Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1613 1613: Return to the Tree

"Huh, it seems we've arrived at the end." Zargos smiled widely, noticing that Adam's aura had settled. The haunting nightmare was defeated, just like it always had been.

Merra rested her hand against her chest.

"Did he succeed? Did he obtain the Dark Energy?"

"Not quite yet. It appears he overcame the First Star's trial. In any case, he simply needs to absorb its energy now."

Merra was about to speak, but Zargos silenced her with his piercing stare.

"If Morok truly arrives here with his squad, stay out of the battle. The five of them would swiftly overpower you, and I couldn't assist you."

"S-Sure." Her voice shook. She wasn't accustomed to his such stern demeanor. "I'll follow your instructions, sir. I trust you know what you're doing."

Abruptly, Zargos's face shifted from grave to a goofy grin.

"Naturally. Folks might call me an idiot for revealing the Dark Energy to K4-Phantom too soon, but check this out!" He gestured toward Adam. "He pulled it off and—!"

Before Zargos could complete his words, a mighty torrent of shadow exploded from Adam, forming a grand pillar that raced straight toward the crimson barrier.

As Zargos anticipated, the shield couldn't hold back the force from the First Star, even if it was merely a fraction.

Soon enough, once the shield collapsed, others would sense it. Plenty would hesitate to approach, unsure of the cause or what awaited them.

Some might recognize that Zargos's hut stood in this region, making any confrontation a doomed effort for them.

However... What of Morok and his crew, who targeted this spot to eliminate Adam Vinter?

The reality that mere hours after escaping Liliane's group, he would claim the Dark Energy would only confirm his future danger. Not immediately, but down the line.

...

Step. Step. Step.

Adam remained unaware of all this. Lately, his sole focus had been vanquishing Dark Silvana and seizing the power that belonged to him inherently, though it had eluded his command.

It was rather paradoxical.

"Got any words?" Adam halted, gazing at the shadowy needle. This version of his weapon was entirely new to him.

Tremble.

"Just grip the handle and be quiet. You triumphed, like usual. Nothing remarkable there."

"Ha, that's definitely you, not the First Star. Excellent." Adam laughed lightly before yanking the shadowy needle from the earth.

A blank white emptiness lingered where it had been, mirroring infinite void.

Adam examined the shadowy needle, its elongated, broad edge resembling a massive sword. Unlike its pale counterpart, the edges didn't flare out much, akin to a lance point, but flowed evenly from grip to end, forming one solid blade.

"No guard still?" Adam arched a brow, noting how the edges merged right into the handle.

The Silver Weaver smirked.

"You think I control that? This is the shape our energies formed. That's all. Now, take in the energy, and let's proceed. This spot unnerves me."

Adam scanned his surroundings. At last, he grasped his location better.

"It wasn't the Evolution Tree, was it? Just an illusion to make this realm feel recognizable..."

He pivoted, eyeing the glow seeping through the rifts in the shadow.

"Is this all the Dark Energy?"

The Silver Weaver affirmed with a nod.

"More accurately, the remnants of the black flash. In truth, only one droplet of pure, concentrated energy exists here. Though two would have overwhelmed you utterly. This power is far too hazardous."

"Understood."

Adam eyed the blade and aimed his needle ahead.

"Then, it's time to return. Finally, the tale of the black flash concludes. No ties bind me to the Two Stars any longer."

The needle's point sliced the shadow as Adam swept the blade upward around him, gradually bringing it down to leave a circular, pale gash in the gloom.

On his following inhale, the shadow vanished like a bursting water-filled sphere, replaced by boundless radiant light.

Adam drew a deep breath, eyes shut.

In the instant after, he opened them and discovered himself in a familiar setting.

"Back here."

Adam grinned while beholding the towering tree before him. It brimmed with vitality and strength, as it ought to.

Tremble.

The shadowy needle quivered as it slipped from Adam's hold and soared ahead, aiming for the Evolution Tree's summit where the Silver Weaver's shrine rested.

Adam had to trail after it.

Step.

He navigated amid the pale limbs, where at the peak's heart, over the pool of untainted energy, a pale sphere hovered. Previously pure white, but with Adam's advancements and evolutions since, faint black tinges now edged it. Yet, it amounted to barely 2-3% total.

Tap.

The shadowy needle morphed back into the Silver Weaver. His lengthy coat returned to white, save for the left sleeve, now shadowed to its borders.

"Oh, so our clash mended your arm?"

"Yeah, sort of. It caught me off guard, but who knows what lies ahead, eh?"

Adam inclined his head.

"So, what's next?"

The Silver Weaver motioned at the pale sphere.

"Channel all the Dark Energy into this. You could attempt elsewhere, but I advise against it. Too risky. Remember, I originated from the black flash, making me the ideal vessel."

"Ha, or maybe you crave dominance here?"

The Silver Weaver lifted his shoulders.

"Does it make a difference?"

Adam stayed silent as he extended his arm.

Reality warped the moment a dark essence materialized over his hand, a sight he'd never witnessed prior.

To his own surprise, he had unlocked his long-dormant ace in the hole.