Chapter 331 - 329: Molting Rebirth

Chapter 331: Chapter 329: Molting Rebirth

Duane left Sharp Stone Castle and made his way to the forest where he had spent the previous night.

He channeled his Fighting Qi, blasting his clothes to shreds. Then, he used the Water Gathering Technique to give himself a shower in the woods, washing away the blood.

He evaporated the water from his body, put on a fresh outer coat, then set up his tent and began to circulate his Breathing Skill.

The battle hadn’t drained him much. After all, he was now a Scorching Sun Level Warrior; there was no way he could have been injured fighting Torre, who had just entered the Shooting Star Level.

Killing his target had been easy. The hard part was making it look like he had barely managed it, suffering a backlash from his own power and fleeing with grievous injuries.

This fight hadn’t been a test of Duane’s strength, but of his acting.

He was circulating his Breathing Skill now because the Skill Level for his Celestial Python Breathing Skill had reached a critical point for a breakthrough—Mastery (399/400).

An hour later...

[Congratulations, your Celestial Python Breathing Skill has reached Perfection.]

[+0.5 attribute points]

[Your Celestial Python’s Eye, Scale Armor Defense, and Snake Fang Assault abilities have been enhanced. You have also acquired the ’Molting Rebirth’ ability.]

[Molting Rebirth]: You can consume Fighting Qi and Magic Power to undergo molting and rebirth, gaining a healthy, brand-new body. This ability can be used once per year. After molting, you will experience a brief period of exhaustion (the exact duration is related to your condition before molting).

Duane was stunned. He shot up into a sitting position.

He was overcome with excitement.

’I thought reaching Perfection in the Celestial Python Breathing Skill would only get me 0.5 attribute points,’ he thought. ’I never imagined it would come with such an incredible ability!’

’Molting Rebirth... even if I’m left with just my head, as long as I can activate it before my consciousness fades, I can survive!’

This was as good as being granted a second life. It meant he could fight with reckless abandon, completely ignoring any injuries.

’Too bad it’s like a snake’s molting; I can only use it once a year.’

He thought, ’How great would it be if I could use it once a month?’

’I’m getting greedy!’

He opened his attribute panel.

Over the past month or so, he had ground out the Skill Levels of nine Level 3 Magic spells until they all reached Perfection. Combined with the Perfection of his Nebula Dog and Celestial Python Breathing Skill, he had gained a total of 8.2 attribute points.

After spending them all, his Strength Attribute had increased to 118.6.

He could feel every muscle in his body continuously breaking down and healing during the enhancement process.

With each completed cycle, he felt the strength of every part of his body increase by another level.

But even though his strength had increased significantly, he still didn’t feel like he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

The number of attribute points needed to cross from the Star Realm into the Extraordinary Realm was likely far greater than for any of the previous major realms.

While Duane was leisurely improving his strength, Sharp Stone Castle had descended into chaos.

Even though Duane was long gone, the guests stared at the bodies of Baron Torre and Knight Sein, still finding it hard to believe what had happened.

The Baron, who had just been drinking heartily moments ago, was now dead?

"Let’s go, quickly!"

"That assassin might come back!"

Realizing this, some of the guests began to file out of the hall.

With Sharp Stone Castle’s baron gone, Selena, as the Baroness and the mother of the heir, naturally became its new master.

The guests offered their condolences to Selena, telling her to be strong and hold on, that the Courtney Clan would be great again... and then they all hurried away.

The remaining Guards and servants looked at each other, none of them knowing what to do.

Selena walked dazedly to Torre’s side. Trembling, she stroked his cheek. She appeared grief-stricken and unable to accept his death, but she was merely confirming that he was truly dead.

The icy-cold touch told her it was all real.

"My Lady, you..."

Someone began to offer comfort in a timid voice but didn’t know what to say.

Selena snapped back to reality. This was no time to be dazed.

’Since Duane left, he must have entrusted everything here to me.’

’Right now, I can’t rely on anyone else.’

Selena wiped her tearless eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "Quick, check on Knight Monto’s injuries. We need strength now!"

