They returned to the quiet luxury of the private mansion, away from the prying eyes of the Council. Isabella led him deep into the heart of the estate, stopping before a pair of reinforced doors. As they swung open, they revealed a vast, sun-drenched library. Rows of shelves stretched toward the ceiling, filled with ancient scrolls, jade slips, and leather-bound tomes.

"My private collection," Isabella said, her voice echoing softly. "Every mission I've completed, every rogue group I've dismantled... I've kept the spoils. Some are rewards from the Navy, others are trophies. You may learn anything you wish here, but under one condition: nothing leaves this room. You stay here until every technique is memorized in your bones."

Ethan bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your kindness is something I will not forget in this life or the next."

Isabella let out a small, huffing laugh. "You certainly know how to talk, pretty face... but talk won't keep you alive in the Pavilion." Her expression softened, a rare touch of melancholy clouding her gaze. "I won't see you for a few days. In fact, I may not see you for years. The situation is complex; we only returned to the capital to deliver the reports on the Crimson Sect. My real mission lies elsewhere, and I must depart immediately. My men from the White Unicorn Corps will handle your transport."

She handed him a simple medallion. It looked like an ordinary, unpolished white pearl set in plain silver.

"This is a South Sea Pearl," she explained. "They are common, almost worthless as jewelry. That is why it's perfect. Wear it openly. When you reach the province and need the spies, show it. Someone will approach you with a key question. You must answer: *'I am a wanderer, and my path reaches the heavens.'* Say nothing more. They report directly to the Admirals; even I don't know all their faces. Don't disappoint me, Ethan. I've put a lot of chips on your table."

"I'll give my best, Princess," Ethan replied firmly.

"Call me Isabella," she whispered, her eyes searching his. "When we are alone."

"Yes, Isabella. I'll give my life to see this through."

She lingered for a moment, her fingers twitching at her side. "Well... before I go, is there anything else you want to ask? Anything you need to know?"

Ethan looked at her, the golden light of the library catching the sharp lines of her royal features. "No, Isabella. Everything is as clear as water."

"Fine... although..." Isabella's face suddenly flushed a deep, uncharacteristic crimson. She stepped into his personal space, the scent of expensive spice flaring around her.

Before he could react, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Ethan froze in shock. It wasn't a chaste, royal peck; it was a firm, lingering kiss that tasted like pure power.

When she pulled back, Ethan was breathless. "Why?"

"You didn't use your question, and your time just expired," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But if you succeed, I'll tell you everything."

Ethan felt a surge of greed he couldn't suppress. "Can I have one more?"

The taste of her was unlike anything he had ever experienced. His women back in the Dome tasted of soft humanity; the elves tasted of mint and forest freshness. But Isabella... she tasted like glory. It was like kissing the sky itself, a heady, divine flavor that made his soul ache.

Isabella laughed, a breathless, nervous sound. "Achieve your goal, and I'll give you anything you ask for." She leaned in close, whispering directly into his ear, her breath hot against his skin. "Even if you ask for me. I'll tell my father to let us be together."

She pulled away, her face glowing red. "Close your eyes. Now!"

Ethan obeyed immediately. He heard the rustle of silk, a soft sliding of fabric against skin, and a frantic movement. Moments later, he felt a small, silken pouch being pressed into his hand.

"A good luck charm," she whispered.

By the time he opened his eyes, the library doors were swinging shut behind her as she fled. Ethan looked down at the pouch and opened it. Inside was a pair of white silk panties. He couldn't help himself—he brought them to his face and inhaled deeply. They smelled of carnations and held a lingering, feminine warmth. It was obvious exactly where she had been wearing them seconds ago.

Ethan stared at the door, a dazed smile spreading across his face. *"I don't know if her honey trap is just that good, or if I'm just that easy to manipulate for a beautiful girl... but damn, she really makes it easy to fall for her."*

[Analysis: Heart rate elevated. Hormonal levels peaking] Crul noted dryly. [Whatever her intent, Master, your motivation levels for the mission have just increased by 400%.]

Ethan clutched the silk tightly. "Shut up, Crul. Let's get to work. I have a library to devour."

He settled into a plush leather chair and picked up the first tome within reach—a heavy book with a crimson cover that felt warm to the touch.

The moment his fingers brushed the parchment, a translucent amethyst interface flickered before his eyes:

[Manual Detected: Divine Fire Palm — Rank: Middle Golden Core realm — Do you wish to learn? — Y/N]

"Hell yes," Ethan whispered, a spark of ambition in his gaze.

Instantly, a rush of information flowed directly into his brain. He felt his meridians heat up, memorizing the energy circulation routes and combat stances without needing to read a single page. He laughed from the bottom of his heart, feeling like he was using a cheat code for the most important exam of his life.

"I thought I'd have to spend days reading word for word," he said, amused. "Crul, this is way too easy."

[Master, do not be mistaken,] Crul's metallic voice intervened. [These manuals are so basic they are nothing compared to the genetic memory of Lord Amethyst. The only reason they are not in the system shop is because the Ancestor didn't possess anything so... 'weak' in his private collection. The system is simply not designed to store trash.]

Ethan arched an eyebrow. "Trash? The Princess said this was the best she's gathered from naval missions."

[By the standards of this kingdom, it is acceptable. However, remember that when the Inheritance Beacon arrived at your previous world, it scanned the entire planet and took the blueprints for every object, technique, and resource existing there. If the Beacon had enough energy upon arriving in this realm, it could have scanned the entire world in seconds, seizing every technique and blueprint as easily as breathing.]

Ethan looked at the rows upon rows of books, his mind reeling at the scale of his legacy. If these "Golden Core Rank" techniques were considered garbage by his ancestor, he couldn't even begin to imagine the true power of the Amethyst line.

"I really want to know how strong that old man actually was," Ethan muttered, his eyes gleaming with a new kind of hunger.

He didn't waste another second. He stood up and began walking through the aisles, his hands grazing the spines of the books. With every touch, the amethyst notifications popped up like a rapid-fire sequence of light.

Divine Fire Palm. Shadow-Step Flash. Iron Bone Tempering.

He was no longer just a survivor; he was a black hole, and he was about to devour the knowledge of an entire kingdom before the sun went down.

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

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 ??