The Ancestral Awakening Ground

Chapter 197 — The Ancestral Awakening Ground

The journey toward the western mountains took several hours. The terrain gradually changed as Aether and his companions moved away from the valley. Dense forests gave way to ancient stone formations, and the vegetation became increasingly unusual. Some trees possessed translucent leaves that absorbed the golden energy drifting through the air, while others had enormous roots extending across the ground, carrying faint traces of ancient bloodline energy.

Long Zhentian examined the surroundings as they travelled.

"These plants have been affected by the energy circulating beneath the mountains. Some of them may have existed here since the sanctuary was first established."

"Are they useful?" Aether asked.

"Several are. That silver-barked tree, for example, produces an Origin Nourishment Fruit. Its quality isn't particularly high, but it can help stabilize a cultivator's foundation. The purple flowers growing near those rocks are more interesting. Their pollen contains a small amount of ancestral energy."

Aether glanced toward the flowers. The System immediately provided an analysis.

[Ancient Ancestral Flowers]

[Quality: High]

[Properties: Origin Energy Nourishment, Minor Bloodline Stabilization]

[Compatibility: High]

[Recommended Use: Cultivation Support and Bloodline Refinement]

Aether collected several flowers and stored them in his spatial storage. He wasn't going to ignore useful resources simply because he was searching for something more valuable.

Kiyomi had already noticed a cluster of similar flowers growing beside an enormous tree. She approached them carefully, examining their petals before looking back at Aether. He nodded, allowing her to collect them herself. Nyx continued walking ahead, occasionally stopping to examine the energy fluctuations in the ground, while the young Earth Dragon remained close to Long Zhentian.

As they continued, Aether received another transmission from his shadows.

"Report."

The information arrived in several distinct fragments. One shadow had observed the Black Mountain Sacred Clan from a concealed position outside the western boundary. Their group consisted of twenty-three cultivators, including several guardians. Their leader was an elderly man whose cultivation was considerably higher than the ordinary participants. The shadow couldn't determine his exact strength, but the surrounding space distorted whenever he released even a trace of his aura.

The Golden Radiance Palace had arrived with sixteen cultivators and several guardians. Their group appeared more organized, and their strongest members were carefully concealing their cultivation. The third group remained difficult to identify. Their members avoided the other factions and seemed more interested in observing the sanctuary than openly competing for resources.

Aether examined the information.

"Have they attempted to enter?"

"Not yet," Long Zhentian answered after receiving the report through Aether's description. "The barrier is still active. Those outsiders can observe the phenomenon, but they cannot simply force their way into the grounds."

Aether nodded. "Keep watching them. I want to know if any of them recognize the two Origin signatures."

He then received another report, this time from the shadows exploring the western region. Several participants had already entered the mountain foothills. Some were searching for resources, while others appeared to be following the golden energy. One group had discovered an ancient stone pathway leading toward the mountains, but the path was currently blocked by a natural energy barrier.

Aether studied the information.

"Mark that route. We may need it later."

He recalled the shadows and continued forward with his companions.

After another period of travel, the group finally reached the western mountain range.

The sight before them was impressive. Several enormous mountains surrounded a vast basin, their peaks disappearing into the golden clouds above. Ancient trees covered the slopes, and countless streams flowed down the rocky surfaces. Yet the most unusual feature was the enormous formation carved into the landscape.

It wasn't a conventional formation built around a single structure. Its patterns extended across the mountains, connected through underground energy channels and enormous stone pillars. Golden lines occasionally illuminated beneath the earth, revealing portions of a design that had remained hidden for countless ages.

Long Zhentian examined the formation with a serious expression.

"This is far larger than I expected."

"Can you understand it?"

"Some parts. The structure resembles an ancient bloodline awakening formation, but its scale suggests something more complex. It doesn't appear to be designed merely to test cultivators. It may provide an environment in which bloodlines can undergo genuine transformation."

Aether looked across the basin.

