Beyond The First World

Chapter 161 — Beyond the First World

The following morning, Aether stood before the ancient formation in the northern ravine. The formation had been repaired, and the System had successfully recorded the coordinates of the world on the other side. It was no longer necessary to activate the ancient structure whenever he wanted to travel. Origin World Passage had established a permanent connection between the two destinations, allowing him to travel freely between Earth and the newly discovered world.

Behind him, the others were making their final preparations. Aria adjusted her equipment while Lyra checked her weapons. Seris had prepared several recovery resources, and Vaelira was examining the spatial crystal she carried. Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn stood nearby, discussing what they might encounter beyond the passage. Nyx remained close to Aether, her golden eyes occasionally shifting toward the formation, while Kiyomi sat beside her, all nine tails moving gently.

Aether looked at everyone. "We don't know what awaits us. The world we saw through the passage was clearly more developed than Earth, so we shouldn't assume our current strength will be enough to handle everything."

Lyra crossed her arms. "You're saying there might be people stronger than you?"

"Almost certainly."

"Good. I was getting bored."

Aria gave her an amused look. "You say that now."

Vaelira approached the formation and examined its spatial structure one final time. "The coordinate resonance is stable. There shouldn't be any unexpected displacement during the passage."

Aether nodded. "Then let's go."

He opened his private System interface and selected the registered destination. A thin silver line appeared in the air before gradually widening into a circular opening. Spatial energy gathered around its edges, forming a stable boundary. Beyond it lay the same unfamiliar landscape they had glimpsed the previous day: vast mountains stretching toward the horizon, luminous streams of energy flowing through the atmosphere, and enormous structures standing in the distance.

Aether could sense the difference in the surrounding energy even from where he stood. It was considerably denser than Earth's ambient Origin Energy, and his Infinite Origin Physique responded immediately. A faint stream of energy passed through the portal and entered his body, where it was rapidly absorbed and refined.

[External Origin Energy detected.]

[Environmental Compatibility: Confirmed.]

[Refinement Efficiency: Significantly higher than current home environment.]

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly. This was exactly what he needed. His Infinite Origin Physique had already integrated several powerful physiques, including the Starforged, Thunderheart, Moonlit Life, and Voidmoon Physiques. Their characteristics were gradually becoming part of a greater foundation, and the developing resonance between them was improving his body's overall efficiency. The higher-quality energy in this world would provide an excellent environment for further development.

Without wasting more time, Aether stepped through the passage. His boots touched solid ground as a cool wind swept across his face, carrying an unfamiliar fragrance and an immense concentration of Origin Energy. The sky above him was unlike Earth's, with several enormous celestial bodies visible beyond the clouds and faint streams of energy crossing the atmosphere like rivers of light.

The passage remained open behind him. Aria stepped through next, followed by Lyra and Seris. Vaelira emerged immediately afterward, her eyes moving across the surrounding space with intense curiosity. Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn followed, while Nyx crossed without hesitation. Kiyomi hesitated at the threshold before looking toward Aether. He lowered one hand and gently called her over. The little fox stepped through and immediately moved toward him, prompting him to touch her head reassuringly.

For several seconds, nobody spoke. The difference between Earth and this place was obvious. The mountains were enormous, the vegetation carried traces of Origin Energy, and even the wind felt heavier. Seris closed her eyes and carefully sensed the surrounding energy. "The energy here is incredibly dense."

Vaelira nodded. "It's much purer than what we've encountered on Earth. There must be many places where cultivation is considerably more efficient."

"Then we should understand this world before choosing where to cultivate," Aether replied.

He quietly opened his System interface. "Analyze the world. Provide all available information, including its cultivation environment and power distribution."

The System immediately began processing the information.

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[World Coordinate 001 — Analysis Complete.]

[World Name: Astralis.]

[World Classification: Origin World Fragment.]

[World Status: Established Cultivation Civilization.]

[Cosmological Information: Astralis is one of countless fragments originating from the Original World. The Original World was divided into countless fragments, each possessing its own geographical structure, civilizations, resources, and developmental history. Complete information regarding the fragments and their connections remains unavailable.]

Aether's expression became serious as he continued reading. So Astralis wasn't simply another independent world. It was a fragment of something much greater, and there were countless others beyond it.

The System continued with its environmental analysis.

[Origin Energy Density: Extremely High.]

[Origin Energy Quality: Superior to Earth's current environment.]

[World Laws: Developed.]

[Spatial Stability: High across most surveyed regions.]

[Specialized cultivation environments and naturally occurring energy concentrations detected.]

The next section contained the information he wanted most.

[Regional Cultivation Analysis:]

[Average Cultivation Level: Origin Sea Realm.]

