A Physique Beyond Ancient Understanding

Chapter 191 — A Physique Beyond Ancient Understanding

The passage beyond the Bloodline Nourishment Spring led Aether and Long Zhentian into a vast underground repository. Unlike the previous chambers, this place contained no rows of cultivation resources or preserved treasures. Instead, countless crystal pillars stood across the room, each connected to a network of glowing lines beneath the floor. Several pillars had dimmed over time, while others continued to release faint waves of energy.

Aether examined the surroundings with interest. "This place seems more important than the previous research chambers."

Long Zhentian studied the structures before answering. "It is. These formations were designed to study bloodline development, compatibility, and evolution. Judging by their arrangement, this repository may contain some of the most valuable research left behind by the ancient civilization."

Aether walked toward the nearest crystal pillar. Its surface was covered with unfamiliar symbols, but the System quickly began analyzing them.

[Ancient Bloodline Research Repository detected.]

[Primary Function: Bloodline Compatibility and Ancestral Characteristic Development.]

[Secondary Function: Bloodline Evolution Research.]

[Repository Condition: Damaged.]

[Available Information: Partial.]

Aether placed his palm against the crystal pillar and released a controlled stream of Origin Energy. The symbols began glowing one after another, and a faint image appeared above its surface. It showed several different bloodline patterns connecting to a central structure. Some connections remained stable, while others broke apart as the energy passed through them.

Aether observed the display carefully. "So compatibility isn't determined only by whether two bloodlines belong to similar species."

"Correct," Long Zhentian replied. "Even bloodlines from the same species can have different characteristics. Their compatibility depends on the individual bloodline, its strength, the host's foundation, and how those characteristics interact. Forcing incompatible traits together can damage the foundation rather than strengthen it."

Aether continued examining the display. He adjusted the amount of Origin Energy entering the pillar, causing the images to change. Different patterns appeared, each showing a different result. Some characteristics supported one another, while others interfered with the host's energy circulation.

The System recorded his observations as he worked.

[Ancient Bloodline Compatibility Principles partially understood.]

[Ancestral Characteristic Development Theory partially understood.]

[Bloodline Transformation Stability Principles partially understood.]

Aether withdrew his hand. Although he had not mastered the ancient research, he now understood several principles that could help him develop his own physique more effectively. The information was particularly valuable because the Infinite Origin Physique did not follow the same limitations as ordinary bloodlines.

Long Zhentian noticed the thoughtful expression on his face. "You seem satisfied."

"The research is useful. Their understanding is incomplete, but they discovered several things worth studying."

"That is an interesting way to describe an ancient civilization's research."

Aether glanced at him. "Would you prefer that I call it impressive?"

"I would prefer that you stop expecting ancient researchers to understand everything simply because they lived before your time."

Aether chuckled. "Fair enough."

Before Long Zhentian could respond, a soft silver light caught Aether's attention. Nyx had moved toward a circular platform near the far side of the chamber. The platform was surrounded by several smaller pillars, and faint symbols were beginning to appear across its surface. Kiyomi followed closely behind Nyx, watching the lights with her golden eyes.

The young female Earth Dragon approached the platform as well. "There is energy flowing beneath it. The pillars seem to be connected to something deeper."

Her ability to speak human language came from her high cultivation in the Origin Manifestation Realm, unlike Nyx and Kiyomi, who continued communicating through their movements and expressions.

Aether approached the platform and examined it. The System immediately responded.

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[Ancient Bloodline Evaluation Platform detected.]

[Primary Function: Bloodline and Physique Assessment.]

[Additional Function: Ancestral Characteristic Analysis.]

[Condition: Operational, but classification records are incomplete.]

"An evaluation platform?" Aether stepped onto its center. "Let's see what it can discover."

The surrounding pillars lit up, releasing several waves of energy that passed through his body. Aether remained still as the formation examined his physique. For a moment, the symbols moved rapidly, and the light surrounding the platform grew brighter. Then everything suddenly stopped.

A new notification appeared.

[Evaluation Completed.]

[Detected Physique: Unclassified.]

[Physique Characteristics: Unable to determine.]

[Ancestral Classification: No matching record.]

[Evaluation Result: Incomplete.]

Aether raised an eyebrow. "It can't even classify my physique?"

Long Zhentian examined the platform. His expression became slightly more serious as he inspected the energy patterns. "It detected something, but its records have no category capable of describing it. Even the rare ancestral bloodlines I encountered in the past possessed recognizable foundations. Yours appears to operate according to principles this system was never designed to understand."

Aether looked at the formation again. "Then their records need improvement."

