Chapter 012: The Secrets of the Stars

As Duke Green spoke these words, his aura suddenly intensified, and a powerful destructive energy spread from his body, growing stronger by the moment! At its peak, it seemed on the verge of breaking through, before suddenly fading back.
Witnessing this strange scene, Du Fan was too astonished to speak.
“Father, if you had put in just a little more effort earlier, you could have broken through to the Saint rank right away, right?” Du Fan asked in confusion.
“That’s right. In fact, breaking through to the Saint rank is merely an instant matter for me. Du Fan, our family’s Star Combat Qi is also a highly advanced cultivation technique. When you have time, you should try practicing it too,” Duke Green said seriously.
After saying this, he suddenly turned to his wife and Naixiu, “Could you two step outside for a moment? I have something to discuss with Du Fan.”
Hearing this, Duke Green’s wife and Naixiu quickly left. Watching his father’s actions, Du Fan felt a heavy weight in his heart.
If his mother, Naixiu, was asked to leave, then what followed must be serious. Indeed, as the two left, Duke Green began to speak.
“Son, you’re no longer young and are ready to take on responsibilities. I will now pass on to you both our family’s secret, Star Combat Qi, as well as its ultimate truth,” Duke Green said solemnly.
After that, a thin booklet appeared in his hands. On it were four mysterious characters written in an unknown script that Du Fan couldn’t recognize. But it was clear that this booklet was the Secrets of the Stars.
“No, Father! The ultimate truth of Star Combat Qi should be passed on to my elder brother or second brother—they are the heirs to the Green family’s leadership!” Du Fan protested fiercely.
Du Fan was well aware of the rules of the Green family. Star Combat Qi was the family’s inherited combat technique, but beyond it lay the Secrets of the Stars, a practice reserved only for the family heads throughout history.
For Duke Green to intend to teach him these secrets clearly meant he wanted to pass on the position of family head to him.

Actually, all along, Du Fan had not had the slightest interest in becoming the head of theGreene family. On the contrary, in his eyes, his elder brother was the best candidate for that position. His second brother merely enjoyed leading troops into battle; as a military strategist, he was certainly capable, but if he were to become the family head and navigate the court politics, it was obvious his abilities were not suited for that role. His elder brother had a much better overall perspective, so in Du Fan’s view, the position of head of theGreene family should belong to his elder brother. Another reason was that Du Fan, having experienced two lifetimes, did not see himself as fit to be the head of theGreene family; instead, he had his own pursuits. Since it wasn’t easy to travel between lives, he decided to make the most of it! Family responsibilities and honors—such things were something Du Fan didn’t want to bear at all. “Du Fan, I know you can sense it too—when you couldn’t connect with combat energy or magic before, your father neglected this aspect. Now, he decides to make amends,” said DukeGreene, looking at Du Fan seriously with a hint of guilt. “No, Father, it’s not your fault. Since I was born, I’ve been unable to connect with combat energy or practice magic. You’ve done your best, and I hold no grudges. Please give this Secret of Stars to my elder brother,” Du Fan replied earnestly. “No, Du Fan, you misunderstand me. I will still pass the position of head of theGreene family to your elder brother—don’t worry about that. But you must practice this Secret of Stars,” DukeGreene said firmly. “Why, Father?” Du Fan asked promptly upon hearing this. “Throughout history, all the heads of our family have only been able to reach the fifth level of the Secret of Stars combat energy. Even I have only reached the third level. The third level is enough to help me break through to the Saint stage, while reaching the fifth level makes one an expert in domain mastery. In other words, no one in ourGreene family has ever become a god-tier expert,” DukeGreene paused for a moment. “That’s why I’ve decided to establish a new rule: any direct member of theGreene family who reaches the domain stage will be taught the Secret of Stars combat energy!” DukeGreene declared solemnly.

“Father!” Upon hearing these words from Duke Green, Du Fan immediately understood that his father had revised the clan rules in order to pass on to him the highest secrets of Star Combat Energy. This action instantly stirred tremendous emotions within Du Fan. No matter what, Duke Green still regarded him as his own son!

