Chapter 167 An Unexpected Invitation

Chapter 169 — An Unexpected Invitation

Aether met the woman's gaze without showing any visible discomfort.

"Would you believe me if I said I was simply born this way?"

Yun Xiya stared at him for a moment before laughing softly.

"You're quite good at avoiding questions."

"I've learned that answering every question isn't necessarily wise."

"Indeed."

Her smile widened slightly. Rather than pressing him further, she withdrew her attention and glanced toward the Thundercrest Mountain Drake lying motionless near the mountainside.

"At least you understand that much. Curiosity is useful, but revealing everything about yourself to a stranger is foolish."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"Then I suppose we're both being cautious."

"Perhaps."

She turned toward the others.

"Are any of you injured?"

Seris stepped forward. "Some of us have minor injuries and depleted energy, but nothing serious."

"Good. Let me see."

The woman extended her hand. A gentle wave of spiritual energy spread across the group, passing over their bodies without forcing its way into their meridians.

Seris immediately noticed the difference.

The energy was incredibly refined. Even its smallest movements carried a degree of control she had never encountered before.

Yun Xiya's attention moved from one girl to another. Her expression gradually became more interested.

"Starforged, Thunderheart, Moonlit Life, and Voidmoon..."

She paused briefly.

"Four exceptional constitutions gathered in one group. That is considerably rarer than you might imagine."

Her gaze then moved toward Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn.

Unlike the others, she didn't immediately comment. Instead, she examined their bodies more carefully, allowing her spiritual perception to circulate around their Origin Energy.

A faint trace of surprise appeared in her eyes.

"Interesting. These three are unusual as well."

Sylvara looked slightly confused.

"Us?"

Yun Xiya nodded.

"You each possess a special constitution, but they haven't fully awakened. Their characteristics are concealed beneath your ordinary Origin Energy circulation."

She looked at the three girls in turn.

"These are dormant physiques."

Aether's expression became slightly more attentive.

"Dormant?"

"Yes. Some physiques reveal their characteristics naturally as their owners grow stronger. Others require specific conditions before their true nature can emerge."

Yun Xiya explained that awakening such physiques wasn't simply a matter of accumulating more Origin Energy.

"First, you need a compatible Origin Energy resource. Second, you need a suitable awakening method capable of drawing out the dormant constitution. Finally, proper guidance is essential to ensure the awakening proceeds without destabilizing your foundation."

She paused.

"The requirements differ from one physique to another. A resource that benefits one person might be completely unsuitable for another."

Elara looked at her hands.

"Does that mean we've had these physiques since birth?"

"Most likely. Their dormant states are already integrated into your bodies. They aren't something you can acquire later through cultivation."

Evelyn looked toward Yun Xiya.

"Can they really be awakened?"

"Certainly. But I won't promise that it will be easy. First, their constitutions must be properly identified. Only then can we determine the resources and methods required."

Aether silently considered her explanation.

This was an unexpected discovery.

The three girls had been cultivating alongside them without realizing that their bodies possessed hidden potential. If Yun Xiya's assessment was correct, their future development could be considerably different from what they had expected.

"Even the remaining three possess considerable potential," Yun Xiya continued. "You certainly aren't an ordinary group of independent cultivators."

Aether smiled faintly.

"Perhaps I've simply been fortunate with my companions."

"Fortunate?"

Yun Xiya looked at him with amusement.

"Fortune might bring you one exceptional individual. Gathering seven people with such unusual constitutions requires either extraordinary circumstances or an equally extraordinary person."

She didn't elaborate, but her eyes briefly returned to Aether.

There was something unusual about him. His physique had rejected her spiritual perception, yet she couldn't identify the reason. She had encountered numerous rare constitutions throughout her life, including several that had never appeared in ordinary records.

But whatever existed within this young man's body was beyond her ability to classify through a brief examination.

She was interested.

Not merely because of his mysterious physique, but because he had managed to bring together such a group, develop unusual shadow creatures, and survive against a Thundercrest Mountain Drake despite the enormous difference in cultivation.

His judgment had been imperfect, but his potential was worth observing.

"May I ask who you are?" Vaelira asked.

Yun Xiya finally introduced herself.

"Yun Xiya. I am the Sect Master of the Celestial Phoenix Sect."

The name produced an immediate reaction from Vaelira.

"Celestial Phoenix Sect?"

Yun Xiya noticed her expression.

"You've heard of it?"

Vaelira nodded.

"Only through the regional records. It's regarded as one of the strongest sects on the Central Continent."

"One of the strongest?" Yun Xiya repeated, appearing amused. "That's a rather conservative description."

Aether looked at her with renewed interest.

The Central Continent.

A published chapter from NovelPhoenix was copied for this page without approval; the author's version remains the supportive place to read.

He had already learned that Astralis contained countless territories, settlements, and cultivation factions. Yet the region they currently occupied was only a small part of this fragment.

If Yun Xiya truly led one of its strongest sects, meeting her could be considerably more valuable than simply defeating the drake.

