"Come, talk with me." Claude walked out of the courtyard, and Nox followed. Although Nox hated the clan and Daniel, he would never despise Claude.Claude adored him since he was little. He loved to carry Nox around on his shoulders and ran around pretending to be his horse. Eighteen years had gone by, and Claude was now old and gray. He even had wrinkles. Regardless, Nox recognized him immediately.They arrived at a bamboo copse, and Claude stared at the nephew he hadn't seen for eighteen years. "You're all grown up. More handsome, too. Why, you're taller than me now." Claude smiled.Nox stood in silence."I saw you when you were crowned lord on Mystia. All eyes were on you. You were astonishing." The memories of what happened six years ago made Claude tear up again.Although Nox and his mother were banished, the clan still kept its eye on him. However, Nox had no idea about it. Claude looked at Nox lovingly. "Nox, tell me, has life treated you well?""Yes, Uncle Claude." Nox smi
"I'm here to tell you that no matter what you do, the clan will always have your back. Even if you're going to fight the most powerful thing around, we'll help you out." Claude looked into the darkness. "Come out."Redsleeve, Steely, and Oldsmoke appeared like phantoms. "Greetings, Mr. Claude." They bowed to Claude."You have seen Nox, I presume?"The trio nodded. Claude continued, "Then you know what you must do?""Yes. From this moment onward, our lives are Master Nox's. If he wants us to live, then we shall. If he wants us to give our lives, then we shall do that as well."Claude nodded with satisfaction and turned to Nox. "Nox, these people are trained by Daniel, and their job is to protect you. You will manage them from now on."Nox then said, "Uncle Claude, I don't want them.""Why?" Claude asked."Because I don't want anything from him." He was talking about Daniel.Claude quickly said, "I know you hate Daniel, but these people are loyal to you. Plus, we spent a fortune
'Live for now?' Redsleeve was stunned.Claude then said, "You fools. Kneel before Nox!"The trio snapped out of it and promptly went to their knees. "Thank you for taking us in, Master Nox. Thank you!"Nox didn't say anything to them. "Uncle Claude, I can keep them around, but that doesn't mean I've forgiven him. Tell him that the ties between us were severed the second he kicked me out of the clan. I will never have anything to do with him. Not now, not ever."He then left coldly. The trio watched him leave in awkward silence. Claude shook his head, a bitter smile hanging on his lips."He's just like Daniel.""What should we do, Mr. Claude?" Oldsmoke asked with surprise."You three will stay with Nox. If anything happens to him, you will pay with your lives as well."The trio nodded, and Claude left. As he walked in the darkness, another figure appeared by his side. He was Winston, and Claude smiled at him. "Did you see him?"Winston was in the distance. There was a look of p
However, Keith was locked up in the Darkwater Penitentiary. As of now, his situation was unknown. That greatly worried Nox. Darkwater Penitentiary was built on orders of Aphrodite, and it took place after Nox's 'death.'Most generals didn't even know the location. As a result, Nox was waiting for the informant's news. Once he was sure where the prison was, Nox would charge into its gates and bust his friend out.Time went by slowly and steadily. After the trio became part of Nox's team, they were tasked with the outer perimeter's security. Then, a silhouette skulked around the courtyard one afternoon. When they tried to get close to Nox, a red silhouette appeared out of nowhere."Who dares skulk around this place? Die!" Redsleeve leaped toward the intruder.The silhouette quickly dodged. He said, "I am Sage Lilac, a military guy! I'm here to see the commander!""Commander Colton, you mean?" Redsleeve looked at the man coldly."Yes! I am the Shadow Division's informant! Commander
The Imperial Tomb was imposing and solemn at night. This was where emperors were laid to rest and where geniuses were born. The moment Nox stepped into its domain, the air around him constricted, and a suffocating magical aura radiated from the tomb.It was a terrifying aura, and everyone started hyperventilating. A powerful resistance stopped everyone in their tracks.Oldsmoke gasped, "This pressure…" Since he was a sorcerer, he knew something was off about the tomb. Thus, he quickly activated his magick and stepped forth with a grim look in his eye, but every step he took was harder than the last. It was as if heavy weights were strapped to his legs. Sure enough, he could no longer walk a few seconds later."Dammit, what is this place? Why can't I move a muscle?" Beads of perspiration trickled down Redsleeve's face. Her legs seemed to have been petrified. She had barely begun to walk when she had to stop and catch her breath.Among the three, only Steely became a Legend Realm wit
Oldsmoke wore a look of astonishment on his face as he questioned Nox. "Well, it's because I was the one who designed this formation!" Nox replied with a smirk on his face.The old man's jaw nearly fell onto the floor. Redsleeve and Steely were equally as shocked. With his hands behind his back, Nox simply gazed at the formation surrounding the Imperial Tomb. "Just follow my footsteps, and you'll be able to surpass this formation!" he uttered without any further explanation. Oldsmoke, Redsleeve, and the rest lowered their gazes. There were deep imprints on the ground where Nox had stepped on. It turned out Nox was already aware of the fact that Oldsmoke and the rest wouldn't be able to surpass the formation, so he had already left his footprints on the ground earlier on. However, Oldsmoke and the rest only realized it after hearing what Nox said. After taking a deep breath, the rest of them began to circulate the strength in their beings as they forcefully lifted their legs to s
