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

Chapter 739: Chapter 739: The Shadow Over the Crimson Sect

Ethan had advanced alone through the skies. Mary, Louisa, and the other maidservants moved much more slowly since they did not have a transport ship capable of carrying them all, so traveling on foot would take them time.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the battlefield, a tremor ran through the earth. Thousands of undead, stationed in perfect military formation, sensed Ethan’s presence in the air and instantly rose to their feet, bowing down in deep reverence. None of them could speak, yet their submission reflected the implicit respect toward the one who bore the mark of their lord.

Ethan flew over the forces of the plague and fixed his gaze on the horizon. Before him stood the main headquarters of the Crimson Sect, surrounded by defensive walls of mystic stone. Ethan contemplated the grandeur of the place, sensing the true power of an ancient central headquarters. It was a colossal and opulent structure; although it paled somewhat in comparison to the majestic castle of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom, it was nonetheless a formidable stronghold.

Ethan descended until he stood before the grand protective array. As he drew near, a transparent, glowing barrier halted his advance. He extended his hand and touched the surface; the energy rippled in response, blocking his path.

"It doesn’t seem too tough," Ethan said in a low voice. "It won’t take much for me to shatter it."

[Do not waste your time or effort, Master,] Crul intervened in his mind. [Simply place your hand on the node and I will deactivate it with ease. This three-layered barrier is insignificant.]

Ethan smiled faintly upon hearing Crul’s words. However, before deactivating it, he decided to make his presence known. He took a deep breath, and his voice, imbued with suffocating power, echoed like thunder throughout the entire sect territory:

"Old dog, Leader of the Crimson Sect! Come out right now to face your death!"

Ethan’s roar pierced the walls and echoed through every corner of the valley. In an instant, the entire Crimson Sect fell into a panic. They had spent four long years under a silent and implacable siege. Throughout all that time, they had tried to obtain answers or negotiate, but the undead never spoke, leaving the sect in terrifying ignorance about whom they had offended. Unable to even leave to seek help, hearing a human voice on the other side of the barrier sounded, to many, like a strange beacon of hope.

Several guards ran to inform the sect’s higher-ups, but before they could reach the royal chambers, the senior leaders had already rushed out. Within minutes, the elders, the Sect Leader, and the Grand Elder gathered in the main hall.

"It seems the day has finally arrived," the Sect Leader said with a somber face. "We must go out and face them."

"Grand Elder, we ask that you mediate with them!" one of the elders exclaimed in desperation. "Perhaps everything can be resolved without the need to go to open war against the undead. After so many years, they have sent someone to talk... perhaps we can negotiate!"

"Negotiate?" the Sect Leader roared with disdain. "Our sect does not negotiate; it only annihilates! Those damned skeletons think they can stand against us, but they are nothing more than a heap of rotting bones."

"Sect Leader, we ask that you reconsider!" another high-ranking elder intervened. "The Thunder Dragon, Black Mountain, Evergreen sects, and the Heavenly Sword Pavilion have been eradicated. Furthermore, the Soaring Dragon Kingdom sent a general to the borders and is gathering forces, waiting for the general accompanying the Fourth Prince on his northern crusade to return before launching a war of extermination. If we delay, we will not only face these undead, but we will also face the full army of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom!"

The Grand Elder stroked his beard in silence while coldly considering his options. On that tragic day of the Great Battle, he had not accompanied the main army to finish off the remnants of the other sects or to fight against the forces of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom, so he did not fully grasp the true scale of power those creatures possessed. However, he had not dared to act recklessly either; he had remained within the walls so as not to provoke the army of the undead or offend them further. He knew how complicated it was to face a force that felt neither fatigue nor pain. Since the skeletons had stayed on the sidelines without directly attacking the walls, he opted to remain neutral and wait, avoiding a total war against them at all costs.

The Grand Elder sighed and looked at those present with gravity.

"Prepare for total war," the Grand Elder ordered. "I will try to mediate with them first. If everything fails, we will carve a path to flee. Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I will blast a breach in their array so the rest can escape."

All the elders nodded in silence; there were no other options left on the table.

After twenty minutes of intense preparation, the main gates of the Crimson Sect swung wide open. Everyone emerged armed in their battle armor. Leading the procession marched the Grand Elder, followed by the Sect Leader and a escort of elders and elite disciples.

Upon seeing the group approach the barrier, Ethan raised a hand and ordered the undead armies to step back slightly. With the overwhelming strength he had achieved after his recent breakthrough, there was no longer any need for his army to intervene.

It was time to collect the debts in blood.

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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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