Chapter 172 Among The Talented

Chapter 174 — Among the Talented

The Selection Trials continued throughout the morning. Participants moved between the assessment platforms, demonstrating their cultivation foundations, Origin Energy control, and combat abilities. Some victories were decisive, while others required prolonged exchanges before an outcome could be determined. Every performance was recorded by the organizers, who would eventually evaluate the participants and select the twenty individuals advancing to the next phase.

Aether stood near the edge of the waiting area, observing the ongoing battles. He wasn't particularly interested in the weaker participants. Instead, his attention focused on those who displayed unusual techniques, exceptional control, or the ability to overcome opponents with higher cultivation.

One battle caught his attention.

A young woman dressed in pale green robes stood opposite a broad-shouldered man whose cultivation had reached Origin Manifestation Realm, Stage Two. Despite the difference in their cultivation, she appeared completely relaxed. Her long hair moved gently as she raised one hand, producing several thin strands of green Origin Energy.

The man charged forward, gathering energy around his fists. His first attack shattered several strands, but the remaining ones moved around his arm and wrapped themselves around his wrist. Before he could break free, the woman pulled her hand slightly.

His balance shifted.

A second strand wrapped around his ankle, and the young man fell heavily onto the platform. He attempted to release his energy, but the strands tightened and disrupted his circulation.

"Yield," the examiner instructed.

The man struggled briefly before accepting defeat.

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly. She was only at Origin Reservoir Realm, Stage Nine, yet she had defeated someone three major realms above her.

That wasn't something he could casually overlook.

[System Analysis initiated.]

[Target: Mu Qingxue]

[Visible Cultivation: Origin Reservoir Realm — Stage 9]

[Physique: Verdant Binding Physique]

[Physique Quality: Exceptional]

[Primary Ability: Origin Energy Binding]

[Physique Characteristics: Verdant Origin Energy Manipulation, Energy Interference, Binding Amplification, Natural Vitality Conversion]

[Energy Interference: Allows the user to interfere with an opponent's Origin Energy circulation after establishing contact through her energy strands.]

[Binding Amplification: The longer her strands remain attached to a target, the stronger their restraints become.]

[Natural Vitality Conversion: Allows the user to draw upon surrounding natural vitality and convert it into usable energy, improving her endurance in suitable environments.]

[Combat Talent: Exceptional]

[Potential: Extremely High]

[Combat Assessment: Particularly effective against opponents with inefficient energy circulation and insufficient resistance to external energy interference.]

[Limitations: Her bindings require time to establish. Overwhelming force, superior energy control, or sufficiently powerful attacks can break through them.]

Aether studied the information.

So that was the reason.

Her green strands weren't simply restraints. They could interfere with an opponent's Origin Energy circulation after establishing contact. The longer they remained attached, the more difficult it became for the target to circulate energy properly.

It was a specialized counter.

Against an opponent with excellent control, overwhelming speed, or sufficient destructive power to break through her bindings, the advantage might be considerably smaller.

But her opponent had given her exactly the opportunity she needed.

Aether shifted his attention toward the broad-shouldered man.

[System Analysis initiated.]

[Target: Chen Yulong]

[Actual Cultivation: Origin Manifestation Realm — Stage 2]

[Estimated Combat Strength: Origin Manifestation Realm — Stage 1]

[Foundation Quality: Below Average]

[Origin Energy Reserves: Origin Manifestation Stage 2 equivalent]

[Energy Control: Poor]

[Combat Experience: Limited]

[Physique: No exceptional physique detected]

[Potential: Below Average]

[Background Assessment: Young master of the Crimson Willow Clan, a middle-tier cultivation clan.]

[Additional Information: Cultivation advancement heavily dependent on external resources, including precious medicinal herbs and pills.]

[Identified Weaknesses: Inefficient Origin Energy circulation, insufficient foundation refinement, overreliance on cultivation advantages, limited adaptability.]

