The Experiment That Never Ended

Chapter 189: The Experiment That Never Ended

The sealed research facility stood in the northern section of the ancient sanctuary, its enormous stone doors covered in complicated inscriptions. Unlike the resource chambers Aether had explored earlier, this place showed no signs of ordinary storage or preservation.

Long Zhentian studied the inscriptions for a while before speaking.

"Young Master, I believe we've finally reached one of the sanctuary's more important facilities."

Aether glanced at him. "You recognize it?"

"Not precisely. But I recognize the principles behind its construction. These markings describe a research facility designed to study bloodline transformation."

"Transformation?"

"Preserving a bloodline is one thing. Improving it is another. The former requires stability, while the latter demands change. Those goals can easily conflict."

Aether looked at the sealed entrance.

"So the creators built a separate facility to study that problem."

"That's my understanding."

Aether approached the door. The moment he came within several steps, the faint markings across its surface began to glow. A wave of energy spread through the surrounding pillars, and the ground trembled slightly.

[Ancient Bloodline Research Facility Detected.]

[Origin Signature Recognized.]

[Comparing External Signature With Preserved Research Records...]

[Warning: No Matching Classification Found.]

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"No matching classification?"

Long Zhentian looked toward him. "It seems your Origin signature doesn't fit the categories these people understood."

Before Aether could respond, another notification appeared.

[External Regulation Activity Detected.]

[Preservation Network Responding.]

[Research Facility Access: Partial.]

A low rumble echoed from behind the door.

Then, unexpectedly, a voice emerged from the ancient structure.

"Research cycle... interrupted."

The voice was faint and mechanical, almost buried beneath the passage of countless years.

"Primary preservation sequence... continuing."

Aether's expression sharpened.

"There's still something operating inside."

"Not necessarily something alive," Long Zhentian replied. "It may be an ancient recording mechanism or a damaged control system."

The stone doors slowly separated.

Aether didn't enter immediately. He released several shadows, sending them through the opening first. After confirming that no immediate defensive mechanism had activated, he stepped inside with Long Zhentian.

The interior was much larger than the outside suggested.

Rows of crystal containers stood along the walls. Some were empty, others contained dried materials, and a few still held faint traces of energy. In the middle of the room stood a circular platform surrounded by six smaller structures.

Aether inspected the room.

"This doesn't look like a storage chamber."

"It isn't," Long Zhentian answered. "Look at the arrangement of those structures. They are connected to the central platform, but each one has a different energy circulation pattern."

The System began scanning the room.

[Ancient Bloodline Research Chamber.]

[Primary Function: Bloodline Adaptation and Ancestral Characteristic Development.]

[Secondary Function: Compatibility Evaluation and Evolution Research.]

[Current Condition: Severely Damaged.]

[Preserved Research Data: Partial.]

Aether approached the central platform.

There were several lines of ancient writing carved into its surface. The System translated them as he examined the markings.

[Research Subject: Bloodline Development.]

[Objective: Discover methods to restore dormant ancestral characteristics and improve inherited potential.]

[Research Status: Incomplete.]

Aether read the final line twice.

"Incomplete..."

Long Zhentian moved closer. His golden eyes narrowed as he examined the platform.

"These people were attempting something ambitious. They weren't satisfied with preserving bloodlines. They wanted to discover whether a bloodline could develop characteristics that its original lineage had never possessed."

Aether looked at him.

"Could they actually achieve that?"

"Sometimes. But not through ordinary nourishment. A bloodline's potential is limited by its foundation, and forcing it to change without understanding that foundation can destroy it."

Aether nodded.

That principle was familiar to him. His Infinite Origin Physique could harmonize multiple physiques, but even his body required time to integrate their characteristics properly.

He looked toward the six structures.

"Then let's find out what happened here."

His shadows spread through the room, inspecting the containers and searching for surviving records.

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Aether approached one of the crystal structures. Inside was a preserved fragment of an ancient material, surrounded by a faint golden formation.

[Unknown Bloodline Research Material Detected.]

[Analysis: Incomplete.]

[Potential Application: Bloodline Compatibility Research.]

The System could identify its general purpose, but its exact properties remained unclear.

