Awakening：The Infinite Evolution of My Talent as a Low-Level Awakener

By this point, Sterl had begun to understand. The Starry Clan did not appear to be an innate race; rather, it seemed to be a force formed by continually absorbing strong individuals.

The reason it could be classified as a race was that all beings within the clan possessed star power. Moreover, once one cultivated the Starry Clan's methods, they truly became of the same kind! This was because the offspring born from such individuals would increasingly adapt to the Starry Clan's cultivation techniques. Additionally, cultivating star power was an excellent way to grow stronger.

The descendants of the Starry Clan would never consider switching to other methods. To gain access to cutting-edge research on star power, they had to actively gather with other members of the Starry Clan.

Thus, with shared bloodlines and common culture, who could deny that this was indeed a race?

Sterl suddenly recalled what the giant had said about "our generation of the Starry Clan." Since the lineage was passed down through the cultivation of star power, it was possible that even if all members of the Starry Clan perished, as long as the cultivation methods remained, a new Starry Clan could emerge in the future.

They might not be the same species as the previous generation, but their bloodlines would still have some consistency in adapting to star power. Referring to them as different generations of the Starry Clan was entirely appropriate!

And as for himself...

"I've also learned the star cultivation methods, so I should be a new generation of the Starry Clan, right?"

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Sterl felt a bit dazed. He had always been wary of the clan that granted him this inheritance, but now he found out they were "one of his own"? No, in the current situation, there were only two members of the Starry Clan—himself and his pet, the Star Radiance Dragon. With only two members, Sterl's chances of vying for leadership of this generation of the Starry Clan would undoubtedly improve.

However, Sterl did not show any signs of excitement because he had just heard an ominous term—great calamity. According to the giant, the ordinary great calamities were something the Starry Clan did not fear; they had faced over a hundred calamities, showcasing the clan's strength.

The problem was that the giant had also explained that the Starry Clan's annihilation was due to an enhanced version of a great calamity, and now Sterl was about to face one as well! If even the Starry Clan could be destroyed—one that presumably had divine-level beings as soldiers and higher divine authorities as leaders—how could they withstand an enhanced version of a great calamity?

The various forces Sterl was currently involved with would only suffer even worse fates in the face of calamity!

Sterl no longer felt any joy about acquiring the Relics of the Stars.

"Can you tell me more about how the Starry Clan was annihilated? What does it have to do with the calamity?"

He couldn't help but ask.

The giant looked at Sterl's slightly changing expression and continued to speak in a gentle tone.

"This time... no, it should be a long time ago for you."

"Our Starry Clan did not sincerely cooperate with other races, leading to the momentum of the calamity becoming inevitable."

"The annihilation and reshuffling of the entire world had already been set in motion."

"As for the specific form of the calamity, I cannot disclose that at this moment."

"But that is not necessarily a bad thing."

"Let's just say that the cycle of life and death is the rightful path of the world."

"For the entire world, continued destruction gives rise to new groups from those that exist."

"It is an ironclad rule."

"Even if we survive this enhanced version of the calamity, the next calamity will only be more terrifying, continuing until the complete destruction of the world."

As the giant spoke, the scenery in the illusion shifted repeatedly, unveiling scenes of life desperately fleeing from disasters like falling meteors, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. As the calamities came to an end, a few scattered groups gradually began to regroup and reproduce.

Sterl's heart trembled at the sight—this seemed never-ending. What the giant implied was that the calamities could not be overcome. They would continue to manifest and grow stronger until everything was obliterated. Did this mean...

No matter what actions were taken, escape from death was impossible? It seemed the giant sensed Sterl's confusion and added, "The calamity targets all living beings in the world; it does not attack any single individual. Our Starry Clan would not have faced total annihilation, but the hatred from other races toward us was far too exaggerated.

When faced with the calamity, they chose to go all-out, committing all their forces to take us down with them."

"The cost of such actions is that they are doomed to fail to survive the calamity. However, in the face of an enhanced calamity, unless all races work together, they will all perish! So, it is reasonable for them to waste their strength on revenge rather than resist the calamity."

At this point, the illusion shifted back to earlier scenes of countless races attacking the Starry Clan. "Our existence as the Starry Clan relied on the inheritance of abilities, so when besieged, we chose to forge everything into one and lie dormant, waiting for the next generation of the Starry Clan to emerge."

