The Imprint Within

Chapter 113 — The Imprint Within

Aether found a secluded cave several kilometers from the battlefield.

He sat down and began circulating his Origin Energy.

The Stage 9 beast's imprint was stored inside his Origin Core.

It was powerful.

Far more powerful than the other imprints he had collected.

Aether could feel its violent energy constantly resisting his control.

He didn't attempt to force it into becoming a shadow.

His Shadow Authority wasn't ready.

Instead, he studied it.

The imprint contained traces of the beast's natural abilities.

Its physical strength.

Its defensive nature.

Its shadow manipulation.

And its powerful Origin attribute.

Aether's eyes narrowed.

“This could become an excellent shadow.”

But first, he needed to strengthen the Authority.

He opened the System.

[Origin Shadow Authority: Initial Stage]

[Origin Shadows: 2]

[Maximum stable manifestations: 2]

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[Shadow Storage: Unlocked]

[Shadow Exchange: Locked]

[Shadow Evolution: Locked]

[Shadow Command: Basic]

[Shadow Realm: Locked]

Aether stared at the information.

“What's missing?”

The System didn't immediately respond.

Then a new notification appeared.

[Authority advancement condition partially revealed.]

[Requirement: Accumulation of Origin Shadow resonance.]

[Current resonance: 37%.]

Aether frowned.

“Resonance.”

He focused on the connection between himself and Blackfang.

Then Ironhide.

Their energy wasn't simply connected to him.

It was synchronized.

The longer they fought beside him, the stronger that synchronization became.

Aether understood.

“The Authority grows through the shadows themselves.”

He stood.

“Then fighting isn't enough.”

He needed to develop the connection.

Aether summoned Blackfang.

The wolf appeared.

He placed his hand on its head.

Origin Energy flowed between them.

For several minutes, Aether maintained the connection.

Blackfang's energy gradually synchronized with his.

[Shadow synchronization increasing.]

[Resonance: 38%.]

Aether's eyes narrowed.

Only one percent.

He continued.

Hours passed.

[Resonance: 39%.]

Then 40%.

Aether finally stopped.

He understood the process.

It was slow.

Very slow.

But it was permanent.

Every battle.

Every synchronization.

Every moment his shadows existed.

The Authority would gradually become stronger.

Aether looked at Blackfang.

“Then we'll take our time.”

He summoned Ironhide.

The bear appeared beside them.

Aether connected with both.

His Origin Energy spread through their manifestations.

The three energies slowly became one system.

[Shadow synchronization increasing.]

[Resonance: 41%.]

Aether smiled.

“This is the real foundation.”

Suddenly, Blackfang reacted.

Its head turned toward the cave entrance.

Ironhide also sensed it.

Aether immediately stopped the synchronization.

His Origin Sense spread outward.

Several hostile presences were approaching.

Humans.

Aether's eyes became cold.

“Blackridge?”

The answer came quickly.

A group of cultivators entered the valley.

Six people.

The strongest was Stage 8.

Aether recognized the black insignia on their clothes.

Blackridge.

The leader looked at Aether.

“So we found you.”

Aether stood.

“You followed me.”

“We tracked the Origin fluctuations from the Stage 9 beast.”

Aether glanced at the corpse in the distance.

Then back at them.

“You came for the imprint.”

The leader smiled.

“Hand it over.”

Aether laughed quietly.

“You're asking?”

The man's expression darkened.

“Take it.”

The Blackridge group attacked.

Aether's smile disappeared.

“Kill them.”

Blackfang and Ironhide emerged.

The battle began.