Chapter 29: Star Stream

Amanda opened the Starry Mountains file again and pointed toward a section near the bottom.

"The Starry Heart is the main reason I recommended this secret realm."

Ben looked at her curiously.

"What does it do?"

Amanda explained, "A Starry Heart is a rare resource that can greatly enhance the malleability of an innate ability."

"Malleability?"

"It means it can make your innate ability easier to develop and modify. If you use a Starry Heart during your breakthrough, there is a chance that your sub-ability will inherit additional characteristics from your main ability."

Ben nodded.

"So it can make my ability more flexible."

"Exactly. It doesn’t guarantee a specific result, but it can significantly improve the potential of the ability you awaken."

Amanda paused before continuing.

"Since your main ability is already unusual, I think a Starry Heart would be a very good choice for you."

Ben looked at the file again.

"How do I find one?"

"There are two main ways."

Amanda raised one finger.

"The first is to kill a Starry Beast. There is a small chance that a Starry Heart will form inside its body after death."

She raised a second finger.

"The second method is easier if you can find a Starry Beast nest."

Ben became interested.

"Why?"

"Because Starry Beasts reproduce differently from most creatures."

Amanda pointed toward the information in the file.

"Instead of giving birth to ordinary offspring, older Starry Beasts can eventually produce Starry Eggs."

"Those eggs contain a condensed Starry Heart."

"After the egg hatches, a new Starry Beast forms from the energy contained inside the Starry Heart."

Ben nodded as he understood.

"So if I find a Starry Beast nest, I might be able to obtain a Starry Heart without killing an adult beast."

"Correct."

Amanda smiled.

"That’s why searching for a nest can sometimes be more efficient."

She reached into the file and took out a small diagram showing a strange object.

The object was shaped like a diamond and had a faint glow inside it.

"This is what a Starry Heart looks like."

Ben leaned closer and examined the image.

"It looks like a diamond-shaped crystal."

"That’s because it naturally forms into that shape as the star energy condenses."

Amanda closed the file.

"Just remember that Starry Beasts will protect their nests. If you find one, don’t assume the eggs will be unguarded."

Ben nodded.

"I understand."

Maya looked at him.

"And don’t forget that you only have twenty-four hours inside the secret realm."

Ben smiled.

"Then I’ll have to make every minute count."

Amanda nodded and then took something out of her storage ring.

It was a long sword with a dark metallic blade that shimmered with faint points of light.

"This is for you."

Ben looked at the sword curiously.

"What is it?"

"It’s an Epic-Rank artifact called Star Stream."

Amanda handed it to him.

"It was forged using a special Star Ore found in a high-level secret realm. The material naturally reacts to concentrated star energy, which makes it particularly useful against Starry Beasts."

Ben examined the sword carefully.

"How does it work?"

"Star Stream can sense objects containing a large amount of star energy. When you’re inside the Starry Mountains, it can help you locate Starry Beasts from a much greater distance."

Amanda pointed toward the blade.

"It can also absorb and redirect a portion of star-based attacks. Because of that, it is especially effective against Starry Beasts."

Ben nodded as he held the sword.

"So it’s both a weapon and a tracking tool."

"Exactly."

Amanda smiled.

"Think of it as a gift. You can take it with you when you enter the secret realm."

Ben looked at the sword for a moment.

He didn’t really like accepting valuable things without giving anything in return. Fortunately, he remembered something that might be useful to Amanda.

"You said your innate ability is Ice Empress, right?"

Amanda nodded.

"Yes."

"I found something that might be useful for you."

Ben reached into his storage ring and took out a skill book.

The cover was marked with several intricate patterns resembling snowflakes and celestial formations.

"This is for you."

Amanda looked at the book in surprise.

"What is it?"

"A Celestial Art called Moon Knight Sword Art."

Amanda took the book and examined it.

"It’s a Legendary-Rank Celestial Art?"

Her expression changed slightly.

"Where did you find something like this?"

Ben had already prepared an explanation.

"I found it in the Goblin Sector Secret Realm."

Amanda looked at him suspiciously.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was fighting some monsters when I accidentally broke a large boulder. The book was hidden inside it."

He shrugged.

"I almost forgot about it afterward."

Amanda continued looking at the skill book.

She clearly knew that the explanation wasn’t particularly convincing, but she didn’t press him for more details.

Amanda carefully examined the skill book for a few more seconds before looking back at Ben.

"Moon Knight Sword Art is a very advanced Celestial Art. Are you really sure you want to give this to me?"

Ben nodded.

"Yes. I don’t have much use for an ice-based sword art, but you might be able to use it properly with your Ice Empress ability."

Amanda smiled slightly.

"You’re right about that."

She opened the book and briefly read through the first few pages.

"The technique uses ice as its foundation, but it also incorporates celestial energy and several other principles. With the right innate ability, it can become extremely powerful."

Ben nodded.

"Then it should suit you."

Amanda closed the book and stored it safely.

"Thank you, Ben. I’ll make sure I put it to good use."

Maya looked between the two of them and smiled.

"You two really traded some valuable things."

Amanda glanced at the Epic-Rank sword in Ben’s hand.

"That’s true. Star Stream isn’t something I normally give away either."

Ben looked at the sword again.

"I’ll make good use of it."

"I know you will."

Amanda then turned serious.

"Before you enter the secret realm, there are a few more things you need to understand."