Chapter 168 Different Paths,One Destination

Chapter 170 — Different Paths, One Destination

The journey back to Stonehaven was considerably quieter than their previous travels.

The encounter with the Thundercrest Mountain Drake had left everyone with something to think about. Even though Yun Xiya had intervened before anyone suffered serious injuries, the battle had exposed the limitations of their current strength.

Aether walked at the front of the group, occasionally glancing at the surrounding terrain. Nyx followed beside him, while Kiyomi trotted behind the evolved beast, occasionally attempting to imitate her movements.

The little fox stumbled over a protruding stone.

Nyx glanced back.

Kiyomi quickly stood up, shook her fur, and continued walking as though nothing had happened.

Aether noticed the exchange and smiled faintly.

"You're learning from an interesting teacher."

Nyx flicked her tail.

Kiyomi seemed pleased by the attention and hurried closer to Aether.

Behind them, Aria and Lyra were discussing the Celestial Phoenix Sect.

"Thunderfall Peak sounds genuinely interesting," Lyra admitted. "If they have ancient thunder cultivation methods, I could learn things that would take me years to discover alone."

Aria nodded.

"Heavenly Spear Peak also sounds promising. I've improved my spear techniques considerably, but I still feel that my understanding of weapon penetration is incomplete."

"Then perhaps we should visit."

"Perhaps."

Lyra glanced toward Aether.

"Do you think he'll really let us go?"

Aria gave her a strange look.

"Why wouldn't he?"

"I don't mean that he would stop us. I mean..." Lyra hesitated. "We've travelled together for so long. It would be strange to suddenly cultivate somewhere else."

Aria understood what she meant.

Their journey with Aether had never been ordinary. They had faced dangerous beasts, explored unfamiliar territories, and experienced opportunities that had changed their cultivation.

The thought of pursuing different paths was exciting, but it also brought an unfamiliar sense of uncertainty.

"Then we should talk about it properly," Aria replied.

A little farther behind them, Seris walked alongside Vaelira.

"Verdant Life Peak could be valuable for me," Seris said. "I've learned a great deal about Life Essence, but most of my understanding comes from personal experience."

"You're hoping their records can help you develop your abilities further?"

"Yes. I especially want to understand how Life Essence interacts with foreign Origin Energy and damaged foundations. There are still many things I cannot explain."

Vaelira nodded.

"I understand. I've spent years studying spatial energy, yet every time I encounter an ancient spatial formation, I discover another principle I haven't considered."

She glanced toward the golden invitation token stored by Aether.

"If their archives are as extensive as Yun Xiya claims, visiting them would be worthwhile."

Meanwhile, Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn had their own conversation.

"So we really have dormant physiques?" Elara asked.

Sylvara nodded thoughtfully.

"That's what she said."

Evelyn looked down at her hands.

"I always thought my cultivation was simply developing differently. I never imagined there might be something hidden inside my body."

"Neither did I," Sylvara admitted.

Elara remained quiet for a moment.

"Do you think awakening them will make us much stronger?"

"Probably, but I don't think we should focus only on that."

Sylvara glanced at the others.

"We still need to build our foundations. Even if our physiques awaken, we won't suddenly become powerful."

Evelyn smiled.

"At least someone is being sensible."

Elara gave her a light nudge.

"You're saying that as if you weren't the first person who wanted to know what kind of physique you had."

"I was curious. That doesn't mean I was impatient."

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Their conversation brought a little laughter, easing some of the tension that had settled over the group.

By the time they reached Stonehaven, the sun had begun to descend.

The settlement remained as busy as ever. Cultivators moved between market stalls, merchants advertised their wares, and several groups were preparing to leave through the eastern gate.

Aether led everyone toward the lodging they had previously arranged.

After settling their belongings, they gathered in the main room.

Aether sat comfortably, with Nyx resting nearby and Kiyomi curled against her side.

"All right," he said. "Let's discuss the invitation."

Lyra immediately raised her hand.

"Before anyone says anything, I want to make it clear that I'm interested."

Aether looked at her.

"Then why are you raising your hand?"

"Because I wanted to make an announcement."

Aria laughed quietly.

Lyra ignored her.

"I want to study at Thunderfall Peak. Their thunder cultivation methods could help me understand my physique better. But I don't necessarily want to become a permanent disciple."

"That's reasonable," Aether replied.

Aria considered her own thoughts before speaking.

"I feel the same way. Heavenly Spear Peak could help me improve my spear techniques. I've reached a point where simply practicing what I already know isn't enough."

She looked toward Aether.

"I want to become stronger, not just for the sake of keeping up with everyone. I want to understand how far I can take my own path."

Aether nodded.

"Then you should pursue that."

Seris spoke next.

"I'd like to visit Verdant Life Peak. There may be knowledge there that I can't find anywhere else. I want to understand Life Essence more deeply, especially its limitations."

She paused.

"I don't want my abilities to become something I rely on without understanding. If I can develop them properly, I'll be able to contribute much more effectively."

"That's a good reason."

Vaelira crossed her arms.

"The spatial archives are enough to interest me. I don't intend to waste an opportunity to study techniques and formations that might not exist anywhere else."

Her expression remained calm, but her interest was obvious.

Aether then turned toward the remaining three.

"What about you?"