[System Evaluation: Target possesses genuine Origin Manifestation cultivation, but his practical combat ability falls below the standard expected of his realm.]

Aether understood immediately.

The man wasn't weak in an absolute sense. His energy reserves were genuinely at the Origin Manifestation Stage Two level, but his foundation and control hadn't developed alongside his cultivation.

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He had used abundant resources to force his advancement, accumulating power without properly refining it.

Against an ordinary opponent, his superior cultivation might have been enough. Unfortunately for him, the young woman possessed precisely the kind of ability that exploited his weaknesses.

Aether watched the woman leave the platform. Her technique wasn't especially destructive, but its precision and ability to interfere with an opponent's movement made it dangerous.

"Interesting," he murmured.

He didn't know her name, but he made a mental note of her appearance. He was also curious about the full potential of her constitution.

A few platforms away, another battle had reached its conclusion. A young man wielding a long saber had defeated his opponent with three consecutive strikes. His cultivation was Origin Manifestation Realm, Stage Four, and his movements were exceptionally direct. There was no unnecessary flourish in his attacks, only speed and destructive force.

The crowd reacted enthusiastically.

"That's Qin Zhen from the Iron Mountain Clan!"

"I heard he defeated an Origin Manifestation Stage Six cultivator last year."

"His saber techniques are terrifying. I wouldn't want to face him."

Aether studied the young man for several moments before looking elsewhere. Qin Zhen was undoubtedly strong, but his combat style was straightforward enough to understand. Whether that made him easier to defeat was another question.

Several more matches passed before an attendant approached Aether.

"Aether Draven. Your next assessment is ready."

He followed the attendant toward another platform. This time, his opponent was already waiting.

The young man wore dark crimson robes, and a faint golden pattern extended from his collar toward his neck. His cultivation was Origin Manifestation Realm, Stage Three. Unlike the previous opponent, he carried himself with an unusual composure.

"Independent cultivator?" the young man asked.

"Yes."

"Then I'll make this interesting."

Aether glanced at him. "I was hoping you would."

The examiner raised his hand. "Begin!"

The young man disappeared from his original position.

Aether immediately shifted his stance. A sharp impact struck the ground where he had been standing, producing a small crater. His opponent reappeared several meters away, already preparing another attack.

Fast.

Aether's eyes narrowed as he followed the movement. The young man's technique wasn't simply about speed. He was using short bursts of Origin Energy to accelerate his movements, changing direction before his opponent could properly respond.

A second strike came from the right.

Aether raised his forearm and redirected the attack, but the impact still forced him backward. The difference in their cultivation was becoming apparent. His opponent possessed greater reserves and could sustain his technique without the same level of expenditure.

The young man smiled. "You're more capable than I expected."

"Your expectations seem to be improving."

He attacked again.

This time, Aether didn't retreat immediately. He watched the young man's shoulders and the subtle changes in his Origin Energy circulation. Just before the next burst of speed, there was a brief concentration of energy around his lower body.

Aether recognized the pattern.

When the young man moved, Aether stepped diagonally rather than backward. His opponent's strike missed by a narrow margin, and Aether used the opening to deliver a palm strike toward his ribs.

The impact landed.

However, the crimson-robed cultivator twisted his body at the last moment, reducing the force. He retaliated with an elbow strike that forced Aether to withdraw.

Both separated.

The young man's expression had become more serious.

Aether examined him calmly. His opponent was clearly experienced, and his ability to adjust his movements made him considerably more troublesome than the previous participant.

The crimson-robed cultivator gathered Origin Energy around his legs again. This time, the energy condensed more densely, producing a faint golden-red glow.

He rushed forward.

Aether waited until the final moment before moving. Instead of trying to match the opponent's speed, he used a small amount of Origin Energy to reinforce his stance and shifted his body just beyond the attack's path. His opponent passed him, but Aether's hand caught the young man's wrist.

For a brief moment, their movements stopped.

Aether rotated his opponent's arm and used his forward momentum against him. The crimson-robed cultivator stumbled, but he recovered quickly and released a concentrated burst of energy.

