Chapter 173 The Twenty Who Reamined

Chapter 175 — The Twenty Who Remained

The final combat assessments continued for another hour before the officials finally announced the end of the Selection Trials.

Thousands of cultivators had entered the competition grounds that morning. Now, only twenty names remained on the enormous ranking monument.

Some had advanced through overwhelming strength. Others had relied on unusual techniques, superior control, or exceptional adaptability. A few had secured their positions through clever strategies rather than direct victories.

And among them, standing at the very bottom of the ranking, was Aether Draven.

Rank 20 — Aether Draven.

He glanced at the ranking without showing any disappointment.

Twenty was enough.

He hadn't come to Radiant Summit City to prove that he was the strongest young cultivator in Astralis. He had come for opportunities, resources, and the chance to test himself against opponents he couldn't encounter in ordinary circumstances.

Advancing was simply the first step.

Not far away, Mu Qingxue stood among the successful participants. Her green robes moved gently in the breeze, and her expression remained composed. Chen Yulong, meanwhile, had disappeared from the ranking entirely. His defeat had ended his participation, leaving his clan's reputation to deal with the consequences.

Aether briefly recalled their earlier battle.

Mu Qingxue's victory hadn't been a demonstration of superior cultivation. Her opponent had possessed a genuine Origin Manifestation Realm foundation, but his rushed advancement and poor control had left exploitable weaknesses. She had recognized them and used her binding technique to turn his greater cultivation into a disadvantage.

It was a useful reminder.

A higher realm didn't guarantee victory, and a lower realm didn't make someone harmless.

"All participants who have advanced, gather before the central platform!"

The announcement interrupted his thoughts.

The twenty qualifiers assembled beneath the ranking monument. Some exchanged greetings with familiar acquaintances, while others remained in their own groups, discussing their next steps. A few were already comparing the names on the ranking monument, but most seemed more interested in preparing for the upcoming phase than concerning themselves with their fellow competitors.

Aether didn't seek out anyone in particular.

He simply joined the others and waited.

A middle-aged man wearing a silver crown stepped forward. His aura was restrained, but the surrounding cultivators instinctively quieted.

"I am Elder Han, one of the supervisors responsible for the second phase. Congratulations on surviving the Selection Trials. However, do not mistake qualification for achievement. The real competition begins now."

With a wave of his hand, a massive projection appeared above the platform.

It showed a vast territory filled with mountains, forests, rivers, and scattered ancient structures. Dense Origin Energy flowed through the landscape, and numerous glowing points marked areas containing valuable resources.

"This is the Verdant Origin Territory. It is an isolated region maintained for the second phase of the competition. It contains medicinal herbs, Origin Crystals, rare materials, ancient ruins, and other opportunities. Some resources are openly available. Others are protected by formations, dangerous terrain, or the creatures inhabiting the territory."

The projection shifted.

A massive beast with dark scales and branching horns appeared above the crowd. Its eyes glowed with a faint golden light.

"Origin Beasts naturally inhabit this territory. They are not participants, and they carry no competition tokens. You may hunt them, avoid them, or compete for resources in their territory. However, remember that the creatures here are not harmless training targets. Some are considerably stronger than the average participant."

Aether studied the projection carefully.

That last point interested him.

The territory wasn't merely a collection of resources. It was an ecosystem containing creatures with different levels of strength, characteristics, and potentially valuable bloodlines.

His Infinite Origin Physique stirred faintly at the thought.

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There should be some worthwhile targets among them.

The Elder continued, "Each participant will receive one competition token before entering. Defeating another participant allows you to claim every token currently held by that individual. You will not receive merely one token. If your opponent has accumulated ten, you will obtain all ten."

A few participants exchanged meaningful glances.

The rule created an obvious incentive. Rather than fighting everyone they encountered, cultivators could accumulate tokens before targeting someone carrying a substantial amount.

"Phase Two will last exactly three days. At the end of the third day, the ten participants possessing the highest number of tokens will advance to the final phase."

The projection changed again, displaying the territory's boundaries.

"Once the three days have ended, the territory will be sealed and all surviving participants will be gathered. Those who fail to reach the top ten will be eliminated from the competition. The final ten will then compete for their ranking and the main rewards."

Elder Han's expression became stern.

"One more warning. The competition has rules, but it does not guarantee your safety from the territory itself. Do not assume that the organizers will rescue you whenever you encounter danger. If you enter an area beyond your ability, the consequences are yours to bear."

The projection vanished.

"Prepare yourselves. You will enter the territory tomorrow morning."

The twenty participants were dismissed shortly afterward.

