Chapter 165 A Mysterious Woman

Chapter 168 — A Mysterious Woman

The Thundercrest Mountain Drake emerged from between the rocky cliffs, its enormous body casting a shadow across the valley.

Dark scales covered its muscular frame, while streaks of blue lightning crawled along its back. Every step sent a tremor through the ground, and the thunderous pressure surrounding it made the nearby vegetation bend.

Aether studied the creature without moving.

[Target Identified: Thundercrest Mountain Drake]

[Realm: Origin Manifestation Realm — Stage 6]

[Potential: A+]

[Attributes: Thunder]

[Traits: Reinforced Scales, Powerful Physical Constitution, Thunder Origin Affinity]

Three major realms above me.

The difference was enormous. Even with his Infinite Origin Physique and several integrated physiques, he couldn't afford to underestimate this creature.

"Spread out. Keep your distance, and don't attempt to block its attacks directly."

Aria and Lyra immediately moved toward the left side of the valley. Seris, Vaelira, Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn retreated toward a cluster of rocks that offered some protection. Nyx positioned herself near Aether, while Kiyomi remained close behind her.

The drake lowered its head.

Blue lightning gathered between its jaws.

"Move!"

A thick bolt of lightning tore through the valley.

Everyone scattered. The attack struck the ground, creating a violent explosion that sent rocks flying in every direction. Aether used Shadow Step, disappearing beneath a nearby boulder before emerging several meters away.

The drake's head followed him.

Its gaze shifted between Aether and the others, then settled on the dark energy gathering around his feet.

It noticed the connection.

Aether narrowed his eyes. The creature wasn't merely reacting to the nearest threat. It was observing their movements and assessing the relationship between him and his shadows.

He needed something capable of holding its attention.

"Come forth."

Two dark formations spread across the ground.

A massive Mountain Bear emerged first, its heavy armored body carrying a dense concentration of Origin Energy. Beside it appeared the Ironcrest Mountain Tiger, its powerful limbs and reinforced claws giving it an imposing presence.

Aether looked at the two newly registered shadows.

They had demonstrated considerable strength even before their recovery was complete. He had decided that they deserved identities beyond the names of the creatures they once were.

"Dreadmaw," he said, looking toward the bear.

The name reflected its enormous jaws, imposing physique, and ability to endure attacks that would overwhelm ordinary beasts.

His gaze shifted toward the tiger.

"Ravager."

A name suited to its aggressive nature, reinforced claws, and destructive close-combat style.

The drake released a deafening roar.

Dreadmaw charged first.

Its enormous paws struck the ground as it intercepted the drake's advancing forelimb. The collision sent a shockwave through the valley, forcing the bear backward, but it refused to yield.

Ravager seized the opening.

Its body blurred across the rocky terrain before its claws struck the drake's exposed flank.

Sparks erupted.

The attack failed to penetrate the reinforced scales, but the force made the drake turn toward the tiger.

A wave of lightning swept across the valley.

"Separate!"

Ravager leaped backward while Dreadmaw raised its armored forelimbs. Lightning spread across the bear's body, forcing it to stagger.

Aether watched carefully.

Their available energy still hasn't recovered.

Their cultivation remained at Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 3. However, the energy he had previously assimilated from them had temporarily reduced their combat output.

They were still powerful, but this wasn't their full strength.

The drake suddenly lunged toward Ravager.

The tiger twisted away, narrowly avoiding its jaws. Dreadmaw moved between them, catching the drake's strike with its armored body.

The impact sent the bear sliding across the ground.

Yet it held its position.

Ravager immediately attacked again.

This time, its claws struck the same section of scales as before.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

They're beginning to coordinate without waiting for my commands.

It wasn't perfect, but their instincts were adapting to one another.

Then the drake changed its approach.

Instead of pursuing the two shadows, it abruptly turned toward Aether.

Its enormous body surged forward.

It figured it out.

Aether immediately used Shadow Step. The drake's claws struck the ground where he had stood, creating a deep crater.

He emerged several meters away, but the beast was already turning toward him.

Dreadmaw charged from the side.

The bear deliberately placed itself between Aether and the drake, taking the brunt of another physical strike. Its body trembled under the impact, but it held on long enough for Ravager to leap toward the exposed neck.

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The tiger's claws scraped across the scales.

The drake roared and released a concentrated burst of lightning.

Both shadows were forced away.

Aether felt his Origin Energy reserves dropping.

Maintaining two Origin Manifestation shadows required an enormous amount of energy. His Infinite Origin Physique was continuously absorbing the surrounding Origin Energy, refining it and replenishing his reserves.

