The Fourth Stage

Chapter 45 — The Fourth Stage

By the time they returned to the cave, night had settled over the B-grade Origin Zone.

Aether walked straight toward the cultivation chamber.

He had reached 200 Origin Points.

But reaching the threshold was only the beginning.

Aether sat down beside the restored Origin vein and closed his eyes.

“I'm going to stabilize first.”

Lyra nodded.

“We'll keep watch.”

Aria leaned her new spear against the wall.

“Don't rush it.”

Aether gave them a brief nod.

Then his attention turned inward.

Origin Energy flowed through his body.

Unlike his previous breakthroughs, Aether didn't immediately attempt to force his cultivation upward.

He examined every change within his Origin Core.

The energy accumulated over the past several days was dense and powerful.

Too powerful to simply compress without preparation.

Aether began circulating it slowly.

One cycle.

Two.

Ten.

His Origin Energy gradually became more refined.

The foundation of Stage 3 grew increasingly stable.

[Stabilization Progress: 18%]

Aether continued.

His Infinite Origin Physique absorbed traces of excess energy, refining his muscles, bones, meridians, and Origin Core simultaneously.

[Stabilization Progress: 31%]

[Infinite Origin Physique: 0.34% → 0.35%]

Aether's breathing remained steady.

He continued circulating.

Outside, Lyra sat near the cave entrance.

Aria stood several meters away, watching the surrounding forest.

Nyx rested beside Aether's cultivation platform.

None of them disturbed him.

Hours passed.

[Stabilization Progress: 67%]

Aether's Origin Core suddenly trembled.

A wave of energy spread through the chamber.

Aria immediately turned.

“He's getting close.”

Lyra nodded.

“His Origin Energy is changing.”

Another hour passed.

Then—

[Stabilization Progress: 100%]

[Foundation stabilized.]

[Breakthrough conditions fulfilled.]

Aether opened his eyes.

His pupils carried a faint golden glow.

He didn't hesitate.

“Break through.”

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The Origin vein beneath him erupted.

BOOM!

A massive stream of Origin Energy entered his body.

His cultivation surged.

Origin Awakening — Stage 3...

Peak Stage 3...

The boundary between stages shattered.

BOOM!

Aether's aura exploded outward.

The entire cave shook.

Lyra raised her arm against the pressure.

Aria's hair moved wildly from the energy wave.

Nyx's eyes opened.

Then everything suddenly became quiet.

Aether sat completely still.

The pressure surrounding him had disappeared.

He slowly opened his eyes.

[Breakthrough Successful.]

[Current Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 4]

[Origin Points: 200/300]

[Next Breakthrough Requirement: 300 Origin Points]

[Origin Adaptation: 20.4% → 22.1%]

[Infinite Origin Physique: 0.35% → 0.39%]

[Potential: ∞]

Aether clenched his fist.

The difference was immediate.

His body felt lighter.

His Origin Energy was denser.

His perception had expanded.

Even without activating Origin Detection, he could sense countless fluctuations throughout the surrounding forest.

Lyra stared at him.

“You broke through.”

Aether stood.

“Stage 4.”

Aria smiled.

“Congratulations.”

Aether looked at her.

“Thanks.”

Nyx jumped onto his shoulder.

Aether glanced at the little beast.

“You're getting heavier.”

Nyx immediately made an offended noise.

Aria laughed.

“She understood that.”

“I know.”

For several moments, the cave felt unusually peaceful.

Then the system suddenly displayed another notification.

[Breakthrough has caused secondary changes.]

Aether's expression became serious.

[Executioner's Blade resonance increasing.]

The sword at his waist vibrated.

Aether drew it.

The dark blade emitted a faint silver glow.

[Executioner's Blade]

[Current Synchronization: 7% → 9%]

[Origin Severance: 12% → 14%]

[Adaptive Resonance: 29% → 33%]

Aether studied the weapon.

The breakthrough hadn't merely strengthened him.

It had strengthened his connection to the blade.

Interesting.

He slowly returned it to its sheath.

The next morning, Aether began testing his new cultivation.

He didn't leave the cave immediately.