“Du Fan, all combat energy and magic on this continent are essentially manifestations of elemental forces that sense various elements—earth, water, wind, fire, lightning, nature, light, and darkness. But the secret cultivation method of our Green family, Star Combat Energy, senses the power of the stars!” Duke Green declared firmly.

“Power of the stars? Do stars also possess energy?” Du Fan asked, puzzled by his father’s words.

“That’s right. Stars do have energy. Only those who cultivate Star Combat Energy can sense its power!” Duke Green replied.

“So, the source of our combat energy isn’t the eight basic elemental forces but rather the power of the stars in the sky?” Hearing this, Du Fan quickly understood.

“Exactly. Star Combat Energy is merely our Green family’s basic cultivation technique, whose function is to sense and absorb star energy. The true essence of the Green clan’s martial arts lies in the Secrets of the Stars! It is within these secrets that one learns how to utilize and refine Star Combat Energy!” Duke Green explained.

Hearing this, Du Fan realized just how extraordinary Star Combat Energy really was. All cultivation methods on the continent were confined to the eight elements, yet Star Combat Energy stood apart from them, forming its own entirely different school! It wasn’t even tied to the elements of this continent—its power came from the stars in the sky!

Duke Green might be fine, but Du Fan was utterly shocked! As someone who had traveled through time, Du Fan knew that those stars were actually stars similar to the sun—stellar bodies. The power of the stars was the aggregation of the energy from countless stars in the sky. Although those stars were very distant from the continent, their combined energy was immense!

“Du Fan, actually, there’s another reason why I’ve decided to pass on the Secrets of the Stars to you. This reason stems from some of the effects of those secrets,” Duke Green began slowly. “As someone who has mastered the Secrets of the Stars up to the third level, like me, fragments of future events will appear in my mind, allowing me to predict the future. This is one of the powers of the Stars’ energy within those secrets. Since I can only reach the third level, the information I can obtain is very limited. But one thing I’m certain of is that a great catastrophe will soon strike the continent. Not only will the various factions on our continent be reshuffled, but even the races between them will change!” Duke Green said firmly. “Father, what kind of information have you gathered?” Du Fan asked immediately upon hearing this. “I’ve only received a few simple images. One of them is about you—you’re sitting in a lofty palace,” Duke Green replied after a moment of thought. “That can’t be true!” Du Fan exclaimed in shock. “My son, you must trust the Secrets of the Stars of our Green family. Over the centuries, although our predictions based on those images have sometimes been wrong, what the images show is never incorrect. Son, you will surely become an extraordinary person in the future. So, if one day I’m no longer here, you must take on the responsibility of protecting our Green family. I know your elder brother is also a talented person, but I still have my concerns,” Duke Green said. “Father, with my elder brother’s abilities, protecting our Green family should not be a problem. What are you still worried about?” Du Fan quickly asked as Duke Green shifted back to the serious topic. “Du Fan, the other image I received is one of extreme brutality! In it, all races are fighting against each other—mountains of corpses and rivers of blood!” At these words, Duke Green felt a chill run through his body.

“Based on our family’s experience, such things will happen within the next twenty years. Du Fan, I don’t know if I’ll still be around then. If I am, it’s fine, but if not, you’ll need to take on more responsibility. You know, your elder brother can handle protecting the Green family without much trouble in normal times. But if something like what’s shown in those visions happens—a war between the various races—I’m very worried about his abilities,” said Duke Green with a sigh.

George’s honest and straightforward personality indeed wasn’t suited for surviving in chaotic times, and Du Fan was well aware of this.

“That’s why, Du Fan, if that day comes and the Green family needs to be protected, it’s up to you,” said the old Duke Green solemnly.

“Father, rest assured. After all, I am part of the Green family. If such a day really arrives, I certainly won’t stand by and let our family decline,” said Du Fan earnestly.

“Also, Du Fan, my son, once you return to the south, establish your own family right away. With your current status as a grand duke, you’re fully capable of doing so.” At these words, Duke Green seemed to sigh deeply once more.

“Father!” Hearing the Duke Green’s words, tears welled up in Du Fan’s eyes.