In the higher realms, Invictus-class ships weren't exclusive to one sect. They were the premier products of the Black Army Fleet Company, a private industrial giant that sold military-grade vessels to whoever had the spiritual stones to pay. Even the Soaring Dragon Kingdom purchased them occasionally, though the Kingdom preferred to manufacture their own Rhino-class dreadnoughts or the legendary Mammoth-class flagships—titans of the sea that only Admirals were permitted to pilot.

The Kingdom had no intention of dismantling the Black Army Fleet's business, as the company was a loyal vassal that paid its tributes on time and handed over 35% of its gross profits as taxes. It was far more lucrative to let them sell to the sects and then tax the transaction.

"Get him down," Malphas commanded, his voice cold and calculating. "I want to know who is important enough to justify the deployment of an Invictus. According to our intelligence, the Crimson Sect only possesses six of these vessels, plus the Sect Leader's flagship. To risk such military power this far from their borders... I want to know what he's hiding.."

The spirit-cutters hissed as they sliced through the black-iron hooks. With a wet, metallic thud, Ethan fell. Two marines caught him before he hit the flooded floor, laying his broken body out on a salvage stretcher.

Malphas knelt, using a specialized solvent to dissolve the resin holding the Iron Mask of Suppression in place. As the metal plate was finally pried away, the Commander's eyebrows shot up. Beneath the gore and the needle-marks was the face of a man far younger than he had anticipated.

"He's barely more than a youth," Malphas muttered, noting the sharp, aristocratic lines of Ethan's jaw and the strange, amethyst hue of his closed eyelids.

"Commander, what is taking so long? The salvage report was due five minutes ago."

The voice was melodic, cutting through the damp air of the brig like a silver bell. Malphas stood and turned, his posture stiffening into a formal salute. A young woman entered the cell, her white naval uniform pristine despite the surrounding filth. She was striking, with hair the color of spun gold and eyes that held the sharp authority of the Soaring Dragon bloodline.

Major Isabella von Dragonia stopped in her tracks. Her eyes fell on Ethan's battered form. Despite the horrific wounds and the pale, blood-drenched skin, Ethan's raw, symmetrical beauty was undeniable. A faint, involuntary flush crept up Isabella's neck, though her expression remained regal.

"Major," Malphas reported. "We found this individual chained in the high-security hold. He was being transported under maximum suppression. I have confirmed these are the soul-binding chains exclusive to the Crimson Sect's inner inquisitors. Should we send a formal notice to the Crimson Sect informing them their Invictus was lost to 'pirate activity'?"

Isabella's gaze snapped from Ethan to Malphas, her eyes narrowing. "Why on earth would we inform them?"

"Due to the diplomatic friction, Major," Malphas explained cautiously. "If they discover we were the last ones in contact with the wreckage, they might conclude we orchestrated the attack and—"

"Are you suggesting the Soaring Dragon Kingdom is afraid of those Crimson savages?" Isabella interrupted, her voice dropping an octave. "Extract the primary mana-core of the ship and all auxiliary power nodes immediately. Once we have the technology, sink the rest. Let those barbarians look for their precious ship at the bottom of the trench. My father has wanted to teach them a lesson in humility for decades; let this be their first lesson."

Malphas bowed his head, sensing the finality in her tone. "As you command, Major. And the prisoner?"

Isabella looked back at Ethan, her gaze lingering on his face for a second too long. "Bring him to the White-Rhino. Summon the head surgeon; I want a full diagnostic. I want to know exactly who is important enough to warrant a direct transport on an Invictus. When he wakes up, I will be the first to speak with him."

The salvage operation shifted into high gear. While engineers tore the heart out of the Invictus, removing the massive, glowing power cores, the marines carefully moved Ethan onto the flagship.

To ensure no trace of their involvement remained, the levitation scrolls were not just removed; they were incinerated with cleansing fire to erase any residual mana signatures. Without the magical buoyancy, the ten-kilometer titan gave a final, mournful groan and slid back beneath the waves, disappearing into the lightless abyss.

Malphas watched the bubbles vanish from the bridge of the White-Rhino. He glanced at Isabella, who was already heading toward the medical bay.

"Temperamental as ever," Malphas whispered to himself. He knew the Major's pride could spark a war, but as a Commander of the fleet, his priority was the Kingdom's expansion. If this boy held secrets that could cripple the Crimson Sect, he was worth the risk of a diplomatic incident.

The medical officers stared in disbelief as the high-grade healing arrays flickered with intensity. The medium-grade healing potion they had administered—a concoction far more potent than anything available within the primitive confines of the Dome—was being consumed by Ethan's body at an insatiable rate.

The results were nothing short of miraculous.

Beneath the glow of the runic lights, the jagged craters in his chest and shoulders began to fill with fresh, knit muscle. The severed tendons in his wrists and ankles snapped back together, weaving themselves into a seamless lattice of strength. The scarred, blood-stained mess was replaced by skin as white and flawless as precious jade, smooth as a maiden's yet draped over a frame of chiseled, tempered steel.

As the healing energy reached its zenith, the last of his tattered rags were removed for the treatment, revealing the full extent of his recovery. His physique was a masterpiece of masculine power, but it was his lower half that drew the stunned, silent gazes of the staff. Even in his unconscious state, his manhood stood as an imposing and majestic testament to his vitality—a "dragon" among men, fierce and unyielding like a tent pole in a storm, radiating a raw dominance that seemed to mock the very idea of his previous captivity.

The head surgeon cleared his throat, his face flushing with a mix of professional shock and sudden inadequacy. "Increase the sedative dosage".

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

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 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Spiritual Transcendence

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??