Instead, he stood inside the training chamber.

Aria attacked first.

Her new spear flashed toward him.

Aether stepped aside.

The spear passed within centimeters of his shoulder.

Aria immediately changed direction and attacked again.

Aether blocked.

Clang!

She spun and struck from the opposite side.

Aether parried.

Her movements were much smoother with the new weapon.

“Better,” Aether said.

Aria attacked again.

This time, Aether deliberately reduced his strength.

The spear struck his blade.

The force pushed him back half a step.

Aria smiled.

“You held back.”

“Obviously.”

“Then stop.”

Aether's expression changed slightly.

Aria thrust again.

Aether blocked with a little more force.

The collision sent a shockwave across the training chamber.

Aria slid backward.

Her eyes brightened.

“That's more like it.”

Aether smiled.

“Your control is improving.”

Aria lowered the spear.

“I've been fighting for years.”

“I know.”

There was something in the way he said it that made her expression soften.

Aether had missed those years.

He wouldn't say it yet.

But she could tell.

Lyra stepped forward next.

“Now me.”

Aether looked at her.

“Ready?”

Lightning gathered around her body.

“Always.”

She disappeared.

Aether's eyes followed.

Lightning struck from above.

He raised his blade.

BOOM!

The impact shook the training chamber.

Lyra landed and immediately attacked again.

Aether blocked, stepped, redirected, and countered.

Neither was trying to seriously injure the other.

But the difference between their current levels was clear.

Lyra was Stage 2.

Aether was Stage 4.

Even with her Thunderheart Physique and lightning enhancement, she couldn't match his raw cultivation.

Still, she forced him to pay attention.

Her attacks were becoming faster.

More precise.

More controlled.

Finally, Aether caught her spearhand and stopped the attack.

“Your lightning control improved.”

Lyra pulled her hand back.

“I've been cultivating too.”

Aether nodded.

“And you're close.”

“Close to Stage 3?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes brightened.

“How close?”

Aether activated Origin Detection.

“Your Origin Core is almost ready. You need more stabilization before attempting the breakthrough.”

Lyra nodded seriously.

“Then I'll keep cultivating.”

Aether smiled.

“Good.”

Later that day, Aether stood outside the cave.

The forest looked different from Stage 4.

His senses reached farther.

The Origin Energy around him seemed clearer.

He could distinguish weaker fluctuations from stronger ones without relying completely on the system.

Then—

A faint silver shimmer appeared between the trees.

Aether's hand moved toward his sword.

Aria and Lyra immediately noticed.

The shimmer disappeared.

A figure stepped from behind a tree.

A young man.

Silver-gray hair.

Dark clothing.

A narrow blade at his waist.

He stopped roughly thirty meters away.

The system activated.

[Target Analysis]

[Species: Human]

[Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 5]

[Ability: Unknown]

[Physique: Unknown]

[Potential: A-]

[Hostility: Low]

Aether didn't draw his sword.

The man looked at him for several seconds.

Then he smiled.

“So you're the one who killed the Crimson Iron Bear.”

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly.

“How do you know that?”

“I was nearby.”

The man's gaze shifted toward the cave.

“You've repaired an ancient formation too.”

Aether's expression became colder.

“You've been watching us.”

The man didn't deny it.

“Yes.”

Aria stepped forward.

“Why?”

The man looked at her new spear.

Then at Lyra.

Then finally at Aether.

“Because something else has been watching you.”

Aether's expression changed.

“The silver-eyed presence.”

The man's smile disappeared.

“So you've noticed.”

Aether tightened his grip.

“Who are you?”

The stranger was silent for a moment.

Then he answered.

“My name is Kaelen.”

He looked toward the deeper forest.

“And if you plan to stay in this Origin Zone...”

His expression became serious.

“You should know that you're not the strongest thing living here.”

Aether looked into the forest.

A faint silver glow appeared between the trees.

Only for an instant.

Then it vanished.

Aether smiled.

“Good.”

Kaelen looked at him strangely.

Aether rested his hand on the Executioner's Blade.

“Then there's still something worth discovering.”