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

Chapter 753: Chapter 753: The Emperor’s Presence

Ethan and Isabella walked side by side through the majestic corridors leading to the palace’s Great War Room. Unlike the last time Ethan walked those halls as a simple, unknown refugee, now the elite guards and soldiers of the realm glanced at him more than once before stepping aside to yield the way with a deep bow.

The report of the massive fleet’s arrival and the news of the total dismantling of the southeastern sects had spread like wildfire among the high command. Everyone in the palace was intensely curious about what kind of monster the Princess had found to accomplish such a ruthless mission in record time.

Stepping through the bronze double doors of the great hall, the atmosphere grew suffocating in an instant. At the far end, seated upon the crown throne, sat the King of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom. His aura was overwhelming and terrifying, infinitely heavier than the last time Ethan had witnessed him.

[He achieved a breakthrough,] Crul’s voice warned inside Ethan’s mind, analyzing the ruler’s spiritual pressure. [When we came last time and saw him, he was at the peak of the Dao Manifestation Realm... but now he is at Spiritual Transcendence.]

Ethan maintained his composure externally, but focused his attention on Crul’s analysis.

[His power now is comparable to that of the wounded Lich,] Crul continued. [Although the Lich told you he couldn’t face you, that wasn’t entirely true; he simply doesn’t want to expose himself too much because of the fear he harbors toward you.]

So the difference between him and me is that large? Ethan asked internally.

[Not necessarily,] Crul explained. [This realm is the most deceptive. Being a transitional realm, its power is basically equal to the peak of Dao Manifestation; however, it fluctuates. They must understand the zone in order to attack, which is why most in this realm do not leave their territory. If there are too many variables, they can lose control and lose their strength. Their force stems from their comprehension, but also from the control over their environment.]

Understanding the nature of the King’s power, Ethan stepped forward with a firm stride beside Princess Isabella, prepared to meet the sovereign’s gaze.

Standing before the throne, the King suddenly unleashed his power. His body glowed with a dazzling silver light, and in a blink, everything around them seemed to fade away. Even Isabella and the great hall vanished, leaving Ethan isolated in an pure white space.

[Stay calm, Master,] Crul’s voice warned inside Ethan’s mind. [His power is isolating you. We are now inside his domain; in this place, his strength is multiplied a thousand times more than outside. Here he is virtually invincible, except to someone on equal footing.]

What should I do? What can I even do here? Ethan asked internally, feeling the crushing spatial oppression.

[Breathe. You have the upper hand,] Crul replied. [Do not use the void power or the amethyst power here, as he could perceive them, view you as a genuine threat, and attack in earnest. You have something better and easier to explain: show him that skill you learned.]

Seriously? Didn’t you say to save it for later?

[No, Master. This is the precise moment.]

Fine, if you say so.

”Sovereign!” Ethan’s voice echoed with resolve. ”Since you wish to test me, then I shall not hold back!”

The white space trembled faintly, on the verge of collapsing. A flash of genuine shock crossed the King’s eyes. Within this isolated domain, even his top general would be rendered helpless and paralyzed, forced to wait patiently; yet, this young man was not only unaffected by the oppression, but was actively defying the realm’s structure itself.

Ethan slowly moved his hand toward his hip, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

His eyes grew serene, as deep as stagnant water: devoid of life, yet overflowing with a terrifying force. With an almost invisible motion, he drew his blade at blinding speed, his voice echoing through the space of the soul:

”Black Chaos Sword... first form...” Ethan uttered, unleashing his Dao heart at maximum power without holding back in the slightest. ”SUNSET!”

A flash of dark energy tore through the dimension. Witnessing the magnitude of the strike, the King could not help but leap from his throne by pure instinct to dodge the slash.

The wave of energy shattered the white space and destroyed the royal throne, causing the illusion to collapse entirely. Back in the Great War Room, the impact severed part of the castle’s inner structure. The surrounding generals and high commanders stood completely shocked; the power Ethan had just displayed was far beyond what should be possible for someone in the initial stage of the Dao Manifestation Realm.

The Southern General was left even more astonished. If he had previously thought the brat held back against him during their brief encounter, he now realized that ”holding back” was an understatement: Ethan had merely been playing around.

As for Isabella, she was left utterly awestruck. This man was one surprise after another. She had already thought he was impressive, but now she saw he belonged to an entirely different league. He had forced her father to dodge an attack. Ever since his ascension to the Spiritual Transcendence Realm, her father boasted of being invincible within the realm’s domain, but his title had just been put to the test... and had been found wanting.

The King, his face darkened with rage, extended his hand and summoned his personal weapon: a majestic silver spear with a single double-edged blade. The surge of his power following the slight made the castle walls tremble, threatening to reduce the fortress to rubble.

However, before the King could take a single step, Ethan suddenly collapsed, dropping to his knees on the floor.

A stream of thick blood spewed from his mouth, as well as trickling from his ears and nose, while his bloodshot eyes lost focus. He had overloaded his Sword Dao Heart to its limit. That strike was not named Sunset for mere decoration; it was a suicidal technique he had comprehended during his ascension. It was literally the sunset of his own life in exchange for taking the enemy’s.