Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1500: New Lands (Part 2)
Previously on Endless Evolution: Last Star...
Capítulo 1500: New Lands (Part 2)
From the lowliest commoner to the seasoned soldier and the elite Phantom, everyone shared the same belief: the Dead Lands served as a lethal perimeter around the Citadel.
In the public consciousness, the Dead Lands were synonymous with certain death. This reputation was well-earned, as the territory spanned to the very horizon, teeming with savage beasts and environmental hazards capable of threatening even the most powerful Phantoms.
While these nuances mattered little to the average citizen, the general perception of the Dead Lands was actually flawed.
As a Phantom climbed the ranks of Cultivation, they discovered that the Dead Lands were categorized into two distinct zones: the Pacific Lands and the Wild Lands. Contradicting its tranquil name, the furthest reaches of the Pacific Lands held dangers far greater than the areas bordering the Citadel's fortifications.
Yet, neither the Wild Lands nor the Pacific Lands represented the pinnacle of danger for the human race.
The apex predators of the Dead Lands, lurking in the deepest corners of the Wild Lands, were classified as Black Threat Level Monsters.
To be sure, a single beast of such caliber could slaughter hundreds of weaker Phantoms with ease, but they had not yet reached the Lord realm of power. Furthermore, it was a known fact that a vast gulf in strength existed even among those within the Lord realm.
Barring a catastrophic anomaly, encountering a Lord within any sector of the Dead Lands was virtually impossible.
One primary deterrent for such entities was, quite unexpectedly, the presence of Frida.
Should she detect a low-ranking Lord venturing from the Dark Shore to prey upon a K4-Phantom or a K3-Phantom, that Lord’s lifespan would be cut short immediately.
As for the more formidable Lords?
They simply had no motive to hunt such insignificant Phantoms. Such an endeavor was beneath them, and regardless of their superiority over lower Lords, a critical doubt remained: could they truly withstand Frida?
After all, Frida stood as one of the most powerful Phantoms in existence. No entity wished to provoke her, particularly when she commanded the home-field advantage.
Stationed on Azure Island, positioned directly above Heaven Island where Queen Elisa resided, she was perfectly placed to strike down any threat to humanity that entered her domain.
Only when a Phantom ascended further toward the peak of power would they learn of the Tarnished Lands. While Adam had reached the Dark Shore much earlier, his path was a unique deviation caused by the intervention of the First Star.
Lying to the west of the Citadel, the Tarnished Lands remained far more mysterious and less charted than the Dead Lands.
Conversely, the Dark Shore occupied the eastern reaches, opposite the Tarnished Lands.
Only those Phantoms who had touched the upper limits of strength dared to traverse these territories, engage in combat, and emerge victorious.
But… was this the full extent of the world’s geography?
The Lower Ring also housed lethal monsters, yet its scale was minuscule when compared to the vastness of the Dark Shore and the Tarnished Lands.
The time had finally come for Adam, Alexia, and their companions to uncover the truth.
“New lands?” Adam questioned, struggling to grasp the implications of Damien’s words.
The rest of the group watched Damien with expressions of confusion, waiting for him to elaborate.
Damien gave a solemn nod.
“Taking your descriptions into account, the destination you are heading toward is undoubtedly located within the Primal Lands.”
Adam and Alexia traded looks of bewilderment. The name was entirely foreign to them.
They were well aware of the Dark Shore and the Tarnished Lands—the dominant powers that dictated the world's balance—yet the Primal Lands had remained a total mystery.
“Your shock is understandable, but it is not surprising. For a K4-Phantom who has yet to condense at least the First Grand Star, even nearing the boundary of the Primal Lands is a suicidal act. It is a savage realm where survival depends not on your skills as a soldier or an assassin, but on your instincts as a hunter.”
Surprisingly, Adam and Alexia merely grinned. Though their knowledge of the Primal Lands was scarce, they understood the core challenge.
“It’s crawling with wild monsters, isn’t it?” Adam inquired.
Damien confirmed with a nod.
“Not just wild beasts, but entities the likes of which you have never faced.”
Beth folded her arms across her chest, her expression serious.
“You will find a staggering, perhaps record-breaking concentration of ancient monsters there. In truth, the region earned its name because of these creatures, the volatile Qi, and the untamed environment.”
Silvana tilted her head curiously. “Ancient monsters?”
Beth let out a weary sigh.
“Indeed. These are monsters that have survived for centuries, their physical forms saturated with a potent energy that would be fatal to creatures from other lands. The most venerable among them have existed for several millennia.”
She narrowed her gaze, watching Adam closely as if expecting a reaction.
“Perhaps some of you have stumbled upon the battlegrounds or graves of such beasts. A first brush with that kind of ancient energy is usually an unforgettable experience.”
A specific memory suddenly surfaced in Adam’s mind.
He thought of the Silver Beacon—specifically, the Hollow Spire Island where he had discovered the Desire of Beyond.
While witnessing Bertrada’s past memories, he had seen flashes of a devastating conflict where even Bertrada appeared frail and powerless. The White Spire, an Ancient Artifact, had fallen in a clash against a terrifying monster, which was subsequently annihilated by a mysterious individual.
The memory remained vivid because the aura of that human was unlike any Qi he had ever felt.
‘So, an Ancient Monster is capable of such destruction?’ Adam thought, a cold shiver racing down his spine.
Alexia’s complexion turned pale as well, suggesting she had encountered something equally haunting in her own journey.
“Oh, why the long faces?” Beth asked, raising an eyebrow. “Relax, you won’t be expected to fight anything of that magnitude. The things you witnessed were the apex predators, the oldest monsters of the Primal Lands. It’s highly improbable you’ll cross paths with them.”
“This…” Adam whispered. “It’s terrifying, yet it makes my blood boil with excitement.”
Alexia nodded in agreement. “I feel the same. Besides, we have no choice but to enter the Primal Lands, do we?”
Damien broke into a wide grin.
“Precisely! Since it will be an arduous trek, we shall provide you with our assistance!”