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

Chapter 760: Chapter 760: Preparations for the Empire

Isabella looked at the mess in the Moon Hall and let out a sigh of deep resignation, running a hand over her forehead.

"Immature..." the princess murmured, shaking her head before casting a stern look at Ethan. "Did you really have to provoke him by calling him ’father-in-law’?"

"I was just testing His Majesty’s reflexes after his breakthrough," Ethan replied with an innocent smile, adjusting his robes without a single scratch on him. "I have to admit, his speed in the Spiritual Transcendence Realm is impressive. If he had been serious, I would have had to draw my blade."

"Don’t even think about it," Isabella warned him, though a slight smile escaped her lips as she recalled the scene. "My father didn’t use to be like this... the pressure of the kingdom and the threat of the Silver Dragon Kingdom had him suffocated. Seeing him act so impulsively again means he truly had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders."

"I’m glad to be of service to the royal family’s mental health," Ethan joked, stepping closer to her. "But back to what matters: when do we depart for the capital of the Golden Dragon Empire?"

Isabella’s expression turned serious immediately. The warmth of the moment gave way to the cold resolve of a ruler.

"The tournament will begin in three months," Isabella explained, walking over to a table where a detailed map of the continent lay spread out. "However, the representatives of each kingdom must register a month prior in the Imperial City of Radiant Sun. That leaves us two months to prepare everything, organize the escort troops, and cross the border."

Ethan stepped up and examined the map. The territory of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom was vast, but the Golden Dragon Empire occupied the very center of the continent, surrounded by dozens of vassal realms.

"Crul," Ethan called internally within his spiritual space. "How much do we know about the Golden Dragon Empire?"

[A lot and very little at the same time, Master,] the old spirit’s voice echoed in his mind. [The Empire is nothing like these peripheral kingdoms. There, cultivators in the Spiritual Transcendence Realm are not as rare, and the true ancient monsters guarding the imperial dynasty border even more terrifying realms. Furthermore, the Tournament of Heirs is no simple combat arena; it is a survival trial set within ancient pocket dimensions.]

Ethan processed the information and looked at Isabella.

"The tournament won’t just measure our individual strength, will it?" Ethan inquired.

"No," the princess confirmed, resting her hands on the table. "It is an authorized slaughter. Each heir can bring up to four protectors or companions below a certain age. Alliances are forged and shattered in minutes inside the trial grounds. The Silver Dragon Kingdom will send their crown prince, who already reached the peak of Dao Manifestation a year ago, alongside his best young generals."

Ethan offered a cold smirk, his eyes darkening with a dangerous glint.

"Perfect," Ethan whispered. "That means I won’t have to make up excuses to eliminate them one by one inside the tournament."

Isabella stared at him intently. She knew Ethan was not boasting; the man standing before her had wiped out entire sects and forced her own father to dodge a lethal strike.

"Don’t be reckless," she asked him, her voice soft yet firm. "The Empire is unpredictable. For now, you must use this time to recover from the backlash of your suicidal attack today and stabilize your Sword Dao Heart."

"You’re right," Ethan agreed. "A couple of weeks of closed-door cultivation before we set off will be enough."

Ethan remained silent for a few seconds while studying the borders outlined on the map, until a thought crossed his mind.

"I almost forgot..." Ethan asked, looking up at her. "What about your brothers? When will we compete against them?"

Ethan was already focused on the grand scale of the Imperial Tournament, but technically they had not even held the local succession tournament yet.

Seeing Ethan’s natural reaction, Isabella blinked in surprise and let out a bitter, ironical laugh.

"That’s true..." Isabella admitted, rubbing her temples. "We are getting too far ahead of ourselves. Our kingdom’s succession tournament should be held this very month; that was the exact reason I was so desperate to finish off the southern rebels quickly. However, after everything that happened and the display of power you showed, I don’t think they will even bother to compete."

"They won’t compete?" Ethan inquired.

"They don’t need to," Isabella explained coldly. "They will patiently wait for us to lose the Imperial Tournament so they can seize the throne amid the resulting chaos, right when the Empire’s decree is enforced and I am sent away as a maiden to the Silver Dragon Kingdom."

Ethan took a step forward, closing the distance between them. With a firm yet delicate motion, he took her chin and forced her to look straight into his eyes. The playful warmth completely vanished, replaced by an icy, indomitable glint.

"They will send you over my dead body," Ethan declared, locking his gaze with the princess’s.

Isabella felt her heart skip a beat at the certainty in his words. Their proximity was overwhelming; Ethan’s breath brushed against her lips, and without giving her time to react, he took her by the nape of her neck and pulled her in, sealing their lips in a deep kiss.

Isabella wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck, surrendering to the heat of the moment. The kiss grew firmer and more intense, and Ethan’s hand slid quickly down her back to firmly grab one of her buttocks.

The bold touch snapped her back to reality. With her face burning brilliant crimson and her breath ragged, she pushed against his chest to break the kiss.

"E-Ethan!" the princess gasped, looking away in utter embarrassment as she tried to catch her breath.

Before he could say or do anything else, Isabella spun around and vanished down the corridor.

Ethan remained alone in the room, watching the doorway through which she had fled while tracing his finger over his own lips with a satisfied smirk.

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