The Primodial Evaluation

Chapter 204 — The Primordial Evaluation

The ancient barrier opened with a thunderous rumble.

Countless runes illuminated its enormous surface, their radiance spreading across the surrounding wilderness. As the massive stone doors slowly separated, a torrent of primordial energy surged through the opening, carrying an ancient pressure that made the surrounding mountains tremble.

Aether stood before the entrance, his expression calm.

Beside him, Mu Qingxue watched the opening with measured curiosity. Nyra stood on Aether's other side in her humanoid form, her golden eyes reflecting the ancient runes.

“This barrier has existed for an extraordinarily long time,” Mu Qingxue remarked. “Whatever lies beyond it may have remained untouched for countless years.”

“Then let's see whether it was worth protecting.”

Aether stepped forward.

The three crossed the threshold together.

Beyond the barrier lay an ancient complex concealed within the Bloodline Evolution Grounds. Towering stone pillars stretched across the wilderness, their surfaces covered in faded inscriptions. At the center stood an enormous monument, its dark surface reaching hundreds of meters into the sky.

Three smaller platforms stood before it.

The moment Aether approached, the monument trembled.

An invisible force descended, examining his cultivation, foundation, Origin Energy, physique, bloodline, comprehension, and evolutionary potential.

Aether allowed the examination to proceed.

Then the monument fell silent.

For an instant, even the ancient runes covering its surface stopped glowing.

A moment later, brilliant light erupted from its depths.

INFINITE ORIGIN PHYSIQUE.

BEYOND EXISTING EVALUATION PARAMETERS.

BEYOND EXISTING CLASSIFICATION.

Mu Qingxue stared at the words.

Aether raised an eyebrow.

“That's all?”

The monument pulsed again.

Its light plunged into the earth, spreading beneath the wilderness before vanishing into the depths. A faint tremor passed through the ground.

Aether noticed the direction of the energy.

The monument had failed to classify him, yet something beneath the wilderness had responded.

Interesting. Whatever lies beneath this place might have a connection to the Origin itself.

He stored the observation away.

Mu Qingxue stepped onto the platform next.

A gentle radiance enveloped her body as ancient symbols appeared across the monument.

BINDING PHYSIQUE.

ORIGIN ENERGY COMPATIBILITY: EXCEPTIONAL.

PHYSIQUE EVOLUTION POTENTIAL: HIGH.

Nyra followed.

Silver-white light spread across the monument, accompanied by faint golden patterns. The surrounding Origin Energy gathered around her as though responding to an ancient bloodline.

ANCIENT ORIGIN MOONWOLF.

PRIMORDIAL MOONWOLF BLOODLINE — PARTIALLY AWAKENED.

EVOLUTIONARY POTENTIAL: EXCEPTIONAL.

Nyra looked toward Aether.

“Can my bloodline become stronger?”

“Certainly. This evaluation only tells us what it detected now. It doesn't define your limits.”

Her ears perked up.

“Then I'll become stronger.”

Aether nodded.

Before they could examine the monument further, several approaching auras entered his perception.

Seven figures emerged between the ancient pillars.

At their center walked a young man dressed in luxurious golden robes. A radiant sun emblem was embroidered across his chest. His cultivation had reached Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 11.

The six cultivators accompanying him possessed cultivations ranging from Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 10 to Stage 5.

They belonged to the Golden Radiance Ancient Clan.

The young man's gaze passed over Mu Qingxue and Nyra before settling on Aether. His eyes paused on the monument's evaluation.

“Beyond existing classification...” he murmured. “Interesting.”

Aether looked at him.

“Can I help you?”

“Jin Wuchen. Golden Radiance Ancient Clan.” His gaze remained fixed on Aether. “Your evaluation has attracted considerable attention. Even our clan's records contain nothing comparable.”

“So?”

“I want to know what kind of physique you possess. Hand over your competition token and tell me everything you know about that evaluation. In exchange, I may consider allowing you to leave.”

Aether chuckled.

“You speak as though you've already won.”

Jin Wuchen's expression turned cold.

“Do you think your strange evaluation makes you untouchable?”

“No. I simply don't see a reason to entertain you.”

Golden light erupted behind Jin Wuchen.

A massive sun manifested in the air, its surface covered in intricate golden patterns. Its radiance illuminated the ancient pillars while oppressive heat spread across the wilderness.

Aether's attention sharpened.