Aether didn't force the analysis.

Instead, he turned toward the central platform.

"Can we activate it?"

Long Zhentian examined the surrounding energy channels.

"Possibly. But I would advise against activating the entire structure at once. Its energy circulation is damaged."

"Then we'll activate one section."

Aether placed his hand against a smaller control structure.

A thin stream of Origin Energy entered the formation.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the central platform lit up.

The six surrounding structures responded in sequence, and a translucent image appeared above the platform.

It showed several ancient cultivators standing around a similar research formation. Their faces were unclear, but their conversation was preserved.

"Subject compatibility remains unstable."

"Reducing the transformation intensity."

"The ancestral characteristics are responding, but the foundation cannot withstand the change."

A brief pause followed.

"Do not proceed with the next stage."

The recording flickered.

Another voice spoke, sounding more urgent.

"We cannot abandon the research. If the preservation network fails, the remaining subjects will not survive."

The image distorted.

Then the recording ended.

Aether remained silent for a moment.

Long Zhentian's expression had become unusually serious.

"Those were not ordinary researchers."

"You know them?"

"No. But I recognize the way they constructed the energy channels. Their knowledge of bloodline regulation was considerably advanced."

Aether looked back at the central platform.

"So the experiment failed because the subjects couldn't withstand the transformation."

"That is one possibility. The recording doesn't tell us whether they eventually found a solution."

The System displayed another notification.

[Ancient Research Records Recovered.]

[Research Archive Updated.]

[Information Categories: Bloodline Compatibility, Ancestral Characteristic Development, Transformation Stability.]

[Research Completion: Partial.]

Aether looked toward the deeper section of the room.

There was another formation beneath the central platform. Unlike the outer structure, it was still receiving energy from somewhere below.

"Long Zhentian, there's another energy channel."

The dragon followed his gaze.

"Yes. And it isn't connected to the ordinary preservation network."

Aether studied the structure.

"Then whatever they were researching, they kept it separate from the rest of the sanctuary."

Before either could investigate further, the entire room suddenly shook.

A sharp pulse of energy spread through the six structures. One of the crystal containers cracked, releasing a cloud of golden light.

Long Zhentian immediately stepped forward.

"Young Master, move back!"

Aether retreated as a defensive barrier formed around the central platform.

Inside the golden light, a faint outline appeared.

It resembled a creature with a long body and several horns, but its image was incomplete and unstable. The formation attempted to reconstruct its shape before collapsing again.

[Warning: Preserved Bloodline Imprint Detected.]

[Condition: Severely Degraded.]

[Reconstruction Attempt: Failed.]

Aether stared at the fading image.

It wasn't a living creature.

It was a preserved bloodline imprint, an incomplete record of a lineage that had once existed.

Long Zhentian watched the remaining light disappear.

"So this facility preserved more than research."

Aether nodded slowly.

"It preserved traces of bloodlines that may no longer exist."

The dragon's expression changed slightly.

"That would explain the separate energy channel. The creators weren't merely researching bloodline evolution. They were attempting to preserve the characteristics of lineages that had already disappeared."

Aether looked at the central platform again.

The sanctuary's purpose was becoming clearer, but its most important research remained hidden.

Then the System issued a new notification.

[Hidden Mission: The Forgotten Bloodline Records]

[Objective Update: Original Research Archive Located.]

[Progress: 3/3 Requirements Identified.]

[Remaining Task: Recover and verify the original research records.]

[Reward: 40,000 System Points.]

[Additional Reward: Ancient Bloodline Research Archive.]

Aether dismissed the notification.

"At least we've finally found the right place."

Long Zhentian gave a low chuckle.

"After all these years, this facility still has enough secrets to keep us occupied."

Aether glanced at him.

"You sound interested."

"I spent countless ages studying cultivation and bloodlines. Finding a facility built around research of this level would interest anyone with my experience."

"Then help me understand it."

"Gladly, Young Master."

While Aether investigated the research facility, other participants were making progress throughout the sanctuary.

On one of the floating mountains, a group of young cultivators from a powerful sect had discovered an ancient cultivation chamber.

