The Origin Vault

Chapter 143 — The Origin Vault

The moment Aether stepped through the enormous doorway, the darkness surrounding them gradually receded. Silver light emerged from the walls, revealing a massive hall that seemed to have been carved from a single piece of dark crystal. Ancient pillars stretched toward a ceiling that disappeared into darkness, while countless spatial inscriptions covered the walls and floor. The air itself contained a faint spatial pressure, so subtle that an ordinary cultivator might not notice it, but Aether could clearly feel the energy moving through the entire structure as though the vault itself were still alive.

Aether stopped several steps inside and raised one hand. "Don't touch anything yet."

The others followed his gaze and carefully examined their surroundings. Unlike the previous underground chamber, this place didn't feel completely abandoned. The formations were ancient, but the spatial energy flowing through them remained surprisingly stable, and several of the inscriptions still emitted a faint silver glow. Even after countless years, something was maintaining the structure.

Vaelira slowly approached one of the pillars without touching it. Her eyes moved across the complicated markings carved into its surface.

"This place is far older than the ruins beneath Frostveil."

Aether examined the inscription nearest to him. "Can you read it?"

"Some of it."

Vaelira studied the markings for several moments before continuing. "The inscriptions repeatedly mention something called the Origin Fracture."

Aether's eyes narrowed. "The same thing mentioned in the records?"

"Yes, but there's something strange." Vaelira pointed toward several interconnected symbols. "These inscriptions aren't describing the Origin Fracture as a weapon or a creature. They're describing it as a phenomenon."

"What kind of phenomenon?"

"A separation between layers of existence."

Everyone became more attentive.

Vaelira continued studying the ancient text. "According to this, something happened long ago that caused an enormous world to break apart. Its fragments were scattered through different spatial layers."

Aether looked around the vast vault. "So this place was built to study those fragments."

"Maybe more than study them," Vaelira replied.

She turned toward the enormous chamber ahead. "It might have been built to connect them."

Aether didn't immediately respond. Instead, he continued forward while carefully observing the surroundings. Hundreds of stone platforms filled the central hall. Most had been broken or completely destroyed, but several remained intact. Some contained dried crystals, while others held ancient objects that had long since lost whatever power they once possessed. The arrangement of the platforms suggested that this place had once been used by many cultivators, perhaps for cultivation, experimentation, or some kind of spatial research.

At the center of the hall stood a circular pedestal.

Aether approached it carefully.

The moment he stepped within several meters of the pedestal, it suddenly illuminated. A faint pulse of energy spread across the floor, causing several nearby inscriptions to glow in response.

Aether immediately stopped.

His System appeared before his eyes.

[Foreign Origin Energy detected.]

[Analyzing...]

[Analysis incomplete.]

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly. The System rarely failed to provide at least basic information about something he encountered. Whatever this structure contained, its nature was beyond his current level of understanding.

Before he could investigate further, the pedestal suddenly released a powerful spatial wave.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from NovelPhoenix. Please report it.

"Aether!"

Aria's voice came from behind him.

The wave struck.

Aether's body remained stable, but the others were pushed backward several meters. Aria quickly recovered and rushed toward him, her concern immediately visible on her face.

"Aether, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

She continued studying him instead of immediately stepping away. "You're sure?"

Aether nodded.

Aria frowned slightly. "You always say that."

"Because I'm usually fine."

"That's exactly what worries me."

Aether looked at her for a moment. He could tell she wasn't trying to control his actions; she was simply genuinely worried whenever he placed himself between danger and everyone else.

"I'll be more careful."

Aria blinked, clearly not expecting him to agree so easily. Her expression softened, and she gave him a small smile.

"Good."

She finally stepped back and returned to the others.

Lyra had noticed the exchange but said nothing. She simply gave a quiet smile before turning her attention toward the hall. Seris also glanced toward Aether, a subtle softness appearing in her eyes before she resumed examining the surrounding formations.

Vaelira approached the pedestal. "There is something here."

Aether walked over beside her.

