Chapter 175 Beneath The Silvercrest Valley

Chapter 177 — Beneath the Silvercrest Valley

The deeper Aether travelled into Silvercrest Valley, the richer the surrounding Origin Energy became. Silver veins ran through the underground walls, illuminating the winding passage with a faint metallic glow. Occasionally, small fragments of crystal could be seen embedded in the stone, their surfaces shimmering whenever Origin Energy passed through them.

Blackfang moved ahead, silently investigating the passage. Through their connection, Aether received occasional reports of the surrounding terrain, allowing him to explore without constantly stopping to examine every corner.

Then Blackfang detected something.

Aether slowed his steps and focused his perception. Approximately four hundred meters ahead, a powerful energy signature moved beneath the ground. Its movements were irregular, but its speed suggested a creature accustomed to travelling through underground terrain.

A System interface appeared before him.

[Target Analysis]

Species: Silvercrest Burrower

Cultivation: Origin Vein Realm — Stage 8

Bloodline: Earthbound Burrower

Classification: Ancient Descendant Bloodline

Purity: Diluted

Physical Constitution: High

Characteristics: Underground Movement, Earth Affinity, Vibration Detection, Reinforced Hide

Potential: High

Compatibility with Infinite Origin Physique: Moderate

Threat Assessment: Low

Aether examined the information with interest.

An Ancient Descendant Bloodline was worth investigating, even if its purity had been diluted considerably. Underground movement and vibration detection were particularly useful characteristics. Reinforced Hide also had potential, although its actual value would depend on how effectively it could integrate with his existing foundation.

Unfortunately for the creature, its cultivation was only Origin Vein Realm Stage 8.

Aether was at Stage 5, but his cultivation realm alone didn't represent his actual strength. His Infinite Origin Physique harmonized several powerful physiques, enhancing his physical constitution, energy reserves, refinement, and overall combat capabilities. Against an ordinary opponent, the difference would already be considerable. Against a creature whose foundation was merely decent, the result was hardly worth anticipating.

"Let's see what you've got."

The ground suddenly trembled.

A massive silver-scaled creature erupted from beneath the passage, scattering fragments of stone in every direction. Its enormous claws dug into the ground as it turned toward Aether. A deep growl escaped its mouth before its body accelerated, charging forward with enough force to shake the surrounding walls.

Aether didn't retreat.

He casually raised his fist. Origin Energy circulated through his arm, reinforced by the combined enhancement of his physiques. There was no elaborate technique, no weapon, and no need to reveal a greater portion of his abilities.

The Silvercrest Burrower arrived.

Aether punched.

BOOOOM!

The collision produced a thunderous impact. The creature's charge stopped instantly, and its enormous body was blasted into the stone wall. Cracks spread across the surrounding rock as the beast collapsed, its remaining vitality rapidly fading.

Aether glanced at his fist, then at the corpse.

"That hide wasn't as impressive as the description suggested."

He wasn't disappointed. The creature's physical constitution had been useful for an opponent at its cultivation stage, but it was nowhere near enough to withstand his integrated physique. If anything, the encounter demonstrated how misleading cultivation alone could be when evaluating his actual combat strength.

He approached the corpse and crouched beside it.

There were three separate opportunities worth taking. First, the creature still contained usable cultivation energy. Second, its diluted bloodline possessed characteristics that could potentially strengthen his foundation. Third, its defeated body could become another original Origin Shadow.

"Begin direct absorption."

Origin Energy flowed from the corpse toward Aether. His Infinite Origin Physique immediately began refining the incoming energy, separating compatible characteristics and incorporating the usable portions into his foundation.

Here is text taken from the author's publishing home without permission; the version they maintain supports continued work.

[Direct Absorption Initiated]

Available Cultivation Energy: Being Absorbed

Energy Refinement: Active

Compatible Characteristics: Detected

Foreign Energy Rejection: None

Integration: Gradual

The energy entered his body without disturbing his circulation. His already extraordinary reserves received another contribution, while the surrounding Origin Energy continued flowing toward him independently. The Infinite Origin Physique didn't need to wait for an opponent to provide energy. It continuously absorbed and refined the Origin Energy around him, turning it into his own.

Aether then examined the creature's bloodline.

[Bloodline Assimilation Initiated]

Target: Earthbound Burrower Bloodline

Classification: Ancient Descendant Bloodline — Diluted

Compatibility: Moderate

Potential Characteristics: Earth Affinity, Vibration Detection, Reinforced Hide

Initial Assimilation Progress: 0.3%

The bloodline began integrating into his foundation. Its characteristics wouldn't become fully usable immediately, but the assimilation process would gradually harmonize them with his existing physiques.

Aether considered the possibilities. Improved vibration detection could complement his Origin Sense, while Earth Affinity might prove useful in environments where underground movement and earth-related techniques were advantageous.

"Not bad. You might actually be useful."

He placed his hand on the creature's corpse.