Her voice and body trembled slightly.

This wasn’t an act, but a natural reaction.

A guard checked and immediately reported back, "My Lady, Knight Monto is unconscious. His injuries seem severe!"

Selena nodded. "You, take two men and carry Knight Monto away to rest. Find the castle doctor and have him do everything he can to treat him!"

She looked at the Guards standing with their weapons in the chaotic courtyard. "Now, I need men to pledge their service to me."

The Guards hesitated for a moment, then someone reacted.

"My Lady, I am willing to serve you!"

"I am willing to serve you!"

Soon, a group of them were kneeling on the ground.

They weren’t fools; they knew who would be the master of Sharp Stone City now that the Baron was dead.

Though Selena was a woman, she was a Level 4 Mage.

Of course, they could try to control her if they wanted.

But that would surely incur the wrath of Viscount Freddy, who would send his troops to eliminate them.

Therefore, their most logical choice was to take advantage of the chaos in Sharp Stone Castle to pledge their loyalty to the new master.

After all, with Sein dead and Monto grievously injured and possibly dying, the power structure of Sharp Stone Castle was about to be reshuffled.

"During the battle just now, I saw your bravery."

Selena, mimicking the tone and bearing Duane had when she first met him on Black Forest Island, looked at the first three men who had kneeled. "Now, tell me your names."

"My Lady, my name is Kent. I am eager to serve you!"

"I am Robinson, at your command!"

"Leonar, awaiting your orders!"

Selena nodded. She actually recognized all three of them, especially Kent.

He was the Captain of the castle Guard. She saw him often and knew he was a Human Tier Warrior.

Having them state their names now was simply a way to publicly accept their fealty and set an example for the others.

Selena took a deep breath and said, "There are three things that need to be done now."

"Kent, take the Guard and lock down the castle. No one in, no one out."

"Robinson, I want you to ride immediately for Scorching Wind Territory. Inform Viscount Freddy that the Baron was killed by an assassin from Duke Star Sea and request his intervention!"

This matter couldn’t bypass Freddy. Besides, for Willard to inherit Sharp Stone Territory, he would need the Viscount’s approval.

By linking this to Duke Star Sea, Duane had ensured that Freddy, acting on this premise, would not make things difficult for Selena and her son, nor would he try to reclaim the Territory.

"Furthermore, the castle’s defenses are weak, and Knight Monto’s fate is uncertain. We need strength!"

Selena looked at the last man and commanded, "Leonar, ride out and inform Knight Brisson to return to Sharp Stone Castle at once to protect the young master, Willard!"

The three men accepted their orders and were about to set off.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

"My Lady, this is terrible, My Lady!"

A male servant ran up and said anxiously, "The steward... he’s been killed! And all the Gold Coins and gifts from the guests are gone!"

Selena was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Duane to also make off with the money and valuables.

She quickly tried to understand his motive from his perspective.

It didn’t take long for her to figure it out.

"It must be the dispute between Viscount Freddy and Duke Star Sea that brought this disaster upon the Baron!"

She exclaimed with grief and indignation, "Not only did the assassin kill the Baron, but he also stole the valuables—no doubt to compensate Duke Star Sea for the loss of those few ships!"

With this prompting, everyone understood.

’Yes, that must be it.’

Duke Star Sea wouldn’t dare to move against Viscount Freddy directly, so he took out his anger on Baron Torre as a form of protest.

And the timing of the attack was perfect—right after the banquet had started and all the gifts had been collected.

"Rest assured, My Lady, I will convey all of this information to Viscount Freddy!"

Robinson said gravely, "Duke Star Sea is trying to start a war!"

Selena nodded. "I’m counting on you!"

Robinson slammed a fist to his chest in a salute and then strode away.

Kent and Leonar also sprang into action.

Selena felt as if all the strength had been drained from her body, but she had to remain strong and hold on.

"Someone, carry the Baron’s body to the bedroom!"

"Also... bring young master Willard here!"

One by one, her commands were issued, and the masterless Sharp Stone Castle began to function once more, however shakily.