Beyond The Spatial Boundary

Chapter 142 — Beyond the Spatial Boundary

The moment Aether's palm touched the boundary, the incomplete circle released a soft silver radiance. Spatial fluctuations spread through the chamber, but unlike before, there was no violent reaction. Instead, the darkness beyond the boundary gradually became clearer, revealing fragments of an ancient world suspended within an endless silver void.

Aether kept his hand against the boundary for several seconds before withdrawing it. The silver light remained, quietly circulating across the surface of the spatial barrier.

Vaelira stepped beside him, her expression unusually serious. "It's stable."

"Can we cross?"

"Probably. But I don't know where it leads."

Aether looked toward the others. "Then we proceed carefully."

Aria moved closer to him. "I'll stay near you."

Aether glanced at her. "You don't have to."

"I know." She smiled faintly. "I still want to."

Aether didn't argue.

One by one, they passed through the boundary. The sensation was strange. There was no obvious feeling of movement, yet the moment Aether stepped forward, the underground chamber disappeared behind him.

He found himself standing on a floating stone platform surrounded by darkness. The others appeared nearby, and for several seconds everyone simply observed their surroundings.

Below them was nothing. Above them was nothing. Only countless enormous fragments of land floated through the silver void, connected by faint streams of spatial energy. Some fragments contained ancient ruins, while others were covered in unfamiliar vegetation that seemed to grow despite having no visible source of sunlight.

Lyra slowly looked around. "Where exactly are we?"

"Somewhere inside the spatial layer," Vaelira answered.

Aether extended his Origin Sense. His expression changed slightly as his perception spread through the surrounding space.

"There's no obvious exit."

Vaelira frowned. "Then we're inside a sealed space."

"Not sealed."

Aether pointed toward the distance.

"There."

Far away, a massive crystal tree stood on a floating continent. Its branches stretched across the void, and silver energy continuously flowed from its roots into the surrounding fragments. Even from this distance, the tree gave off an ancient and mysterious presence.

Everyone stared at it.

Seris quietly said, "It's beautiful."

Aether nodded. "It is."

This tale has been pilfered from NovelPhoenix. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

For a brief moment, nobody moved. Then the ground beneath them trembled.

Blackfang immediately appeared beside Aether, its black-scaled body tense as it stared toward a collection of floating ruins.

Aether's gaze followed.

Several translucent creatures emerged from behind the ruins. They looked like wolves formed entirely from silver crystal, their bodies partially transparent as spatial energy flowed through them.

Aether's Origin Sense swept over them.

"Stage 7."

Lyra looked at Blackfang.

The shadow wolf had already stepped forward.

Aether didn't summon the others.

"Handle them."

Blackfang lowered its body.

The crystal wolves charged.

The difference in cultivation became obvious almost immediately.

Blackfang disappeared from its position and reappeared beside the first wolf. Its claws tore through the creature's crystalline shoulder, sending fragments scattering across the platform. Before another wolf could react, Blackfang twisted around and slammed its jaws into the creature's neck.

The remaining wolves attempted to surround it, but Blackfang's speed was simply too great.

One after another, the crystal wolves were destroyed.

None managed to seriously injure the Stage 9 Origin Shadow.

Within moments, the platform became silent.

Blackfang stood among the shattered crystal remains before returning calmly to Aether's side.

Lyra folded her arms.

"That was almost unfair."

Aether glanced at her. "That's the difference between two cultivation stages."

Aria smiled. "At least we don't have to waste time on them."

Aether nodded.

His attention returned to the crystal tree.

"The creatures were guardians."

Vaelira nodded.

"They were protecting this region."

"Then the tree is important."

The group continued toward it.

As they traveled, the distance between the floating islands became increasingly dangerous. Some platforms were separated by hundreds of meters, while others were surrounded by unstable spatial currents. Aether used his Origin Energy to help stabilize their movements when necessary, while Vaelira guided them through the more dangerous spatial distortions.

At one point, Aria's footing slipped when a section of stone suddenly collapsed beneath her.

Aether caught her wrist before she could fall.

He pulled her back onto the platform.

"Careful."

Aria looked up at him.

"You caught me."

"Of course I did."

Her smile became warmer. "I know."

She didn't immediately release his hand.

Aether noticed but didn't pull away.

After a moment, Aria finally released him and continued walking beside him. The exchange had been simple, but there was an unmistakable warmth between them that neither needed to explain.

Lyra noticed from behind and quietly smiled before looking away.

Vaelira noticed as well, though her expression was more thoughtful than amused.

They eventually reached the crystal tree.

The closer they came, the stronger the spatial energy became.

Vaelira placed her hand against one of the enormous roots.

Her eyes widened.

"This isn't merely absorbing spatial energy."

"What is it doing?" Aether asked.

"It's storing it."

She looked carefully at the root.

"Something has been feeding this tree energy for an incredibly long time."

Aether examined the root and spread his Origin Sense through it.

Then he sensed something hidden beneath the surface.

"There's something inside."

Vaelira immediately looked at him.

"You're certain?"

"Yes."

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"And whatever it is, it's still active."

The crystal tree suddenly illuminated the entire void.

A deep pulse spread through the floating world.

Then a voice echoed from somewhere beyond the darkness.

"Finally..."

Aether's expression became cold.

The voice continued.

"Someone has reached the Origin Vault."

The crystal tree began opening.

Its enormous crystalline roots slowly separated, revealing a massive ancient structure hidden beneath the floating continent.

Stone pillars emerged from the darkness, followed by a wide circular entrance covered in silver spatial inscriptions.

The entire continent trembled as the structure continued rising.

Aether looked toward the others.

"Stay together."

Everyone nodded.

Vaelira stared at the emerging structure.

"The Origin Vault..."

Aether's gaze remained fixed on it.

"Whatever is inside has been waiting for someone to reach this place."

The ancient structure finally stopped rising.

An enormous doorway opened beneath the crystal tree.

Beyond it was complete darkness.

Aether stepped forward.

The others followed.

And as they entered the Origin Vault, none of them noticed the faint silver light gathering high above the crystal tree.

Something in this forgotten spatial world had awakened.

And it had noticed them.