The Door Beneath The Origin River

Chapter 136 — The Door Beneath the Origin River

The ancient stone door continued opening with a deep rumble that traveled through the entire cavern. Dust fell from the ceiling as countless years of accumulated stone and frost were disturbed, while the Origin River surrounding the doorway began flowing in the opposite direction. Aether stood at the front of the group, his eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the entrance. His Origin Sense extended forward, but the moment it crossed the threshold, it was swallowed by an invisible force. He couldn't sense what waited beyond the door, and that alone was enough to make him cautious. Whatever had been sealed beneath Frostveil wasn't something that could be casually examined from outside.

Vaelira stepped closer, her silver hair moving gently in the energy currents surrounding the doorway. "This formation is much older than the ruins above us. My family never discovered anything like this in the records I read." Aether glanced at the symbols carved into the door and then at the strange spatial fluctuations surrounding them. "Your family probably only studied the outer pathways. Whatever created this place went much deeper." Vaelira nodded slowly, but before either of them could continue, Aria moved to Aether's side. She looked into the darkness ahead and then at him. "Whatever is inside, we're going together." Aether looked at the group behind them and gave a faint smile. "I wasn't planning on leaving anyone behind."

They entered together.

The moment Aether crossed the threshold, the atmosphere changed completely. The cold disappeared, replaced by a strange warmth that carried an ancient Origin Energy fluctuation. The corridor ahead stretched far into the darkness, its walls covered with countless symbols that seemed to describe the movement of Origin Energy through the world. Aether's Infinite Origin Physique reacted almost immediately. The sensation wasn't painful, but it was intense enough that he slowed his steps. His body was instinctively attempting to analyze the energy surrounding the corridor, and the Voidmoon characteristics he had already begun integrating responded at the same time.

[Unique Origin Energy detected.]

[Infinite Origin Physique analyzing environmental energy.]

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit NovelPhoenix for the authentic version.

[Compatible Origin characteristics detected.]

Aether continued walking while keeping his expression neutral. Nobody else could see the System notifications appearing within his mind. The others only noticed that he had become slightly more focused. He didn't explain because there was no need. The energy here was clearly beneficial to him, and revealing exactly why would only create unnecessary questions about abilities that belonged to him alone.

The corridor eventually opened into a massive underground chamber. Unlike the previous cavern, this place contained no river, no beasts, and no obvious treasure. Instead, an enormous circular formation covered the floor, with seven stone platforms arranged around its center. Each platform contained a different type of Origin Energy. One burned with faint crimson flames, another released cold frost, another contained dense life energy, while the remaining formations carried spatial, earth, wind, and lightning attributes.

Seris immediately sensed the life energy.

"This place was built for cultivation."

Aether nodded.

"Not just cultivation. Different cultivation paths."

Vaelira approached the spatial platform and examined the markings. "These formations aren't simply providing energy. They're refining it before it enters the cultivator's body."

Aether's eyes sharpened.

That explained why the energy felt so pure.

The chamber had been designed to help cultivators break through bottlenecks.

He turned toward the others.

"We're staying here."

No one disagreed.

Everyone quickly chose a suitable position according to their cultivation path. Vaelira sat beside the spatial formation, Seris moved toward the life-energy platform, while Aria and Lyra selected formations that complemented their existing cultivation. Sylvara, Evelyn, and Elara each found a position where the Origin Energy could strengthen their foundations without overwhelming their bodies.

Aether sat in the center.

The moment he entered meditation, the entire formation activated.

Pure Origin Energy surged toward him.

His Infinite Origin Physique began refining it.

[Infinite Origin Physique — Progress: 0.88%.]

[Environmental Origin Energy compatible.]

[Physique development accelerating.]

[Progress: 0.88% → 0.90%.]

Aether's breathing remained steady.

This was exactly what he needed.

Not a sudden power-up.

Not an instant breakthrough.

Just an environment that could accelerate the natural development of his physique.

He continued cultivating.

Around him, the others gradually entered deeper states of meditation.

For the first time since arriving in Frostveil, the group wasn't running toward danger.

They were simply becoming stronger.

And beneath the ancient mountain, something seemed to be watching them from beyond the deepest darkness.