While the great priests were busy processing their shock, two more bangs echoed from within Nox. It was as if Nox had ameliorated. Then, his eyes snapped open. Beams of light brighter than beacons shot out of his eyes."I've regained my full power," he said. It wasn't loud, but the air around him rattled. When Nox regained his power, his looks and aura gained a significant increase. His hair slowly changed back to black as he regained his power.Nox was more handsome than ever, and the air around him felt sharp. He looked like a real god. Half an hour ago, he'd rid himself of the Kirin Firepoison. The moment he did, Nox slowly regained his power. To do that, he needed to absorb natural energy.That suction just now was because Nox was absorbing the energy he needed, and he had fully recovered.Sachiko gasped, "Look, his body changed again. What is he doing?"Mutou and Jirou's looks were turning grimmer. The powerful aura Nox radiated was unlike anything they'd ever seen. It was as
Sneering, Mutou continued, "The arrogance! Eastsun and Faeast have always been allies. Our martial artists and sorcerers have always levied their own lives, yet you barge into our nation, killed thousands of our worshippers, and destroyed a thousand-year-old temple. You must explain yourself!"Nox laughed loudly and turned around. When Mutou saw his face, he took a step back instinctively."You think you can make demands of me?"Though Mutou was wary of Nox because of his powerful aura, he would not take this attitude lying down. "You dare take that tone with us when you're in Eastsun? I shall fight you!" he roared and attacked.Mutou used Eastsun's famous shikigami spells. He stepped in specific directions and pressed his right hand downward. With a boom, a red circular talisman appeared before him."Come, Ootengu!" Mutou roared. A skeletal dog about ten feet long appeared from within the talisman and bared its fangs. The air around it smelled like blood, and it had red eyes. The
Shocked, Nami asked, "Damn it, who is this man? How can he be this powerful?"Mutou's face contorted after suffering that defeat. He was a great priest, and yet Nox defeated his shikigami in one blow. If anyone found out, he'd be a laughingstock. "Ootengu, Seal of Deicide!"Mutou made more hand seals, and the Ootengu's aura rose even higher. Worse, the skeletal dog sprouted two more heads. Then, the three-headed Ootengu galloped toward Nox.Nox waved his hand, and a golden sword appeared. It swung down on the Ootengu. The shikigami let out a howl of agony before it was sliced in two, after which it turned into ashes.After Ootengu was killed, Mutou spewed blood and wobbled. He looked at Nox in disbelief. "How did this happen? How is he so powerful?"Nami and Okada were stupefied. No one expected Mutou to be defeated in just two blows. 'What?' they thought.Amidst their shock, Nox said, "This is not your lucky day. I just regained all my power, and your blood would be the perfect
At the same time Okada cast beastification, Nami cast her illusion spells as well. She brushed her hands across her eyes, and they glowed an alluring purple. She then made more hand seals and shot them around Nox.A moment later, the mountains were turned into a realm of hallucination. This was Izanagi Temple's famous Deceived Heart technique. This technique allowed the user to see into their enemy's heart and gain knowledge about their weakness so that they could attack their enemy mentally.While Nami and Okada were attacking Nox with their strongest techniques, the injured Mutou's face contorted. "Very well. Since you challenge Eastsun today, then I shall take your life even if it's the last thing I do!" he roared.Mutou took out an ancient mirror. It was a bizarre mirror. The moment it appeared, dark energy swirled around it. This was the famous Yin Yang Mirror. After Mutou drew a couple of runes on the mirror, black energy shot out. Two black flood dragons appeared from withi
Mutou screamed as flames engulfed his body. "Nami, save me!" he shouted, hoping to be saved. However, he was nothing but a pile of ash a moment later. Even his bones had been burned.After Okada and Mutou were killed, Nami was the only one left, but she was struggling to fight. She was ashen, her face as white as a sheet. Nox didn't even dodge the illusion. Instead, he looked at Nami."Trying to use your illusion to see my true face? Very well, I shall show it to you." Nox's eyes glimmered, and a great wave of mental energy pulled Nami's mind into his mindsea. When Nami's mind barged into Nox's soul, she was shocked.She was met with a sea of red. It was made of blood, and corpses piled up as high as mountains. More importantly, these corpses were the self-defense forces Nox killed during the big battle. The sheer number of corpses scared Nami."W-Who are you?" Nami stammered.Nox didn't answer. Instead, he kept moving onward with his mind, letting her see the scenes he wanted to
After they were spared, the Yin Yang Masters scurried off. On top of Gurenu Peaks, Nox, who had regained all his power, stood tall, his eyes on the far east. "I've regained all my strength. Wait for me, Queenie. I will cure you."The air around Nox turned dark and icy. "And just you wait, Aphrodite. It's time to pay for what you did to me." Nox leaped up into the air and flew down Gurenu Peaks. A long line of light trailed behind him, and then he disappeared from sight.At the foot of the mountain, Mano, his officers, and Hitomi were waiting for the great priests' news. They had no idea what had happened up there. They didn't know that Nox had killed all three great priests about fifteen minutes ago.An officer asked, "Mr. Inoue, could that loud bang be the result of the priests battling the Faeastian?"The officers had heard the sound of battle, but they couldn't be sure what was going on. Mano said, "Perhaps. That bastard barged into Eastsun and killed innocents. He deserves to d
Hearing this, the officers looked at the Yin Yang Masters in confusion, wondering why they sounded terrified. "What? Why should we run? Where are the great priests?""They're dead!" A gray-haired Yin Yang Master answered in a trembling voice as he ran down the mountain. "The Faeastian killed them!""What? The great priests are dead?" The news came as a bombshell, spreading ripples through the crowd.Even Mano looked thunderstruck, and he stood there like a statue. "Impossible. Three great priests, taken down by a Faeastian?" His eyes went wide, and he looked at the dark mountaintop, aghast.But there was only silence and darkness atop the mountain. Hitomi stared in that direction dumbly, muttering, "I told you you should never have challenged him."…Back in Riverton, Alexander called the best medical team in the nation to treat Queenie because he couldn't contact Nox at the moment. He also took Queenie back to his mansion. Queenie lay on a bed in a bedroom, unconscious. Beside
Bear nodded quickly. He knew how important Queenie was to Nox. "Alright, I'll call them right now."Bear was going to call his men overseas, but then an SUV came charging up the road and screeched to a halt at the mansion's entrance. A quartet of men in black hopped out of the car. For some reason, they looked panicked. It was as if something terrible had happened.Once they came to the entrance, a burly guy said, "Miles, are you sure Commander Colton is in there?""Yes.""Good, then come with me. We need to see him." The burly man led his team into the mansion."Commander!"Just when Bear was about to call his guy, he saw this quartet approaching him quickly, shouting out to him. Bear frowned and cursed, "Goddammit, I told you not to come to me in public. Why'd you disobey that order?""Commander, the Shadow Division's in big trouble. That's why we came," the burly member said."Big trouble? What kind of trouble could it be?" Bear was confused."Commander, we just got a notif
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