"An entire evolutionary environment?"

"That is my current assessment. I cannot confirm its full capabilities without examining the active channels."

The System responded.

[Ancient Structure: Detected]

[Classification: Ancestral Awakening Ground]

[Primary Function: Ancient Bloodline Awakening and Evolution]

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[Secondary Functions: Bloodline Stabilization, Ancestral Characteristic Development, Evolutionary Compatibility Assessment]

[Current Condition: Partially Sealed]

[Activation: In Progress]

Aether's eyes narrowed.

So this wasn't another repository containing records and research materials. It was an actual environment designed to influence bloodline development.

That made it considerably more valuable.

Before he could examine the formation further, Nyx suddenly moved forward. Her Primordial Origin Mark released a golden pulse, and several patterns carved into the nearest mountain illuminated in response.

A deep vibration spread through the ground.

The formation reacted.

Golden lines emerged from beneath the soil, extending toward the center of the basin. Several enormous roots shifted, revealing a natural passage between two rocky slopes. Beyond it lay a vast forest filled with golden mist.

Kiyomi instinctively moved closer to Aether, while the young Earth Dragon watched the opening with widened eyes.

"That place..." she murmured. "The bloodline energy inside is much stronger."

Long Zhentian stepped forward, examining the newly revealed passage.

"Ancestral Awakening Forest. I have encountered descriptions of similar environments in ancient records, although I have never personally visited this particular place."

Aether looked at Nyx.

Her mark continued glowing, but she showed no sign of losing control. Instead, she appeared curious, almost as if something within the forest was calling to her.

The System displayed another notification.

[Primordial Origin Mark: Resonance Confirmed]

[Ancestral Awakening Forest: Responding]

[Bloodline Compatibility: Undetermined]

[Potential Evolutionary Opportunity: Extremely Rare]

Aether didn't immediately enter.

"Can we determine whether it's dangerous?"

Long Zhentian examined the energy fluctuations. "The forest itself doesn't appear hostile. However, its energy is extremely concentrated. Certain areas may contain powerful ancestral pressures, and creatures that have lived there for countless years could be dangerous."

Aether nodded.

"Then we'll investigate carefully."

Before entering the forest, Aether ordered his shadows to examine the surrounding area. One of them soon reported discovering several participants approaching from the southern slope.

Among them was a group of seven cultivators wearing dark green robes. They were examining the stone pathway and discussing the formation. Their leader possessed considerable cultivation and carried a jade compass that reacted to the golden energy.

Another shadow reported that several participants had already attempted to approach the forest but were forced back by an invisible pressure. Those with weaker bloodlines had difficulty taking even a few steps inside.

Aether considered the information.

"Interesting. So the environment itself evaluates its visitors."

Long Zhentian nodded. "That would explain why the entrance remained concealed. It may only reveal itself when a compatible bloodline signature is detected."

"Or when the required conditions are met."

"That is also possible."

Aether looked toward the forest. "We'll find out."

He stepped through the passage with his companions.

The moment they crossed the boundary, the atmosphere changed. The golden mist was much denser inside, and the surrounding trees possessed unusual characteristics. Some had silver bark and golden leaves, while others carried enormous fruits containing concentrated bloodline energy. The ground itself emitted faint pulses, as though the entire forest were alive.

Nyx immediately became more alert.

She followed the energy toward a group of ancient trees in the distance, occasionally looking back to ensure Aether was following.

Kiyomi remained close to him, while the young Earth Dragon examined the enormous plants with obvious curiosity.

"These trees have absorbed different bloodline energies," she said. "Some are even carrying traces of ancient beast characteristics."

Long Zhentian looked toward a particularly enormous tree.

"That one is interesting. Its roots have absorbed several different forms of Origin Energy. It may have existed here long before the sanctuary was sealed."

Aether activated his System analysis.

