The atmospheric tension between the Admiral and the General was shattered as the remaining seats were filled. One by one, columns of light descended upon the stone thrones, depositing the most powerful figures of the realm. Among them was Commander Malphas, his expression stern, and the princes of the bloodline.

Isabella was the youngest of four. Leading the brothers was Prince Charles, the First Prince, a man whose presence felt like a silent, suffocating mountain of gold. Beside him sat the Second and Third Princes, each radiating the same Draconic pressure that defined their lineage.

"The Council is convened," Prince Charles announced, his voice echoing with the authority of the throne. "Lower your auras. We are here for blood and strategy, not to measure the length of your shadows."

The Admiral and General retracted their power instantly, though the air remained ionized from the clash.

The session began with the State of the Realm. Detailed maps were projected into the center of the hall via runic arrays. Ethan watched as the political landscape was laid bare. He learned that their world was far larger than he had imagined; the Soaring Dragon Kingdom was but a single piece of a massive jigsaw puzzle under the banner of the Great Golden Dragon Empire.

"The situation on the outer borders remains volatile," the Minister of War reported. "Our neighbors, the Azure Dragon Kingdom to the north and the Iron Dragon Kingdom to the west, are increasing their troop movements. As we all share the blood of the Imperial Ancestors, they cannot launch a full-scale invasion without the Emperor's decree, but these 'border skirmishes' are becoming increasingly lethal."

Ethan realized the naming convention wasn't a coincidence. Every kingdom within the Empire was granted a "Dragon" title based on their specific lineage and the color of their spiritual foundation. It was a family of predators, all vying for the Emperor's favor while sharpening their claws against one another's throats.

"The Crimson Sect's influence is the primary concern," Prince Charles continued, his gaze drifting toward Isabella and, eventually, Ethan. "They are a cancer growing in the gaps between our territories. They do not care for Imperial law. Isabella, your report on the Invictus incident suggests they are becoming bolder. They are even harvesting souls from the lower domes."

Isabella stepped forward, her voice ringing clear. "It wasn't just a harvest, brother. They were testing soul-suppression tools. If they had succeeded in breaking the survivor I brought back, they would have had a roadmap to bypassing our own mental defenses."

The eyes of the twelve titans turned once more to Ethan. He stood at the center of the pit, a small, dark speck amidst the golden splendor of the Dragon bloodlines. He wasn't just a survivor anymore; he was a piece of living intelligence in a cold war between kingdoms that saw entire planets as mere provinces.

"And what of the boy?" the Second Prince asked, his voice dripping with skepticism. "He is a Half-step Core... barely a candle in a hurricane. Why is he standing in this hall instead of being interrogated by the Ministry of Secrets?"

Isabella's eyes flashed. "Because, brother, he didn't just survive. He devoured. And I believe he is the key to finding the Crimson Sect's primary hub in the Border of Sorrows."

Isabella leaned forward, her voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere of the hall. She began to weave a narrative, painting Ethan not just as a survivor, but as a strategic anomaly—a "dark horse" with instincts that even her own Captain had praised.

The chamber soon devolved into the typical grinding of the military machine. Various Captains and Dukes stood to present their tallies.

"The Blackmountain Sect has just concluded a massive engagement with the Crimson Sect's western wing," reported a scarred general. "The casualties were heavy on both sides, but the Crimson fools left behind several supply caches. We need two more heavy-class frigates to secure the trade routes before the Heavenly Sword Pavilion tries to claim them."

"The Pavilion is already overstepping," another captain spat. "They claim they are 'defending the righteous path,' but they've been eyeing our border mines for decades."

The bickering continued, with each faction clamoring for more resources, more ships, and more authority. Ethan watched silently, realizing that this kingdom was a nest of vipers, each head trying to eat the other.

Isabella caught the eye of the Fourth Prince, her youngest brother, who sat with a bored, elegant posture. Unlike the others, he was known for his ties to the more "refined" cultivation circles outside the military.

"Brother," Isabella called out, silencing the room. "You still maintain a seat as an Honorary Elder in the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, correct?"

The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow. "I do. They value the royal connection. Why do you ask, sister?"

A predatory smile stretched across Isabella's face. She gestured toward Ethan.

"The Pavilion is preparing for their annual disciple recruitment to replenish the ranks they lost against the Crimson Sect. Why don't we send Ethan there? His cultivation is low—perfectly suited for an 'aspiring' disciple. If we send him as an infiltrate, he can monitor the Pavilion's true intentions and gather intelligence on the Crimson Sect's movements in their territory."

She turned to the Council, her gaze cold. "If he survives and brings back results, we reward him with the resources he needs to grow. If he fails, or if his loyalty wavers..." She looked at Ethan, her golden eyes promising a slow death. "...he will be executed for treason against the Crown. It's a low-cost, high-reward gamble."

The hall fell silent as the titans weighed the proposal. To them, Ethan was a disposable pawn, but Isabella's idea had the merit of being efficient.

The Fourth Prince looked Ethan up and down, a faint smirk appearing on his lips. "An infiltrator in the Pavilion? It's a nest of arrogant swordsmen. He'll either become a sharp blade or be snapped in two within a month."

Ethan didn't blink. "Crul, access Heavenly Sword Pavilion data," he whispered internally.

[Database check: The Pavilion possesses one of the highest densities of female disciples with Pure Elemental foundations in the sector.]

Ethan's eyes flickered. A sect full of high-level cultivators and fresh resources? It was the perfect hunting ground.

"I accept," Ethan said, his voice steady.

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

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 ??