This wasn't an independent creature. The Golden Sun was Jin Wuchen's Complete Manifestation of Origin—his cultivated Origin externalized into a tangible extension of his foundation, comprehension, and control. It could attack, defend, reinforce techniques, and redistribute energy through its structure.

Aether followed the golden patterns with his eyes.

[System Analysis]

Target: Jin Wuchen

Cultivation: Origin Manifestation Realm — Stage 11

Manifestation: Golden Sun — Complete

Stability: Exceptional

Control: High

Combat Experience: High

Identified Weakness: During sustained high-output attacks, circulation between the user's physical body and manifested Origin temporarily desynchronizes. Repeated disruption during this interval may destabilize the manifestation.

Aether's eyes narrowed.

Identifying a weakness didn't mean exploiting it would be easy.

Jin raised his hand.

“Golden Sunfall!”

The enormous manifestation descended.

His six companions simultaneously released their Origin Energy, directing it toward the golden sun through a coordinated technique.

Golden Radiance Convergence!

Six streams of energy entered the manifestation.

The sun expanded, its radiance intensifying as the combined energy circulated through its surface.

Readers may choose the author's official chapter, because the text here was taken from that page without consent.

Golden pillars descended toward Aether and his companions.

“Nyra. Qingxue.”

Mu Qingxue released her Binding Physique. Countless invisible strands spread across the battlefield, interfering with the incoming energy circulation.

Nyra's silver-white Origin Energy surged outward, forming the manifestation of an enormous moonwolf.

BOOM!

The moonwolf collided with the Golden Sun.

The battlefield shook.

Jin Wuchen immediately changed his hand seal. The golden manifestation rotated, redirecting its energy toward several vulnerable points. Golden pillars shot toward Mu Qingxue and Nyra while the central sun continued pressing toward Aether.

He was maintaining the main attack while simultaneously controlling its defensive structure.

Aether's gaze sharpened.

Good control.

His shadows emerged.

One intercepted the attack aimed at Mu Qingxue. Another assisted Nyra, while the remaining shadows rushed toward Jin's companions, preventing them from maintaining their formation.

Aether advanced.

His fist struck the Golden Sun.

BOOM!

The manifestation trembled, but Jin immediately redirected energy toward the impact point.

A golden shockwave erupted.

Aether crossed his arms, absorbing the impact before retreating several steps.

Jin laughed.

“Your attacks are useless!”

Aether ignored him.

He changed the timing and angle of his next attacks. Jin successfully defended against the first few, but every adjustment required him to redistribute the energy circulating through the manifestation.

Then Aether noticed it.

The connection between Jin's physical body and the Golden Sun briefly faltered.

He struck immediately.

BOOM!

The manifestation shuddered.

Mu Qingxue tightened her Binding Energy around the disrupted circulation, while Nyra's moonwolf manifestation crashed against the same section.

The golden patterns flickered.

Jin gritted his teeth and forced the manifestation back into stability.

But the additional Origin Energy supplied by his companions was becoming a burden. The greater the output, the more pressure he placed on his central connection.

Aether had identified the pattern.

His next attack arrived before the circulation recovered.

Then another.

A fracture spread across the golden surface.

“Enough!”

Jin Wuchen crushed a golden talisman.

A brilliant barrier enveloped his body.

Aether's next attack struck it.

BOOM!

The barrier remained intact.

[System Analysis]

Defensive Treasure: Golden Radiance Protective Talisman

Stored Energy: Limited

Defensive Capacity: Multiple attacks from weaker Origin Manifestation cultivators; one powerful concentrated attack from an Origin Domain Realm cultivator.

Current Condition: Active. Energy depletion detected.

Aether understood.

The talisman was powerful, but its energy wasn't infinite.

He attacked again.

The barrier held.

Jin poured his Origin Energy into it, attempting to replenish its defense while preparing another attack.

Aether noticed the golden imprint embedded within the talisman.

An emergency spiritual signal shot into the distance.

Far away, inside the ancestral grounds of the Golden Radiance Ancient Clan, a middle-aged man abruptly opened his eyes.

He was the clan's Patriarch.

“Wuchen?”

He sensed his son's endangered condition through the imprint.

Without hesitation, he separated a fraction of his consciousness from his real body and sent it toward the Bloodline Evolution Grounds.

Back inside the ruins, the talisman endured another concentrated attack.

CRACK!

A fracture appeared across its surface.

Then tremendous pressure descended upon the battlefield.