The energy density in the valley was considerably higher than that around Stonehaven.

Even so, his absorption and refinement couldn't match the combined expenditure of maintaining the shadows and directing their movements.

I need to manage this better.

He reduced the energy supplied to their manifestations, allowing them to retain enough strength to fight without wasting unnecessary reserves.

The drake raised its head.

Lightning gathered around its horns.

"Separate!"

The two shadows moved apart just before the attack struck between them.

The explosion sent Dreadmaw sliding backward. Ravager attempted to exploit the opening, but the drake twisted around and struck it with its tail.

The tiger crashed into a rocky outcrop.

Aether felt the impact through their connection.

He didn't panic. The shadows couldn't truly die while he remained alive, but repeated destruction of their manifestations would still waste energy and leave him vulnerable.

He needed another approach.

His attention turned toward the devouring ability contained within his Mountain Devourer imprint.

He hadn't fully explored its applications. Until now, he had primarily regarded it as an ability that could consume and absorb energy.

But perhaps it could do more.

Aether extended his hand.

Dark Origin Energy gathered around his palm, forming a small rotating vortex.

He first directed it toward the scattered Origin Energy left behind by the drake's previous attacks.

The vortex began drawing it inward.

His Infinite Origin Physique immediately refined the incoming energy.

Absorbing loose Origin Energy is considerably easier.

He felt his reserves recover slightly.

Then he shifted his attention toward the drake.

The moment the vortex approached the energy surrounding its body, resistance struck him.

The creature's Origin Energy was vastly denser than his own. His attempt to draw it inward was almost immediately rejected.

Aether's arm trembled.

I can't overpower its energy circulation.

He watched the drake attack again.

Its forelimbs struck Dreadmaw, releasing a tremendous burst of thunder-attributed Origin Energy. For a brief instant, the energy around its neck became unstable.

Aether noticed the opening.

There.

He waited for another attack.

Dreadmaw charged, deliberately positioning itself between the drake and Ravager.

The drake struck the bear.

At that moment, Aether redirected the vortex toward the unstable energy around its neck.

The devouring force connected.

A small amount of released Origin Energy was drawn into the vortex, while the flow surrounding the drake's neck briefly faltered.

Its next movement became noticeably slower.

Ravager immediately seized the opportunity, leaping forward and striking the same section of scales.

A crack appeared.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

It works.

He hadn't overwhelmed the drake's energy. He had exploited the brief instability created by its own attack.

But the beast recovered almost immediately.

Its body erupted with lightning.

The backlash travelled through the devouring connection and struck Aether's arm.

He severed the connection before the force could reach deeper into his body.

A sharp sting spread through his arm.

He had gained a useful discovery, but the attempt had cost him more energy than he recovered.

Worse, the drake had noticed him interfering with its energy circulation.

Its eyes turned toward him.

Then its entire body surged forward.

"Blackfang!"

The shadow wolf rushed to intercept it.

The drake swung one enormous forelimb.

Blackfang was sent crashing across the ground, its manifestation flickering from the impact.

The creature had stopped treating the shadows as its primary targets.

It was going after the one controlling them.

Aether's expression became cold.

The drake suddenly redirected its attention toward the others.

Aria and Lyra were moving toward the eastern slope, while Seris was helping the others navigate the rocky terrain. Nyx positioned herself between Kiyomi and the approaching beast.

Lightning gathered around the drake's claws.

Aether understood its intention.

It wanted to eliminate the weaker targets first.

"Dreadmaw! Ravager! Intercept it!"

Dreadmaw charged.

The bear planted its feet and raised its armored forelimbs, receiving the drake's attack directly. Its body was pushed backward, but it refused to collapse.

Ravager moved simultaneously.

Rather than attacking the drake's armored front, it leaped toward the previously damaged section of its neck.

Its claws struck.

Another crack spread across the scales.

For a brief moment, the two shadows moved with remarkable coordination.

Aether noticed it.

They were beginning to understand each other's fighting styles.

But the drake wasn't finished.

A tremendous pulse of thunder-attributed Origin Energy erupted from its body.

The explosion swept across the valley.

Dreadmaw was thrown aside, while Ravager's manifestation flickered violently.

Aether felt his reserves fall sharply.

His physique continued absorbing the surrounding Origin Energy, but the recovery couldn't keep pace with his expenditure.

He had reached the limit of what he could comfortably sustain.

More importantly, he had made a mistake.