"Other races probably had their own ways to forcibly survive this annihilation, and some merely survived due to sheer luck amidst the calamity. This enhanced version of the calamity is both a disaster and an opportunity. The will of the world does not seek to annihilate all life; killing off 99% is often sufficient. As long as there are means, some will inevitably survive."

"Moreover, to break through the [—], one must endure a calamity at least once. So, it is very likely that some ancient beings from my time still exist in your era, having lived through the enhanced calamity. Their strength would be incredibly terrifying. Only those who have also survived an enhanced calamity from ancient times can contend with them."

The giant spoke casually as shadows of several figures in robes appeared in the illusion. Although it was merely a vision, it still filled Sterl with an overwhelming sense of dread; he found himself struggling to breathe.

Sterl had clearly heard the name of the realm the giant mentioned, yet for some reason, he could not piece those words together into any meaningful content. The so-called realm that could only be breached through experiencing calamity might contain no one among the upper echelons he knew. These individuals were the true hidden bosses in the world!

A sense of unease washed over Sterl. If he faced someone who had successfully passed through a calamity, he might have no means to defend himself and could be easily crushed!

However, it was precisely because of the giant's words that Sterl finally understood what his goal should be. He needed to lead the girls he knew through this calamity!

The calamity did not necessarily have to kill Sterl and his loved ones; it only needed to ensure the annihilation of most living beings in the world. "If all else fails, I have to protect myself, Linna, and Rayna. The Sosia sisters and Teresa will form the second tier. Rosalie doesn't matter as much."

"Though ironically, she is the safest because she has become my protective Illuminated King..." Sterl pondered.

He was not only fighting for survival but also striving to break through to a higher realm!

"Alright, let's stop talking about that," the giant said, noticing Sterl's expression deep in thought and shifting the topic. "Even if other races have a few survivors, their legacy will never compare to the Starry Clan, which actively sought annihilation."

"Seeing your appearance, it seems the calamity is imminent. With the legacy of our Starry Clan, you might have an opportunity to break through the [—]. At that time, with the vast world before you, where could you not go?"

"Young one, you should have inherited our royal star power. Therefore, I can confidently pass the Stars Change onto you. Afterward, other Relics of the Stars will appear on their own."

"The arcane skill of the Starry Clan can be transmitted through dreams. We will choose a group of strong individuals to serve as your sharpening stone. Of course, you might end up being their sharpening stone as well. Eventually, many will compete with you for the inheritance."

The giant slowly continued, and as he spoke, the entire illusion gradually transformed. Countless stars in the sky began to fall toward the ground, seeking those destined for them.

"In the end, you will compete with other inheritors to determine who will collect all the Relics of the Stars and become the new leader of our Starry Clan."

"This competition doesn't involve just you. As inheritors of these relics, you also have another privilege: to control the Star Servants."

The giant displayed another scene. After the various Celestial Stars had sent out the relics and the underground palace, the formation erupted like a blooming flower, releasing countless pollen particles.

"These are..." Sterl was momentarily taken aback.

The giant pointed with his hand, and a single droplet of pollen expanded rapidly, presenting itself like a small world.

"These pollen grains contain false inheritances. The abilities they provide are merely arcane skills learned by our clan's lowly slaves, which can only utilize star power at a very low efficiency."

"Those who receive these slave-class inheritances will mistakenly believe they are inheritors of the Starry Clan. In reality, as they develop their professional powers, they will be completely controlled by the Starry Clan and reduced to servants!"

"As soon as you encounter these individuals, you can manipulate them. These weak members of the Starry Clan can acquire primary stars and deputy stars. We can control them directly, gaining the enhancements of both themselves and their primary and deputy stars."

"The inheritance of the Starry Clan does not only involve you true inheritors; it also encompasses the struggle over the servants under the inheritors."

The giant spoke with a hint of pride, while Sterl stood there, stunned. He recognized clearly that the so-called false inheritance small world was precisely the instance he had once challenged! Although the pollen the giant displayed was somewhat different from the instance he had accessed, the form and appearance were strikingly similar!

No wonder the [Transcendence] system could read the small world within the pollen and convert it into an instance; this was indeed something the Starry Clan had cast out as bait! It would surely merge with the outside world to complete its disguise.