Some immediately began discussing temporary alliances. Others gathered around the remaining public records, attempting to memorize the territory's geography. A few departed without exchanging a single word, apparently preferring to prepare independently.

Aether didn't join any of them.

He returned to the lodging where his companions were waiting.

"How did it go?" Aria asked as soon as he entered.

"I qualified."

Lyra tilted her head. "That sounds surprisingly unimpressive."

"Would you prefer I announce that I conquered the entire competition?"

"That would at least be more entertaining."

Aether chuckled and took a seat. "I ranked twentieth. Barely made it through."

Seris looked at him thoughtfully. "You don't seem concerned."

"Why would I be? The next phase lasts three days. The ranking only matters at the end."

Vaelira nodded. "You intend to use the entire duration rather than immediately pursue tokens."

"Exactly."

He explained the rules, including the token transfer system and the presence of Origin Beasts. His companions listened carefully, especially when he mentioned the creatures inhabiting the territory.

"Some of those beasts might possess valuable bloodlines," Lyra said.

"Potentially. And I won't overlook a powerful bloodline simply because it doesn't immediately complement my existing physiques." Aether leaned back. "Compatible bloodlines can strengthen what I already possess, but unusual and powerful bloodlines can offer entirely new possibilities. Their integration might take longer, but that doesn't make them worthless."

Seris nodded. "So you'll judge each one individually?"

"Exactly. I'll consider its characteristics, potential, compatibility, and what it could eventually offer. Acquiring a bloodline and fully developing its abilities are two different things."

His Infinite Origin Physique already contained several developing characteristics. A suitable bloodline could strengthen them, while another might gradually provide an entirely new advantage. Neither outcome would happen overnight.

"Then what is your priority?" Seris asked.

"Three things. First, resources that can improve my cultivation and foundation. Second, suitable Origin Beasts whose bloodlines or abilities are worth acquiring. Third, information about the participants."

"And the tokens?" Aria asked.

"I'll take them from someone who has already gathered plenty."

Lyra gave him a curious look. "You're planning to let everyone else fight for you?"

"Not quite. I'll let them fight each other first. There's no reason to exhaust myself collecting a handful of tokens when one carefully chosen opponent could provide considerably more."

Vaelira's lips curved faintly. "You intend to hunt the hunters."

"That sounds about right."

Aether didn't explain the rest of his strategy.

The seven registered Origin Shadows would give him an advantage that the other participants wouldn't know about. He could deploy them discreetly, allowing them to explore separate areas, locate resources, identify valuable beasts, and observe the movements of other competitors.

Their task wouldn't be limited to hunting.

He wanted information.

Which areas contained valuable resources? Which beasts possessed unusual characteristics? Were there participants gathering unusually large numbers of tokens? What techniques and abilities did potential targets possess?

He could use that information to decide where to go, what to pursue, and when to act.

Of course, he wouldn't recklessly expose his shadows. Their strength varied, and maintaining powerful manifestations consumed his Origin Energy. If they encountered something beyond their capabilities, retreating and reporting their discoveries would be more valuable than fighting a battle they couldn't win.

Most importantly, their connection to him had to remain concealed.

The others could believe he was exploring and gathering resources independently. There was no reason to reveal the full extent of his abilities.

He glanced toward the shadows gathered near the edge of the room.

Tomorrow, they would begin working.

He also had another opportunity to consider.

The dense Origin Energy inside the territory might help accelerate his physique integration and improve his energy reserves. If he found suitable resources or encountered a compatible opponent, he could make meaningful progress without wasting the entire three days on unnecessary battles.

He had already learned the consequences of misjudging a dangerous opponent against the Thundercrest Mountain Drake. He wouldn't repeat that mistake.

Aether glanced toward the two small beasts resting nearby. Nyx had settled comfortably, while Kiyomi was attempting to imitate her sleeping posture. The little fox's tails kept shifting, occasionally disturbing her balance.

Aether reached down and gently adjusted one of Kiyomi's tails.

"Stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

Kiyomi looked up at him, then gave a quiet chirp. Nyx opened one golden eye, seemingly unimpressed by the instruction.

Aether smiled faintly.

Tomorrow, he would enter the Verdant Origin Territory alone.

Three days.

That was enough time to make meaningful progress, provided he used every opportunity wisely.

He had entered the competition as an independent cultivator ranked twentieth among the qualifiers. By the end of the second phase, he intended to possess far more than a place among the final ten.

The territory was filled with resources, beasts, and ambitious cultivators.

And Aether Draven had no intention of leaving empty-handed.