Keith, who was covered in blood, had his four limbs chained by metal cuffs. Four black nails had been hammered into his back as well. The dried blood around his wounds had turned into a dark red color. Despite his injuries, the gritty man didn't let out a single cry. Four masked men in black outfits stood guard outside the cell. All four of them emitted the aura of Grandmasters. When Cardinale made his way to the cell, the four Grandmasters bowed in unison. Without even glancing in their direction, Cardinale gave his orders in an icy tone. "Open the door!""Yes!" One of the men unlatched the cell door immediately. Cardinale shifted his gaze onto Keith the moment he stepped in. Keith's eyes were closed, and his bloodied body was completely still. He looked like a statue. "Most people claim that Supreme Tiger from the Shadow Division is an invincible, undefeated warrior and a merciless killer. Well, I must say that I am impressed with what I've seen today!" Cardinale said with a hin
"Top Legend Realms? Are you saying that these gramps here are top Legend Realms?" Bear's expression darkened when he sensed the powerful aura coming from the two men. What made one a top Legend Realm? It meant that one was at the peak of the Legend Realm, and one could single-handedly kill an army! However, that day, none of them had expected a tiny prison like Darkwater Penitentiary to house two top Legend Realms! Nox kept his hands behind his back as he stared at the two men, his gaze chilly and hard. "Do you know who I am?" "You're the Supreme Lord of Faeast. I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know who you are," Phoenix, who was dressed in a dark green coat, was the first to respond."Well, if you know my name, you must have heard of the Mystia Ban," Nox said. Phoenix's face twitched with fear upon the mention of the Mystia Ban. "I… I have!" The Mystia Ban stated that the top Legend Realms weren't allowed to unleash their powers unless it was a national calamity. Anyo
Three months later, Nox declared Faeast as the leader of all nations, ushering in a true era of peace and prosperity. Then, he abdicated the throne, passing the throne to Nineve. Nox proclaimed that this nation was neither the Greenshade nor the Limerent family's, but a world that belonged to its people.One year later, Nox and Queenie lounged under the warm sun on the sandy shores of the Ocean of Death, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility. The world had finally settled into peace, allowing them to take a well-deserved rest."Nono, what's Aphrodite up to?" Queenie asked, her brows furrowed as she leaned against Nox. "Is she planning something shady again? She's been building alliances all over like she wants to imitate the Three-Eyed Empress.""Death changes people," Nox replied calmly. "Don't worry about her. She knows exactly what she's doing."Old Aphrodite would've killed Jacques and run off to save herself without a second thought. Instead, she spared him, stripped his cul
The Nine-State Crucible hovered majestically over the heavens, drawing all the spiritual energy from the Nine States and Five Domains into itself. As the ultimate artifact of Faeast, the crucible was unmatched—a legendary relic that had never known defeat.The origins of the Nine-State Crucible were shrouded in mystery. No one knew who forged it nor why it disappeared over the ages. For centuries, many dismissed it as a mere myth. Yet now, it reappeared, proving its existence—and, by extension, the truth of all the ancient legends tied to it.The sight left every cultivator present in awe, bowing in reverence to the artifact."The ancient sovereigns of Faeast forged the Nine-State Crucible to safeguard the Nine States and Five Domains. "Its power ensures that Ascendants cannot interfere with the mortal realm. It has crushed even Ascendants in the past, and you, still merely a mortal cultivator, think you can stand against it? I promised to crush you, and I will!"With Nox at it
However, only Nox himself could sever the celestial providence. Only by cutting off the Celestial Lord's celestial providence could Faeast's providence be restored to its peak."Damn it! Nox Greenshade! Do you really think you can defy the heavens? I didn't want to damage my cultivation, but it seems I have no choice but to go all out! You think a one-ring Minor Saint can defeat me? I am the Celestial Lord—the apex of mortals, the Great Saint of Dao and Virtue, ordained by the heavens themselves!"The Celestial Lord's furious roar resonated across Mystia, drawing in vast waves of spiritual energy from the realm that converged upon him alone."Great Saint of Dao and Virtue? If the so-called heavens of the Transcendent Firmament made you, it only proves that even they have failures," Nox retorted coldly.Even the Celestial Lord, enraged as he was, could scarcely believe Nox's audacity—daring to disparage the mighty figures of the Transcendent Firmament."I am indeed a one-ring Minor
