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

Chapter 651: Under the Shadow of the Crescent Moon

The cool, refreshing night air of the high peaks washed over them the moment they stepped away from the glowing golden lanterns of the Sovereign Dragon’s Feast. The main commercial avenue quickly gave way to a winding, secluded stone pathway that led back down toward the lower residential sectors. Beneath the silver glow of the crescent moon, the surrounding black bamboo rustled softly in the mountain breeze, casting long, elegant shadows across the path. The atmosphere was remarkably tranquil, bordering on romantic, completely washing away the tense energy of the restaurant lobby.

Louisa took a slow, deep breath, her small hand sliding down Ethan’s arm until her fingers gently intertwined with his. She looked up at his sharp, handsome profile, her eyes reflecting the soft moonlight.

"Master Ethan..." Louisa murmured softly, her voice barely louder than the rustling leaves. "Who exactly was that rude young man from earlier? He seemed completely consumed by rage when he looked at you. Was he truly someone you fought before our arrival?"

Ethan didn’t even slow his pace, his large hand warmly compressing hers as he kept his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "He is nothing more than a pathetic, pampered idiot who doesn’t understand his own limitations. A few days ago he and his lackeys attempted to corner and forcefully assault two newly arrived female disciples in the lower district simply because they had the absolute decency to refuse his advances. I happened to be passing through the sector, so I intervened, taught him a brief lesson in manners, and left him face-down in the dirt. It was nothing important, just a routine rodent extermination."

Louisa let out a soft, relieved sigh, her heart swelling with an even deeper sense of pride and affection for the towering man beside her. To her naive, adoring eyes, Ethan was the absolute embodiment of a righteous, unshakeable hero who protected the vulnerable without a single thought for his own safety.

But walking half a step behind them, Mary’s reaction was entirely different.

Her mature, beautiful face remained remarkably tense beneath the moonlight, her dark eyes staring fixedly at Ethan’s broad back. Unlike her daughter, Mary had spent enough years navigating the cutthroat realities of the borderlands to possess a highly developed survival instinct. She had not passed over a very specific, terrifying detail within the blue-robed youth’s frantic screaming.

The arrogant young man had explicitly boasted about being the direct grandson of the Grand Discipline Hall Elder.

In any cultivation sect, the Discipline Hall was the absolute iron fist of the administration—a terrifying, bloodthirsty department that held the legal authority to torture, execute, and erase entire lineages for the slightest infraction. To offend a common disciple was dangerous, but to ruthlessly beat the blood descendant of the supreme enforcer of the peak was a literal death sentence for any ordinary cultivator.

Yet Ethan had spoken about breaking the boy’s bones with the exact same casual indifference one would use to describe stepping on a common mountain bug.

A deep, chilling realization settled into Mary’s chest. The calm, calculated youth she was living with was far more dangerous, and operating on a vastly higher political chessboard, than either she or Louisa could fully comprehend.

They finally arrived back at the clearing, the familiar silhouette of the mud hut greeting them under the dark night sky. Ethan pushed the wooden door open and stepped inside, sitting down heavily on the rough wooden bench. The interior looked a bit bleak and sorrowful compared to the opulent, five-story pagoda they had just left; after all, this was merely a bottom-tier residential shack meant for raw novatos. Still, to Ethan’s pragmatic mind, having a private roof over his head while executing his infiltration and promoting his new medical business was infinitely better than sleeping out in the open air, so he didn’t mind the rustic conditions in the slightest.

Louisa closed the door behind them, her emerald silk dress rustling softly as she turned to look at him. Sensing his relaxed posture, she shed her lingering fears, walked straight over to where he sat, and gracefully slid right onto his lap. She wrapped her delicate arms around his thick neck, leaning in to gently bite and kiss his earlobe, her breath warm against his skin.

"My titan..." Louisa whispered playfully, her voice filled with a deep, adoring affection. "How did your business truly go these past four days? Were you out there all by yourself, completely lonely without us?"

Ethan let out a low, deeply masculine chuckle. Without a single shred of hesitation or false modesty, he brought his massive, warm hand down, placing it firmly and openly over her voluptuous, silk-covered buttocks, squeezing gently to anchor her against his thighs.

"I was out there aggressively promoting a new enterprise I just initiated," said Ethan, his amethyst eyes locking onto hers with a dark, confident gleam. "In fact, that magnificent plot is exactly where we will be permanently relocating. Tomorrow morning, I am going to personally supervise the construction progress, and we should be fully prepared to pack our things and move in about two or three days."

Mary, who was standing near the small hearth, watched the highly intimate, honeyed display between her daughter and her towering son-in-law. Her mature face flushed a delicate shade of pink under the dim lantern light. Feeling completely out of place during their romantic reunion, she quickly bowed her head, clearing her throat to excuse herself.

"I... I think it is best if I retire to the back corner and leave you two to your privacy," Mary muttered softly, turning her gaze away.

Ethan burst into a hearty, teasing laugh, his predatory yet playful nature rising to the surface. He tightened his grip on Louisa’s hip and looked directly at his mother-in-law. "There is absolutely no need to apologize or hide away, Mother. If you truly wish, you are more than welcome to stay right there and watch exactly how thoroughly I plan to satisfy and pleasure your beautiful daughter tonight."

"Ah! Master Ethan, please!" Mary gasped, her face instantly exploding into a deep, burning crimson as she frantically hurried behind the wooden privacy screen, her heart pounding at his incredibly bold, uninhibited words.

Louisa’s jaw dropped in absolute shock, her face turning just as red as her mother’s. She immediately raised her small fist and gave Ethan a sharp, indignant but thoroughly affectionate swat right against his massive shoulder.

"Cariño! Do not ruthlessly tease my mother like that!" said Louisa, pouting her lips as she gave him a fierce, demanding look that only made him smile wider. "You are completely shameless!"

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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 ??

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Sword mastery levels

Sword Intent.

Sword Aura.