Chapter 161: Three Slots

As soon as Theo spoke, the faces of several female operatives lit up with unrestrained joy.

Who was the Abyssal Sovereign? What was his combat capability?

He was the heir to the Syndicate’s boundless wealth, a prodigy capable of effortlessly slaying Imperial Grandmasters.

For such a figure to hold a seminar was nothing short of a grand feast. Any insights gained would surely lead to monumental growth.

The operatives, who had harbored deep reservations about Theo for political reasons, now held no trace of doubt.

Some even began to think he surpassed Prince Aurelius in every conceivable metric.

After all, the former Prince had been notoriously arrogant, never sparing a glance for operatives of lower standing, leaving them to admire him from afar.

But the Sovereign? He was infinitely stronger than the Prince, yet shockingly generous!

He gifted priceless treasures without a second thought. Who wouldn’t be thrilled by such a sponsor?!

Initially, some had whispered behind his back, calling the women who aligned with the Syndicate shameless and lacking ambition.

True Imperial prodigies were proud and would never agree to serve an underworld lord.

But now, holding the evidence of his wealth, they understood.

Because they, too, were more than willing...

Having spoken and seeing the effect was satisfactory, Theo activated his *Spatial Step* technique, departing with an air of effortless grace.

Flavia watched his retreating figure, her eyes growing increasingly complex.

She had thought the Sovereign might say something more to her.

If he demanded her loyalty, or proposed to take her as a political partner, what would she do?

How would she respond? Would Princess Aurelia be upset if she found out?

But Theo said nothing...

He didn’t even spare her a second glance before leaving.

This left Flavia’s heart in turmoil, caught between hope and doubt.

What did the Sovereign mean by this? Was he playing hard to get?

If so, he had succeeded... she was thoroughly intrigued.

***

Meanwhile, Theo returned to the Imperial Pavilion without a hint of reluctance.

Glancing at Aurelia in her meditative trance, he caught the subtle, lingering scent of orchid spirit-liquid on her robes.

His fingers twitched with the desire to analyze her Aetheric integration immediately, but he restrained himself. Theo knew his priorities and would not delay his fiancé’s refinement process.

With a soft exhale, he resumed his own diligent practice.

When the Syndicate Investment cooldown period ended, Theo stepped out of the Pavilion’s inner sanctum. His keen senses immediately detected hundreds of cultivators gathered at the waist of the mountain peak.

*Quite a turnout.* Theo was pleased. But as his gaze swept over the crowd, his brow furrowed slightly.

Why were there men here? Had he not been explicitly clear when he asked for female operatives?

At the mountainside, the nobles of the Imperial Capital buzzed with anticipation. The female operatives had adorned themselves vibrantly in their formal uniforms, while the male knights eagerly awaited the Sovereign’s arrival. News of the events from a week ago had swept through the entire Capital. The Sovereign had personally lectured female knights, guiding their cultivation. One had even broken through a minor internal boundary that very night.

More astonishing still was Theo’s extravagant generosity. He had gifted Flavia an Abyssal Sapphire Core and a vial of Astral Lotus Nectar. It was staggering. Some speculated he had taken a fancy to Flavia, but most dismissed the idea. Even if Theo were a womanizer, would he pursue others while the Princess was just inside the Pavilion? Besides, everyone knew he had risked the wrath of the entire Senate to secure an alliance with Aurelia. Such actions would only alienate her.

The truth, they reasoned, had to be that Theo was integrating into the Imperial Court for Aurelia’s sake, buying everyone’s approval. That explained the seminars and lavish gifts. It made perfect sense. Rumors of his syndicate’s generosity were well-known: at his World-Forge, he reportedly gifted his disciples treasures worth millions of high-grade Aether-crystals. Once thought exaggerated, these tales gained undeniable credibility after Flavia’s gifts.

Any hostility over Prince Aurelius’s fall at Theo’s hands vanished in the face of sheer greed. They all craved progress.

Thus, hundreds of nobles gathered for Theo’s seminar, hoping for insights—or to catch his eye for greater rewards. They waited with bated breath. When Theo descended from the sky, the crowd fell dead silent.

Theo scanned the vibrant scene before him, nodding in satisfaction. The dozens of male knights were an eyesore to his system interface—which prioritized high-value female targets for multipliers—but the continuous notifications ringing in his mind kept his mood high. The Capital’s strength was impressive.

Among the female operatives, eight possessed potential exceeding a thousandfold return. One, as remarkable as Flavia with a fifteen-hundredfold potential, was a captivating, enchanting operative at the early Supreme tier.

*Perfect timing.* Theo thought. He had few gifts suitable for Exarch-tier operatives that he considered expendable, but for Supreme-tier operatives, his spatial ring was overflowing with looted assets. He could invest an artifact, reap the monumental feedback, and perhaps recruit a fitting candidate for the Syndicate.

Standing before the crowd, Theo exuded an aura of profound, oppressive charm, divine Aether flowing around him. After a sweeping glance, he began, deliberately sharing his insights on Aetheric Principles.

Half an hour later, he paused. Every noble, regardless of their tier, felt enlightened. To them, Theo’s words were undeniable truths, his understanding of the universe far beyond theirs. Each sentence was a gem of wisdom.

Yet, his seminar didn’t sate them—it left the operatives craving more. But Theo was resolute. The lecture was over.

He offered three question slots. Instantly, hands shot into the air, especially from those hoping for personal, targeted guidance.

Ignoring the wildly waving male knights, Theo effortlessly and fairly chose a female operative with over a thousandfold potential, her Aetheric signature standing out brightly in his vision.

...

Atop the Imperial Pavilion’s peak, every operative listening to the seminar buzzed with excitement, their initial reservations about the Sovereign’s bloody reputation long forgotten.

They eagerly raised their hands, vying for a chance to ask questions and receive his guidance. Theo selected fairly and randomly...

The first two female knights, after receiving his advice on Aetheric circulation, sat down flushed and deeply satisfied.

When it came to the final question slot, Flavia brimmed with confidence.

Surely, the Sovereign would choose her.

Had he not singled her out before, gifting her such precious treasures?