"ARISE."

Dark Origin Energy spread across the body, enveloping it before the creature's physical form dissolved. Its characteristics were reconstructed through Aether's shadow authority, and a massive silver-scaled beast emerged from the darkness.

[Origin Shadow Extraction Successful]

New Origin Shadow Registered: Silvercrest Burrower

Registered Origin Shadow Imprints: 8

Shadow Characteristics: Underground Movement, Earth Affinity, Vibration Detection, Reinforced Hide

The newly created shadow lowered its head before its sovereign.

Aether examined it with satisfaction. His shadows weren't merely additional fighters. Each possessed individual characteristics that could serve different purposes. Blackfang was useful for reconnaissance, while the Silvercrest Burrower could investigate underground terrain and detect movements that ordinary scouts might miss.

"RETURN."

The creature sank into his shadow and disappeared.

Eight original shadow imprints.

Aether glanced at the ground beneath his feet. His Shadow Authority still had considerable room to develop. Eventually, he intended to build an army capable of overwhelming entire territories, not merely maintain a handful of powerful individuals. However, that would require further development of his command authority and the eventual unlocking of mass shadow production.

For now, he would continue strengthening the original shadows.

He sent a simple command through their connection, directing the Silvercrest Burrower to investigate the surrounding underground terrain. Its response arrived almost immediately. Through their connection, Aether received information about several tunnels, underground chambers, and distant vibrations.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"That should make searching much easier."

He continued exploring until Blackfang discovered a cluster of silver vegetation growing between two large stone formations. Aether approached and examined the plants.

[Resource Analysis]

Name: Silvercrest Origin Grass

Classification: Earth Grade — High Quality

Properties: Contains refined Earth-attribute Origin Energy. Suitable for cultivation and foundation reinforcement. May assist in strengthening earth-related energy characteristics.

Aether collected the usable plants and stored them.

The valley was proving more rewarding than expected. He had acquired another bloodline, expanded his shadow collection, and gathered valuable resources without spending much time or energy. The real value of the competition wasn't simply collecting tokens. The territory itself offered opportunities that could benefit him long after the event ended.

He found a relatively quiet location and sat down to cultivate.

Origin Energy gradually gathered around him. The Infinite Origin Physique absorbed and refined it continuously, while the energy obtained from the Silvercrest Burrower contributed to his reserves. His other physiques developed within the same harmonious foundation, their characteristics reinforcing one another rather than competing for control.

Time passed.

When Aether finally opened his eyes, the surrounding Origin Energy had already returned to its natural flow. He examined his updated System information.

[Assimilation Progress Updated]

Earthbound Burrower Bloodline: 0.6%

[Physique Development]

Infinite Origin Physique: 3.56%

Voidmoon Physique: 74.5%

Starforged Physique: 49.4%

Thunderheart Physique: 46.4%

Moonlit Life Physique: 44.3%

[Shadow Authority]

Shadow Resonance: 57%

Registered Origin Shadow Imprints: 8

Aether closed the interface.

The improvements were gradual, but that was precisely how he wanted his foundation to develop. His Infinite Origin Physique wasn't something that needed to rush through every stage. Each integration strengthened the whole, and every additional characteristic would eventually become another part of his growing foundation.

He stood and brushed the dust from his clothes.

Before he could take another step, a fluctuation reached his consciousness through the shadow connection.

Grimhorn.

Aether immediately focused on the transmitted information. His shadow had discovered something unusual beneath another section of the valley: an ancient stone structure, partially buried beneath layers of earth and rock.

What caught Aether's attention wasn't merely its age.

A formation was still active.

The energy circulating through the structure was faint, but its pattern was remarkably complex. Several sections appeared damaged, while others continued functioning despite the passage of an unknown amount of time. Grimhorn had also detected multiple beast signatures in the surrounding area.

Aether's expression became more attentive.

An ancient formation surviving underground for so long was unusual enough. The fact that it still contained active Origin Energy made it considerably more interesting.

He examined the information transmitted by Grimhorn again.

There was something else.

The beast signatures weren't moving randomly. Several were concentrated near different sections of the buried structure, although Grimhorn couldn't determine whether they were guarding it, inhabiting it naturally, or simply drawn there by the remaining energy.

Aether looked toward the distant passage.

"An ancient formation, several beasts, and something still supplying it with energy..."

His lips curved slightly.

"Now that's worth investigating."

He recalled Blackfang and began moving toward Grimhorn's location. The Silvercrest Valley had already provided him with a useful bloodline, another original shadow, and valuable resources. But if the formation contained something worth acquiring, he had no intention of leaving it unexplored.

As he advanced, the faint silver veins in the surrounding stone gradually became more numerous. Far beneath his feet, something pulsed once.

Grimhorn immediately transmitted another warning.

One of the beast signatures had moved.

And it was heading directly toward the ancient structure.

Aether's eyes narrowed with interest.

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