[Ancient Bloodline Nourishment Tree]

[Quality: Extraordinary]

[Properties: Bloodline Stabilization, Ancestral Characteristic Nourishment, Evolutionary Support]

[Special Characteristic: Absorbs and harmonizes compatible bloodline energies]

[Compatibility: High]

Aether's attention lingered on the final line.

A tree capable of harmonizing different bloodline energies was particularly interesting to him. His Infinite Origin Physique was fundamentally different from ordinary physiques, but the principles behind compatibility and harmonization remained valuable.

He approached the tree and placed his hand against its bark.

A faint stream of energy flowed into his palm.

The Infinite Origin Physique responded immediately, beginning to analyze the characteristics contained within the energy. Unlike ordinary nourishment resources, this tree contained traces of several different ancestral characteristics. They were not complete bloodlines, but their interactions offered useful insights into how different physical and bloodline traits could coexist.

Aether closed his eyes briefly.

The System recorded the information.

[Ancient Bloodline Harmonization Principle: Partial Insight Acquired]

[Compatibility Analysis: Improved]

[Infinite Origin Physique: Harmonization Efficiency Slightly Increased]

Aether withdrew his hand.

This wasn't a breakthrough, but the discovery was valuable. It gave him another piece of knowledge that could help his physique develop more efficiently.

Long Zhentian observed him.

"Did you discover something?"

"The energy contains several different ancestral characteristics. They don't conflict with one another. Instead, the tree gradually harmonizes them."

The ancient dragon examined the tree again.

"That explains its unusual nature. It may have developed through countless years of absorbing different bloodline energies."

Aether glanced at the enormous roots.

"Then this entire forest might contain resources that could benefit my physique."

"Possibly. But don't assume everything here will be compatible."

Aether smiled faintly.

"I know. That's why I'm checking."

Nyx suddenly released a sharp sound.

The golden mark on her body shone brightly, and the surrounding mist began flowing toward her. Several ancient trees responded simultaneously, releasing faint pulses of energy.

The System notification appeared.

[Primordial Origin Mark: Strong Resonance]

[Ancestral Awakening Response: Initiated]

[Hidden Bloodline Pathway: Partially Activated]

[Compatibility: Undetermined]

Nyx's body was surrounded by a faint golden radiance. Her cultivation did not immediately increase, but the energy around her began circulating in a more orderly manner. The mark beneath her fur illuminated with a pattern that Aether had never seen before.

Long Zhentian's expression became serious.

"Young Master, don't interrupt her. This appears to be a natural response from the forest."

Aether nodded and watched carefully.

The golden mist gathered around Nyx before forming a faint outline of an enormous creature above the trees. Its shape was incomplete, almost as if the forest were attempting to recall an ancient existence through the resonance of her mark.

For a brief moment, the outline became clearer.

Then it vanished.

The System displayed another notification.

[Ancestral Image: Incomplete]

[Source: Concealed]

[Historical Records: Unavailable]

[Bloodline Awakening: Initial Response Successful]

Nyx looked toward Aether and released a quiet sound. She appeared excited, although she clearly didn't understand everything that had just happened.

Aether crouched and gently placed a hand against her head.

"Good. We'll investigate this properly."

Kiyomi approached and touched Nyx with her nose, while the young Earth Dragon continued staring at the place where the enormous outline had appeared.

Long Zhentian remained thoughtful.

"Whatever her ancestors were, they possessed an extraordinary presence. Even this ancient forest reacted to her mark."

Aether stood and looked deeper into the forest.

"Then we need to find out why."

Farther ahead, several enormous trees began illuminating one after another. Their golden radiance formed a pathway leading toward the deepest part of the Ancestral Awakening Forest.

At the end of that pathway, something else was responding.

The System detected a second source of unusual energy.

[Additional Evolutionary Resource: Detected]

[Classification: Unknown]

[Compatibility: High]

[Potential Benefit: Infinite Origin Physique]

Aether's expression changed slightly.

Now that was interesting.

He looked toward the newly illuminated path.

"Looks like our exploration has only just begun."