Chapter 188 188-Starry River Map, Synthesis!


    "Huh?"


    At these words, the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask, now revealed to be Monica, turned in surprise towards Ice Ghost, examining him closely.


    "So it''s Grandfather Three. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier."


    Faced with an elder, the woman with the eight-eyed devil mask, now known as Monica, didn''t dare to keep her mask on.


    She quickly removed it, revealing a beautiful and delicate face.


    In fact, had Ice Ghost not spoken up, Monica would never have recognized him.


    It couldn''t be helped; Ice Ghost held such a high status in the family!


    His position was so elevated that even a direct descendant like Monica Alva had to address him as grandfather.


    Furthermore, Ice Ghost had been absent from the family for a long time, with only a single photograph of him ced in the family shrine.


    Although Monica had seen the photo, it was decades old.


    She instinctively overlooked the possibility that the man before her could be Ice Ghost.


    Only after being reprimanded by Ice Ghost, who spoke with the authority of an older and much-respected elder, did she think of Ice Ghost''s identity.


    Even so, Monica Alva was still astounded. She couldn''t believe that her family had such a top-tier powerhouse capable of retaining a youthful appearance.


    Hearing Monica Alva''s words, Pallor Swift finally let out a sigh of relief.


    Since their Holy Maiden was rted to one of the top-tier powerhouses in this way, perhaps he wouldn''t have to face death.


    Howard, too, was surprised and curiously observed the interaction between Ice Ghost and Monica.


    "Hmm." Ice Ghost''s demeanor towards Monica, his junior, was not particrly affectionate.


    In fact, he seemed quite indifferent to everyone.


    Even towards Howard, his tone was always calm, though the gifts he had given to Howard were exceptionally valuable.


    And that skill he had given was incredibly useful!


    "I never expected Monica to be rted to Uncle Master Ice Ghost. I should work on building a good rtionship with her in the future."


    "It seems their family must also be quite powerful."


    Howard nodded slightly to himself.


    "Alright, let''s not dwell on that. Finally, this matter is concluded."


    Rick took out the Starry River Map and handed it to Howard, smiling, "This is yours now. You snatched it from the crowd, and now you truly own it!"


    Taking the Starry River Map, Howard couldn''t help feeling excited.


    Monica, with her sparkling, curious eyes, was also eager to see what effects the Starry River Map would have.


    "We''ll guard you while you do this," Rick said with a smile. "Go ahead."


    Hearing this, Howard nced at Sword Seven, giving him an apologetic look, then firmly clenched his fists and unfurled the Starry River Map.


    Whoosh—


    The sound of flowing water rang crisply in his ears as a deep blue starlight engulfed the space in front of Howard.


    At that moment, Howard''s vision was devoid of Rick and the others, as well as the stone tform.


    All that existed were countless twinkling stars.


    Deep and endless, the vista evoked a sense of insignificance.


    Howard could distinctly feel his entire body trembling.


    With a sudden roar, a loud dragon''s cry echoed through the heavens, and the phantom of a golden Oriental Divine Dragon appeared, actively moving about in this starry expanse.


    Howard felt as if his soul had taken flight, soaring higher and higher, until hepletely merged with the starry sky.


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard for sessfully merging with the Starry River Map and activating all its abilities!]


    As the crisp system notification sound rang out, Howard finally came back to his senses.


    His body shuddered abruptly.


    Where was the starry sky he had just seen?


    It was merely an unfurled scrollid out before him


    Now, the scroll disyed only a background pattern of stars, nothing more.


    Monica, surprised, said, "You''re finally awake. What were you looking at for over half an hour? There''s really nothing much to see here!"


    "Half an hour has passed already?"


    Howard was taken aback.


    Rick, Glutton, and the others exchanged nces and then smiled, "The Starry River Map, being a Supreme Treasure, creates a mental impact on the one who opens it. Only an awakened who withstands this impact is qualified to merge with it."


    "We prevented everyone from fighting over it for this reason. If we had allowed a chaotic battle for possession, surely someone would have tried to activate the Starry River Map first. Entering that state while under attack would have been suicidal."


    Rick chuckled, "So, did it seed?"


