Beneath Frostveil

Chapter 134 — Beneath Frostveil

The staircase continued deeper beneath the mountain, leading the group farther away from the surface with every step. The air became colder, yet the Origin Energy became increasingly dense. Aether could feel the energy flowing through the walls like invisible rivers, moving according to an ancient pattern that seemed to extend far beyond the mountain itself.

He slowed down.

Something inside his body was reacting.

His Infinite Origin Physique had begun resonating with the energy.

The Voidmoon characteristics he had been integrating also responded to it.

Vaelira noticed immediately.

"Your physique?"

Aether nodded.

"The deeper we go, the stronger the resonance becomes."

He closed his eyes briefly and allowed his body to analyze the surrounding energy. Previously, integrating Voidmoon Physique had required considerable effort, and even after his breakthrough to Stage 9, the process had not suddenly become effortless. But something had changed. The Infinite Origin Physique had become more efficient, allowing compatible energy to enter his body and be refined with far less resistance than before.

Not instant.

Not complete.

But faster.

Aether opened his eyes.

"This place is helping."

Vaelira looked at him.

"Then perhaps Blackridge wasn't completely wrong about these pathways."

"Probably not."

They continued descending.

Eventually, the staircase opened into an enormous underground cavern. A glowing river of pure Origin Energy flowed through the center of the cavern, illuminating the ancient walls. Countless formations surrounded the river, and several massive stone structures stood partially submerged within it.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Everyone stopped.

Even Aether remained silent for a moment.

The amount of energy here was enormous.

"This is..."

Seris stared at the glowing river.

"An Origin River."

Aether nodded.

"But it's only one branch."

His Origin Sense reached farther.

The energy beneath them didn't end at the cavern. It continued through countless pathways beneath the continent, forming a massive network that connected distant regions.

"This entire mountain range is part of something much larger."

Vaelira looked toward the river.

"My family's records mentioned something similar. They believed spatial pathways like these connected ancient Origin sites."

Before they could investigate further, Aether's expression suddenly became cold.

Someone else was here.

"Everyone, stop."

The group immediately became alert.

Aether's Origin Sense spread across the cavern.

Eight presences.

Three of them were at Stage 8.

Blackridge.

Vaelira's eyes narrowed.

"They found this place too."

Aether smiled faintly.

"Looks like they weren't far behind us."

Several figures emerged from behind the formations.

The man leading them wore Blackridge's dark uniform.

"You actually found the pathway."

Aether looked at him calmly.

"And you actually waited here."

"We've been searching for this place for years."

The man's gaze moved toward Vaelira.

Then toward Aether.

"You have no idea what you're interfering with."

Aether glanced at the Origin River.

"Actually, I have a fairly good idea."

"You think you can take it from us?"

"No."

Aether's shadow spread across the ground.

"I'm taking everything you've learned."

Blackfang emerged first.

Ironhide followed.

Grimhorn appeared behind them, its six horns reflecting the faint glow of the Origin River.

The Blackridge cultivators attacked.

The cavern erupted into battle.

Aria immediately engaged one of the weaker cultivators, while Lyra intercepted another. Sylvara and Evelyn moved together, covering each other's blind spots, and Elara remained close enough to support them whenever an opening appeared. Seris stayed near the center of the group, healing injuries whenever necessary while using concentrated Life Essence to attack enemies who approached too closely.

Vaelira disappeared.

A moment later, she appeared behind one of the Stage 8 cultivators.

Her sword flashed with silver light.

The enemy barely managed to turn around before her Moonlight Blade struck.

Aether watched the battle for a brief moment.

They weren't obstacles he needed to constantly protect.

They were becoming capable fighters in their own right.

That realization pleased him.

Aether's gaze shifted toward the Blackridge leader.

"You're mine."

The man's expression changed.

Aether stepped forward.

Blackfang and Grimhorn attacked from opposite sides while Ironhide blocked the man's retreat. The Blackridge cultivator released everything he had, but Aether continued advancing through the storm of Origin Energy.

The battle had only just begun.