The Six Ancient Beasts

Chapter 200 — The Six Ancient Beasts

The six ancient beasts advanced through the forest, their enormous bodies crushing ancient trees beneath their feet. Their combined auras swept across the region, driving weaker creatures into hiding.

Aether observed them from a distant ridge.

Behind him stood Long Zhentian, Nyra, Nyx, Kiyomi, and the young Earth Dragon. Their attention was fixed on the approaching beasts.

Although the six creatures appeared to be cooperating, their alliance was far from stable. The Ancient Starfall Tiger repeatedly watched the Sunflame Lion, while the Voidwing Eagle maintained its distance from the others. Even the Thunderhorn Beast and Earthshatter Bear seemed reluctant to expose their backs to one another.

They had joined forces because of the opportunity near the ancient tree. Once that opportunity disappeared, their cooperation would probably collapse.

Aether examined them one by one.

The Ancient Thunderhorn Beast had reached Origin Core Realm Stage 8, while the Ancient Earthshatter Bear was at Stage 10. The Ancient Voidwing Eagle had reached Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 5, followed by the Ancient Frostmoon Serpent at Stage 8. The Ancient Sunflame Lion stood at Origin Domain Realm Stage 2, and the Ancient Starfall Tiger was the strongest at Stage 5.

All six possessed incomplete ancient bloodlines.

'Their bloodlines are worth acquiring. Their abilities would also bring useful variety to my Shadow Army.'

Aether had initially intended to exploit their unstable alliance and fight them himself. Their conflicting interests presented an opportunity to separate them and take advantage of their individual weaknesses.

Before he could decide how to proceed, however, a familiar voice entered his awareness.

"Master."

It was one of the human shadows assigned to scout the Ancient Evolution Grounds.

Aether shifted his attention toward the report.

"Speak."

"Master, a participant named Mu Qingxue is being surrounded by four hostile individuals in the Eastern Forest Region. They appear to be attempting to seize her resources and collected tokens."

Aether's expression changed.

Mu Qingxue.

He had already come to regard the young woman as a friend. She was independent and capable, but four opponents working together could still put her in a difficult position.

'How dare they try to take advantage of my friend?'

"Continue monitoring her. Do not interfere unless her life is in immediate danger. Report any changes."

"Understood, Master."

The connection faded.

Aether looked toward the six beasts, then turned to Long Zhentian.

"Kill all six."

Long Zhentian bowed slightly.

"As you command."

He stepped forward.

The instant his foot touched the ground, an overwhelming dragon pressure erupted from his body. The surrounding trees bent beneath the invisible force, and the six ancient beasts immediately turned toward him.

The Sunflame Lion released a threatening roar. Flames surged from its mane, while the Starfall Tiger lowered its body and gathered stellar energy around its claws.

The Voidwing Eagle spread its wings.

Unlike the others, it didn't immediately attack. Its sharp eyes examined Long Zhentian before shifting toward the open sky.

It was already considering escape.

The Frostmoon Serpent noticed the eagle's movement and released a low hiss. It clearly had no intention of allowing another beast to abandon the alliance and claim the spoils later.

Their fragile cooperation began to crumble.

The Thunderhorn Beast suddenly charged, lightning gathering around its enormous horn. The Earthshatter Bear followed, but rather than coordinate its attack, it veered toward the side, unwilling to let the other beast take the first opportunity.

The six beasts attacked, but their movements lacked genuine coordination.

Long Zhentian watched them approach.

"Even when facing a common enemy, you cannot trust one another."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"How disappointing."

A colossal dragon silhouette emerged behind him. Its enormous body stretched across the sky, its scales shimmering with ancient Origin Energy.

A deafening dragon roar swept through the forest.

For an instant, the six beasts felt as though an ancient predator had descended upon them.

Long Zhentian raised his hand.

The dragon silhouette opened its jaws.

A torrent of golden Origin Energy erupted from its mouth, carrying such immense pressure that the air itself seemed to tremble. The incoming attacks were swallowed by the torrent. Lightning dispersed, flames vanished, and the spatial blades released by the Voidwing Eagle shattered before reaching their target.