A golden figure materialized behind Jin Wuchen.

“Who dares attack my son?”

Jin immediately turned.

“Father!”

The Patriarch's consciousness projection radiated overwhelming pressure. Although it carried only a fraction of his consciousness and couldn't unleash his real body's full strength, its presence was still terrifying.

His gaze moved from his son to the damaged talisman before settling on Aether.

“Release my son.”

Aether glanced at Jin.

“So you're the father.”

“You have no idea whom you've offended. Release him, and I may overlook your ignorance.”

“You arrived just in time to watch.”

The Patriarch's expression darkened.

“Arrogant!”

A golden palm descended.

BOOM!

Aether crossed his arms, but the impact sent him flying through several ancient pillars.

His arms trembled.

Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The difference in strength was unmistakable.

Yet Aether noticed something else.

The ancient inscriptions across the ruins were illuminating. The Patriarch's projection flickered whenever it released a powerful attack.

The restrictions of the Bloodline Evolution Grounds were suppressing his foreign consciousness.

“You think those restrictions will save you?” the Patriarch asked.

He attacked again.

This time, the golden palm changed direction halfway through, cutting off Aether's escape route.

Aether barely avoided the full impact, but the edge of the attack struck his shoulder and drove him into the ground.

The Patriarch had recognized what he was observing.

He's adapting.

Aether pushed himself upright.

He couldn't rely on the Patriarch making the same mistake repeatedly. He needed to create an opening through coordinated interference.

“Qingxue!”

Mu Qingxue spread her Binding Energy across the battlefield.

The Patriarch swept his hand outward, shattering most of the bindings. A few strands nevertheless attached themselves to the unstable energy surrounding his projection.

Nyra's moonwolf manifestation attacked from the side.

The Patriarch formed a golden barrier, blocking her assault, but the ancient inscriptions beneath him suddenly brightened.

His projection flickered.

His expression changed.

He attempted to withdraw energy and stabilize his consciousness, but the restrictions had already tightened around him.

Aether's shadows emerged, attacking the projection's unstable outer energy from several directions.

The Patriarch dispersed them with a wave of golden light.

However, the combined interference had forced him to redirect his power repeatedly. His projection was becoming increasingly unstable, and every attempt to strengthen it risked further backlash from the ancient restrictions.

Aether seized the opening.

His first concentrated strike collided with the Patriarch's raised arm.

BOOM!

Aether was pushed backward, but a crack appeared across the projection's chest.

He hadn't expected one attack to be enough.

He had only needed to expose its unstable central connection.

“Again!”

Nyra's manifestation struck from the side. Mu Qingxue tightened her bindings, and the shadows attacked the existing cracks.

The Patriarch attempted to force his energy outward.

The restrictions rejected the surge.

His projection shook violently.

Aether gathered the Origin Energy remaining in his body.

His fist struck the exposed central connection.

BOOM!

The golden projection shattered into countless fragments.

Far away, the Patriarch's real body trembled violently.

A wave of backlash struck his consciousness.

He coughed blood, and his aura became unstable.

The surrounding elders immediately rushed forward.

“Patriarch!”

But his consciousness remained fixed on the final image transmitted before the projection disappeared.

An unfamiliar young man.

The person who had killed his heir and destroyed his consciousness projection.

“Find him.”

His voice was cold.

“Search every record. Mobilize our intelligence network. I want his identity, background, companions, and every trace of his movements.”

An elder hesitated.

“Patriarch, the restrictions of the Bloodline Evolution Grounds—”

“I don't care!”

His voice shook the hall.

“I want him dead!”

The backlash had significantly damaged his consciousness. Recovery would require considerable time.

But his anger had already become an obsession.

He would not rest until Aether Draven was dead.

Back inside the ancient ruins, Aether slowly straightened.

His injuries were genuine. The Patriarch's projection had forced him beyond his comfortable limits.

He wiped the blood from his mouth.

“So that's the power of a true expert.”

He understood the difference between potential and actual strength.

He needed to become stronger.

Much stronger.

Meanwhile, the Golden Radiance Protective Talisman finally exhausted its remaining energy. Its shattered fragments fell to the ground.

Jin Wuchen attempted to retreat.

Aether raised his hand.

“Finish them.”

His shadows immediately moved.

The Stage 10 cultivator attempted to reconstruct the Golden Radiance Convergence, but two shadows intercepted him before he could complete the technique. Another opponent tried to escape toward the ancient pillars, only to be surrounded.