Sylvara looked at Elara and Evelyn before answering.

"We want to understand our dormant physiques. If the sect can help identify them and determine the correct awakening requirements, I think visiting would be worthwhile."

Elara nodded.

"I don't want to awaken something blindly. I'd rather know what I'm dealing with first."

Evelyn added, "And if the awakening requires special resources, we should at least find out what they are."

Aether leaned back slightly.

Their answers were sensible.

Each girl had a different reason for considering the invitation. None of them seemed interested in joining simply because a powerful Sect Master had offered them a place.

That was precisely what he wanted.

"What about staying there?" he asked.

The room became quieter.

Aria looked toward Lyra, then at the others.

"I don't think we need to decide that immediately. We could visit first, learn about the sect, and see what opportunities are actually available."

"Agreed," Vaelira said. "An invitation doesn't mean we have to accept every condition attached to it."

Seris nodded.

"Besides, we don't know how long the training would take."

Lyra leaned forward.

"And what about you, Aether?"

Aether looked at her.

"What about me?"

"Are you planning to leave us behind and wander around Astralis alone?"

Aether gave her a faint smile.

"I've always intended to explore Astralis independently. That hasn't changed."

Lyra's expression softened slightly.

"Then we might actually end up cultivating separately."

"Possibly."

He didn't try to dismiss the possibility or promise that nothing would change.

Instead, he continued.

"But that doesn't mean our paths have to end. If the sect offers something valuable, take advantage of it. I won't ask you to give up an opportunity simply because our journey might temporarily take different directions."

Aria looked at him for a moment.

"And what if we decide to stay there for a long time?"

"Then stay as long as you have a reason to."

His answer was straightforward.

"You should become strong enough to pursue your own goals. I don't want anyone making a decision out of obligation."

Seris smiled faintly.

"You're making it sound as though we're going to disappear forever."

"Are you planning to?"

"Of course not."

Aether chuckled.

"Then I don't see a problem."

Vaelira watched him quietly.

She understood his position. Aether had never seemed like someone who wanted to keep others dependent on him. His ambitions were his own, and he expected the people around him to develop their own strength as well.

Yet that didn't mean he was indifferent toward them.

His willingness to support their decisions was itself an indication of how much he valued their choices.

Lyra finally relaxed.

"Fine. We'll visit the sect first. But I'm not promising I'll become a disciple."

"Nobody is asking you to."

"Good."

Elara looked toward Aether.

"Then what are your plans?"

He considered the question.

"The Young Generation Grand Competition is approaching. I intend to participate as an independent cultivator."

The others remembered the announcement they had seen in Stonehaven.

The competition offered access to valuable resources, including an Origin Marrow Fruit, an ancient cultivation inheritance, and a Spatial Origin Crystal.

Aether had no intention of abandoning those opportunities.

"After that, I want to investigate more of Astralis. There are ancient ruins, dangerous territories, and resources worth exploring. I also need to develop my own strength and improve my control over the abilities I've acquired."

He paused.

"Especially my shadows."

The battle with the Thundercrest Mountain Drake had exposed how much energy maintaining powerful shadows could consume. His Origin Shadow Assimilation and passive energy absorption offered considerable advantages, but he still needed to refine his energy management.

He also wanted to explore the devouring ability he had used during the battle.

The brief interference with the drake's energy circulation had been promising. If he could understand its limitations and applications, it might become a valuable combat ability.

There was also his Shadow Authority.

His shadows were becoming stronger, and their coordination was improving, but he hadn't yet reached the point where their collective strength could be used efficiently against opponents far above his cultivation.

He had plenty of work ahead.

Aether glanced around the room.

"Let's recover for now. Tomorrow, we'll gather information about the Celestial Phoenix Sect and find out when we can visit."

Everyone agreed.

The discussion had settled the immediate question. Nobody had made a permanent decision, but they now understood what each person wanted.

Later that evening, Aether stood alone on the balcony of their lodging.

The city lights spread across the streets below. Cultivators moved through the settlement, their Origin Energy a faint presence beneath the night sky.

He opened his private System interface.

[Origin System]

[Host: Aether Draven]

[Realm: Origin Vein Realm — Stage 5]

[Infinite Origin Physique: 2.50%]

[Shadow Authority: Advanced Resonance State]

[Shadow Resonance: 57%]

[Registered Origin Shadows: 7]

[System Points: 34,600]

His attention lingered on the shadow section.

Blackfang, Ironhide, Grimhorn, Dreadmaw, and Ravager were registered. The remaining two entries represented his other stored imprints.

The two newest shadows still needed time to recover their available energy after the earlier assimilation.

Aether closed the interface.

The battle had taught him something important. Strength wasn't simply a matter of possessing powerful abilities. He needed enough energy to use them, enough control to combine them, and enough experience to recognize when a fight wasn't worth continuing.

He looked toward the distant mountains.

The Celestial Phoenix Sect might offer the girls a chance to develop in ways they couldn't through their current journey.

As for him, he had no intention of relying on a sect to determine his future.

He would explore, cultivate, acquire resources, and gradually build his own power.

The paths ahead might differ for a while.

But that didn't mean their connections had to weaken.

Aether turned away from the balcony.

Tomorrow would bring new opportunities.

And he intended to make the most of them.