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

Chapter 732: Chapter 732: The Cause Behind the Greed

Ethan slowly turned his head toward Ash, his eyes locked onto the only man left on his knees.

"Do you still think everything will be fine?" Ethan said. "Do you truly believe I can trust someone like you?"

"Yes, Master! Absolutely!" Ash said, cold sweat dripping down his face as he pressed his forehead firmly against the mud. "Please, let me speak! I am certain I can convince you!"

"Speak," Ethan said.

Ash swallowed hard, trying to steady his trembling voice before continuing.

"I only know this information because my own ancestor participated in the exact same royal palace event two generations ago," Ash said. "I know precisely why there is such ferocity among the princes, to the point where they would ruthlessly slaughter one another just for the throne."

"Is it not merely greed?" Ethan said, a cold smile forming on his face. "Does one even need a motive more complex than that?"

"That might apply to the princes, but not to the princess," Ash said. "I believe that with the time you have spent dealing with her, Master, you have realized she is completely different—someone who acts in a truly unique manner."

Ethan remained silent, simply staring at him to continue.

"The princess is bound to a political marriage... the cursed fate shared by every princess of the royal lineage," Ash said. "The Soaring Dragon Kingdom has always maintained an ancient pact with the Silver Dragon Kingdom. The current king’s queen is a princess from the Silver Dragon Kingdom, and in this generation, it will be the reverse. It is the renewal of a sacred vow that has been passed down for generations."

Upon hearing Ash’s words, a scorching fire of pure rage erupted inside Ethan’s chest. His spiritual energy fluctuated violently, causing the surrounding air to turn heavy and suffocating. The princess might not be anything to him... yet. But she definitely would be.

Ash continued speaking without daring to look up from the ground, feeling the crushing pressure of Ethan’s energy.

"The princess wants to destroy those vows at all costs, but she cannot," Ash said. "It is an ancient pact. Unilaterally breaking it would mean war, and the Silver Dragon Kingdom is, in practice, the protector of our Soaring Dragon Kingdom. A war against them would mean the total extermination of our kingdom."

"I was under the impression that kingdoms cannot go to war with one another due to the mandates of the Golden Dragon Empire," Ethan said, frowning.

"That is true, Master, but only halfway," Ash said. "The empire would not prevent this particular dispute because the original agreement was signed with the consent of the empire itself many generations ago. If the princess wants to destroy it without triggering a war of annihilation, she can only achieve it if the empire itself intervenes."

"And what does any of this have to do with the line of succession?" Ethan said. "If a reigning queen marries instead of a princess, wouldn’t that be the same as handing over the kingdom? Wouldn’t we be absorbed by the Silver Dragon Kingdom?"

"Yes and no, Master," Ash said, raising his eyes slightly in desperation. "That is precisely where you and the secret I am about to reveal come in. The winner of the succession struggle, aside from claiming the throne, gains two more things. First, direct admission to the Duel Between Kingdoms, which defines the amount of resources the empire grants to each kingdom. And second... the winner earns the right to request a single wish directly from the Golden Dragon Empire. No matter what it is, the empire will grant it, except if one asks for the abdication of the imperial throne. Someone tried asking for that once and was beheaded on the spot."

Ethan understood the situation immediately. The pieces fell perfectly into place. The princess was not seeking power out of mere personal ambition; she needed to win the succession to demand the absolute annulment of her marriage contract.

"As you can see, Master, it is obvious what the princess plans to ask for," Ash said, breathing heavily. "And lastly, the succession struggle has always followed the exact same format throughout history. It is quite simple: an all-out battle to the death."

"An all-out battle..." Ethan said.

"That is correct," Ash said. "Every prince will fight in a final, royal rumble against their siblings. The last one standing will claim the throne and all of its benefits."

Ethan stared intently at the kneeling man, his frozen expression revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

"And why do you think all of this buys your life?" Ethan said.

"Because of what I am about to tell you next, Master!" Ash said, raising his voice in desperation while keeping his forehead pressed against the earth. "You are the princess’s key—the most precious one of all. Your potions will guarantee her absolute victory. With them, her armies will become practically immortal, which in itself is already a monumental achievement. But... do you think the princes will fight hand-to-hand? They haven’t invested so many resources into their subordinates for nothing! The battle for the throne is an all-out war between every force supporting each candidate."

Ethan did not intervene, allowing the man to continue.

"That is precisely where you come in, Master," Ash said, breathing heavily. "High-ranking generals are strictly forbidden from fighting in this conflict. With the terrifying power you possess and this unbeatable legion of the undead at your command, the princess’s throne is completely assured."

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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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