Riley returned to the Thousand Stars Summit, his steps echoing in the quiet grandeur of the mountain.
As he approached, the warm glow from the summit residence beckoned him, and the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food drifted through the air.
Inside, Luna stood poised, like the perfect hostess, waiting for his arrival with a smile that could disarm even the most stoic cultivator.
"Welcome back, young master! Please enjoy the food while it's still hot," she greeted, her tone sweet and respectful. Her bow was deliberate, emphasizing her generous curves.
Her ample cleavage, barely concealed by her robe, made a show of her assets, which seemed almost too perfect to be real.
Luna's figure, with its exaggerated proportions, might have belonged to a character from a lurid fantasy. Yet Riley's discerning eye immediately compared her to Ava.
While Luna's physical allure was undeniable, Ava's ethereal beauty and grace were in a league of their own.
Still, Riley reminded himself not to be swayed; he understood the motives behind these women's actions.
They sought his favor, his resources, and the influence that came with his position—not his heart.
The dining table was a sight to behold. Dozens of dishes, meticulously prepared, spread across it like a feast fit for a king.
Riley sat down and began to eat. His appetite surprised even him, as he devoured dish after dish with the enthusiasm of a starving warrior.
Luna hovered nearby, her every move calculated to draw his attention, but Riley paid her little mind.
An hour later, he leaned back, his hunger finally sated. The table, which had been piled high with delicacies, was now nearly empty. Riley couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
"I could probably out-eat Goku, Luffy, and Naruto combined at this rate," he joked inwardly, marveling at his own capacity.
"Is this because of my Primordial Chaos Physique?" he wondered briefly. His enhanced body was clearly capable of consuming and processing far more than a normal human's, but the thought was fleeting.
He had more important things to consider.
Meanwhile, Luna was not ready to let him go so easily. As Riley pushed back his chair and stood, she stepped closer, her eyes brimming with intent.
Her fingers brushed the edge of her robe, and she bit her lip in what she thought was a seductive gesture.
The soft lamplight danced over her features, highlighting her creamy skin and the delicate curve of her lips. Yet Riley's expression remained neutral, unfazed by her attempts.
"Here are 1,000 spirit stones," he said abruptly, reaching into his storage ring and tossing her a bag. "Use them for your cultivation. Good night."
Luna caught the bag and opened it with trembling hands. Her breath caught as she saw the sparkling pile of spirit stones inside.
For an inner court disciple, who typically received a mere 100 spirit stones per month, this was a fortune beyond imagination.
Even core disciples, the elites of the sect, were only allocated 500 spirit stones monthly. This was more than a gift—it was an opportunity to leap forward in her cultivation.
As Riley turned and walked away, heading toward his private chambers, Luna stared at the bag, her mind racing. Her ambition flared, and her lips curved into a determined smile.
"I must win you over, by any means necessary," she whispered, clutching the bag tightly to her chest.
The loneliness of the mountain seemed almost poetic. Riley was the only man, surrounded by the quiet majesty of nature and a handful of ambitious women, each vying for his favor.
Luna knew she had a unique advantage here. She was the sole woman in the Thousand Stars Summit alongside him, and she intended to use this to its fullest potential.
Riley, however, was not oblivious to her schemes. As he entered his chambers and shut the door behind him, he allowed himself a small smirk.
"By any means necessary, huh?" he muttered to himself. He understood her ambitions, but he had no intention of making it easy for her—or anyone else.
There were greater matters at hand, and he wouldn't let his guard down, no matter how alluring the distraction.
Riley sat in a lotus position on the bed and opened his rewards from earlier. A slight frown formed as something nagged at his mind, and he quickly recalled what was bothering him.
"System?" he called.
"Yes, host?" the system replied.
"Can you create a character status information for me? It would be easier to keep track of my skills and rewards," Riley asked.
"Affirmative, host!"
Ding!
***
Host: Riley Mason
Cultivation Base: 10th Stage Spirit Severing Realm
Rewards Acquired: Soul Dominion (14 uses left), Primordial Chaos Physique
Minions: Gideon Hunter
***
"Perfect. Now, show me the rewards from last time," Riley requested.
"Affirmative, host."
Ding!
1. Celestial Annihilation is the pinnacle sword technique so destructive that its mere activation warps the surrounding space. The user summons the vast energies of the cosmos, channeling them into the blade to create an apocalyptic strike that embodies the power of stars colliding. The technique doesn't just destroy the target—it annihilates their existence, erasing them from the fabric of the world.
2. The Heavenly Judgment Palm is a supreme technique that channels the overwhelming power and will of the heavens, delivering a strike of absolute justice. This technique is said to be a manifestation of divine law, an unstoppable force that punishes the wicked and cleanses the world of corruption. The very air around the user thickens with a sense of righteousness and power, as if the heavens themselves are watching.
3. Eyes of True Discernment are eyes that are imbued with the power of absolute clarity, allowing the user to see beyond surface appearances and understand the true nature of everything they perceive. Whether it's a person's soul, the deepest secrets of the world, or the hidden intentions behind every action, the Eyes of True Discernment grant the ability to perceive things as they truly are, without deception or illusion. The user can see through lies, uncover hidden truths, and instantly recognize the core essence of any being, object, or phenomenon.
"This is strange," Riley muttered, finally noticing something odd about his system.