The chamber still contained a functioning energy gathering formation. Its energy was not particularly concentrated, but it was remarkably pure.

"With this formation, we can improve our cultivation speed considerably!"

One of the young men looked toward the central stone platform.

"Don't get too excited. We haven't confirmed whether the formation is stable."

Another participant laughed.

"You're always cautious. If we wait for everything to be perfectly safe, someone else will take the opportunity."

Their disagreement ended when the formation suddenly activated.

The young cultivators immediately stepped back as an ancient inscription appeared.

[Ancient Cultivation Chamber.]

[Access Condition: Foundation Assessment Required.]

The group exchanged glances.

Elsewhere, a young woman from another faction discovered a sealed medicinal chamber containing several preserved resources. Her companions quickly began checking the contents, while another group encountered a guardian formation protecting an ancient library.

The sanctuary was no longer simply an unexplored ruin.

It was becoming a competition over opportunities that could change the futures of the young generation.

Meanwhile, the flying vessel carrying Aria, Lyra, Seris and Sylvara continued its journey toward the Celestial Phoenix Sect.

The mountains below had gradually changed. The landscape was now filled with tall peaks, wide rivers and ancient forests. Several flying beasts could be seen in the distance, while occasional sect patrols passed through the clouds.

Lyra had spent much of the journey watching the surrounding scenery.

"Your sect really controls a large territory," she remarked.

Yun Xiya nodded.

"The Celestial Phoenix Sect has existed for a long time. Its influence extends across several regions, although that doesn't mean every place belongs directly to us."

Seris looked toward the distant mountain range.

"Does the sect have separate cultivation grounds for different physiques?"

"Yes. We have several specialized locations, though access depends on a disciple's foundation and the purpose of the training."

Aria turned toward her.

"Would we be allowed to use them?"

"After your assessments, I can recommend suitable places. I won't send you into a cultivation ground without understanding what your bodies can handle."

Lyra smiled.

"That's reasonable. I don't want to waste an opportunity by choosing the wrong place."

Sylvara, who had been quiet for some time, finally spoke.

"Will we be able to train together?"

Yun Xiya considered it.

"Some training can be done together. However, your individual paths may require different arrangements."

Seris nodded thoughtfully.

"That might actually be better. We don't all need to cultivate in the same way."

Aria looked toward the sky.

She was still thinking about Aether, but she understood that becoming stronger required more than worrying about him.

She had her own goals.

And she intended to pursue them.

A little later, Lyra approached her.

"Aria."

"Hm?"

"When we arrive, let's make a promise."

Aria looked at her.

"About what?"

"That we won't waste this opportunity. Whatever training the sect offers, we'll take it seriously."

Seris joined their conversation.

"Agreed. But we should also avoid competing blindly. Improving at different speeds doesn't mean we're working against one another."

Sylvara gave a small smile.

"Then we'll help each other."

Aria looked at the three girls before nodding.

"Alright."

Yun Xiya watched their exchange without interrupting.

She had brought them to the sect for safety, but she was beginning to see that they weren't merely looking for somewhere to hide.

They wanted to grow.

That was a good starting point.

The flying vessel continued toward the distant mountain range, but the Celestial Phoenix Sect was still several hours away.

Back inside the ancient sanctuary, Aether stood before the central platform.

The research archive had recovered several important records, but one part of the facility remained inaccessible.

Long Zhentian was examining the separate energy channel beneath the platform.

"Young Master, I believe this channel leads to a different section of the sanctuary."

Aether approached him.

"Where?"

The dragon pointed toward a series of inscriptions.

"The Evolution Grounds."

Aether studied the translated markings.

Unlike the preservation chambers, this section was designed to test whether a bloodline could withstand changes to its inherited characteristics.

A faint smile appeared on Aether's face.

"Now we're getting somewhere."

The System issued one final notification.

[New Sanctuary Region Identified: Ancient Evolution Grounds.]

[Access Status: Restricted.]

[Potential Discoveries: Bloodline Evolution Resources, Ancestral Awakening Records, Advanced Compatibility Research.]

Aether looked toward the deeper passage.

The sanctuary had finally begun revealing the purpose behind its most important research.

And he intended to find out how far its creators had gone.