Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1516: Is this the way? (Part 1)

What began as a chance meeting shifted into a trial, then escalated into a lethal struggle, only to return to what appeared to be a straightforward test at first glance.

Ignoring the warnings of the Head Golem, Alexia had attempted to force her way through the barrier. Her efforts were in vain, resulting in nothing more than several bruises for her trouble.

Adam, however, chose to heed the Head Golem's words, a decision that brought him to a surprising crossroads.

“Hmm? You want to hit me?” Adam asked, his eyebrow arching in surprise. Up until this point, the Head Golem had shown no urgency to strike. For the most part, he had remained composed and even courteous.

The Head Golem gave a firm nod.

“You can meet my strike with one of your own… or simply endure it… My intent is not to cause you harm; this place is filled with enough monsters who will do so without a word of warning…”

The muscles in Adam’s face tightened. The Head Golem spoke the truth; that ice worm hadn't paused for a second before lunging at him. Had a weaker individual been in his shoes, they would have been nothing more than a quick meal for the beast.

“How is this supposed to help me? And what exactly is ancient energy? It differs from the Midnight Crystal and Twilight Crystal, doesn't it?”

A barrage of inquiries was directed at the Head Golem. Adam genuinely hoped the creature would provide answers to at least a few of them.

Adam possessed enough knowledge of this world to recognize that the energy surrounding him throughout his life originated from the Midnight and Twilight crystals. This process wasn't direct, however, but occurred through the World Wipe.

Twilight Crystals belonged to the First Star, whereas Midnight Crystals were part of the Last Star. Every 250 years, these two celestial bodies collided, triggering the World Wipe—a total reset of the world. Only the most powerful beings, those with the strength to survive and shield others, could endure it.

It was common knowledge that energy density reached its zenith following a World Wipe. The shockwave produced by the collision of the First Star and the Last Star generated all of this power.

Consequently, until a Phantom attains a high enough level of Cultivation, the only force they encounter is star energy. Within the Dead Lands, there is no location where a Phantom might find a different power source, specifically ancient energy.

Adam understood this concept to some degree. He realized that while the energy in various territories had slight variations in density and purity, it all ultimately flowed from the Two Stars.

However… the Primal Lands were a different matter entirely. This ancient energy was unlike anything he had ever felt.

The sole exception was Hollow Spire Island, where he had obtained the Desire of Beyond. Yet, many years had passed since even a trace of ancient energy existed there, left behind by an ancient monster that had fallen in battle.

The Head Golem offered no answers to Adam’s questions. Instead, he pulled his arm back and tightened his massive fist.

“Prepare yourself, young man… I shall not hold back… If you intend to reach the Frost Oasis, you must be capable of enduring strikes far more devastating than this.”

Whooooooooosh.

Tearing through the air, the Head Golem swung his fist straight toward Adam.

Standing nearby, Alexia instinctively leaped away. She moved on pure reflex, sensing the sheer destructive power contained within that single punch.

The choice now rested with Adam.

He could evade, parry the strike, take the hit to his chest, or meet the blow head-on with his own fist.

Adam had no intention of being a punching bag, even if there was a lesson to be learned.

Step.

Adam lunged forward, channeling every ounce of his strength into his fist.

An instant later, their knuckles collided.

“Agh?” Alexia’s eyes went wide.

For a fleeting second, it appeared as though Adam had successfully halted the Head Golem’s fist, which was as large as his entire body.

But… the reality was far more violent.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Adam’s skin split open as numerous lacerations erupted along his arm, spraying blood in every direction.

The force of the impact ripped through his frame, sending him flying backward dozens of meters like a projectile fired from a cannon.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Adam’s back smashed through jagged ice, stones, and ancient bones until he finally skidded to a halt on the ground, leaving a crimson trail in his wake.

Alexia swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on Adam’s mangled arm. She couldn't tell if the bone was shattered, but it was clear that a single punch had far exceeded her expectations in power.

‘Damn it! He’s a fool!’ Alexia cursed internally. ‘Why did he try to strike back? If he had just blocked with both arms, he would have walked away with nothing but a few bruises!’

In truth, Alexia’s assessment was correct.

Rather than letting his body absorb the force to minimize the damage, Adam had thrown his full weight against the blow.

Crack.

Adam rolled onto his side as he struggled to rise. He propped himself up with his right arm, which, despite being covered in blood, hadn't broken. He was fortunate that his limb remained in one piece after such a collision.

With a visible effort, Adam stood up, planting both feet firmly on the ground.

“Gha…” He breathed out a plume of cold mist, watching the tiny ice crystals floating in the air. They acted like prisms, reflecting light not in the pale blue hue of the rest of the world, but in a gray-purple shimmer—the color of the energy found in the Primal Lands.

He then looked up at the sun that illuminated the snow-covered expanse before him.

Alexia glanced between the Head Golem and Adam, unable to comprehend what was unfolding.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Moments later, Adam’s aura shuddered, spiking violently before beginning a rapid decline.

He was likely about to take the most dangerous gamble of his life, for his next move would leave him utterly vulnerable.