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The Earthshatter Bear's charge stopped abruptly.

Long Zhentian appeared before the Thunderhorn Beast and struck its head with his palm.

BOOM!

Lightning exploded across the forest, but the dragon energy swallowed the discharge. The beast's enormous body crashed into the ground.

The Frostmoon Serpent immediately released its freezing domain. Ice spread across the battlefield, attempting to trap Long Zhentian and restrict his movements.

He glanced at the approaching ice.

"Futile."

A pulse of dragon energy erupted from his body, shattering the entire freezing domain. Before the serpent could retreat, a gigantic dragon claw manifested above it and descended.

BOOM!

The serpent was driven into the frozen earth.

Above them, the Voidwing Eagle finally abandoned its hesitation and attempted to escape.

Long Zhentian raised his gaze.

"Did I say you could leave?"

The dragon silhouette moved.

Its enormous claw reached across the sky, catching the eagle before it could disappear into the clouds. The creature struggled, releasing spatial energy in an attempt to break free, but the claw tightened.

Its defenses shattered.

The eagle was dragged down and slammed into the forest.

Meanwhile, the Sunflame Lion and Starfall Tiger finally abandoned their rivalry. Realizing that their individual attacks were useless, they attacked together.

A sea of flames surged forward, accompanied by a concentrated wave of stellar energy.

Long Zhentian raised both hands.

The dragon silhouette lowered its enormous head. Its jaws opened, and the golden energy gathering within them grew increasingly violent.

A moment later, the dragon breath swept across the battlefield.

The flames vanished.

The stellar attack shattered.

Both beasts were struck directly by the overwhelming force. Their enormous bodies crashed into the earth, leaving deep craters behind.

Silence returned to the forest.

The six ancient beasts had been defeated.

Long Zhentian withdrew his aura and returned to Aether.

"The task is complete."

Aether glanced across the battlefield.

"Good work."

Nyra examined the destruction before looking at Long Zhentian.

"Your control has improved. You managed to suppress all six without allowing their combined attacks to disrupt your energy."

Long Zhentian gave a slight nod.

"This body is becoming more familiar."

Aether approached the fallen creatures. Their physical remains contained valuable blood essence, while their imprints could provide powerful additions to his Shadow Army.

He raised his hand.

"ARISE."

Dark Origin Energy spread across the battlefield.

The six shadows trembled before rising from the ground. One after another, they regained their original forms, their bodies now composed of shadow energy.

[Six Origin Shadows Successfully Registered.]

[Ancient Thunderhorn Beast — Origin Core Realm Stage 8]

[Shadow Rank: Shadow Soldier]

[Ancient Earthshatter Bear — Origin Core Realm Stage 10]

[Shadow Rank: Shadow Soldier]

[Ancient Voidwing Eagle — Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 5]

[Shadow Rank: Shadow Elite]

[Ancient Frostmoon Serpent — Origin Manifestation Realm Stage 8]

[Shadow Rank: Shadow Elite]

[Ancient Sunflame Lion — Origin Domain Realm Stage 2]

[Shadow Rank: Shadow Elite]

[Ancient Starfall Tiger — Origin Domain Realm Stage 5]

[Shadow Rank: Shadow Elite]

Aether examined his new additions.

The Voidwing Eagle would be valuable for aerial reconnaissance and pursuit. The Frostmoon Serpent could control large areas through its freezing abilities. The Sunflame Lion specialized in destructive firepower, while the Starfall Tiger possessed powerful stellar attacks.

The Thunderhorn Beast brought lightning-based abilities, while the Earthshatter Bear offered formidable earth-based strength.

Their individual strengths were useful, but their greatest value would come from having different abilities available for different situations.

His Shadow Army was gradually becoming a force capable of handling far more than direct confrontations.

'These six will be useful.'

"Return."

The four stronger shadows dissolved into darkness and entered his shadow space. The Thunderhorn Beast and Earthshatter Bear remained.

