The Name Beneath The Ancient Sky

Chapter 203 — The Name Beneath the Ancient Sky

The central wilderness had become increasingly crowded.

Ever since the strange fluctuations of Origin Energy began spreading from the ancient ruins, cultivators from across the Ancient Training Grounds had been converging on the region. Young geniuses from ancient clans, sacred families, powerful sects, and independent forces could be seen everywhere. All had qualified for the competition, and all were eager to discover what had caused the disturbance.

Hundreds of young cultivators had already gathered around the enormous ancient barrier. Some examined its inscriptions, others searched the surrounding terrain, while several powerful participants stood apart, silently observing their competitors.

Yet none had managed to uncover what lay beyond it.

Aether stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking the gathering. His black robes fluttered in the wind, while Mu Qingxue stood beside him, studying the distant ruins.

"So many people have gathered," she remarked.

"Whatever is inside has attracted considerable attention."

Aether's gaze swept across the wilderness. His cultivation had reached Origin Core Realm Stage 4, but he had no intention of revealing his recent advancement. The Origin Energy circulating within his body was considerably denser than before, and the foundation established through the Primordial Origin Body Tempering Scripture had already begun displaying its value.

He raised his attention toward the Shadow Authority.

Long Zhentian. Nyra. Nyx. Kiyomi. And the young Earth Dragon. Come to the central gathering point. I want everyone here.

The message travelled through the connection.

Far away, Long Zhentian opened his eyes. Nyra immediately understood the summons, while Nyx lifted her head. Kiyomi's ears twitched, and the young Earth Dragon became visibly excited.

They immediately began travelling toward the central wilderness.

Aether withdrew his attention from the Shadow Authority.

"Are you expecting someone?" Mu Qingxue asked.

"My companions."

She nodded and returned her attention to the ruins.

While waiting, Aether opened the Favorability System.

[ FAVORABILITY SYSTEM ]

[ GIRL CATEGORY — AFFECTION ]

[ Aria l — 95/100 ]

[ Lyra — 85/100 ]

[ Seris — 82/100 ]

[ Sylvara — 80/100 ]

[ Elara — 80/100 ]

[ Evelyn — 80/100 ]

[ Nyx — 80/100 ]

[ Vaelira — 78/100 ]

[ Nyra — 65/100 ]

[ Young Earth Dragon — 40/100 ]

[ Mu Qingxue — 36/100 ]

[ Kiyomi — 30/100 ]

[ Yun Xiya — 15/100 ]

Aether examined the entries.

Aria's affection remained exceptionally high, which was hardly surprising given their childhood connection. The others had developed their feelings through different experiences, and their values reflected those differences.

Nyx, Nyra, Kiyomi, and the young Earth Dragon were all his Beast Companions. Their inclusion in the Girl Category reflected their personal affection toward him, not any subordinate relationship.

Mu Qingxue's affection was still developing. Their relationship had only recently begun to deepen, and he had no intention of forcing its progression.

Yun Xiya's interest was another matter entirely. Her curiosity and respect toward him did not automatically translate into affection.

He closed the interface and opened the second category.

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[ SUBORDINATE CATEGORY — LOYALTY ]

[ Long Zhentian — 100/100 ]

[ Nyra — 100/100 ]

Aether briefly examined the entries before closing the interface.

Nyra possessed both affection and loyalty values, but they represented entirely different things. Her place as his Beast Companion was not diminished by her status as a Living Origin Shadow.

Long Zhentian, meanwhile, was his Shadow Commander. His loyalty was absolute.

The system measured existing relationships. It did not manufacture emotions, nor did Aether intend to treat relationships as mere numbers.

Several minutes later, a powerful presence approached from the northern wilderness.

A gigantic dragon silhouette appeared above the distant mountains. Its enormous body remained concealed beneath restrained Origin Energy, but its arrival still attracted the attention of several cultivators.

Long Zhentian descended beyond the crowded gathering area and transformed into his humanoid form. Nyra landed beside him.

"Master."

Long Zhentian inclined his head.

Aether nodded in acknowledgment.

Nyra approached with familiar ease, her gaze briefly passing over Mu Qingxue before returning to Aether.

"It seems you found something interesting."

"Perhaps."

Before he could say more, a dark-silver figure emerged from the nearby forest.

Nyx ran toward Aether, her golden eyes brightening. Her charcoal fur shimmered beneath the sunlight, and the silver mark on her forehead reflected a faint radiance. She stopped beside him and rubbed her head against his hand.

Aether lowered his hand and gently touched her head.

Kiyomi soon followed. The tiny Nine-Tailed Origin Fox moved quickly through the grass, her silver-white fur and violet markings standing out against the surroundings. She circled Aether's feet before looking up at him with curious golden eyes.

