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Chapter 661: The Vanguard of Crimson
After twenty intense minutes of breathless, echoing cries and unbridled passion that left the stone walls slick with condensation, the inner sanctuary doors finally opened.
The three of them stepped out into the main living quarters completely and immaculately dressed. Ethan had specifically utilized the peak’s finest textile artisans to custom-manufacture a set of brand-new, premium robes forged from the highest quality spiritual silk. The fabric was dyed in a striking, brilliant shade of crimson that seemed to absorb and radiate the morning light.
Emblazoned across the broad backs of these garments was a highly unique, intricate emblem: the stark silhouette of an iron cross with a massive, coiled serpent wrapped tightly around its vertical beam.
In Ethan’s memories of his original homeland, this was the ancient, timeless symbol of the medical arts. However, transplanted here into this brutal, primordial cultivation universe, the majestic emblem took on a vastly different, utterly terrifying theological meaning. To the watching disciples and passing engineers, the cross and the serpent looked like a supreme, unshakeable declaration that Ethan possessed the divine authority to literally crucify and permanently chain any disease, meridian blockage, or mortal ailment that dared to exist in this world.
Furthermore, the choice of the vivid crimson hue was a highly calculated, aggressive tactical move.
Ethan had deliberately selected this vibrant color to instantly and flawlessly distinguish his inner circle from every single person within the hierarchy of the mountain. While the common workers and receptionists wore standard administrative tones, Ethan, Louisa, and Mary would walk the halls wrapped in burning blood-red. It was a direct, visual declaration of total war—an open statement that the Immortal Doctor’s Pavilion was fully prepared to fight on completely equal terms, eye to eye and blood for blood, against the dominant orange-robed monopoly of the Alchemical Hall using garments that were intentionally designed to completely dominate the public eye.
The sweeping, double-winged grand staircase of the Immortal Doctor’s Pavilion resonated with the steady, authoritative footsteps of its master. Ethan descended into the primary reception hall, his towering frame wrapped in the vibrant, striking crimson robes that bore the menacing cross and serpent emblem upon his back. Walking gracefully a half-step behind him were Louisa and Mary, their own matching crimson silk garments clinging flawlessly to their newly pleasured, glowing figures, radiating a sharp, undeniable prestige that demanded immediate attention.
Down in the cavernous lobby, the atmosphere was completely transformed from the silent vacancy of the previous night. The entire three-thousand-square-meter floor was a hive of intense, hyper-efficient motion.
More than twenty young, highly capable female disciples were running back and forth across the polished white stone, systematically arranging registration ledgers, categorizing crystal vials, and synchronizing the primary waiting queues. These were the new operational recruits Maeve had rigorously vetted and hired over the past week—plucked from the pool of ambitious, unaligned outer disciples who were desperate to escape the economic stranglehold of the major guilds.
Louisa tracked the elegant, agile movements of the young receptionists, her emerald eyes flashing with a playful, highly possessive spark. Standing closely at Ethan’s side, she suddenly stood on her tiptoes, leaning her soft lips directly against his ear. She gave his thick lobe a sharp, teasing little bite, her warm breath tingling against his skin.
"So, my master..." Louisa whispered mischievously, her voice a low, honeyed purr meant only for him. "It appears you have quietly orchestrated a remarkably beautiful harem down here just to ensure you never get bored of me while you are running your grand enterprise?"
Ethan didn’t even blink. He slowly turned his head, his piercing amethyst eyes locking onto hers with a dark, predatory amusement that instantly sent a delicious shiver straight down her spine.
"Did I just hear you suggest that I could ever get bored of you, woman?" asked Ethan, his deep baritone dripping with a heavy, thoroughly suffocating dominance. "If that is truly your operational theory, why don’t we turn right back around, march back up to my private chambers for a pair of hours, and remain locked inside until you can do absolutely nothing but weep and beg for my mercy?"
Louisa’s face instantly flushed a beautiful, burning pink, her memories of the morning’s intense, unyielding discipline still vividly fresh. She frantically shook her head, placing her small hands against his broad chest in absolute surrender.
"No, no! I am so sorry, please!" Louisa gasped softly, a breathless, adoring pout forming on her lips. "It was merely a foolish joke, babe! My titan is completely insatiable and utterly unreachable, like the supreme heavens themselves. I know with absolute certainty that a single woman could never hope to fully cover your grandeur or keep you entirely to herself."
Ethan let out a hearty, deeply satisfied laugh that echoed off the high mahogany ceilings, gently squeezing her hip before stepping forward. He left his two beautiful women to settle at the primary VIP seating area and marched directly toward the central registration counter, where Maeve was currently barking out final logistical orders to the staff.
"Report, Maeve," Ethan commanded, his presence immediately causing the surrounding recruits to freeze and bow in deep reverence. "The sun is officially breaking over the horizon. Let us prepare to initiate the grand opening."
Maeve immediately turned around, executing a quick, immaculate bow toward her master. "Everything is perfectly synchronized, Master Ethan. The security arrays are fully primed, and the front gates are unlocked."
"Open them," Ethan ordered, his voice carrying an absolute, unshakeable finality.
With a heavy, synchronized clunk, the massive, five-meter-tall mahogany entrance doors of the pavilion slowly swung outward. Ethan marched forward, his towering frame leading the way, flanked closely by Louisa, Mary, and his vanguard of assistants. The vibrant crimson of their custom robes burned brightly under the morning sun, instantly drawing every eye in the plaza.
The moment they stepped onto the grand marble terrace, the sheer scale of the spectacle outside caused even Maeve to catch her breath.
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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.