"What brings the Sect Master of such a powerful sect to this remote region?" he asked.

"Business."

She glanced toward the mountains.

"An ancient ruin lies deeper within these mountains. It has recently shown signs of activity, attracting several factions. I came to investigate."

Her expression became slightly more serious.

"The ruin appears to contain traces of an ancient inheritance. Its Origin Energy fluctuations have changed several times recently, and some of the surrounding formations have begun responding to unknown signatures. I wanted to examine it personally before other factions caused unnecessary trouble."

She looked toward the motionless drake.

"Unfortunately, I arrived just in time to find a group of young cultivators fighting a creature they clearly weren't prepared to handle."

Aether didn't deny it.

"We misjudged the situation."

Yun Xiya looked at him for a moment.

She had apparently expected an excuse.

Instead, Aether simply acknowledged the mistake.

"At least you recognize it. That's better than blaming the beast for being stronger than expected."

She turned toward the group again.

"How would you like to visit the Celestial Phoenix Sect?"

The invitation was unexpected.

Aether remained silent.

Yun Xiya continued.

"My sect possesses cultivation libraries, ancient techniques, specialized training grounds, and numerous resources for developing unusual physiques. Your companions would benefit considerably from such an environment."

She gestured toward the girls.

"The Celestial Phoenix Sect is built around several sacred peaks. Each is governed by a powerful Peak Elder and specializes in a different cultivation discipline. Our inner and core disciples receive guidance from experienced cultivators, while those with exceptional constitutions can receive more specialized attention."

Her eyes briefly settled on Aria.

"The Starforged Physique would benefit from our Heavenly Spear Peak. Its inheritance focuses on weapon intent, Origin Energy penetration, and the refinement of physical strength."

Then she looked toward Lyra.

"Our Thunderfall Peak has preserved several ancient thunder cultivation methods. Your Thunderheart Physique could find suitable opportunities there."

Her attention shifted toward Seris.

"And the Moonlit Life Physique... Our Verdant Life Peak possesses records concerning vitality, purification, and the manipulation of Life Essence. Some of those records might answer questions that ordinary cultivation libraries cannot."

Finally, she looked at Vaelira.

"As for the Voidmoon Physique, our Celestial Array Peak has accumulated spatial formations and ancient records over many generations. You might find something worth studying there."

Vaelira's expression changed slightly.

She had spent considerable time searching for reliable information about spatial cultivation. The opportunity to examine the records of a major sect was undoubtedly attractive.

Yun Xiya then glanced toward Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn.

"And for these three, our sect has several ancient records concerning dormant physiques. We also possess specialized awakening resources and cultivators experienced in guiding such processes."

Sylvara's eyes widened slightly.

"Your sect could help us awaken our physiques?"

"If the necessary conditions can be identified and fulfilled, yes. I won't promise an immediate awakening, but you would have a considerably better chance of understanding your constitutions."

Elara exchanged a glance with Evelyn.

Neither had expected to hear that they possessed dormant physiques, let alone that a powerful sect might have the means to awaken them.

Yun Xiya continued.

"Of course, these are only a few examples. The sect's resources aren't limited to the sacred peaks. We also possess a central inheritance left by our founders, although access to it is restricted."

Aether considered the offer.

It was undeniably attractive.

Aria's Starforged Physique could benefit from advanced spear techniques and specialized training. Lyra's Thunderheart Physique would have access to better thunder-attributed cultivation resources. Seris could learn more about Life Essence, while Vaelira might find techniques and records related to spatial cultivation.

And now Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn had a potential path toward awakening their hidden physiques.

The others would also gain access to resources unavailable to independent cultivators.

But there was one problem.

He had no intention of joining a sect simply because it offered advantages.

"Your offer is generous," Aether said. "But I'm not interested in becoming a disciple of another faction."

Yun Xiya looked at him.

"Did I say you had to become one?"

Aether paused.

She smiled.

"I invited you to visit, not to surrender your freedom. The sect has independent guests, visiting cultivators, and temporary researchers. You can explore our resources without accepting a permanent position."

"That changes things."

"Of course it does."

She looked at the girls again.

"And my invitation wasn't limited to you. Your companions can decide for themselves whether they wish to visit."

Aether followed her gaze.

He already understood what she was suggesting.

The opportunity was valuable, especially for the girls. But he wasn't going to make the decision on their behalf.

"That depends on what they want," he said.

Yun Xiya gave him a slightly approving look.

"Good. At least you don't seem to mistake companionship for ownership."

She then addressed the group.

"I won't force anyone. However, I would encourage you to consider it seriously. The Celestial Phoenix Sect has several sacred peaks, each governed by a powerful Peak Elder. Our inner and core disciples receive resources that ordinary cultivators can hardly imagine."

Her expression became more serious.

"More importantly, exceptional physiques require proper guidance. Without it, even extraordinary potential can be wasted."

Aria lowered her gaze slightly.

She had been cultivating alongside Aether for a long time, relying mostly on her own understanding and the opportunities they encountered during their travels. She had improved considerably, but she also understood that there were limits to what she could learn alone.

