An hour had passed since the steam filled the room with the scent of spent energy and stolen essence. Ethan stood in the center of the lavish dressing area, completely naked, his skin glowing with a faint, healthy luster from the refined Yin he had just consumed. His body was a temple of hardened muscle, and between his legs, his 21cm member hung heavy and relaxed—a testament to his endurance.

The doors slid open without a sound. Isabella walked in, her golden eyes immediately dropping to his crotch. She didn't blush; she didn't look away. Instead, a playful, appreciative smirk curled her lips.

"A fine tool you have there, Ethan," she remarked, her voice smooth and dangerous. "I can see why those two are currently unconscious in the other room."

Ethan didn't say a word. He knew by now that reacting to her provocations only gave her more leverage. He calmly reached for the new clothes laid out for him—a high-grade military tunic made of enchanted silk—and began to dress.

"You took your time with them," Isabella continued, leaning against the doorframe. "Did you enjoy your welcoming gift? Lia and Mina are quite popular among the staff for their 'efficiency.'"

"It was a refreshing gift, Princess," Ethan replied, pulling the dark silk over his shoulders. The fabric felt like a second skin, lightweight yet incredibly durable. "I truly needed to release some tension."

Isabella pushed off the wall and stepped closer, her scent—a mix of expensive spices —filling his nostrils. She reached out, her gloved fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Whenever you need help with that, you know where to find me." She slowly licked her lower lip, her eyes flashing with a predatory hunger.

Ethan kept his expression like stone. Part of him felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought, but his survival instinct, fueled by Crul's constant warnings, kept him grounded. He couldn't tell if she was joking or if she was genuinely considering him for her own bed. Both options were equally likely to end with him either reaching a new peak or losing his life in a fit of royal rage.

"The Council is waiting," Ethan said, changing the subject as he buckled his belt.

"Right you are," Isabella sighed, her flirtatious mask sliding back into that of a cold Major. "Don't look so stiff, Ethan. You're about to meet the most powerful generals in the Soaring Dragon Kingdom. If you look like you're about to faint, they'll eat you alive."

They left the mansion and headed back toward the palace's central transit hub. The air was different here—heavier, charged with the power of thousands of hidden runes. They stepped onto a massive, golden portal platform etched with the symbol of the Great Dragon.

"This is it," Isabella whispered as the runes beneath their feet began to glow with a blinding white light. "Try to keep your 'tool' in your pants and your wits about you. These men don't care about your origin; they only care about what you can do for the Kingdom."

In a flash of light, the palace vanished. They weren't in a room anymore; they were standing on a floating platform in a dark, cavernous hall. Above them, twelve massive stone thrones formed a circle, each occupied by a figure radiating enough spiritual pressure to crush a normal man's soul.

"Typical," Isabella muttered, glancing at the empty stone thrones. "It seems we're the first ones here. That's for the best; you know how those old farts are. A second late and they'll try to flay you alive just to teach you a lesson in 'discipline'."

A dry, sharp cough echoed from the shadows behind them. "I heard that, Princess."

Isabella stiffened for a fraction of a second before turning with a practiced, casual smile. Stepping out of the gloom was the Grand Fleet Admiral, the third-highest authority in the kingdom, subordinate only to the King and the Minister of War. His skin was like weathered leather, and his presence smelled of salt and ancient power.

Walking beside him was the Great General of the Outer Borders, the man responsible for the massive fortifications that separated the Soaring Dragon Kingdom from the rival empires beyond. While Isabella dealt with internal borders—the complex web of duchies and vassal sects—this man stood against the world itself.

"Elders," Isabella said, performing a swift, respectful bow.

The two men merely snorted, long accustomed to the Princess's sharp tongue. However, their attention shifted instantly to Ethan. He felt as if two physical weights had just slammed into his chest. Their gaze wasn't just a look; it was a deep, invasive scan that bypassed his skin and searched his very marrow. Unlike the King's measured caution, these two were blunt. The pressure of their spiritual sense was so dense it caused Ethan's meridians to ache, nearly drawing blood.

"Not a bad seed, Princess," the General remarked, his voice like grinding stones. "Why don't you send him with me? The war on the outer rim is getting... interesting. He'll have plenty of space to shine—or die. Either way, it's a better life than being a palace pet."

The Admiral scoffed, crossing his arms. "Better he comes with us to the Navy. You're already there, Isabella. I promise I'll station him on your ship for all upcoming missions. A talent like this belongs in the deep blue, not digging trenches in the dirt."

The General turned a look of pure disdain toward the Admiral. "Using such low tactics, you old sea dog? Promising him proximity to the Princess just to steal a potential recruit?"

"Heh, you want to test my 'low tactics' with my fists?" Without another word, the Admiral unleashed his aura.

The air in the cavernous hall turned heavy as lead. A true Middle-Stage Spirit Sea Realm expert's power was not something that could be endured at this distance. The floor tiles began to crack under the sheer weight of his presence. But the General didn't flinch; he unleashed his own golden aura, the two forces clashing in a dead-lock at a central point, creating a localized storm of spiritual lightning.

"You haven't improved, old man," the General sneered, his feet anchored like mountains. "Floating on a boat isn't training. It's a vacation."

Ethan stood between the two titans, his Amethyst Lineage burning hot as he fought to keep his knees from buckling. These were the true predators of the kingdom, and they were already fighting over who got to use him first.

-------------------

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

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Dao Manifestation Realm

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Spiritual Transcendence

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??