The Sister Who Returned

Chapter 198 — The Sister Who Returned

The golden pathway stretched deeper into the Ancestral Awakening Forest. Aether walked ahead with Long Zhentian, while Nyx followed closely behind. Kiyomi remained near Aether's feet, occasionally investigating the unusual flowers growing beside the path, and the little Earth Dragon watched the surrounding trees with curiosity, her golden scales reflecting the faint light filtering through the canopy.

The deeper they travelled, the stronger the ancient energy became. Nyx's silver forehead marking gradually brightened, and her golden eyes remained fixed ahead. Her movements became increasingly restless, as though something were calling to her from within the forest.

Aether noticed her reaction. "Something is calling you?"

Nyx turned toward him and gave a small nod before moving forward.

Long Zhentian examined the surroundings. "The energy gathering ahead is unusual. This forest seems to be concentrating its ancestral energy around a specific existence."

"Then let's find out why."

They continued until the trees opened into a secluded clearing. An enormous ancient tree stood at its centre, its branches extending across the clearing and carrying countless golden leaves that released gentle waves of Origin Energy. Beneath its trunk lay an ancient circular formation, partially covered by moss, with silver light flickering between its patterns.

The moment Nyx entered the clearing, she stopped. Her entire body became still before she suddenly rushed toward the formation.

Aether followed her movement with his eyes. The formation had begun activating, and golden and silver patterns spread across the ground. Beneath the ancient tree, a translucent figure gradually appeared. It was a beautiful female wolf-like beast with dark-silver fur, golden eyes and three flowing tails. Her appearance carried a striking resemblance to Nyx, although her features were more mature and her presence considerably stronger.

The figure looked down, her golden eyes widening. "Could it be...?"

She stepped forward, staring at the small beast standing before her. Nyx approached cautiously, her ears lowered as a small sound escaped her throat. The woman's expression changed completely.

"My little sister..."

She knelt and extended her arms. Nyx immediately rushed into her embrace, and the woman held her tightly, gently stroking her dark-silver fur. Her eyes examined the familiar golden eyes and silver marking on Nyx's forehead.

"You're alive... You're really alive."

Her voice trembled with emotion. Nyx rubbed her head against her sister's chest, making several excited sounds while her tail moved rapidly. The woman closed her eyes and held her even tighter. "I thought I had lost you forever."

For a while, she simply embraced her little sister, seemingly unwilling to let go. Eventually, she examined Nyx more carefully, and her expression gradually became serious.

"Wait... your bloodline. Why is it still sealed?"

She touched the silver marking on Nyx's forehead. "How could this happen? The ancient restriction is still suppressing your natural development."

Long Zhentian stepped forward, examining the energy surrounding them. "An Ancestral Bloodline Seal. I suspected something was restricting her development, but I couldn't identify its structure."

The woman nodded. "I recognize it. This restriction belongs to our ancestral lineage. It was already present when we were brought into this world."

Aether looked toward her. "Our lineage?"

She finally turned her attention to him. "You're the one who has been taking care of my little sister?"

"That's right."

Her expression softened. "Then I owe you my gratitude."

Aether nodded. "You can thank me later. First, tell me what happened."

The woman glanced at the little beast beside her. "Our parents brought us into this world when my little sister was still very young. I don't know why they chose Asterilis, and I don't know what happened to them afterward. We were separated from them, and other beasts attacked us. I protected her as best I could, but during the chaos, a spatial fracture appeared nearby. She was pulled into it and disappeared."

Her three tails lowered slightly as she recalled the past. "I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find her. Eventually, I was overwhelmed while protecting the place where she had disappeared. I died without knowing whether she had survived."

Nyx pressed closer to her, and the woman's expression softened again. "But you're here now. That's enough. I can finally rest."

Her translucent body began dissolving into golden particles. Nyx immediately raised her head and made an anxious sound.

Readers may notice that this chapter came from the author's official page without permission; using that page supports the author.

Aether's expression changed. "You're disappearing?"

The woman nodded. "My consciousness has been preserved by this formation for countless years. It was never meant to last forever. Seeing my little sister alive has fulfilled my final wish."

"Who said you could leave?"

The woman blinked as Aether stepped closer. "You're her older sister. You've finally reunited after all these years, and now you intend to disappear in front of her?"

A faint smile appeared on her face. "You're quite domineering."

"Only when someone makes an unreasonable decision."

Long Zhentian chuckled quietly. The woman looked down at her little sister, who was desperately trying to hold onto her fading form.

"I would like to stay. But my original body has long since disappeared. This consciousness cannot exist independently."

Aether raised his hand. "That isn't necessarily a problem."

Dark-golden radiance spread from his palm as the Shadow Authority responded. Information appeared before his eyes.

[Preserved Existence Detected]

• Species: Ancient Origin Moonwolf
• Bloodline: Primordial Moonwolf Bloodline
• Physical Origin Imprint: Preserved
• Consciousness: Severely Weakened
• Original Body: Lost
• Reconstruction: Possible
• Estimated Original Cultivation: Origin Manifestation Realm, Stage 1
• Shadow Registration: Eligible

Aether examined the information. Although her original body had disappeared, the formation had preserved an imprint containing its physical structure, bloodline characteristics and cultivation foundation. Her consciousness and memories had also survived. The Shadow Authority could use that imprint to reconstruct her original body.

