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

Chapter 821: Chapter 821: The Challenge of the Three Empires

The atmosphere inside the Grand Audience Hall grew dense. The words of the Prime Minister of the Radiant Sun, Duke Vaelthor, and Commander Morgana hung in the air like an insult to the crown.

Before Ethan could speak, the Emperor let out an icy laugh from the jade throne.

”It is curious to hear three emissaries speak so lightly of my empire’s youth,” said the Emperor, causing the hall’s pillars to tremble. ”If memory serves me right, not a single warrior you sent managed to set foot in the domain’s final phase. Do you intend to measure a lion’s strength based on the incompetence of your own lambs?”

The Prime Minister gritted his teeth, while Duke Vaelthor kept his gaze fixed on the monarch.

”Your Imperial Majesty!” interrupted Commander Morgana, stepping forward. ”We do not question the formal victory, but the legitimacy of the method. Forcing the closure of an ancient realm is no cause for pride. If this boy possesses the strength to back the protection granted to him, he should prove it against the veterans of our nations.”

Ethan stepped forward, resting his hand on the hilt of the Black Chaos Sword. He looked at the three representatives with a cold smirk.

”If you have so many doubts...”, Ethan said, ”...send your best men to find out. Just make sure they prepare their coffins before crossing the border.”

The three envoys clenched their fists, offended that a nobody with no registered bloodline dared to speak to them directly without respect. Without warning, the Prime Minister, Duke Vaelthor, and Commander Morgana simultaneously unleashed the terrifying spiritual pressure of their Spiritual Transcendence cultivation.

The air inside the hall turned suffocating, threatening to crush anyone beneath their level. Yet Ethan didn’t take a single step back.

With a flick of his mind, he released the aura of his Sword Heart. An invisible, razor-sharp barrier of sword intent enveloped his body, slicing through and dissipating the spiritual pressure before it could touch him.

Beside the throne, Vorian, the Emperor’s right-hand man, observed the scene. Upon seeing Ethan’s maneuver, he offered a silent nod and gave him a thumbs-up. That was the correct way to defend against a spiritual attack from higher-realm cultivators: the Sword Heart was an unyielding manifestation of pure will, virtually impossible to shatter by pressure alone, making it ideal for holding out against superior beings.

Commander Morgana narrowed her eyes when she saw her aura failed to make the youth falter, letting out a cold huff.

”It seems you have some nerve, brat,” said Commander Morgana, withdrawing her pressure before the atmosphere in the palace erupted.

Duke Vaelthor narrowed his eyes and took a step forward, tightening his grip on the hilt of his ritual dagger.

”Even so, you are a bit too arrogant,” Duke Vaelthor said in a cavernous voice. ”Do you think that just because you have achieved a few accomplishments, you are invincible?”

”You can test it if you have doubts,” Ethan replied, meeting his gaze without a blink.

Duke Vaelthor raised an eyebrow. The brat was still talking back to him directly, which he considered an absolute lack of respect. However, upon turning and seeing the Emperor’s smirk, he swallowed his words.

Taking a breath, the envoy of the Eternal Night turned toward the monarch.

”I suppose he will be your representative in the Tournament of Empires,” Duke Vaelthor said, attempting to probe the situation.

”There is still a long way to go before that,” the Emperor replied in a calm voice. ”There is no need to show our cards ahead of time.”

The Emperor was elusive on the matter. His representative had been Vorian for many years, and his presence had secured victory on every occasion. Falling for the envoys’ provocation could lead to unexpected failures, so the monarch decided to take a step back rather than commit himself.

Duke Vaelthor concealed his disappointment. He had wanted to force the Emperor to commit, but it seemed the monarch remained as shrewd as ever.

”You are correct, Your Excellency,” the Prime Minister chimed in with a fake smile. ”However, it is a pity to have missed your grand genius. Is there any possibility we might see his greatness in action?”

The Emperor remained calm, observing them in silence while thinking to himself: So this was what this pair of old foxes truly wanted all along?

”The tournament has just ended,” the Emperor replied in a serene voice. ”I fear his wounds have not fully healed, and I would not want him to suffer an accident. He is one of the future pillars of my empire.”

”Come now, Emperor,” Commander Morgana pressed, resting her hand on her sword’s hilt. ”We cannot return to our empires empty-handed. Furthermore, denying a trial to the envoys would go against the very decrees you authored.”

Finding himself cornered by his own laws and the diplomatic weight of the three nations, the Emperor looked over at Ethan. The youth remained steady, showing not the slightest hint of hesitation or fear.

Reasoning that with the power Ethan had displayed inside the domain there would be no issues, the Emperor decided to permit the trial.

”What trial do you have in mind?” asked the Emperor.

Commander Morgana formed a smirk and stepped forward.

”To be fair, your youth is the most prominent hero of your empire,” said Commander Morgana. ”I believe any ordinary challenge would be beneath his greatness. What if we send a few of our guards? They are escorts, nothing against your grand hero.”

The Emperor measured the envoys with his gaze before nodding.

”So be it.”

Wasting no time, each of the three envoys gestured to select a guard from their entourage and sent them to the center of the hall for the challenge.

Ethan gave a slight nod to Isabella before stepping forward. With the Black Chaos Sword sheathed at his waist, he walked toward the center of the hall, stopping a few paces from the chosen warriors and measuring them with his gaze.

”Why don’t the three of you come at once?” Ethan said in a calm voice. ”That way I can save time.”

Hearing his words, the envoys could not have been happier. In their minds, the boy was an arrogant fool unable to see the world’s true greatness, blinded by his own accomplishments.

The three guards turned to look at their respective leaders. The Prime Minister smirked, while Commander Morgana gave a cold nod.

”Since the young man is determined, who are we to refuse his challenge?” Duke Vaelthor said in a mocking tone. ”Go ahead, show him the pride of the empire.”