[Commonly Encountered Experts: Origin Manifestation Realm to Origin Domain Realm.]

[Major Faction Elders: Origin Law Realm to Origin Sovereignty Realm.]

[Major Faction Leaders: Origin Ascendant Realm to Celestial Origin Realm.]

[Highest Publicly Recognized Active Cultivators: Astral Origin Realm.]

[Highest Known Secluded Cultivator: Origin Overlord Realm.]

[Status: Alive. Currently in seclusion.]

[Exact Location and Current Activities: Unconfirmed.]

Aether paused. An Origin Overlord. That was Realm 26 on his established cultivation scale. The information made the difference between Earth and Astralis clear, but it also suggested that the strongest beings in this world weren't necessarily involved in its ordinary affairs.

The System provided additional information about Astralis's political structure. The world contained numerous sects, ancient clans, empires, independent territories, and powerful beast domains. However, its complete faction records were unavailable, and further information would require regional exploration. Its final assessment classified Astralis as a high-threat environment and recommended avoiding unnecessary conflict with established major powers until sufficient information had been gathered.

Aether closed the interface. He now had a much clearer understanding of the place they had entered, although the System hadn't revealed everything. They would still need to explore Astralis themselves.

Aria noticed his thoughtful expression. "What did you discover?"

"This world is called Astralis. It's one of countless fragments of an ancient Original World that was divided long ago. It has numerous civilizations, sects, clans, and powerful cultivators."

"How powerful?" Lyra asked.

"Some of its strongest active cultivators have reached the Astral Origin Realm. There's also a known cultivator at the Origin Overlord Realm who's currently in seclusion."

Vaelira considered the information. "That's considerably stronger than anything we've encountered on Earth."

"Yes. But that doesn't mean we should be afraid to explore. We simply need to understand the world before getting involved in its affairs."

Seris looked toward the distant mountains. "Then we should find somewhere suitable to cultivate."

Aether agreed. The energy here offered an opportunity they couldn't afford to waste, especially considering the number of powerful physiques he had already integrated.

He quietly reopened his interface.

[Infinite Origin Physique — Development: 1.20% → 1.25%.]

[External Origin Energy Assimilation: Accelerated.]

[Integrated Physique Resonance: Improving.]

[Refinement Efficiency: Increased.]

Aether studied the notifications. The improvement was already noticeable. His Infinite Origin Physique wasn't merely absorbing more energy; its growing efficiency was allowing the different integrated physiques to reinforce one another more effectively. As its development advanced, that synergy would continue improving his energy refinement, cultivation efficiency, and physical foundation. Astralis provided the nourishment his physique needed, and he intended to take full advantage of it.

He looked at the others. "We'll establish a temporary base nearby. After that, everyone will begin cultivating using the energy here. I don't want us wasting this opportunity."

Lyra smiled. "Finally, something interesting."

Aria nodded. "Then let's make the most of it."

Even Vaelira looked eager to begin studying the surrounding environment. Their cultivation paths were different, but Astralis offered opportunities for everyone to improve. They would need to discover suitable resources and techniques, strengthen their foundations, and gradually adapt to the standards of this world.

Before they could move, Nyx suddenly raised her head. Her ears pointed toward the eastern mountains, and Kiyomi's nine tails stopped moving. Aether immediately expanded his Origin Sense and detected a powerful fluctuation of Origin Energy beyond the mountain ridge. Something was moving in their direction, although he couldn't determine its exact strength from this distance.

Lyra noticed his expression. "Something nearby?"

"Yes. We aren't alone."

Aria stepped closer. "Should we investigate?"

"Not immediately. First, we'll establish a temporary base and survey the surrounding territory. There's no reason to rush into a fight when we don't even understand where we are."

Aether glanced at the passage behind them. His connection to Earth remained stable, and he could return whenever necessary. That meant he could explore Astralis without abandoning the territory and people he had spent so much time protecting.

He looked toward the unfamiliar horizon. Astralis was only one fragment of the Original World, and countless others remained beyond it. His current strength was insignificant compared with the most powerful beings in this world, but that was precisely why he had come.

His Infinite Origin Physique was finally entering an environment capable of nourishing its development at a much higher rate. His cultivation would accelerate, his integrated physiques would grow stronger, and his companions would have access to resources and opportunities far beyond what Earth could currently provide.

Aether turned toward the mountains. "Let's move. We have a new world to explore."

The others followed as the group began its journey into Astralis. For Aether, this was more than the discovery of another world. It was the beginning of a much larger journey, one that would eventually take him beyond the boundaries of Earth and into the countless fragments of the Original World.