    "It did!"


    Howard nodded, "I''ll check it carefully now to see what effects it has."


    With that, Howard began to examine the attributes of the Starry River Map in detail.


    [Starry River Map —— Supreme Treasure]


    [Level: 1]


    [Grade: Mythical]


    [Equipment Attribute Bonuses:]


    1. Allows the choice to be one of four sses: Ster Swordsman, Ster Magus, Solitary Ster Marksman, or Ster Pdin.


    2. When under the starry sky, receive the empowerment of the power of ster, increasing all attributes by 20%.


    3. When under the starry sky, receive the nourishment of the power of ster, gaining 100 experience points per second.


    4. When under the starry sky, receive the cultivation of the power of ster; every 100 seconds, gain 1 point of vitality, and every 600 seconds, gain 1 point each in strength, wisdom, HP, and MP.


    5. When under the starry sky, capable of casting on a single target, sealing them within the Starry River Map, preventing escape. If the target fails to break free from the Starry River Map within 300 minutes, they will die, and the essence of their blood and flesh will transform into the purest power, nourishing the holder.


    6. Ster Realm: Upon activation, creates a starry sky scene, which can activate the aforementioned effects. Additionally, within this starry sky scene, any hostile targets are suppressed, reducing their all attributes by 10%.


    "!!!"


    Six attributes, four passive, all incredibly powerful, even offering unlimited enhancement of Howard''s attributes and level.


    With the Starry River Map, even without grinding for levels, Howard could steadily advance.


    The active skill of the map allowed Howard to seal a target within the Starry River Map.


    If the target didn''t escape in time, they would be killed, and their flesh and blood would transform into power for the holder.


    Though it sounded somewhat eerie, Howard knew this was a significant boon to his own power.


    As for the Ster Realm ability, it would allow Howard to fight in a home ground scenario at any time.


    "Phew, truly worthy of being a Supreme Treasure.


    These attributes are insanely powerful. I love it!"


    "But how should I choose among those four sses?"


    Howard furrowed his brows, feeling quite hesitant.


    Ster Swordsman, Ster Magus, Solitary Ster Marksman, Ster Pdin.


    From the names of the sses, it was apparent that they represented physical closebat, magical rangedbat, a likelybination of assassin and archer for the Solitary Ster Marksman, and possibly abination of shield bearer and priest for the Ster Pdin.


    "Even though my magus ss isn''t a hidden ss, my Supreme Synthesis talent allows me to learn mythical skills even in a standard ss. So, Ster Magus won''t add much to my abilities."


    "Ster Swordsman is just that, a swordsman! Both Solitary Ster Marksman and Ster Pdin have dual functions. It seems choosing Solitary Ster Marksman might be better. Coincidentally, I''ve also learned the Spirit Veil Skill, which should pair well with the Solitary Ster Marksman."


    Eventually, Howard made his choice: Solitary Ster Marksman!


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard for sessfully bing a special hidden ss — Solitary Ster Marksman!]


    [Ding! Since awakened Howard has already mastered a stealth-rted skill, the new skill Moonlight Stealth will merge with Spirit Veil Skill to form a new ability. Do you wish to confirm?]


    "Hmm?! Skills of a simr nature can actually merge together?"


    Seeing this prompt, Howard''s eyes lit up with excitement, and he quickly chose to confirm.


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the SSS-level skill — Ster Stealth!]


    "This... it directly advanced to an SSS-level skill?!"


    Howard was so excited that his breathing quickened.


    An SSS-level skill, even if it was just a supportive type, would undoubtedly have astonishing effects.


    This instantly filled Howard with anticipation. Just the first skill had brought him such a huge surprise.


    What kind of powerful skills would heprehend next?


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the S-level active skill — Celestial Descent!]


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the S-level active skill — Supreme Star Dominion!]


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the SS-level active skill — Celestial Annihtion Arrow!]


    [Ding dong! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the S-level passive skill — Celestial Force!]


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the S-level passive skill — Radiance of the Astral!]


    [Ding! Congrattions to awakened Howard, you have sessfully mastered the SSS-level passive skill — Gleaming Way of the Gxy!]