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 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.