Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1701: Frenzied Flame

Within the desolate Hollow Lands, monsters that dared to enter the Pit almost invariably harbored a singular ambition: to secure the Frenzied Shard and absorb its essence for the acquisition of the coveted Hollow Mark.

This attainment was a critical juncture for any monster aiming to ascend the hierarchical structure of the pillars.

Yet, the Frenzied Shards were not solely the dominion of monstrous beings. Phantoms, too, possessed the capacity to consume these shards, though a compelling reason for them to do so was seldom present.

The K4-Phantom, in particular, seldom found itself within the confines of the Hollow Lands, let alone venturing into the treacherous Pit in pursuit of the Frenzied Shard.

Regardless of these nuances, Adam understood that a departure from the Hollow Lands and the eventual absorption of the Blood of God necessitated his participation in the conflict at the Hail Passage. To achieve this, a fragment of the Frenzied Shard’s power needed to be integrated into his aura.

Step. Step. Step.

With deliberate steps, Adam advanced towards the Frenzied Shard. The colossal stone pulsed and seemed to emit piteous cries for aid, yet no succor would arrive. He stood utterly alone.

Despite his recent triumph over the Dark Knight, a sense of unease lingered within Adam. He was acutely aware that numerous monsters lacked the fortitude to withstand the Frenzied Shard’s potent energy. Many succumbed to madness, others failed in their attempts, and only a select few achieved success.

However, apprehension did not grip Adam.

Tap.

He rested his palm upon the Frenzied Shard as it unleashed its full, roaring might.

Torrents of incandescent amber flame erupted in every direction, causing Adam’s hair to whip and dance.

"Damn it!" Loargh gritted his teeth, raising a hand to shield his face.

Vyora clung to his shoulder, observing the unfolding spectacle through the opening of her sleeve.

Sarka endeavored to maintain her composure, a testament to her perceived strength, but her resolve faltered. She quickly erected a defensive barrier before herself, drawing upon the last vestiges of her depleted energy.

The searing flames exerted the most profound influence on Adam, positioned as he was directly before the Frenzied Shard.

He offered no resistance, having already grasped the underlying principle.

'Kaerno spoke of many failures, but is the process truly so arduous? One need not suppress or obliterate the Frenzied Shard to harness its power. Instead, a different approach is required.'

Tremble.

A shiver coursed through Adam’s being as his aura erupted outwards.

His objective was not to exert dominance over the Frenzied Shard, but rather to showcase the caliber of his own strength.

Essentially, Adam sought to convey the futility of the Frenzied Shard's resistance and establish that it could place its absolute trust in his capabilities.

'Contrary to their fearsome reputation, Frenzied Shards behave akin to cornered creatures. They possess a deep-seated fear and respect for power, and above all else, they yearn for a stronger entity to bear their burdens.'

"Agh?" Loargh's eyes widened as he blinked repeatedly in sheer astonishment.

He and the others witnessed the Frenzied Flame diminish. The incandescent currents receded back into the Frenzied Shard, its energies coalescing into a single, formidable sphere.

Had the Frenzied Shard not borne witness to Adam's vanquishing of the Dark Knight, the situation might have unfolded precisely as Adam had envisioned.

However, a profound fear of Adam gripped the Frenzied Shard. His nature as a Phantom left it uncertain of what to anticipate.

Consequently, it elected to concentrate all its might into one final, decisive assault.

Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!

Adam’s eyes snapped open as a blinding luminescence overwhelmed his vision.

A quivering amber ray, possessing a density akin to plasma, slammed into Adam’s chest.

This energy bypassed his physical form; Adam sustained no external injuries, not even a superficial graze. Instead, the amber flame coursed directly into his internal being.

Tragically for the Frenzied Shard, this maneuver proved to be its gravest error, while simultaneously representing Adam’s greatest fortuitous turn.

He blinked, and in the subsequent moment, his Evolution Tree materialized before him.

"What in the blazes?"

Rather than the customary void, the amber flame materialized in the furthest reaches of his inner sanctum. The fire, surging with predatory ferocity, hurtled directly towards his Evolution Tree.

This turn of events was entirely unforeseen by Adam. He had been confident in the chosen method, and neither Kaerno nor any other had forewarned him of the possibility that the Frenzied Shard might target his Evolution Tree.

Before Adam could even contemplate a response, the Frenzied Shard closed in upon the Evolution Tree, its flames beginning to scorch its foundational roots.

Admittedly, the Evolution Tree possessed immense resilience and could not be easily felled. Yet, even within those initial fleeting seconds, Adam experienced a sharp, piercing pain.

This indicated that the Frenzied Shard's assault was not only potent but also alarmingly effective.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Wasn't the intention simply to absorb its power? Why has it infiltrated my inner space?!"

Adam's gaze flickered frantically, searching for an immediate solution. He had to find a way to halt the frenzied conflagration, lest the Evolution Tree sustain irreparable damage.

Simultaneously, as if finally beholding something worthy of its focus, the sanguineous bubble encasing Adam’s Nexus and the core of his Evolution Tree began to quiver.

The crimson currents flowing within the bubble accelerated their pace, then surged outwards in a violent expulsion. Each blood-red torrent directed itself towards the incandescent amber flame that threatened to consume the Evolution Tree.

A sudden assault from the Frenzied Shard escalated into a fierce clash between two distinct martial forces within Adam's internal spiritual realm.

Nevertheless, one of these opposing forces clearly held the upper hand.

SPLASH!

The resplendent blood surged forward, colliding with the frenzied flame and effortlessly assimilating every wisp of its power.

Certainly, the frenzied flame made an attempt to fight back, but these were truly pathetic efforts when faced with the potent blood of Queen Elisa herself.

"Huh..."

Observing from the outside, Adam stood by as streams of blood submerged the frenzied flame, one after another, before retreating back into the bubble.

Once the frenzied flame was completely extinguished, leaving not a single ember, and the final stream of blood returned to its designated position, the bubble began to quiver once more.

[The Blood of God has absorbed a potent, external influx of energy.]

[The Blood of God will now endeavor to advance into the Evolution Tree.]

[The Blood of God will attempt to compel the Evolution Tree to integrate it.]

Beyond Adam's direct influence, a brilliant luminescence erupted from the bubble, banishing the shadows within his inner space. Simultaneously, each flow of blood was enveloped by the amber flame that meandered along its borders, infusing it with newfound power.