"I overused my power. I forgot he was only at the Middle Intermediate Stage."

Groaning, Hall slowly pushed himself up from the ground. His clothes were torn, his back stung, but his eyes widened as he felt something different inside him. The energy in his body was flowing more freely, his core pulsing with new strength.

He blinked in disbelief. "What the…?"

Ethan watched calmly as Hall's aura flared faintly…

A breakthrough…

Not just any Breakthrough.

He skipped two levels and directedly reached Advanced Stage

Hall looked at his hands in astonishment. "I… I broke through? Just from being hit?" He looked at Ethan, horror and awe mixing on his face.

"What kind of skill is that, my Lord?"

Ethan coughed lightly, brushing the dust off his coat, and avoided his gaze. "Don't think too much about it.It's my secret skill called Palm Of Heaven Granting Salvation!"

"I feel goosebumps!"

"Enough!Don't tell anyone."

But Hall's expression said everything. The story would spread before the day was over.

That evening, whispers began to echo through the ranks rumors of the Lord who could beat someone into a breakthrough.

While Ethan didn't care much about gossip, little did he know that this single event would soon spark a series of outrageous tales among his men.

And from that day on, no one dared to refuse Ethan's "gift."

.......

A month later..

"My Lord…Lady Rina asked for a visit,"Oliver said.

"Visit.."Ethan wanted to ask why she didn't come only to pause reading the content.

"Sigh..Another trouble?"Ethan rubbed his forehead.

Oliver was about to ask what happened when Sophia sneaked.

"Can I have a moment?"

"Of course you can..Is this even a question?"Ethan chuckled.

"Then pardon me.I will take my leave."Oliver bowed and excited.

As soon as Sophia stepped in,Ethan received another piece of unexpected news.

"Ethan, I'm pregnant!" she said, her voice trembling slightly with joy.

"What?" Ethan froze in place, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Seeing his stunned reaction, Sophia frowned and reached out to pinch his forehead lightly. "What's with that face? Aren't you happy?"

Ethan blinked, still trying to process the words. "Of course I am. How could I not be?"

"Then why do you look like someone just told you the sky fell?" she teased, her tone sharp yet playful. "Are you liking the new and hating the old?"

Ethan chuckled softly, rubbing the spot where she had pinched him. "How can that be? You know me better than that."

Sophia narrowed her eyes but a small smile appeared on her lips. "Then what's with this reaction?"

Ethan took a deep breath, scratching his head awkwardly. "I'm just… surprised. We've been careful. You took all those potions, remember? I didn't expect this."

Sophia's eyes glimmered with mischief as she leaned closer, her voice soft and teasing. "It seems your fertility is too much even for those potions to suppress."

Before he could reply, she pressed her lips against his. Their kiss started slow, tender, filled with warmth.

Her soft lips brushed against his with affection, and Ethan's hand naturally moved around her waist, pulling her closer. The two lost themselves in each other's embrace, the world fading around them. Her breathing deepened, his heartbeat quickened, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

Then, suddenly, a knock echoed through the room.

"Father… are you there? It's Miranda."

Both of them froze. The atmosphere that had been filled with affection turned stiff. Sophia's eyes darkened, and she turned toward the door with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

"It seems she needs to be taught some manners," Sophia said coldly.

Ethan could feel a drop of sweat roll down his temple. He gave a nervous laugh. "Let's not overdo it, alright?"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Miranda stood stiff feeling a strange sensation.

She had only wanted to escape Ray's endless teasing and torture by sneaking into her father's room for comfort. But as she felt the chill creeping through the door, she shivered, sensing danger instead of warmth.

....

A few days later, Ethan visited Rina's Trading Company.

The place was grand, one of the most prosperous establishments in the territory he had once won from Baron Fenwick.

Yes it was none other than the place which used to be known for the Dungeon.

What used to be a struggling land had now turned into a thriving commercial district. Rina had transformed the place beautifully.

The trading company itself was built of polished stone and marble, with tall glass windows that shimmered under the light.

Golden ornaments decorated the walls and massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The air smelled faintly of expensive perfume and freshly polished wood.

Merchants and traders walked through the halls, their clothes neat, their pockets heavy with gold. Everywhere Ethan looked, he saw wealth ,crates filled with silks, chests overflowing with coins, and gems glittering under lamplight.

Ethan walked alongside Rina, their steps echoing softly on the clean floors. The people they passed couldn't help but glance their way, whispering among themselves.

Rina wore a dark blue dress that brought out the elegance in her mature features. She had aged gracefully like a beauty untouched by time.

Her eyes still held the same intelligence and sharpness that made her feared and respected.

A veil covered her face that made her more mysterious.

Ethan noticed the stares and paused for a moment. "They're all looking," he said with a faint smile. Then he extended his arm toward her. "Do you want to hold it?"

Rina stopped walking. She looked at his face for a few seconds, her chest tightening a little.

His eyes were calm, confident, and warm. For a moment, she felt as though she could melt right there. Despite being in her forties, her heart fluttered like that of a young girl.

"Of course," she said softly.

She slipped her hand around his arm. The gesture was simple, but it carried warmth and closeness. The crowd's whispering grew louder, some filled with envy, others with admiration.

The two walked together through the hall like that, side by side, their presence drawing every gaze.

After a moment, Ethan glanced at her again, his voice calm but playful. "Are you sure you don't want to marry me?"

Rina stopped again, her cheeks turning faintly red. She gave him a long, quiet look before smiling softly. "You always ask questions that make it hard for a woman to answer."

Ethan chuckled. "Maybe that's my charm."

"Or your trouble," she said, shaking her head lightly, though her grip on his arm tightened just a little as she led her to the office with slight anticipation.

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