He had recognized the drake's superior cultivation and prepared for its attacks, but he had underestimated its ability to adapt. By focusing on defeating it rather than first understanding the territory and its guardian, he had placed everyone in a dangerous situation.

I won't make that mistake again.

He could recall the shadows and preserve his remaining energy, but doing so would leave the group exposed before they reached safety.

He made his decision.

"Dreadmaw, hold it! Ravager, keep its attention away from the others!"

The bear charged forward again, while the tiger attacked from the side.

"Everyone, retreat toward the eastern slope! Don't wait for me!"

Seris immediately guided the others away. Vaelira used her spatial perception to identify the safest route through the uneven terrain.

Aria hesitated.

"Aether!"

"Go. I'll catch up."

His tone was firm.

He wasn't planning to sacrifice himself. He simply needed to keep the drake occupied long enough for everyone to escape its immediate range.

But the beast wasn't willing to let them leave.

It released another powerful pulse of thunder-attributed Origin Energy.

The entire valley shook.

Dreadmaw was thrown aside, and Ravager's manifestation flickered.

Aether's reserves dropped sharply.

The two shadows were still fighting, but their remaining energy was nearly exhausted.

Then a voice descended from above.

"That's enough."

The voice was calm, carrying neither urgency nor anger.

Yet the moment it entered the valley, the turbulent Origin Energy seemed to freeze.

A figure descended from the rocky cliffs.

She wore elegant pale robes, and her long hair moved gently despite the violent currents of energy surrounding the battlefield.

The woman had been observing from a distance.

She had initially expected the young cultivators to retreat after recognizing the difference in cultivation. Instead, their leader had summoned two powerful shadows, coordinated their movements, and even attempted to interfere with the drake's energy circulation.

His judgment had been imperfect, but his abilities were unusual.

Now that the drake was about to overwhelm them, she had decided to intervene.

She raised one hand.

A vast spiritual pressure descended.

The lightning surrounding the drake dispersed.

Before it could react, an invisible force struck its body and sent it crashing into the mountainside.

The impact shook the entire valley.

The woman glanced at the drake.

"Such a noisy creature."

Her tone suggested that the entire encounter had been a minor inconvenience.

Aether recalled his shadows before their remaining energy was wasted. Dreadmaw and Ravager dissolved into dark Origin Energy and returned to him.

He then looked at the woman, maintaining a cautious distance.

"We appreciate your intervention."

The woman turned toward him.

"At least one of you remembers your manners."

Her gaze moved across the group.

"Although I must say, bringing so many young cultivators into a place guarded by an Origin Manifestation beast was rather reckless."

Aether didn't argue.

"We misjudged the situation."

The woman's eyebrows lifted slightly.

She had apparently expected an excuse.

Instead, Aether simply acknowledged the mistake.

"Interesting."

Her eyes moved toward Aria, Lyra, Seris, and Vaelira. A faint trace of surprise appeared in her expression as she sensed the unusual qualities within their bodies.

"Interesting indeed. All of you possess exceptional constitutions."

She approached them.

"Let me take a closer look."

Aether remained silent, observing her movements.

The woman extended her spiritual perception toward the group.

She examined the energy characteristics within Aria and Lyra, then briefly sensed the unusual vitality within Seris. Her perception moved toward Vaelira, where she noticed an unmistakable spatial affinity.

Her interest grew.

"Starfall, Thunderheart, Moonlit Life, and Voidmoon..."

She looked at the girls again.

"Quite an extraordinary collection of physiques. I wonder how you managed to gather so many talented young women."

Aether gave a faint smile.

"Perhaps I have good companions."

The woman glanced at him.

"Modest, aren't you?"

Her spiritual perception then moved toward Aether.

The instant it reached his body, something inside him responded.

His Infinite Origin Physique instinctively rejected the intrusion.

The woman's spiritual perception was forcibly expelled.

A brief disruption passed through her consciousness. She withdrew her perception, her expression changing for the first time.

She wasn't injured, but the rejection had been far more forceful than she expected.

For a moment, she simply stared at Aether.

Then her lips curved slightly.

"Well, now I'm interested."

Aether maintained his calm expression.

"Is there a problem?"

"Not exactly."

Her eyes remained fixed on him.

"I can identify the constitutions of your companions, yet your body rejected my perception as though it were protecting something it considers sacred."

She paused.

"I've encountered countless unusual physiques, but I've never seen one behave quite like that."

Aether offered no explanation.

The woman studied him for another moment before asking:

"...What exactly are you?"