"Can you restore her completely?"

[Confirmed. Reconstruction of the original physical body is possible using the preserved Origin imprint.]

Aether looked toward the woman. "Your original body can be restored. However, you'll become one of my Living Origin Shadows."

She studied him. "Will I retain my memories and independent will?"

"Yes. You'll remain yourself. I have no intention of turning you into a mindless puppet."

Her golden eyes brightened. "Then I accept."

Aether extended his hand. "ARISE."

The clearing trembled as dark-golden Origin Energy surged from his body, spreading throughout the ancient formation. The golden tree released a powerful wave of energy, and countless silver patterns illuminated the ground. The fading consciousness was drawn toward the centre while the Shadow Authority began reconstructing her original body.

Her physical Origin imprint unfolded layer by layer. Dark-silver fur, golden eyes and three flowing tails gradually took shape, while her original bloodline and cultivation foundation were reconnected to the reconstructed body. The process demanded considerable energy and precision. The ancient formation supplied the remaining ancestral energy needed for reconstruction, while Aether's authority maintained the connection between her consciousness and original existence.

Nyx's Primordial Origin Mark shone brightly, resonating with her sister's returning bloodline. Kiyomi watched with wide golden eyes, while the little Earth Dragon stood beside Long Zhentian, fascinated by the extraordinary scene.

Finally, the golden radiance converged. A fully reconstructed Ancient Origin Moonwolf stood beneath the tree. Her three tails moved gently behind her as she opened her golden eyes and examined her paws, then her restored body. She could feel the familiar circulation of Origin Energy and the presence of her original bloodline.

She was alive again.

Her gaze immediately returned to Nyx. "Little sister..."

Nyx rushed into her embrace, and the woman lowered herself to gently lick the top of her head. "I'm back."

Nyx responded with several excited sounds, pressing herself against her sister. The woman laughed softly. "I've missed you too."

A system notification appeared before Aether.

[Living Origin Shadow Successfully Registered]

Name: Nyra

Species: Ancient Origin Moonwolf

Bloodline: Primordial Moonwolf Bloodline

Cultivation: Origin Manifestation Realm, Stage 1

Physical Body: Original body reconstructed

Bloodline Condition: Partially Awakened

Shadow Status: Active

Loyalty: Absolute

Aether examined the information. Her cultivation had returned to Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 1, the level she had reached before her death. Her original foundation, bloodline and accumulated experience had also been preserved.

Nyra finally separated from her little sister and looked toward Aether. "By the way, I still haven't learned your name."

"Aether Draven."

She nodded before looking down at the little beast beside her. "And what should I call my little sister?"

Aether glanced at Nyx. "I named her Nyx."

"Nyx?" Nyra repeated the name thoughtfully before smiling. "That's a lovely name."

She lowered her head and gently touched Nyx's forehead. "Then Nyx it is."

Nyx gave a cheerful sound and rubbed her head against her sister.

Nyra examined her again, and her expression gradually became serious. "However, there's something we need to address. Her bloodline seal has restricted her development for far too long."

She gently touched Nyx's silver forehead marking. "I understand the structure of this restriction because it belongs to our ancestral lineage. I can gradually undo it."

Long Zhentian nodded. "Releasing everything at once could overwhelm her foundation. A gradual process would be safer."

"Exactly." Nyra glanced at him approvingly. "I'll remove its restrictions in stages, allowing her body to adapt to the returning bloodline energy."

She looked affectionately at Nyx. "I'll also teach her our ancestral Moonwolf cultivation method. With proper guidance, she can refine Origin Energy more efficiently, awaken her inherited abilities and develop her bloodline characteristics much faster."

Aether nodded. "Then I'll leave her training to you."

Nyra smiled confidently. "Don't worry. I'll make sure my little sister reaches her full potential."

She paused before looking at Aether again. "Although I'll also have to get to know the person who has been looking after her."

"You're welcome to."

"Good. I have a feeling we'll get along."

Long Zhentian chuckled. "Young Master, you've acquired another troublesome companion."

Aether glanced at him. "You're speaking as though you aren't one."

"I would never dare."

Nyra giggled, her three tails swaying behind her. Nyx then approached Aether and rubbed her head against his leg before returning to her sister. For the first time since entering the Ancestral Awakening Ground, her movements seemed completely carefree.

Aether placed a hand on her head. "Looks like you're happy."

Nyx gave an enthusiastic sound.

Nyra watched them quietly. She had spent her final moments protecting her little sister, believing she would never see her again. Now she had returned to a world that had changed beyond recognition, but the little sister she had protected was still here, and she finally had the opportunity to watch her grow.

Nyra gently touched her forehead against Nyx's.

"Let's grow stronger together this time."

The ancient tree released another gentle wave of golden light, bathing the two sisters in its radiance.

Their reunion was finally complete.