Mu Qingxue's Binding Energy restricted their movements, while Nyra's manifestation suppressed their remaining resistance.

The four cultivators fought back, but without Jin's central manifestation and their coordinated formation, their advantage had collapsed.

One after another, they fell.

Two others, sensing the outcome, activated their Withdrawal Tokens and disappeared from the ruins.

Aether didn't pursue them.

He looked at the five defeated cultivators.

“Shadow Authority.”

Darkness spread across the ground.

The shadows rose, reconstructing the appearances of Jin Wuchen and his four defeated companions. Their memories, knowledge, and abilities remained intact, but their wills were completely loyal to Aether.

They possessed no independent emotions or desires.

Jin immediately lowered his head.

“Awaiting your command.”

Aether examined him.

“Tell me about the Golden Radiance Ancient Clan's investigation into me.”

Jin answered immediately.

“The clan received reports concerning the monument's unusual reaction. Its observers recorded the evaluation results and the energy fluctuation beneath the wilderness.”

“What did they discover?”

“They couldn't identify your physique. Elder Jin Zhaoyuan, who oversees external intelligence, suspected an undiscovered ancient physique. Elder Jin Haoran believed the phenomenon might be connected to an ancient inheritance. Neither conclusion was accepted as certain.”

“Who ordered the investigation?”

“Several elders overseeing the competition. Their reports were forwarded to the clan's central intelligence hall. I don't know whether the ancestors themselves were informed.”

“Did they investigate my identity?”

“Yes. They examined participant records and requested information about your background and previous appearances. They know your name and some details of your participation, but your true origins remain unknown.”

“What did they intend to do?”

“Elder Jin Zhaoyuan favored recruitment. Elder Jin Haoran wanted further observation. Another group considered direct investigation, but no final order had been issued.”

Aether continued questioning him.

He learned which elders had access to the reports, how information was distributed, and which individuals possessed authority over the clan's external operations.

Jin didn't know every secret of his clan, but his memories provided a useful understanding of its intelligence structure.

Aether considered the information.

The Golden Radiance Ancient Clan had noticed something they couldn't classify. They had begun investigating him, and now their Patriarch would mobilize the clan against him.

Yet their investigation had exposed part of their own structure to him.

They believed they were gathering information about an unknown young cultivator.

They had no idea that the person they were investigating now possessed an insider who understood their methods and personnel.

Aether's lips curved slightly.

An Ancient Clan can be a troublesome enemy. It can also be a source of resources, knowledge, and opportunities.

He wasn't planning to challenge the entire clan recklessly.

But he certainly wasn't going to waste this advantage.

“Good. You'll be useful.”

He turned toward the wilderness.

“Continue searching. I want information on every unusual inheritance, bloodline, physique, and ancient ruin in these grounds.”

His shadows dispersed.

Through Shadow Authority, Aether's perception spread across distant mountains, forests, and ancient ruins.

One discovery soon attracted his attention.

Far to the north, beneath an ancient mountain range, lay the remains of a vast ruin.

At its center grew an enormous tree.

Its roots extended deep beneath the earth, while faint bloodline energy circulated through its branches. Naturally formed golden patterns covered its bark. Some roots had pierced enormous stone structures, yet the inscriptions surrounding its base remained intact.

The moment Nyra sensed the transmitted energy, her expression changed.

“There's something familiar about that bloodline.”

Aether looked toward her.

“Can you identify it?”

“Not yet. But it feels ancient. Much older than the bloodlines I've encountered before.”

Mu Qingxue examined the images transmitted through Shadow Authority.

“The inscriptions around its roots appear to be suppressing something beneath the tree.”

Aether focused on the discovery.

His System began analyzing the distant location.

[System Analysis]

Location: Ancient Northern Ruins

Detected Energy: Origin Energy

Anomalous Circulation: Suppression Pattern

Additional Detection: Unknown sealed presence beneath the ancient tree.

Aether's interest deepened.

An ancient tree carrying powerful bloodline energy, suppression inscriptions, and something sealed beneath its roots.

This was no ordinary ruin.

Before he could issue another command, the ground beneath the distant tree trembled.

One of the ancient inscriptions briefly illuminated.

Then another.

For a brief instant, every golden pattern across its bark illuminated simultaneously.

A voice echoed through the wilderness.

It seemed to originate from deep beneath the earth, yet every word carried an ancient authority.

“The Origin Heir... has returned.”