Legacy of a Benevolent Lord
Chapter 34: Two Absolute Monsters...

Chapter 34: Two Absolute Monsters...

"What?!"

Azhula almost stumbled.

The Star-Shifting Technique was created by a once-in-a-century genius of the Murong family. Those were the times when their old kingdom dominated these lands.

A resourceful, thriving kingdom by the Lake and all lands that connected it.

It had been passed down through generations, and even reaching the ’Perfection’ realm of understanding was considered an extraordinary achievement for any family head.

Let alone going beyond it.

No one in the Murong family had ever improved it to such a degree.

Yet Riveron Ashvale, having barely glanced at it for a few days... had already broken through its original limits?

Is he even human? Ah! No. He’s not anymore.

Azhula’s heart raced wildly.

How could Murong Fu even begin to compare to him?

She bit her lip, her already shaken resolve crumbling.

Selene’s words echoed in her mind: if Murong Fu kept pushing, would he really be able to survive Riven’s retaliation?

No.

Master Murong must be stopped... somehow!

If he persisted and his Highness lost patience, in a fit of anger, he would blast Master Murong to pieces.

But would he listen if they tried to persuade him?

No.

Azhula knew better than anyone.

Murong Fu’s pride would never allow him to back down.

No amount of pleading would sway him.

She clenched her fists quietly.

Then we can only do our best, Azira and I... to serve His Highness well. If we do, maybe... maybe he’ll spare the Murong family when the time comes.

Selene stood calmly beside her, a small, complicated smile touching her lips.

She wasn’t as emotional as Azhula towards the Murong Family.

She was much more invested in Peony Manor and now, the Sundawn Duchy. At this moment, her eyes were tunnel-visioned, following every little movement Riven made.

She watched as Riven wove energy between his fingers, manipulating the elements around him with ease.

Unknowingly, her deep psychic connection to Riven manifested at this moment.

Various theories and concepts on Energy Manipulation flowed through her mind like a gentle river.

In her mind, the Flawless form of the Star-Shifting Technique began to slowly take shape, fusing with everything she already knew.

Without warning, she lifted her hand lightly.

The surface of the stream rippled.

Tiny droplets of water floated into the air, flowing toward the Willow Tree she was standing on, swirling around her in elegant spirals.

Willow leaves were scattered and rose, dancing alongside the water streams.

She was using the Minor Phaseless Skills understanding to simulate the movements of Star-Shifting, even though she had only glimpsed its outlines.

What the system did for Riven, she too was doing for herself.

She was using the concepts and mechanisms of the Flawless Star Shifting art to break down and improve beyond the limits of the Minor Phaseless skill.

Azhula watched the two monsters inside and outside the pavilion, her heart filled with awe and a pang of helpless envy.

"Two absolute monsters..."

"They really are a match made in heaven."

She sighed inwardly, feeling small in front of such overwhelming talent.

.....

"Hoo."

Riven slowly opened his eyes, exhaling softly.

He ended his comprehension session.

The system’s information had been transmitted completely; his mastery of the Flawless Star-Shifting Technique had reached the Minor Mastery stage.

In the Martial world, external martial arts, such as the Star-Shifting Technique, were often simply referred to as "martial skills."

Some martial arts fanatics even divided them into nine realms of understanding:

Entry, Proficiency, Minor Mastery, Integration, Great Mastery, Perfection, Return to Simplicity, Ancient Surpassing, and finally Dao Reaching.

Of course... different cultures have slightly different names for these. But the meaning is the same.

Ancient Surpassing or DaoReaching was an unattainable myth for most.

These levels cannot be reached in a martial art without comprehending the essence of the art and surpassing its limits.

Ancient Surpassing literally means Surpassing the Ancient one.

Ancient one: The creator of the Martial Art.

Surpassing: Breaking the limits of their own creation, making the art one’s own.

Dao reaching? Errr... well.... a story for some other time.

A martial skill at those levels could destroy enemies far beyond the practitioner’s realm.

But even reaching Return to Simplicity was something only rare masters accomplished.

Throughout the Nine Dynasties and the myriad Kingdoms on the continent and the surrounding Islands, there were only a few known veterans.

Of course, this is all knowledge from the perspective of the once weak scholar Riveron was. Who knows how many cave-dwelling old bastards are out there?

[A/N: By continent, it does not mean a single land mass. This means many incredibly large connecting land masses with small seas in between.]

Compared to that, reaching Minor Mastery was modest.

But even so, mastering the Star-Shifting Technique to this level already meant Riven could integrate it with his own fighting style.

He stood calmly.

Not far away, Selene and Azhula floated gently back down into the pavilion.

Selene had stopped her own practice early.

Using the Minor Phaseless Skill, she could mimic the basic essence of Star-Shifting without leaving any trace.

That was the terrifying thing about the Phaseless Skill.

As long as she, with her abnormal intelligence, observed a martial skill once, even just a few moves, she could use it, and in time, even surpass its original creator.

Selene’s version of Star-Shifting was already starting to differ subtly from Riven’s.

Even without formal training, she was blazing her own trail.

It was a monstrous level of comprehension.

Azhula hurried forward, bowing with a bright, respectful smile.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on your divine enlightenment!"

She spoke quickly, trying to show loyalty and admiration.

Selene’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She noticed Azhula’s attitude had changed: more enthusiastic, more careful.

Hmph.

Without a word, she walked straight up to Riven, threw her arms around his arm, and beamed sweetly.

"Congratulations," she said in a soft, coquettish voice.

Azhula blinked and stepped back, covering her mouth, chuckling.

It was so obvious.

Selene was showing off.

Riven wasn’t stupid.

He felt the faint tremor of jealousy in Selene’s hand.

A little vinegar jar indeed.

He smiled faintly and gently pinched her icy-cold hand.

Her skin, due to her Pure Yin Divine Constitution, was bone-chilling to the touch. Ordinary people would have been frozen stiff just by brushing against her.

But Riven’s Pure Yang Divine Bones neutralized her coldness easily.

After all... she was made for him. By him.

Selene shivered slightly at his touch, but she didn’t pull away.

Instead, her cheeks flushed slightly.

Riven leaned in close, lowering his voice against her ear.

"I’ll teach you the advanced Star-Shifting later," he whispered.

Selene’s heart skipped a beat.

Her whole body tingled.

Even the small ember of jealousy she’d been nursing instantly melted away.

Her fingers gripped his sleeve tightly, shy and elated at once.

She risked a quick glance at Azhula, then quickly pushed Riven’s chest lightly, whispering, "Azhu is still here! Let’s talk seriously first!"

Riven chuckled quietly.

He turned to Azhula, his expression relaxed.

"Azhula," he said casually, "Give me the manual."

"I had some insights earlier. I think there are missing verses."