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

Chapter 724: Chapter 724: The Prince’s Decree

This revelation dropped like a devastating array bomb in the command sanctuary.

First, the other three factions had no prior inkling that Prince Alaric was so intimately aligned with the Heavenly Sword Pavilion. Second, with the official title of Guardians of the Realm, their combined authority would expand exponentially across the northern territories without any imperial pushback. Even the aggressive Crimson Sect would be forced to retreat with their tails between their legs, completely breaking their momentum and reducing them to mere vassals before the united might of the four factions backed by the absolute power of the Kingdom.

The Great Ancestor of the Thunder Dragon Sect leaned back, his eyes narrowing into cold slits as he stared at the blood covenant. "What is your true bond with them? A blood contract is not nearly enough to justify something as incredibly risky as what you are proposing. And I am not referring to the divine potion—you could have negotiated that without us, I understand that much. But every faction involved here will have to bear the immense pressure of this war. Do not lie to us. You are not sharing this out of charity, but because you simply cannot swallow this entire cake by yourself. If you could, you wouldn’t have even glanced our way."

The Great Ancestor of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion let out a dry, raspy laugh, completely unbothered by the accusation. "You are entirely correct in what you say," said the Heavenly Sword Great Ancestor. "I am utterly incapable of facing the gathering storm by myself. If I attempt to hoard this, my Pavilion will be destroyed. But that is not the sole reason. The definitive reason is that this is the explicit decree of the Prince."

"The Prince?" asked the Great Ancestor of the Evergreen Sect, his brow furrowing deeper. "What does he have to do with this?"

"Before I arrived at this front, I spoke with him," said the Heavenly Sword Great Ancestor. "Beyond securing his promise and the blood oath, he explicitly demanded that I unify the southern sects under one banner. His ultimate intention is to expand his absolute authority, absorbing all of us into his faction."

"Infamous...!" shouted the Great Ancestor of the Black Mountain Sect, slamming his hand on the obsidian table.

"How do you even dare to propose such a thing to us?!" cursed the Thunder Dragon leader.

"I knew you would react this way, but the truth is, you no longer have a choice," said the Heavenly Sword Great Ancestor, his voice completely calm as he turned toward the darkness at the back of the pavilion. "Gusher, step forward."

From the dense shadows, the figure of a young man materialized. He possessed vibrant green hair and piercing yellow eyes that scanned the room like a predator.

"This is Gusher, the right hand of Prince Alaric. I assume he requires no introduction," said the Heavenly Sword Great Ancestor. "His presence here serves two purposes. Most importantly, he carries a direct message from the Prince—one that even I have not yet been permitted to hear."

Gusher looked at the gathered leaders with naked disdain. Instead of feeling insulted, a cold wave of fear washed over the ancient patriarchs. Among all the half-step Dao Manifestation experts in the realm, Gusher was universally recognized as the absolute strongest in the territory. Even the Grand General of the White Unicorn Army would not dare face him in a one-on-one duel.

"The political climate of the Kingdom has shifted completely, and we are now facing an unprecedented crisis," said Gusher, his voice cutting through the tension like ice. "After thorough calculation, the Prince has determined that the current stability is entirely unsustainable. The royal princes have officially entered the phase of active warfare against one another. Except for the Royal Capital zone where combat remains strictly prohibited, every faction and proxy army is locked in open conflict."

He stepped closer to the table, his yellow eyes flashing. "The hidden secrets of every prince have been brought to light. We still do not know the exact nature of the artifact Princess Isabella delivered to our King, but its value is monumental enough to agitate the entire power structure of the realm. However, unfortunately for everyone in this room, the only variable capable of counteracting her sudden rise also belongs exclusively to Isabella."

The room fell into a stunned, bewildered silence. Even the Great Ancestor of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion looked up, his ancient face filled with genuine confusion.

Seeing that every pair of eyes in the sanctuary was locked onto him, Gusher let out a cold snort. "The identity of the young medic currently stationed in your camp... he is a high-level spy from the Soaring Dragon Kingdom."

The sanctuary erupted into absolute chaos. Incredulity washed over the faces of the ancient patriarchs, and even the Great Ancestor of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion staggered backward, his grip tightening on his stone armrest until it cracked.

His entire layout for the future, his absolute confidence in achieving the Dao Manifestation Realm, and his plans to dominate the south were completely anchored to Ethan.

To discover that the boy’s loyalty had never belonged to them, but to the supreme power of the kingdom, felt like a devastating strike to his core.

"That is impossible!" shouted the Great Ancestor of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, his raspy voice shaking with rare agitation. "His background was thoroughly vetted by my pavilion! What absolute proof do you carry to back such an absurd claim, Gusher?".

"My proof is absolute," said Gusher, his yellow eyes scanning the panicked faces around the table. "He was deployed directly under the confidential commands of the White Unicorn Corps—the personal elite army of Princess Isabella herself. He was trained within their innermost hidden ranks. Our intelligence network has confirmed he shares a highly intimate, direct relationship with the Princess. There is no room for doubt."

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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

The Incipient Dawn / Laws of the Domain / Reality Shatter

Spiritual Transcendence

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

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Sword mastery levels

Sword Intent.

Sword Aura.

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