Chapter 159 - 158: Star Society

Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Star Society

After dinner, the chill outside deepened. The temperature inside the cave, however, was as warm as spring. Inside and outside seemed like two entirely different worlds.

Han Ning lay in his own designated resting area. Located near a dry, leak-free rock wall, it was more private and secluded than the rest of the cave, completely shielded from the wind. He leaned against a layer of thick branches that had been roasted dry and warm by the fire. Spread over the branches was a thick layer of relatively soft grass and leaves, which had also been warmed. A faint, cozy warmth radiated from beneath him, driving away the cave’s lingering damp chill.

Toward the cave entrance, everyone had used chopped logs and branches to construct a makeshift windbreak, successfully blocking out the biting winter winds.

Suspended in mid-air was a head-sized golden sphere of light, emitting a faint glow. The light it cast wasn’t glaring; rather, it provided a bit of warmth and served as a nightlight for the resting group.

After a full day of desperate fleeing, fierce battles, and hasty construction work, most of the people were utterly exhausted. Having just eaten their fill, many curled up directly on their grass-covered spots and quickly fell into a deep sleep, their soft snores rising and falling in the background.

Xu Yinyin leaned against her father’s chest, her tender, pink face flushed red from the heat of the campfire. Vice President Zhao leaned against the wooden wall, his remaining right arm resting on his knee, his head nodding as he dozed off. Lin Qianqian was wrapped in a thin blanket someone had found, using her backpack as a pillow, her breathing steady. Even the highly energetic Chairman Wu lay on his side on a toasty bed of branches, breathing evenly.

Everyone was dead tired.

Han Ning closed his eyes and, with a slight shift of his will, called up the interface that only he could perceive.

[Earth Druid Level 10]

[Natural Blessing (Basic Level): 3/500]

[Beast Form (Middle Level): 1258/2000] (Brandable Beast Spirit: 3/3)

[Crazy Growth (Basic Level): 253/500]

[Communication with Nature (Middle Level): 150/500]

[Summoned Combat Partner (Basic Level): 50/500]

[Healing Wind (Basic Level): 20/500]

The rest of his Skills were at Perfection.

[Druid Association: Earth Society (Activated)]

[Star Society (Unactivated)]

[Spore Association (Unactivated)]

His gaze lingered between the [Star Society] and the [Spore Association].

He thought, "Both the stars and the Spores are very mysterious..."

The Star Society involved communicating with the vast stars high up in the sky, while the Spore Association seemed more about understanding Spores on a microscopic level. Both paths were highly offensive in nature.

Han Ning pondered for a moment and decided it would be better to unlock the knowledge of the Star Society first. In their current environment, joining the Star Society would unlock the Transformation Technique to turn into flying creatures. Flight meant being able to gather more information from the air and preemptively avoid risks. This was crucial for their future survival.

Moreover, choosing the Star Society would provide an extra escape route. If he ever encountered an unbeatable enemy in the water, he could still flee by taking to the skies. At the very least, the flight capabilities described by the Star Society inspired a number of tactical maneuvers. He didn’t know if the Spore Association could offer the same flexibility; its description was far too esoteric.

He thought, "I’ll choose the Star Society!" Han Ning made up his mind.

[Confirm Selection of Star Society (Unactivated)]

"Confirm!"

In an instant, a massive torrent of information flooded Han Ning’s mind.

[Activating the Star Society requires completing the ’Star Dome Prayer Ceremony’ ritual.]

[Ritual Requirements: Pray to the stars, draw down the starlight, bathe in the astral radiance, and trace the star map imprint.]

Unlike the Earth Society, which took root in the soil and connected with plant and animal life, the Star Society revered the power of the sky, the Star Dome, and storms. Its core lay in transformation and insight, excelling in the Transformation Technique to take on a Raptor Form soaring through the skies. This granted unparalleled mobility and a sweeping, bird’s-eye view over the Earth. It not only massively enhanced reconnaissance capabilities but also provided unpredictable tactical advantages in combat.

Furthermore, the Power of Stars granted traits of insight and anticipation, alongside mastery over highly penetrating and destructive Starfire Energy. On a deeper level, it could even synergize with the Earth Society to connect directly with the stars!

A segment of knowledge detailing the ritual’s exact steps surfaced in his mind.

The association’s ritual required finding a relatively open piece of high ground to look up at the night sky. He needed to face the brightest Star Body or constellation in the sky at the time (guided by the will of nature). By using specific physical movements to simulate the trajectories of the stars, supplemented by Spirit resonance, he had to channel pure starlight Energy into himself, ultimately condensing a star mark within his Spirit core.

He thought, "I should go give it a try."

Han Ning rose silently, his movements so light that he didn’t disturb any of the sleeping people.

Snow Cake had been lying near the cave entrance, its massive head resting on its front paws. Sensing its master’s movements, it lifted its head, a questioning look in its eyes. Han Ning waved a hand gently, signaling it to stay behind and guard the cave. Snow Cake let out a barely audible whimper from its throat and rested its head back down.

Han Ning silently slipped through a gap in the wooden barricade and exited the cave.

WHOOSH!

The biting, freezing wind swept up finger-sized shards of ice, pelting his face with a sharp CRACKLE. Freezing rain continuously slapped against his cheeks.

The outside of the cave was a world of absolute extremes. Gale-force winds howled through the barren rocks, occasionally whipping up handfuls of sand and dirt. The sky was completely obscured by thick clouds. There was no moonlight, no starlight—only endless darkness. The dense, unceasing CLATTER of hail smashing into the ground evoked a suffocating sense of despair.

He thought, "In this godforsaken weather, where not even a single ray of light can pierce through, how am I supposed to draw down the starlight? But since the interface provided the method for joining the society, it’s highly likely it can be completed."

He still had a lot of faith in the interface.

Braving the fierce wind and hail, he climbed up the rugged mountain slope. The physical constitution he had gained from breaking through to Level 10 was more than enough to easily withstand such a harsh environment.

After climbing for about ten minutes, Han Ning arrived at a relatively open mountain ridge. The elevation here was higher and the visibility slightly better, though the wind howled violently and the hail fell like a torrential downpour.

He thought, "This should be the most suitable place nearby to communicate with the stars."

Han Ning stood up straight and inhaled a breath of bone-chilling air. Banishing all distracting thoughts, he immersed his entire mind into sensing the Power of Stars. He closed his eyes and raised his arms high above his head, palms facing the sky, no longer relying on his physical eyes to look at a starry sky that was impossible to see.

With his Mental Power highly concentrated, he followed the guidance of the ritual knowledge and attempted to communicate with the Power of Stars, which was currently blocked by the cloud cover and the aura of the Black Tide.

At first, there was nothing but chaotic darkness within his Spirit Perception. As the minutes and seconds ticked by, Han Ning felt his Mental Power draining away bit by bit.

Just as he began to doubt whether this ritual could even be completed in such a hostile environment, an extremely faint, unique sensation gently brushed against the edge of his Spirit Perception.

It was an Energy that was icy cold, yet carried a hint of frenzy. It originated from the highest, most distant reaches of the firmament, seemingly eternal and entirely undisturbed by the torrential rain and hail.