Aether was forced to let go.

The two exchanged several more strikes before the examiner raised his hand.

"Time!"

Both fighters separated immediately.

The examiner examined their performance before announcing, "Combat assessment complete. Both participants have demonstrated sufficient ability. Their overall evaluations will determine their placement."

Aether withdrew his hands.

He hadn't defeated the young man, but neither had he been defeated. More importantly, he had learned something about the opponent's movement technique without exposing his own hidden abilities.

The crimson-robed cultivator looked at him with renewed interest.

"What's your name?"

"Aether Draven."

"I am Luo Chen. I hope we meet again."

"Perhaps."

Luo Chen smiled before leaving the platform.

Aether watched him depart. That was the kind of opponent he wanted to encounter. Someone whose abilities forced him to think rather than simply overpower them.

By late afternoon, the final assessments had concluded.

The organizers gathered the recorded results from every platform. Several officials examined the information while the participants waited for the announcement. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as cultivators speculated about their chances of advancing.

Aether stood beside a stone pillar, calmly waiting.

His earlier battles hadn't required him to reveal his physique or summon his shadows. He had relied on physical techniques, controlled Origin Energy, and careful observation. Whether that would be enough to secure a place among the twenty remained to be seen.

Eventually, the elderly organizer from the morning stepped onto the central platform.

"The Selection Trials have concluded. After evaluating the participants' cultivation foundations, Origin Energy control, adaptability, and combat performances, the organizers have determined the twenty individuals who will advance to the second phase."

A massive golden screen appeared above the platform.

Names began appearing one after another.

The surrounding crowd immediately became quiet as participants searched for their names. Several cheers erupted when familiar geniuses were announced, while others lowered their heads in disappointment.

Aether watched the list without moving.

Then he saw it.

Twenty — Aether Draven.

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Made it."

His placement wasn't particularly high, but that didn't bother him. The purpose of the first phase had been to qualify, not expose every ability he possessed.

Nearby, Lyra, who had been watching the announcement from the spectator section with the others, spotted his name.

"He's through!"

Aria smiled. "As expected."

Seris appeared relieved, while Vaelira examined the remaining names on the screen. Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn also looked pleased.

Aether glanced toward them briefly before returning his attention to the announcement.

The elderly organizer continued. "Congratulations to the twenty selected participants. You will receive your second-phase entry tokens tomorrow morning. The resource competition will last three days, and all participants must follow the rules announced before entering the territory."

A new inscription appeared above the platform.

Phase Two — Three-Day Resource Competition.

"Every participant will begin with one competition token. Defeating another participant allows the victor to claim all tokens accumulated by the defeated individual. At the end of the third day, the ten participants with the highest token counts will advance to the final phase."

The organizer paused before continuing.

"The territory contains valuable resources, ancient ruins, and numerous Origin Beasts. Participants may explore and collect resources freely, but they must understand that the dangers within are real. Death and serious injury are possible. The organizers will not intervene in ordinary conflicts between participants unless the competition rules are violated."

The crowd stirred.

Some participants looked excited at the prospect of discovering ancient resources, while others appeared more interested in the opportunity to seize tokens from their rivals.

Aether's expression became thoughtful.

Origin Beasts.

That was particularly interesting.

His shadows could scout the territory, identify suitable creatures, and locate valuable resources. If he encountered a compatible bloodline, his Infinite Origin Physique might be able to begin integrating its characteristics. He wouldn't gain an entire bloodline's power immediately, but even gradual integration could strengthen his existing foundation.

There was also the matter of his token strategy.

He had no intention of fighting everyone. He would rather identify someone who had accumulated a considerable number of tokens and challenge that individual after evaluating their strength.

Three days.

Enough time to cultivate, explore, and improve himself, provided he managed his resources carefully.

Aether looked toward the distant mountains beyond the city walls.

The real opportunity was about to begin.

And this time, he intended to make every day count.