At the center of the pedestal was a tiny crystal fragment surrounded by faint spatial energy. Aether immediately recognized the feeling. It was remarkably similar to the Spatial Origin Crystal Vaelira had obtained from the Frostveil Origin Drake.

"It's similar to the Spatial Origin Crystal you received from the drake."

Vaelira carefully examined the fragment. "Very similar."

She reached toward it but stopped before touching it.

Aether noticed. "You shouldn't touch it yet."

"I agree."

Vaelira looked at him. "Your reaction surprised me."

"Why?"

"Most people would have told me to take it immediately."

Aether shrugged. "We don't know what it does."

Vaelira studied him for a moment before a faint smile appeared.

"You trust my judgment."

"You've proven that I can."

Her expression softened slightly.

"Thank you."

Aether nodded and returned his attention to the pedestal.

The crystal suddenly released another pulse.

This time, the System responded.

[Spatial Origin Fragment detected.]

[Compatibility analysis available.]

[Target: Vaelira.]

[Voidmoon Physique compatibility: High.]

Aether immediately looked toward Vaelira.

"The fragment recognizes your physique."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Then this may be connected to my family."

"Explain."

Vaelira remained silent for several moments before finally speaking. "My family studied spatial Origin Energy for generations. The oldest records described strange spatial fluctuations that couldn't be explained by normal formations. I always thought those records were incomplete research."

She looked toward the fragment.

"Now I think they were following traces of this place."

Aether studied her expression. He knew how much her family's spatial research had influenced her life and how closely it was connected to the relic Blackridge had taken. For years she had pursued answers without knowing whether the clues would ever lead anywhere meaningful. Now, for the first time, she had found evidence that her ancestors may have been studying something that existed long before their family.

"You don't have to figure everything out today," Aether said.

Vaelira looked at him.

"I'm not used to someone saying that."

"Then get used to it."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"I'll try."

The group continued deeper into the vault. The inscriptions became increasingly complicated as they progressed. Some described spatial pathways, while others referred to distant fragments that no longer existed. Several records were too damaged to understand, but the surviving information consistently pointed toward the same phenomenon.

Eventually, Aether found one inscription that was still intact.

He carefully read it.

"The Origin Fracture did not destroy the world."

Everyone looked at him.

Aether continued reading.

"It divided it."

Silence filled the hall.

Seris looked thoughtful. "Then the worlds we know could be fragments of something much larger."

"Possibly."

Vaelira examined the inscription. "There are references to countless fragments."

Aether's gaze sharpened.

Before anyone could investigate further, the entire vault suddenly shook.

A deep vibration came from behind them.

The ancient doorway they had entered through began closing.

Blackfang appeared instantly beside Aether, its eyes fixed on the entrance. Ironhide and Grimhorn emerged from his shadow a moment later, their bodies tense as they prepared for combat.

Aether's expression became serious.

"Something entered."

A heavy sound echoed through the hall.

Then another.

Footsteps approached from the darkness behind the sealed doorway, each one carrying a faint vibration through the ancient floor.

Vaelira summoned spatial energy around her hand. Aria moved closer to Aether while Seris and the others prepared themselves.

Aether didn't need to give another command. They had fought together long enough to understand their positions.

A black figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

Its body was covered in black crystal armor, while silver light flowed through countless cracks across its surface. A massive black blade rested in one hand, and its silver eyes remained completely emotionless as they swept across the group.

The moment it stepped fully into the light, the System appeared before Aether.

[Unknown Origin Entity detected.]

[Current Cultivation: Origin Tempering Realm — Stage 10.]

[Classification: Unknown.]

[Threat Level: High.]

Aether's gaze became cold.

The entity raised its blade.

"Intruders."

Its voice echoed throughout the ancient vault.

"You have entered a place that should remain undisturbed."

Aether stepped forward.

"We'll decide that ourselves."

The guardian's silver eyes brightened.

Then it disappeared.

Aether's expression changed instantly.

"Move!"

The guardian reappeared directly in front of them, and its black blade descended with enough force to split the ancient floor.

The battle for the Origin Vault had begun.