System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Chapter 720: Chapter 720: The Ancestor’s Decree

The soul fragment of the Ancestor stabilized, the raging pressure settling as he glared at his granddaughter. "Why did you burn that parchment? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to forge one of these?"

"I know, and that is exactly why I used it," Annie replied, unbothered by his glare. "This is an absolute emergency."

Without wasting words, she laid out the entire tactical situation, presenting the facts so he could make the ultimate decision on whether the Heavenly Sword Pavilion should mobilize its entire martial force for a full-scale war against the subterranean undead.

The Ancestor’s phantom expression turned grave. He let out a long, heavy sigh. "If your description is accurate, that tomb harbors entities far more powerful than anything on the surface. There is no way we can conquer it alone. Establish a permanent defensive perimeter immediately. If the undead have retreated and aren’t actively pushing out, it must mean something binds them within that structure. That is a temporary blessing, but it is also the worst possible scenario."

Annie frowned, her unique pupils narrowing. "Why is that?"

"Because it completely eliminates our tactical options," the Ancestor explained grimly. "We cannot use lure tactics to draw them out into open terrain for controlled ambushes. To eliminate this threat and claim the resources, we will eventually be forced to launch a direct, full-scale frontal assault against their fortified subterranean positions."

"You heard the Ancestor," Annie commanded, turning her cold gaze toward the gathered generals. "We will establish a strict defensive perimeter. Deploy the flying vessels five kilometers back. Maintain constant guard rotations. If a single undead entity crosses the boundary, I want it destroyed immediately. No one is to launch an unauthorized assault under any circumstances."

While the fleet began its strategic mobilization, the Ancestor recalled his soul fragment, stepping out of his secluded cultivation chamber within the Heavenly Sword Pavilion. He walked deep into the restricted mountain depths, arriving before a heavily sealed, ancient stone door.

"Great Ancestor," he called out, bowing deeply. "I request an audience."

The heavy door groaned as it slowly ground open, revealing an old man whose body looked like a living corpse. As the ancient being opened his eyes, a suffocating wave of pressure flooded the chamber, nearly causing the Sect Ancestor to lose his footing.

"What has occurred?" the Great Ancestor rasped, his voice like grinding stones. "I believed I gave you total control over the Pavilion, boy. Why do you disturb this old man? I do not sense an enemy attack."

"The situation is as follows, Great Ancestor..." The Ancestor quickly detailed the discovery of the tomb, the undead legion, and the young medic.

"A divine potion..." the Great Ancestor murmured, his ancient eyes flashing. "I have heard rumors of this potion. Order them to send a vial directly to me. If it truly possesses the properties you describe, we must secure that valley at all costs. However, it is a pity. We will not be able to eat this entire cake alone."

The Ancestor looked up, startled. "Why, Great Ancestor?"

"A full-scale war against those ancient horrors will inflict casualties that will bring our Heavenly Sword Pavilion to the absolute brink of destruction," the old man explained grimly. "We will lose all capacity to manage our territories. Even worse, the surrounding factions will sense our sudden weakness and devour us instantly. The Crimson Sect has grown increasingly aggressive lately; their own Ancestor has gone mad with grief over the death of his grandson, striking out without regard for the consequences. At this rate, we will inevitably plunge into a total war with them. And it matters not who emerges victorious—the vultures of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom will simply devour whoever is left standing."

The Great Ancestor leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "This young medic boy... he is our only hope to tip the scales. No matter what happens, he must not be offended under any circumstances. Ensure his absolute loyalty to the Pavilion."

Annie received the strict directive from the mountain depths. Without a single moment of hesitation, she placed the five pink vials into the flagship’s high-tier teleportation matrix, flashing them directly to the Great Ancestor’s chamber.

Meanwhile, Ethan returned to his private quarters on the ship. Inside, his women had prepared a welcoming feast. Having remained deep within the fortified vessel’s living quarters, they had been entirely shielded from the brutal reality of the bloodbath outside. As Ethan sat down and casually recounted the subterranean ambush and the narrow escape, panic swept through the room. They gripped his arms, terrified by how close their man had come to absolute destruction.

"It is highly probable that I will be stationed here for an extended duration," Ethan told them, gently brushing their hair. "This region is extremely volatile now. The high command will not allow me to leave the frontlines. For your own safety, I intend to have you all escorted back to the main sect headquarters where the defenses are absolute."

Mary, his mother-in-law and mate, looked at him with sharp intelligence. "To put it more accurately, we will become their hostages. A golden chain to ensure you remain perfectly anchored to their command."

Ethan let out a low, confident chuckle, pulling her in for a firm kiss. "Do not worry. Nothing will happen to me. They desperately require my unique medical capabilities to survive this war, so everything is within my layout."

Before he could finish his meal, a sharp knock rattled the heavy door. A high-ranking disciple stood outside, bowing respectfully. "Master Ethan, the Sect Leader requests your immediate presence on the command deck."

"Of course," Ethan replied smoothly, wiping his mouth as he stood up. "I will be there immediately."

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From this moment forward, to avoid confusion regarding cultivation ranks, I will include this footer with the current established levels.

Note: These are only the ranks mentioned so far to avoid spoilers.

Body Refinement Realm

Skin Refinement / Bone Refinement / Organ Refinement

Spiritual Gathering Realm

Spiritual Perception / Spiritual Mist / Spiritual Condensation

Spiritual Core Realm

Core Solidification / Core Awakening / Spiritual Collapse (Half-step Spiritual Core)

Spiritual Soul Realm

Spiritual Soul Awakening / Soul Nourishing / Soul-Core Fusion

Golden Core Realm

Prime Fusion / Core Perfection / Core Destruction

Spiritual Sea Realm

The Melting Tide / The Tidal Horizon / The Sea Mist Ascension

Dao Manifestation Realm

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Spiritual Transcendence

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

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Sword mastery levels

Sword Intent.

Sword Aura.

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