He lowered his other hand, allowing her to approach.

Finally, the young Earth Dragon emerged from behind Long Zhentian.

Unlike the others, she approached with a hint of hesitation. Her eyes remained fixed on Aether, and she occasionally glanced away as though gathering the courage to say something.

Aether noticed her expression.

"What is it?"

She looked up at him, hesitated briefly, and finally gathered her courage.

"Can you give me a name?"

The surrounding companions turned their attention toward her.

Aether looked at the little dragon. Until now, she had simply been known by her species. Although she had spent considerable time with his group, she had never possessed a proper name of her own.

"You want me to give you a name?"

She nodded eagerly.

"Yes!"

Aether considered her for a moment.

"Your surname will be Long. It comes from your dragon heritage."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"And your given name will be Yue."

He spoke the two characters clearly.

"Long Yue. 龙月."

The little dragon repeated it quietly.

"Long... Yue?"

Then her expression brightened.

"Long Yue!"

She said it again, this time with considerably more enthusiasm. Her tail swayed behind her, and the faint scales along her body shimmered as though she had received something far more precious than a simple name.

Aether nodded.

"Remember it. That is your name."

"I will!"

She moved closer, her happiness impossible to conceal.

Nyx watched her for a moment before giving a quiet approving sound. Kiyomi tilted her head, seemingly curious about the sudden excitement. Nyra's expression also softened slightly.

Long Zhentian looked toward the newly named dragon and gave a dignified nod.

"Long Yue. A suitable name."

The little dragon immediately looked pleased.

At that moment, the Favorability System interface briefly appeared before Aether.

[ GIRL CATEGORY UPDATED ]

[ Young Earth Dragon → Long Yue ]

[ Affection: 40/100 ]

Aether dismissed the notification.

Mu Qingxue observed the scene quietly. She had initially thought Aether's companions were simply powerful creatures gathered around him, but their interactions suggested something more meaningful. Each possessed a distinct relationship with him.

Aether glanced over the group.

"Good. Since everyone is here, remain together for now. The ruins ahead are attracting too many people. There may be opportunities, but there will also be trouble."

Long Zhentian nodded. Nyra's gaze shifted toward the distant barrier, while Nyx, Kiyomi, and Long Yue stayed close to Aether.

He had no intention of rushing blindly into the unknown. His Shadow Army had already begun gathering information throughout the Ancient Training Grounds, and there was no reason to discard that advantage.

Far beyond the central wilderness, a magnificent spiritual boat sailed through the clouds.

Inside its spacious cabin, seven young women from Aether's group were travelling together under Yun Xiya's guidance.

Aria sat near the window, her attention drifting toward the distant horizon. Lyra was seated nearby, while Seris and Sylvara were discussing the unfamiliar surroundings. Vaelira had been examining the spiritual boat's protective inscriptions, and Elara and Evelyn were together on the opposite side of the cabin.

None of them had been left behind. All seven were making the journey toward the Celestial Phoenix Sect.

Yun Xiya stood near the railing, her robes fluttering in the wind.

Aria eventually broke the silence.

"I wonder what Aether is doing right now."

Lyra glanced at her. "Knowing him, probably getting himself involved in something troublesome."

"That sounds exactly like him," Sylvara remarked.

Seris smiled faintly. "He has a habit of finding unusual opportunities."

Vaelira briefly turned away from the inscriptions.

"Or unusual trouble."

Elara and Evelyn exchanged amused glances.

Aria did not join their laughter. Her thoughts had already returned to Aether.

Yun Xiya listened without interrupting. Her gaze briefly shifted toward the distant wilderness, where the ancient barrier's fluctuations could still be sensed.

Her curiosity about Aether had not disappeared. However, she understood that one encounter was hardly enough to understand someone like him.

The spiritual boat continued onward toward the Celestial Phoenix Sect.

Back in the central wilderness, the ancient barrier finally began to change.

A deep rumbling spread beneath the ground. The enormous runes carved into its surface illuminated one after another, releasing waves of ancient Origin Energy. The surrounding cultivators immediately turned toward it.

Conversations ceased.

Some stepped forward, while others instinctively retreated. Even the more experienced participants felt an oppressive sensation coming from the ruins.

A golden crack appeared across the enormous barrier.

It widened slowly, revealing darkness beyond its surface.

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly.

The Origin Energy emerging from within was ancient, yet something about it was unusual. His Infinite Origin Physique responded faintly, as though recognizing a distant echo.

He did not move immediately.

Instead, he observed the barrier, the cultivators surrounding it, and the powerful individuals concealed among the crowd.

Then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Now this is interesting."