'What? Griffin was a sworn brother to Magic Mountain's founder?!'"That's right," confirmed the formation master. "He only told us recently."As the first to learn of this connection, he had shared it with the Saints of the Five Elements, ensuring they wouldn't betray their alliance. Using the promise of ascension as leverage, he managed to secure their cooperation. After all, the Great Saint of Fire had already reached the threshold for ascension.The risks were minimal, and upon ascending to the Transcendent Firmament, the Magic Mountain's founder would surely offer his guidance. For that reason alone, the five mentors had rallied to aid Nox.With such mighty forces gathered, morale on Nox's side soared. Meanwhile, the Whitefield family's spirits plummeted, crashing from the heights of hope to the depths of despair in mere moments. The mental strain caused several of their weaker-willed members to break completely.With dread settling over them, the Whitefields could only place
The Whitefields were getting cocky, but then they realized the powerhouses that came weren't responding. The aura was powerful, but there was no life in it. On closer inspection, they noticed that the leader of the group only had half a body left. His soul was missing. The quartet behind him was nothing but a pile of mincemeat.The portal buzzed again, and seven silhouettes came out. Five of them felt domineering, and they looked prideful. It almost felt like they were peerless. These people were none other than the Saints of the Five Elements.Four of them were Pinnacle Minor Saints. While one had an aura so strong, this place couldn't handle it."A Great Saint! Great Saint of Fire!" Fiery Ignis, Dominic, and Achille couldn't believe their eyes.It had been too long since Mystia saw a Great Saint, and he was Nox's mentor."So, he's the one who broke through first. But now he's already hit his bottleneck. The other four's power isn't enough. If the Sacred Beast Seal isn't upgraded
The Montgomerys and the Byrds decided to see Nox together, but they were refused. They were cursing Nox and calling him disrespectful, but then they saw Nox and his team taking a portal to the path of the ancient divine."What? He went right to them? Why? He's going to fight the Celestial Lord now?" The representatives were shocked.'How dare they!' they thought.Nox and his team went through the portal quickly and appeared right over the Whitefields' place. The Whitefield family was the newest member of the divine four and the real mastermind behind the Inkdarks' demise."Kirin, I told you I'd take you back here someday. I told you that when we come back, the Whitefields will be no more. If you can't do it, I can wipe them out for you." Nox looked at Kirin."Don't look down on me, milord. You don't need to dirty your hands for them. I'll do it!" Kirin summoned his avatar, and with Saint power infused, the avatar turned into a real beast. The sacred beast itself descended upon the
"Time to finish this. My lord's going to the path of the ancient divine next. You should decide who's going to take over after the Celestial Lord is taken down. That's all. Now let's talk about our personal business. Listen up, anyone who had a part in attacking my family, tell your clans that I'm coming for them. I'm killing all of you!"Bloodlust filled the air, and the representatives were shocked. "You killed your own family. Yes, we made them attack you, but we never wanted to wipe it out!" the Whitefields' representative said.Kirin flew into a rage. "How low can you go? You forced them to kill me, or you would wipe us out instead! You think I'm stupid? You'd have killed my family either way! I know how you guys function. You're crueler than any beast out there. Listen up, there's still time to plan for your funeral. You'd better make a good plan."Kirin chased everyone away. The families were going back to prepare for battle, but two remained behind. One was the Byrds' repres
Nox's Magick Sword crushed the enemy leader's soul. "I said I would cut you down, and I did. Now do you see who's the ignorant one?"The enemy leader realized that Nox was the man at the pinnacle. Perhaps the moment Nox became a faux Saint, he was already no match for him. "So what if you can kill me? You are Faeast's Sovereign, and you have a duty to push Faeast to power. But the Celestial Lord still exists. As long as he is around, your wish will never be fulfilled." He sneered."Is that so? Well, he's next on the list to be culled. If anyone tries to make an enemy out of me, I will destroy them and their families, even if they are from the path of the ancient divine!"Nox shattered the remains of the soul, and the path of the martial's leader was no more. The problem harassing Faeast for millennia could be solved at long last. Achille was stunned. It hadn't been that long, but Nox had surpassed him.Nox was better than him in every way. He was an even better swordsman than Achil
The enemy leader was waiting. One technique broken wasn't enough to take Nox out. He wanted to wait until Nox had cast all he knew and find an opening to take him down, but Nox wanted to take him down with the power of the sword."You're stubborn. Very well, this makes things easier for me. I'll kill you, or at the very least, wound you!" He'd be stupid not to take advantage of this. The enemy leader's avatar morphed into a gigantic fist and slammed into Nox's chest.The impact shot through his body and reached his soul. Nox spat blood, and his soul was injured.Achille couldn't stand by anymore. Nox just told him not to push himself, but he wasn't taking his own advice. Then, Nox's weak will-of-the-sword shone blindingly, and then Unto the Origin appeared once more."Even under my pressure, you can use this technique? You're strong, but you're as stubborn as your mentor. You've lost your chance! Die! You'll never get here in time, Achille! Shadowkill!"The enemy leader's avatar t