Chapter 174 The Begining Of The Hunt

Chapter 176: The Beginning of the Hunt

The entrance to Verdant Origin Territory stood between two enormous ancient stone pillars, their surfaces covered in weathered inscriptions. Beyond them stretched a vast expanse of forests, mountains, valleys, and distant ruins. Dense Origin Energy drifted through the territory, so abundant that even the surrounding air seemed to shimmer.

Thousands of cultivators had gathered before the entrance. Some discussed potential treasures, others exchanged information about dangerous beasts, while several groups were already negotiating temporary alliances. Everyone understood that three days inside this territory could change their fortunes.

Aether stood among them, his expression calm as he observed the entrance.

"Remember, the territory isn't just a place to collect resources," Vaelira said. "Some of the ancient ruins may contain formations or inheritances that haven't been discovered."

"Then we'll see what we find," Aether replied.

Aria folded her arms. "And don't take unnecessary risks just because you're interested in something valuable."

A faint smile appeared on his face. "I'll try not to disappoint you."

"That isn't particularly reassuring," Lyra muttered.

Seris looked at him with a gentle expression. "Your injuries from the previous battle have recovered, but don't assume that means you can ignore your limits."

"I haven't forgotten."

Vaelira studied him for another moment. "Your strategy is still to avoid unnecessary confrontations?"

"Mostly. I'll explore, collect resources, and investigate anything valuable. If I encounter someone carrying enough tokens to make the effort worthwhile, I'll consider taking them."

"And if someone stronger than you carries those tokens?" Aria asked.

Aether glanced toward the entrance.

"Then I'll decide whether the reward justifies the trouble."

Lyra shook her head. "You make everything sound so simple."

"Complicated plans are useful. Complicating simple decisions isn't."

That earned a quiet laugh from Seris.

Aether turned his attention toward the territory. The other participants were already positioning themselves near the entrance, each hoping to secure a favorable starting location. Some wore the insignias of powerful clans and sects, while others, like him, had entered as independent cultivators.

He had no intention of competing for attention.

He wanted opportunities.

And this territory contained plenty of them.

A deep bell rang across the gathering grounds.

An elderly competition elder stepped forward, his voice spreading through the surrounding area.

"All twenty qualified participants, prepare to enter. Each participant will receive one competition token upon registration at the entrance. The resource competition will last exactly three days. Defeating another participant allows the victor to claim all tokens carried by the defeated individual."

His gaze swept across the crowd.

"Natural Origin Beasts inhabit the territory. They are not participants and carry no competition tokens. You may hunt them, avoid them, or seek resources within their habitats. However, the competition organizers will not guarantee your safety."

A few participants exchanged confident smiles. Others grew more serious.

"After three days, the ten participants holding the greatest number of tokens will advance to the final phase. Do not forget the rules."

The elder raised his hand.

"Enter!"

The enormous formation beneath the stone pillars illuminated. One by one, the participants stepped through the opening, their figures disappearing into the territory.

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Aether glanced briefly toward his companions before entering.

The moment he crossed the boundary, the surrounding scenery changed.

He appeared on a broad grassland bordered by distant forests and rugged hills. Several participants materialized in different directions, but none stood close enough to immediately threaten him.

A translucent token appeared in his hand.

[Competition Token Acquired.]

[Current Token Count: 1.]

Aether examined it briefly before placing it away.

His attention shifted toward the distant forest.

The territory was enormous. Searching randomly would waste valuable time, especially when his opponents were doing the same thing.

Fortunately, he didn't intend to explore alone.

Aether walked several hundred meters away from the initial gathering area before entering a secluded patch of woodland. After confirming that nobody was nearby, he released a small amount of Origin Energy.

Dark silhouettes emerged from the shadows.

Blackfang appeared first, followed by Ironhide and Grimhorn. Dreadmaw and Ravager emerged next, their imposing forms briefly disturbing the surrounding vegetation. Two additional registered shadows appeared behind them.

Aether observed his army.

The newer shadows had recovered considerably since their earlier energy assimilation. Their presence was now more stable, and their movements showed improved coordination.