Long Zhentian gave him a sideways glance. "If someone attempts to understand your physique, I suspect a few improvements won't be enough."

"Then they'll have to work harder."

Nyx stepped closer and lightly tapped the edge of the platform with her paw. The light flickered, but nothing else happened. Aether looked down at her and shook his head. "I didn't build it. Complaining to me won't make it work."

Kiyomi tilted her little head, seemingly curious about the strange structure, while the young dragon watched the pillars with a thoughtful expression.

"Perhaps it simply doesn't want to cooperate," the young dragon remarked.

Aether glanced at her. "It has something in common with some people I've met."

Long Zhentian let out a quiet chuckle, but his attention soon returned to the formation. "There is more here. Look at those three sealed sections."

Aether followed his gaze. Three large crystal structures stood behind the evaluation platform. Unlike the other pillars, each was surrounded by a separate protective formation. Their surfaces displayed different symbols, and faint energy could still be felt within them.

The System began analyzing the structures.

[Sealed Archive One: Ancestral Bloodline Awakening.]

[Sealed Archive Two: Advanced Bloodline Compatibility.]

[Sealed Archive Three: Transcendent Bloodline Evolution.]

[Access Status: Restricted.]

[Reason: Internal Energy Network Damage.]

[Network Condition: Two channels partially operational. One channel severely damaged.]

Aether studied the three archives. "These should contain more advanced research than the information we've recovered so far."

"Most likely," Long Zhentian replied. "The first section may explain how dormant ancestral characteristics can be awakened. The second should contain more detailed compatibility methods, while the third appears to focus on bloodline evolution beyond ordinary limits."

"Can we access them?"

"Not in their current condition. The energy network must be repaired first. Trying to force them open could damage the records inside."

Aether nodded. He had no intention of destroying valuable research simply because he was impatient. He examined the surrounding pillars and noticed that their energy lines converged beneath the central platform. However, the structure was incomplete, and one of the main channels had almost completely stopped functioning.

Long Zhentian moved toward the edge of the room and inspected a section of the floor. After a moment, he pressed his hand against a seemingly ordinary crystal panel. A low sound echoed through the chamber, and a concealed passage gradually appeared beneath the platform.

"Found something?" Aether asked.

"A regulation chamber. The passage leads to the internal control system responsible for managing these three archives. If we restore its damaged channels, we may be able to reopen at least some of the sealed records."

Aether examined the newly revealed passage. "Then that's where we're going."

Long Zhentian looked at him with mild amusement. "You're being unexpectedly sensible. I thought you might try to break the seals first."

"Do I really give you that impression?"

"Occasionally."

Aether shook his head. "You've become rather comfortable criticizing me."

"I have lived long enough to recognize an impatient young master when I see one."

"Good. Then you should also recognize when your young master is making the correct decision."

"Naturally. I will be sure to inform you whenever that happens."

Aether gave him a brief look before walking toward the passage. Their exchange had become increasingly natural since Long Zhentian's reconstruction. The ancient dragon no longer treated every conversation as a formal exchange between a subordinate and his sovereign, and Aether had no intention of discouraging that change.

As they approached the entrance, a faint light suddenly appeared across one of the damaged energy channels. It lasted only a few seconds, but the glow revealed a strange symbol carved into the inner wall. Long Zhentian stopped and examined it carefully.

"Do you recognize it?" Aether asked.

"I have seen something similar in ancient records. It was associated with bloodlines that had reached the limits of their natural evolution." Long Zhentian paused before continuing. "However, I cannot confirm whether this is the same symbol. The records I remember were incomplete, and the meaning may have changed across the ages."

The System scanned the marking, but its analysis remained limited.

[Unknown Ancient Symbol detected.]

[Related Information: Incomplete.]

[Classification: Unconfirmed.]

Aether studied the symbol for a moment before instructing the System to preserve its structure and record its location. There was no reason to jump to conclusions when the available information was insufficient.

"We'll investigate it after restoring the energy network," he decided. "For now, the sealed archives are more important."

Long Zhentian nodded, and the group entered the concealed passage. Behind them, the evaluation platform slowly returned to its dormant state, while the three sealed archives continued waiting for the restoration of the repository's internal systems.

Aether had entered the sanctuary expecting to find ancient resources and perhaps a few useful techniques. Instead, he had discovered research concerning bloodline development that could potentially help him understand his own Infinite Origin Physique. More importantly, the ancient evaluation platform had failed to classify him despite being designed specifically to study unusual physiques and bloodlines.

That failure only made him more interested in what lay ahead.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked toward the deeper chamber. "Let's see what these ancient researchers were hiding."