Chapter 167 – The Deeper Wilds

Chapter 167: Chapter 167 – The Deeper Wilds

The expedition departed shortly after sunrise.

With Azrael and Seraphina having completed their breakthroughs, Orion decided to extend their exploration deeper into the Eastern Origin Wilds. The original mission had been to locate resources capable of supporting the twins’ advancement, but their successful breakthrough had opened new possibilities.

The deeper regions contained stronger creatures, rarer resources and ancient environments that had remained largely unexplored.

Orion walked at the front of the group, occasionally checking his crystal instrument.

"We’ll follow the northern ridge for another hour. There should be an old valley beyond it. The energy readings suggest that several powerful creatures inhabit that area."

Marcus, one of the expedition’s combat members, adjusted the sword strapped to his back.

"How powerful are we talking?"

"At least Peak Mortal Origin. There may also be creatures in the Transcendent Origin Realm."

Marcus sighed.

"Of course there are."

Ryan laughed. "You wanted an exciting expedition."

"I wanted an exciting expedition, not to become monster food."

Seraphina smiled at their exchange while walking beside Azrael.

"At least we won’t have to worry about ordinary creatures anymore."

"Don’t underestimate them. Even weaker creatures can be dangerous when they attack in groups."

She nodded. "I know."

Azrael had already noticed that his new realm had improved his perception. The energy signatures of nearby creatures were easier to distinguish, and he could sense disturbances at a much greater distance.

His private System interface appeared briefly.

Aetherion Resonance

Current Development: 35%

Power Realm: Early Transcendent Origin

Racial Evolution: Aetherion (Awakening)

Evolution Progress: 100%

He dismissed the interface.

Although his evolution progress had reached 100%, the System had not announced a new racial stage. His cultivation breakthrough had completed the transformation of his energy core, but his Aetherion bloodline remained at Awakening.

He would need a separate racial evolution opportunity.

Seraphina, meanwhile, was examining the surrounding vegetation. Her Genesis Energy allowed her to sense the condition of plants and the life energy flowing beneath the soil.

"There’s something unusual ahead."

Orion stopped.

"What did you find?"

Seraphina pointed toward the ridge.

"The plants are growing much more densely on the other side, but their roots are avoiding one particular area."

Azrael extended his perception.

"I can sense several energy signatures. One of them is considerably stronger than the others."

Orion checked his instrument.

"That matches the readings. The valley should be just beyond this ridge."

The group continued until the trees began thinning. Soon, a vast valley appeared before them.

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The landscape was unlike the surrounding forest. Enormous trees grew along the valley walls, while several streams flowed through the lower terrain. Strange blue flowers covered patches of grass, and clusters of crystalline minerals protruded from the rocks.

However, the most noticeable feature was the enormous stone formation near the centre of the valley.

It resembled a natural archway, but its surface was covered in ancient markings.

Orion approached carefully.

"These markings..."

He brushed away a layer of dust.

"This isn’t an ordinary natural formation. Someone constructed it."

One of the researchers examined the symbols.

"Could it be another ancient ruin?"

"Possibly. But there’s no indication that it belongs to the network we discovered earlier."

Azrael studied the archway. He could sense a faint energy circulating through the stone, but it was different from the resonance of the previous structures.

Before he could investigate further, the ground trembled.

A deep growl came from the far side of the valley.

Several enormous creatures emerged from between the trees. They resembled wolves, but their bodies were covered in dark blue fur, and crystalline growths extended along their backs.

Orion immediately recognized them.

"Frostfang Direwolves!"

He quickly examined their positions.

"There’s a pack of six. The largest one is their leader."

The twins received a private notification.

Creature Identification

Species: Frostfang Direwolf

Pack Leader

System Level: 36

Power Realm: Early Transcendent Origin

Classification: Commander Beast

Attributes: Ice, Wind

Pack Members

Power Realm: Peak Mortal Origin

Classification: Elite Beasts

Azrael looked at the pack leader.

"An Early Transcendent Origin creature."

Seraphina raised her staff.

"And five Peak Mortal Origin companions."

Orion turned toward the expedition members.

"Form defensive positions! Don’t allow the pack to surround us!"

The direwolves attacked.

Their leader released a howl, and the five others immediately spread across the valley. Their bodies blurred as they rushed toward the expedition from different directions.

Azrael stepped forward.

"Seraphina, take the left side. I’ll handle the leader."

She nodded.

Golden energy gathered around her staff as she moved toward the approaching creatures.

"Genesis Bloom!"

Several golden roots erupted from the ground, forcing two direwolves to leap aside. Seraphina followed with a sweeping motion of her staff.

"Radiant Petal Storm!"

Luminous petals spread across the battlefield, striking the creatures from multiple directions. One direwolf was knocked sideways, while another had its movement restricted by golden vines.

Marcus and the other combat members engaged the remaining beasts.

Azrael focused on the pack leader.

