White
All of a sudden, the soldiers let go of their weapons. They had a look of fanaticism on their faces as they throttled themselves to death. The party went on, and the bluebloods enjoyed every moment, oblivious to the incoming danger.The monk passed through the residence smoothly, with all the soldiers and guards throttling themselves to death. Suddenly, everyone noticed a monk in red robes in the party hall. The drunk guests thought this was an event arranged by Atlas."We have a monk here. Wonder what kind of show you're presenting," a portly rich man joked, laughing loudly."Show? I am the leader of an evil sect. No show, but I do have a scripture to share. The government calls my sect evil, and they claim the monks are agents of darkness. You are not much better yourself. Omitofo."The old monk chanted once more, and the look on everyone's faces changed. Some knelt and cried their hearts out. Some groveled and didn't even notice that their heads were bleeding. They talked about
Back in his residence, Atlas called a feast and invited the bluebloods of Imperia. He was glowing during the event and could never be happier. He used to be a declining aristocrat with nothing but the title of nobility.However, his luck turned for the better when he got older. He followed Nox into battle at Heaven's Cage, Vertolt, and Winterosch, making him a true lord. The Limerents controlled the nation, and he was a prince. He could even have some power over the nation or at least be one of the top dogs in Faeast.If Nox became emperor, then all the better. Perhaps he could be a more intimate part of the royal family. He drank to his heart's content and partied with the most desired people in Imperia. Nothing could be better."Life is short, people. Drink!"…The Ice Temple's vice-Lord was in the regular guards' encampment. This was a critical junction, and yet Atlas wasn't at his post. Instead, he was having a party. The vice-Lord had a bad feeling about this, but he had no p
Harley sneered, having nothing but disdain for Atlas. "I can't believe the master would employ a shithead like you."Atlas laughed. "You think you're so high and mighty, but you're also Lord Nox's lapdog now. I am his subordinate, and we have a close relationship. I'm also the uncle of the emperor. That makes me Lord Nox's great-uncle," bragged Atlas."Dumbass. Just do your fucking job. Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise told me the Mousses might try something," Harley cursed.The mention of the Mousses made Atlas panic, but he calmed himself down and snored. "The Mousses? They won't dare do anything when I'm here. If they show up, I'll kick their ass! I command thirty thousand units. If they come to Imperia, it'll be the last thing they see!" Atlas was confident.Harley was speechless. 'My word, how can he be such a braggart?'With thirty thousand Nox Army units in Imperia, combined with the Forbidden Army, the regular guards, and 200 thousand elites protecting Imperia, nothing co
Vermilion Bird said, "Azure Dragon used to be an Advanced Eight Gates. After the Mousses had him under their control, he became a Supreme. Judging by these photos, he's gotten more powerful since then."'More powerful?' Nineve knew how the cultivators were ranked. Top Legend Realms were another kind of life form entirely. In Faeast, a Supreme could be made a lord. An undefeatable Supreme would be made a ruler. A Sovereign was made every five hundred years, while a ruler was made every century.Supremes appeared once every decade or so. "I don't get it. You three obviously found some power source, and with Nox's help, you leveled up. Azure Dragon only has the Mousses. How'd he level up so fast?"If the Mousses were so powerful, they wouldn't have to resort to assassinations or betrayals."Not the Mousses. It's all Azure Dragon. He's our captain. He's a very talented and cunning man. Emphasis on talent. He's so strong that not even three of us can compare to him, combined. The only g
Elizabeth said nothing but went red and hung her head low, causing Black Tortoise to panic."Uh oh. If you want him, you'll have to fight for him. That's all I can say, but the lord does think highly of you." He laughed."Shut it, Black Tortoise. You're talking nonsense here!" Vermilion Bird snapped. "See you, Your Majesty." She then took Black Tortoise and left the room quickly. They had work to do.The duo led most of the Shadow Division members back to Faeast. After the incident of Brundela, Faeast's fate was going strong, and the people were excited. However, beneath that excitement was unseen danger.Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise came back to Northstate's governor-general's place and met up with Nineve. Black Tortoise said solemnly, "What happened, Your Highness? We need the details."Nineve looked exhausted, and there were dark circles under her eyes. She had been working hard in Nox's absence. "Honestly, Atlas… I mean, the Defender of the Lord hasn't been pulling his we
Douglas worked through the night for the negotiation."One, you must apologize for your invasion of Faeast. Two, you will return all stolen relics to us and pay for damages. Three, you will open trade with Faeast, and it must be complete and total. Those are our demands. We promise not to interfere with your nation's administration. Once the aid is administered, our fleet and army will retreat from Brundela."And one more thing. Faeast recognizes you as Brundela's new ruler." That was interesting. It also meant that Faeast could rescind that recognition at any time. Elizabeth had no choice. Without Faeast, Brundela would be gone. In the end, the nations arrived at an agreement.At midnight, they called a press conference. Faeast helped Eropa settle a war and avert a world disaster. That news took the world by storm. The Eastern dragon was rising, and none could stop it. It wouldn't take long for Faeast to return to the top.Brundela's case was over. After they gave enough aid, Ferg
"They call you Great Generals?" the Ice Temple Lord laughed. "If I do want to betray him, how do you hope to stop me? You three had to take me on together, and it only ended in a draw. Now that I'm an Emperor and White Tiger is in a slumber, I can destroy you in a moment!"The Ice Temple Lord looked at Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise with disdain. Vermilion Bird's eyes were wide. She didn't care. She would fight the Temple Lord to the bitter end if she must.Black Tortoise was the calmer one, and he pulled Vermilion Bird back. "Calm down. Even if he wants to betray the lord, he at least would want to see the lord's body before he tries anything."Even a woman like Aphrodite lost this fight. He wouldn't dare try anything stupid."The Ice Temple Lord was still smug about being an Emperor, and now his celebration was cut short. Betraying Nox required a lot of courage. Nox's power terrified him. Even if he couldn't win the fight, Nox could at least come back safely.Besides, he only
The formation Nox created with the Sovereign Seal was on the brink of destruction. Once the formation was gone, the Sovereigns and the spirits would return to dust. In this final moment, Brundela's Faeastian called their friends and family in their homeland and projected the modern-day Faeast onto the gigantic screen in the plaza.The spirits cried when they saw how developed their nation had become. The Sovereigns and the rulers were meticulous people. They used to rule over a unified nation, so they knew how hard it was to create a dynasty. Every dynasty would have its peak and nadir.Every time a dynasty was on a decline, Faeast would be in danger. They didn't talk about the truth behind that video, of course. They admired the beautiful land of Faeast as they waited for their final moment to arrive."The hardest and darkest moment is behind us, sirs. Faeast has me now. You may rest in peace. I will not let you down. I will destroy the canker that infects Faeast and give it the pe