"Spread out," he commanded quietly. "Blackfang, prioritize tracking participants and identifying their movements. Grimhorn, organize the hunting groups. Search for valuable beasts and resources. Ironhide, Dreadmaw, and Ravager, investigate the surrounding mountain regions. The remaining shadows will explore the eastern forest."

The shadows responded immediately.

"Don't engage opponents unnecessarily. If you discover a target beyond your capabilities, withdraw and report its location. Valuable resources and unusual bloodlines take priority."

The shadows dispersed.

Aether watched them disappear before opening his private System interface.

[Origin Shadow Authority]

[Registered Origin Shadow Imprints: 7]

[Shadow Resonance: 57%]

[Command Development: Basic]

[Mass Shadow Production: Locked]

He examined the final line for a moment.

Mass production was still unavailable, but that would change eventually. The seven original imprints were merely the foundation. Once his Shadow Authority developed sufficiently, he would be able to create weaker soldiers from established imprints.

For now, he would make the most of the original shadows.

Aether moved deeper into the forest.

The surrounding Origin Energy was noticeably denser than the environment around Radiant Summit City. His Infinite Origin Physique responded continuously, drawing in the surrounding energy and refining it without requiring conscious activation.

He could feel the refined energy circulating through his body, replenishing his reserves while strengthening the harmony between his integrated physiques.

Aether opened his status.

[Host: Aether Draven]

[Cultivation: Origin Vein Realm — Stage 5]

[Physique Integration and Development:]

• [Infinite Origin Physique: 3.50%][Voidmoon Physique: 74%][Starforged Physique: 49%][Thunderheart Physique: 46%][Moonlit Life Physique: 44%]

[Origin Energy Capacity: Extraordinary]

[Energy Refinement: Exceptional]

[Passive Absorption: Active]

[Current Reserves: Stable]

The System displayed an additional comparison.

[Estimated Energy Capacity]

[Ordinary Origin Vein Stage 5 Cultivator: 1 Unit]

[Host: Exceeds 50 Units]

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly.

Even the comparison was conservative. His physique's capacity was already far beyond what someone at his cultivation realm should possess, and its continuous development would widen that difference further.

The energy he had accumulated wasn't merely greater in quantity. Its refinement and compatibility with his integrated physiques allowed him to use it with remarkable efficiency.

He could sustain his shadows without constantly worrying that every manifestation would empty his reserves.

Of course, maintaining an enormous army of powerful creatures would still demand substantial energy. But that was a problem for a future stage of his development, not an excuse to underestimate what he could already accomplish.

Aether closed the interface.

"Much better."

He continued forward.

Several minutes later, he reached a rocky slope overlooking a narrow valley. Strange metallic plants grew between the stones, their leaves reflecting faint silver light.

Aether crouched beside one and examined it.

Before he could identify its properties, a System notification appeared.

[Resource Detected: Silvercrest Origin Grass]

[Classification: Earth Grade — High Quality]

[Properties: Improves metallic Origin Energy affinity and assists physical refinement.]

[Additional Information: Several mature specimens are located within the surrounding valley.]

Aether collected the nearest specimen and placed it inside his storage ring.

Then he noticed something else.

A faint fluctuation of energy came from deeper within the valley. It wasn't particularly powerful, but its rhythm differed from the surrounding environmental energy.

He extended his Origin Sense.

A moment later, his expression changed slightly.

Something was moving beneath the rocky ground.

Aether didn't immediately approach. Instead, he studied the fluctuation, trying to determine its distance and nature.

His System provided a partial analysis.

[Unusual Origin Energy Signature Detected.]

[Source: Underground.]

[Classification: Unknown.]

[Estimated Distance: 430 meters.]

[Additional Information: The signature contains characteristics of an undiscovered Origin Beast.]

Aether's interest grew.

A beast with unusual energy characteristics might possess a valuable bloodline. Whether it was worth pursuing would depend on its actual potential and the risks involved.

He straightened.

"Let's see what you're hiding."

Far away, Blackfang had already detected the tracks of another participant, while Grimhorn's group approached a region containing several powerful beast signatures.

The three-day competition had only just begun.

And while the other participants searched for treasures and opponents, Aether had already begun deploying the foundation of an army that would one day become feared throughout the cultivation world.