The opportunity to develop her spear techniques under an experienced elder was tempting.

Lyra crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful.

"Thunderfall Peak sounds interesting. I've always wanted to understand the deeper characteristics of my Thunderheart Physique."

She glanced at Aria.

"But I don't know if I'd enjoy staying in one place for too long."

Aria gave a small smile.

"You're already thinking about how to escape before we've even arrived."

"Of course. I have to consider my options."

Seris remained quiet for a moment.

Her thoughts were focused on the possibilities offered by Verdant Life Peak. She had learned to use Life Essence through experience, but much of her knowledge came from experimentation and the gradual development of her physique.

There were questions she still couldn't answer.

"If their records truly contain ancient knowledge about Life Essence, it could help me understand my abilities much better."

Vaelira nodded.

"The spatial archives are equally interesting. Even a few incomplete records could be valuable to me."

Sylvara looked thoughtful.

"If there's a way to awaken my physique, I'd like to learn more about it. I've always felt that something about my cultivation was different, but I never understood why."

Elara nodded in agreement.

"I want to know what kind of physique I possess before deciding what to do with it."

Evelyn looked between the others.

"Then I suppose we finally have a chance to find out."

Yun Xiya seemed satisfied with their reactions.

"Take your time. An important decision shouldn't be made because someone offered you a comfortable place to stay."

She retrieved a small golden token from her storage ring and tossed it toward Aether.

He caught it.

The token carried a faint phoenix engraving, with several intricate Origin Energy patterns carved along its edges.

"This is my personal invitation token. As long as you carry it, the sect's outer formation will recognize you as my guest. You won't need to register as a disciple or explain your background at the entrance."

Aether examined the token.

"Thank you. I'll consider your invitation."

"That's all I ask."

She took a few steps before stopping.

"Oh, and one more thing."

Aether looked up.

"Yes?"

Her eyes narrowed playfully.

"Try not to challenge another Origin Manifestation beast until you've learned how to manage your energy properly. Your physique may be unusual, but it doesn't make you invincible."

Aether smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"See that you do."

With those words, Yun Xiya rose into the air. Her figure crossed the valley in a flash before disappearing beyond the distant cliffs.

For several moments, nobody spoke.

Then Lyra finally broke the silence.

"Well... that was unexpected."

Aria nodded.

"She's much stronger than anyone we've encountered so far."

"Not just strong," Vaelira added. "Her control over Origin Energy was extraordinary. She could have destroyed the drake without disturbing the surrounding environment."

Seris looked toward Aether.

"Her offer could be valuable."

"I know."

Aether placed the golden token inside his storage ring.

He wasn't going to dismiss the opportunity simply because he preferred independence. That would be foolish.

However, he also wasn't going to let an attractive offer dictate the group's future.

"Let's return to Stonehaven first. We need to recover, review what happened, and decide our next steps."

His gaze briefly shifted toward the distant mountains.

"The ancient ruin she mentioned might also be worth investigating later."

Lyra crossed her arms.

"And the sect?"

Aether looked at the group.

"That's your decision as much as mine. I won't ask anyone to follow me if another path would benefit them more."

The words settled over the group.

Aria looked at him for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"We'll discuss it together."

Seris nodded.

"There's no need to decide immediately."

Vaelira glanced toward the token's last location.

"A sect with that level of resources could provide opportunities none of us have encountered before."

Lyra sighed.

"I still don't like the idea of being separated from everyone."

Aria looked at her.

"Nobody said we had to decide that today."

"Still..."

Lyra glanced toward Aether.

He met her gaze calmly.

"Whatever you decide, make sure it's something you genuinely want. Don't reject an opportunity just because you're afraid of taking a different path, and don't accept one just because you think it'll please someone else."

Seris gave a quiet nod.

"Then we'll discuss it properly once we've recovered."

"Good."

Aether turned toward the eastern path.

"Come on. We've already spent enough energy in that valley."

Nyx moved beside him, while Kiyomi followed closely behind.

As the group began their return journey, Aether glanced once more at the mountains.

The encounter had revealed two things.

First, his current strength still had considerable limitations. His physique, shadows, and abilities gave him exceptional possibilities, but they couldn't erase every difference in cultivation.

Second, Astralis was far larger than the world he had left behind.

If he wanted to rise above the countless cultivators inhabiting this fragment, he needed more than victories against isolated beasts.

He needed knowledge, resources, experience, and eventually a force of his own.

Aether's lips curved slightly.

The Celestial Phoenix Sect... Let's see what kind of opportunities you can offer.

He wasn't interested in becoming someone else's subordinate.

But learning from powerful cultivators, exploring ancient inheritances, and building connections were entirely different matters.

He would take advantage of every opportunity that could help him grow.

And if the sect eventually became an obstacle rather than an opportunity, he would deal with that when the time came.

For now, the decision belonged to the girls as much as it did to him.

Their journey through Astralis had only just begun.