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

Chapter 713: Chapter 713: The Sea God’s General

Ethan expected the massive horde to violently storm the upper tunnels, but an eerie stillness settled over the cavern. The monsters simply stared straight ahead, moving only occasionally to adjust their ranks, maintaining a tight, nearly ironclad discipline. It was a surreal sight.

”Crul, what exactly is happening here?” Ethan asked internally.

[This collective behavior is anomalous,] Crul analyzed. [In our available historical records, such absolute discipline only manifests in the immediate presence of a supreme entity. The undead operate under an absolute hierarchical metric, but there is zero evidence of a high-tier death sovereign inside this outer perimeter.]

Ethan turned away from the exit and began to advance deeper into the interior ruins, passing through the shattered stone gates. The monsters ahead were initially moving in a chaotic, disorganized frenzy, but the exact millisecond Ethan approached, they immediately shifted into perfect military formation. It looked exactly like a seasoned vanguard aligning themselves before their commander.

”Crul... do not tell me that my presence is what is forcing them to execute this behavior?”

[This represents an exceptionally interesting metric, Master,] Crul replied, his processing sub-routines running complex calculations. [There are zero surviving records detailing the exact internal mechanics of the undead. The primeval Emperor of the Dead kept all research regarding his legions an absolute secret. What modern alchemists know is based entirely on external observation. However, if this is accurate, it appears that Void lineage vessels share a direct hierarchical relationship with the undead, functioning structurally as their superiors.]

Ethan continued his descent into the darkness. With every passing level, the phenomenon repeated itself with terrifying consistency. Armies of pristine skeletons and putrid zombies lined the cavern walls, standing at attention as his scaled form walked past. Ethan scanned their physical structures, noticing a distinct pattern. All of them were strictly humanoid; there wasn’t a single aquatic or non-humanoid entity among the thousands of rotting soldiers.

”If this location is truly classified as the Tomb of the Sea God, why are there zero marine beasts or sea entities inside these ranks?” Ethan asked.

[This tomb is likely an mockery,] Crul deduced. [The ancient emperor who constructed this structural prison was clearly laughing at his victory, intentionally burying the Sea God’s legacy inside a standard terrestrial grave.]

They continued descending the massive stone steps until they finally emerged into a hollow chamber. The cavern was so colossally vast that an entire Invictus-class battleship could easily fit inside the space without touching the ceiling.

”Damm... what a massive location,” Ethan muttered, his amethyst eyes tracking the perimeter.

Surrounding the gargantuan hall were towering stone statues of ancient warriors clad in heavy battle armor, their massive weapons held high as if permanently guarding the core.

Directly in the center of the subterranean plain stood a monumental altar that extended all the way to the distant ceiling. Surrounding its base, the quality of the undead changed drastically. These were no longer simple baseline skeletons; they were massive, towering bone giants, actively dragging a colossal, obsidian funeral carriage across the stone floor.

Seated upon the black carriage was a single, hooded Lich, staring down at the marching legions with pure, aristocratic disdain.

The exact millisecond the Lich’s glowing eye sockets locked onto Ethan’s hybrid form, a sickening grin seemed to stretch across its skeletal face. The entity instantly vanished from the carriage, executing a high-tier teleportation that brought it directly in front of Ethan.

The entire world seemed to drop into standstill. A terrifying, crushing wave of dark spiritual pressure violently erupted from the Lich’s vessel, causing the surrounding air to warp. Yet, instead of launching an attack, the monstrous entity began to laugh hysterically, its cackling voice echoing like grinding stones. It stared fixedly at Ethan, looking supremely joyful—as if it had just reunited with its long-lost best friend.

[Master, do not move a single muscle, and do not dare to deactivate your hybrid state!] Crul screamed inside his mind, his processing alerts flashing at maximum emergency parameters. [If that entity discovers you possess a human baseline, its power will instantly erase us. This creature resides far beyond any metric you have ever witnessed. It is positioned firmly at the peak of the Dao Manifestation Realm... a mere half-step away from the Spiritual Transcendence Realm!]

Ethan remained perfectly frozen, his obsidian scales locking tight under the pressure.

[This monster possesses the raw tactical power to subdue the entire Soaring Dragon Kingdom by itself, and it could easily rival the main forces of the Golden Dragon Empire,] Crul continued, his voice tight. [Its core power is currently being suppressed by several ancient divine seals etched into its bones. If those seals ever rupture, this entire baseline will not possess the capability to contain its energy. It goes beyond everything you know. Master... I highly suspect this sovereign entity is the Sea God itself.]

The Lich opened its jaws, releasing a stream of words in a dark, terrifying language. The sound was guttural and echoic, resonating through the cavern like the depths of the abyss itself.

[It is the Ancient Dark Tongue,] Crul translated instantly, his cognitive arrays deciphering the primeval audio matrix. [He said that a young Void Nightmare has come to visit their domain. He claims it is a profound honor, and he is rendering his highest homage to Your Highness.]

With a slow grace, the monstrous Lich bent its knee, sinking heavily onto the stone floor. It bowed its hooded head, extending its skeletal hands toward Ethan’s clawed feet in total, unyielding submission.

The entity spoke again, its gravelly voice rising and falling in ancient cadence.

[He is stating that he would immediately offer you his physical phylactery to solidify his pact,] Crul continued, his processing voice filled with astonishment. [But the vessel holding his soul is currently sealed deep inside the central divine altar. He deeply laments his inability to physically deliver his eternal loyalty to the Supreme Ruler.]

The Lich lifted its head slightly, its glowing eye sockets fixed on Ethan’s amethyst eyes as it uttered a final, heavy phrase.

[He says his true name is Vel´Kha´Lems... the Grand Sorcerer of His Majesty, the Emperor of the Sea.]

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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.