The Crown Route

Chapter 86 — The Crown Route

The underground route became increasingly dangerous.

The walls changed from green stone to black.

Ancient carvings appeared everywhere.

Most depicted a crown.

Evelyn examined one.

"This is definitely the Crown Region."

Aether looked ahead.

"How far?"

"Not far."

Sylvara suddenly stopped.

Aether looked back.

"What?"

She pointed.

"Footprints."

Everyone examined the ground.

Heavy boots.

Many people.

Fresh.

Aether crouched.

"Blackridge."

Evelyn's expression darkened.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"They reached the route before us."

Aether stood.

"Then we catch up."

They moved quickly.

After several minutes, they reached an enormous underground bridge.

Blackridge soldiers stood on the opposite side.

At their center was a man holding a dark crystal.

Aether recognized the energy immediately.

Another Origin Key.

The man smiled.

"Finally."

Aether stepped forward.

"Give me the key."

The man laughed.

"You really think you can take it?"

Aether's eyes remained calm.

"No."

He raised his weapon.

"I know I can."

The man released his Origin Energy.

Stage 8.

Potential A.

Evelyn immediately stepped forward.

"I'll handle him."

Aether stopped her.

"No."

She looked at him.

"Why?"

"I want the key."

The enemy laughed.

"You arrogant—"

Aether disappeared.

Shadow Step.

He reappeared beside the man.

The man's eyes widened.

His defensive barrier activated.

Aether's weapon struck it.

BOOM!

The barrier cracked.

The man attacked.

Aether blocked.

Evelyn watched carefully.

Their battle shook the bridge.

Aether was slightly weaker in raw cultivation.

But his movement was faster.

His timing was sharper.

The enemy became increasingly frustrated.

"Stop running!"

Aether smiled.

"I'm not running."

Shadow Step.

He vanished.

The enemy turned.

Too late.

Aether struck his wrist.

The key flew into the air.

Sylvara caught it.

The man's expression changed.

"You—"

Aether attacked.

The enemy barely blocked.

Then Lyra and Aria struck from opposite sides.

Seris reinforced Aether with Life Essence.

The enemy was forced backward.

Evelyn finally moved.

Her blade flashed.

The enemy's weapon shattered.

Aether stepped forward.

One final strike.

The man's body fell.

Aether looked toward Sylvara.

"Key."

She handed it over.

The system silently identified it.

[Origin Key detected.]

[Key Type: Crown Key.]

[Status: Active.]

[Compatibility with Aether Draven: 95%.]

Aether looked at the crystal.

Only one remained.

Then—

a violent pulse spread through the network.

[Origin Key Network synchronization increased.]

Aether's eyes narrowed.

Five keys.

One left.

But before he could celebrate—

another message appeared only within his mind.

[Final Origin Key location: Unknown.]

Aether frowned.

The last key couldn't be tracked.

Someone was hiding it.

And whoever possessed it had successfully concealed themselves from the entire network.