The enormous direwolf lowered its head and released a burst of icy wind. Frost spread across the ground, rapidly approaching him.

Azrael activated Flashstep.

He vanished before the ice could reach his feet and appeared several metres above the creature.

"Astraeus Sword Art!"

His blade descended.

The direwolf twisted its body, narrowly avoiding the strike. Its crystalline back glowed as several ice spikes shot toward Azrael.

He rotated in midair and deflected them with Astraeus before landing.

The creature immediately lunged.

Its jaws opened, revealing rows of sharp teeth surrounded by freezing energy.

Azrael raised his sword.

Oblivion Judgment!

A black arc collided with the creature’s icy breath, cutting through the attack and striking its shoulder.

The direwolf staggered.

Unlike the Mountain Tyrant, its defence relied more on speed and elemental attacks than thick armour. Azrael adjusted his movements, avoiding its claws while striking whenever an opening appeared.

The creature suddenly disappeared into a cloud of frost.

Azrael narrowed his eyes.

He sensed its energy moving behind him.

He turned just as the direwolf emerged.

Their attacks collided.

BOOM!

The impact sent a wave of energy across the valley.

Azrael slid backward, but he remained standing. His Transcendent Energy circulated smoothly through his body, absorbing much of the force.

The direwolf growled and prepared another attack.

Before it could move, golden roots erupted around its hind legs.

Seraphina had finished dealing with the other creatures and immediately turned her attention toward the leader.

"Azrael!"

He understood.

He raised Astraeus and gathered Oblivion Energy along its blade.

"Oblivion Judgment: Abyssal Execution!"

The sword struck the direwolf’s exposed chest.

A black flash spread through its body, and the creature collapsed.

The remaining direwolves immediately lost their coordination. The expedition members took advantage of the opening and defeated them one after another.

The valley gradually fell silent.

Marcus wiped sweat from his forehead.

"I never want to fight a pack of those things again."

Ryan laughed.

"You said the same thing about the Mountain Tyrant."

"Because I meant it both times."

Seraphina approached Azrael.

"That leader was faster than the Mountain Tyrant."

"Much faster. Its attacks were also harder to predict."

Orion walked toward the fallen pack leader.

"Frostfang Direwolves are dangerous because of their coordinated hunting. A single one may not seem particularly threatening, but a pack can overwhelm cultivators who are much stronger than individual members."

He examined the creature’s body.

"Fortunately, this one had only recently entered the Transcendent Origin Realm."

Azrael received another private notification.

Victory Confirmed

Target Defeated: Frostfang Direwolf Pack Leader

Creature Power Realm: Early Transcendent Origin

Experience Granted

Combat Insight: Proficiency Increased

Oblivion Judgment: Mastery Progress Increased

Seraphina also received her own notification.

Victory Confirmed

Genesis Bloom: Proficiency Increased

Life Resonance: Proficiency Increased

After collecting the useful materials, the expedition returned to the ancient archway.

Orion had become increasingly interested in the structure.

"This formation may have been used to regulate energy throughout the valley."

One researcher pointed toward the ground.

"There are channels beneath the stones. They extend toward the surrounding hills."

Seraphina knelt and placed her hand against the soil.

"I can feel something beneath it. There are roots growing around the channels, but they’re not ordinary plants."

Azrael examined the archway.

"The energy is still active."

Orion looked at the twins.

"Can either of you determine what it’s doing?"

Azrael approached the stone and carefully touched its surface. A faint pulse travelled through the markings.

Seraphina joined him, allowing a small amount of Genesis Energy to flow into the structure.

The archway responded immediately.

Several ancient markings illuminated, and the ground beneath their feet began glowing.

The researchers stepped backward.

A low rumbling sound travelled through the valley before the stones in the centre of the archway slowly separated.

Behind them was a narrow passage leading underground.

Orion stared at the opening.

"An entrance..."

Azrael examined the passage with his perception.

"It extends quite far beneath the valley."

Seraphina looked toward him.

"Should we investigate?"

Orion considered the situation. The expedition had already encountered a Transcendent Origin creature, and they had no information about what lay beneath the structure.

"We’ll secure the surrounding area first. Nobody enters until we’ve confirmed that the passage is safe."

The twins agreed.

For the remainder of the afternoon, the researchers examined the archway while the combat members established a temporary perimeter. The passage remained open, revealing a staircase descending into the darkness.

Azrael and Seraphina stood near its entrance.

Their new realm had made them considerably stronger, but the Eastern Origin Wilds still held creatures capable of challenging them.

And now, they had discovered another location worth investigating.

Orion eventually approached with the results of his examination.

"The structure is stable. We can begin exploring tomorrow morning, provided we bring enough people and equipment."

Seraphina smiled.

"Then we’ll be ready."

Azrael looked down the staircase.

He was already curious about what lay beneath the valley, but he had no intention of rushing into an unknown area without preparation.

For tonight, the expedition would rest.