Aether sat down and placed one hand on each shadow.

"Begin."

The two beasts released their stored cultivation energy.

An immense torrent of Origin Energy surged into his body.

Aether's expression tightened immediately.

Even though these were the weakest among the six, both had reached the Origin Core Realm. Their accumulated cultivation was far beyond what his Origin Vein Realm body could comfortably contain.

The two energies rushed through his meridians.

The Thunderhorn Beast's lightning-attributed Origin Energy was violent and aggressive, while the Earthshatter Bear's energy was dense and heavy. Their different attributes resisted the refinement process, creating tremendous pressure within Aether's body.

He activated the Infinite Origin Physique.

Its mysterious power awakened, gradually harmonizing the incoming energies. The lightning energy was refined and brought under control, while the earth-attributed energy was drawn into his foundation.

His muscles tightened.

His meridians expanded under the pressure, and the Origin Energy circulating within his body grew increasingly dense.

Aether maintained his concentration.

He wasn't simply absorbing energy. He was refining it, compressing it, and making it part of his own cultivation.

The first bottleneck finally broke.

[Congratulations!]

[Cultivation breakthrough: Origin Vein Realm Stage 6.]

Aether continued guiding the energy through his meridians.

His foundation expanded again, but the pressure hadn't disappeared. He had to repeatedly refine the incoming energy before allowing it to merge with his cultivation.

[Origin Vein Realm Stage 7.]

[Origin Vein Realm Stage 8.]

His meridians expanded further. The energy circulating within his body became denser, and the strain of controlling the two different attributes gradually diminished.

Another bottleneck gave way.

[Origin Vein Realm Stage 9.]

Aether's expression remained composed, but a considerable amount of energy was still circulating within his body. He carefully guided the final portion into his foundation, refusing to let it disperse.

Crack!

[Congratulations!]

[Cultivation breakthrough: Origin Vein Realm Stage 10.]

Only then did the turbulent energy settle.

Aether slowly opened his eyes.

The difference was substantial.

His Origin Energy reserves had expanded considerably, and the density of his cultivation had increased. His meridians were stronger, while his physical foundation had benefited from the two ancient beasts' energy.

He raised one hand and gathered a small amount of Origin Energy around his palm.

The energy condensed more readily than before. Its density was noticeably greater, and maintaining its stability required less effort.

Aether closed his hand.

'Much better.'

He was now at Origin Vein Realm Stage 10, approaching the perfected stage of his current realm.

He examined the changes within his physique.

The Thunderhorn and Earthshatter bloodlines had been acquired, and the Infinite Origin Physique had begun processing their traits. Their complete integration would take time. Acquiring a bloodline did not mean every characteristic had already become part of his body.

Still, the gains were worthwhile.

Two ancient bloodlines, a stronger foundation, and five cultivation-stage breakthroughs.

His gaze shifted toward the four remaining shadows.

Their cultivation was considerably greater. Absorbing their energy would be far more demanding, and he would need to prepare properly before attempting it.

Long Zhentian glanced toward the remaining four shadows.

"The other four contain considerably more energy. Their absorption should provide an even greater opportunity."

"Indeed."

Aether rose to his feet.

Nyx approached and looked up at him. Kiyomi moved closer to Nyra, while the young Earth Dragon watched Aether curiously.

Aether briefly acknowledged them before recalling the scout's report.

Mu Qingxue was still in the Eastern Forest Region.

He had already decided to deal with the remaining beasts later. There was no reason to leave a friend in trouble simply because another opportunity for cultivation awaited him.

He turned toward Long Zhentian.

"Keep watch over this area. I'll be back."

"Understood."

Aether looked toward the eastern horizon.

The four participants had chosen to surround someone he considered a friend. They might have believed they were dealing with an isolated competitor, unaware that their actions had already drawn the attention of someone far beyond their expectations.

Aether began moving toward the Eastern Forest Region.

The remaining four beasts could wait.

Those four individuals could not.