Seraphina's brows knitted slightly as she sat in silence. It wasn't a matter of feigning solemnity—she genuinely was unsure how to respond.
She did not wish to become a Taoist couple with Bram.
Despite his remarkable talents, despite his royal lineage and the immense power the Vernal Dawn Dynasty commanded, she felt no draw to such an alliance.
A simple "no" would have to suffice, for she knew that trying to explain or reason further would be futile and unnecessary. Some things, like unreciprocated feelings or unwilling alliances, could not be negotiated.
Lyralei sat back in her chair, eyes narrowed with concern as she considered the delicate situation unfolding.
Around the main hall, the peak masters and elders exchanged thoughtful, troubled glances.
Bram's words had struck deep—he had effortlessly seized upon every weakness the Azure Origin Dao Sect currently harbored.
The disastrous outcomes of the recent Spiritual Road Trial had shaken the sect's confidence. A drought of true geniuses had cast a pall over the sect's future.
While the Saint, the sudden rise of Ethan, and the emergence of Althea offered some hope, it was still not enough.
Compared to the other three first-class sects, their numbers and strength felt insufficient.
If this continued, the Azure Origin Dao Sect's position in Skyreach Territory was destined to slip, usurped by surging second-rate forces eager to claim dominance.
Lyralei's frown deepened—a rare shadow across her composed demeanor.
Once, under her steady hand, the Azure Origin Dao Sect had touched unsurpassed heights. But those better days had long faded.
No, the sect's decline was not due to stagnation alone.
Others had simply grown stronger.
A cultivator who stopped advancing was certain to fall behind.
The same was true for sects.
Bram's gaze lingered momentarily on Seraphina before shifting to Lyralei.
Both masters and apprentices were breathtakingly beautiful—and proud, unyoked spirits difficult to master.
Bram liked women like this—strong and defiant.
But between the two, he preferred Lyralei.
Too bad.
Lyralei was a formidable cultivator in the Mahayana Realm, and even Mr. Willow, Bram's loyal protector, dared not claim he could subdue her.
Thus, Bram had no choice but to turn his attention firmly toward Seraphina.
"I have trained in an ancient, unique art,… The Soul Devouring art."
Its grade was unknown, incomplete in parts, but the half volume he possessed was impressively strong.
Stronger than many immortal-level spiritual arts.
Seraphina, with her ancient spiritual body, the Ice Spirit Soul body, was a supernatural furnace physique—ideal for the workings of his Soul Devouring art.
One goal of his visit had been to find a woman with such a special physique and bind her as his personal furnace.
He had spotted her during the Spiritual Path Trial.
Had she been an ordinary disciple, Bram would have commandeered her outright.
But Seraphina was no ordinary disciple.
She bore the rank of Saint and belonged to the prestigious Azure Origin Dao Sect.
He would have to tread carefully.
Seraphina rejected Bram's languid gaze with icy disdain.
But no matter his strength or status, she could only endure—for now.
Lyralei, as sect leader, was not ignorant.
To join forces with the Vernal Dawn Dynasty was to risk the very essence of their sovereignty.
In time, the sect would be a puppet.
Entrusted to speak only within the will of the Vernal Dawn Dynasty.
Azure Origin Dao Sect's ten-thousand-year history might be obliterated in such a subservient union.
At that moment, the doors to the hall opened with quiet urgency.
Althea entered with grace, her robes pale, eyebrows arched like mountain peaks, and eyes aflame with starlight.
Her gaze was so bright it almost eclipsed the heavy atmosphere.
Like a fairy stepping delicately through a somber painting, Althea's presence stirred whispers among the assembled.
Bram's eyes followed her closely, clearly taken by her rare temperament.
"To find such stunning beauties even in the small Azure Origin Dao Sect—it's quite a reward," he mused.
In terms of charm and demeanor, Althea and Lyralei were equals; Seraphina was a shade lesser but still formidable.
Suddenly, Bram's expression darkened as his Soul Devouring art stirred uneasily.
"There is movement in the Soul Devouring art," he said to Mr. Willow via mental message, "this woman has a special physique!"
"Special physique?" Willow responded, conducting a secretive spiritual search inside Althea's body.
"It's true. She was born with a Natural Sword Physique and is a prodigy of the sword," Willow confirmed with surprise.
Althea's natural sword body was no weaker than Seraphina's Ice Spirit Soul body.
In his eyes, Althea's physique may be even stronger.
Sword cultivators were masters of killing—they excelled universally in combat power. Given time and opportunity, they could break into the Mahayana Realm with ease.
And with the Natural Sword Body she could potentially climb even to the Supreme Realm.
"Azure Origin Dao Sect holds three peerless geniuses," Willow reported.
"Lyralei bearing the Phoenix bloodline, Seraphina with her Ice Spirit Soul body, and this woman born with the Sword Physique."
"Alas, only Lyralei is fully mature; the other two remain young and unbalanced."
"Your Highness, Lyralei is beyond reach. Given the options, I recommend you select Althea," Willow suggested with gravity.
Turning, Bram asked with a courteous smile, "What is this beautiful woman's name?"
Althea's gaze swept Bram coldly.
She knew who he was—the sixth prince of the Vernal Dawn Dynasty—but she gave him no acknowledgment.
Instead, she bowed toward the Empress.
"Empress, I have a report."
"What news?" Lyralei's voice was calm but commanding.
"One of our disciples was killed at the Serene Mirror Lake."
"Killed?" A murmur of shock broke forth.
"Who dares such insolence to threaten our Dao Sect?"
Many peak masters voiced concern, brows furrowed.
"That would be the Sixth Prince," Althea said icily, gesturing toward Bram.
Remaining seated beside the master of Celestial Lotus Peak, she showed no fear.
"Interesting…" Bram mused aloud, not angered by Althea's cold front, but intrigued.
"Strong-willed women have taste," he smiled.
"Sixth Prince, how do you explain this?"
"Explain?" Bram laughed. "It is but an ant crushed beneath foot. Why does the Empress make such a fuss over it?"
The hall was tense, every presence holding breath as the storm of politics and power swirled higher.
A/N:
Extra chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.