Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1764: A Reminder of the Future (Part 2)

Without the potent energy from the Frenzied Shard, breaching the formidable barrier of the Hollow Lands was virtually an insurmountable task. This barrier served as a deliberate defense, safeguarding the creatures within the Hollow Lands from external threats and concurrently preventing any unintended incursions from other monstrous beings. These protective protocols, however, only held sway against threats below a certain threshold of power. Adam, propelled by the machinations of Gladius and Xyrea, had arrived here against his own volition. Yet, had his cultivation advanced by one or two stages further, and had business necessitated his presence within the Hollow Lands, he could have traversed the barrier seamlessly, even without the Frenzied Shard’s energy.

He had not yet attained such formidable strength, but the lingering energy of the Frenzied Shard within his aura was precisely the missing component required. *Tap.* Adam dismounted Daar’ax’s head as he approached the imposing barrier. "Any advice?" he inquired, glancing over his shoulder. Daar’ax chuckled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Simply lay your palm upon it and guide your energy forth. Given your current cultivation, the barrier will undoubtedly reveal a passage for your transit. I foresee no complications whatsoever." "And what of my being human?" Adam pressed. Daar’ax tossed his head dismissively. "That holds no consequence. It matters not whether you are human, monster, a hybrid, or even an artifact. All beings possess energy; that is the sole criterion that truly matters." Adam nodded, drawing a deep breath. Just as his hand was about to make contact with the barrier, a subtle vibration coursed through the earth. "Hmm?" Adam looked down, a frown creasing his brow. Daar’ax mirrored his confusion. The tremors intensified, escalating with alarming speed, reminiscent of the onset of a cataclysmic earthquake. "What the…" Daar’ax turned his gaze northward. In the far distance, many kilometers away, the majority of the sacred pillars, including Kaerno’s, stood resolute. Adam’s eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed an immense wave of sound hurtling towards them – an overwhelming force that felt more akin to the very will of nature than a mere sonic blast from an explosion. Evading this titanic sound wave was utterly impossible.

WHOOOOOSH!

Before either Daar’ax or Adam could fully process the event, the sound wave erupted, whipping up violent gusts of gray sand that stripped away the surface, revealing the cold, ancient earth and skeletal remains hidden beneath a thick layer of sediment. The sound wave tore through both individuals, continuing its relentless advance without encountering any resistance. Astonishingly, even the barrier proved incapable of impeding its colossal power. It was projected that within the span of an hour, this sound wave would traverse the entirety of the world, reaching the Citadel, the Tarnished Lands, and the Primal Lands. Not even the most remote locales, such as the Dark Shore, would be spared from its pervasive sweep.

Daar’ax, like countless others who experienced the sonic onslaught, was left utterly bewildered. However, Adam’s reaction far surpassed mere astonishment. His visage froze, and the very tips of his fingers began to tremble. This was not solely attributable to the passage of the sound wave; it served as an undeniable proclamation to all, signaling the advent of a new Lord. The profound reason for such an ostentatious announcement, however, was Adam himself. Zin had orchestrated this monumental event specifically for Adam’s awareness. "You…" Adam slowly elevated his gaze, fixing his sight on the distant horizon. "Liar… You assured me this would transpire within a day!" Concurrently, a monumental pillar of violet energy erupted from the distant ground, its sheer, crushing power instantly ascending to the heavens, causing the very fabric of reality to tremble.

...

Adam and Daar’ax, being too distant to discern the intricate details of the unfolding events, could not observe the phenomenon up close. However, others were not similarly constrained. TREMBLE! TREMBLE! TREMBLE! The Hollow Lands convulsed as potent streams of energy surged skyward, their brilliance reflected in Kaerno’s enraptured eyes. He observed the spectacle with a subtle smile gracing his features. Yet, not all present shared his composed demeanor. "W-What in the blazes?!" a Baron exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. Just a few years prior, he himself had ascended to the rank of Lord, and the memory of his own evolution remained vividly etched in his mind. Indeed, at that very moment, a considerable number of Barons, Viscounts, and Earls – collectively known as the Lesser Lords, the lowest echelon of Lordship, yet still surpassing 99% of all monsters as Second Circle beings – were suspended in the air. Each of them meticulously compared Zin’s current evolution to their own past experiences, arriving at a single, terrifying consensus: Zin’s energy pillar possessed an overwhelming and devastating magnitude, far exceeding the mere fraction of power they had managed to achieve during their own ascensions.

The more powerful Lords, and particularly the esteemed Fingers such as Kaerno, Es’aha, Leerna, and others, intently monitored the burgeoning expansion of Zin’s aura. Speculation arose that perhaps, in a few hundred years, or possibly even sooner, another such pillar might emerge within the Hollow Lands. Should Zin, or any other monster for that matter, attain the formidable Finger Level, they would undeniably possess the inherent right to manifest their own unique pillar. Many among the Thorns harbored aspirations of reaching such a distinguished echelon, but the emergence of a new Finger was an exceedingly rare occurrence. "Z-Zin…" Es’aha murmured, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of profound joy. "This aura… The sheer volume of energy he commands is truly astonishing." Leerna’s expression grew grave as she perceived the intricate, myriad flows contained within the colossal energy pillar.

"Remarkable. It's been quite some time since I witnessed someone shatter a barrier with such a potent surge of energy. However, given his prolonged efforts, this outcome isn't entirely unexpected."

"Indeed," Kaerno chuckled. "That reservoir of power has long yearned for ascent. Yet, its host was hesitant. But now, everything has shifted, wouldn't you agree?"

Slowly, the towering column of energy subsided, its essence gradually flowing back into Zin.

His eyes snapped open, blazing with an intense purple luminescence. His very aura pulsed, sending shivers through the lesser beasts, the Fangs, and all others present.

If Zin had once stood as the pinnacle among the Fangs in the Hollow Lands, a chasm now impossibly vast separated him from them.

"Zin." Es'aha took a step forward, her voice warm with a smile as she addressed him. "You've accomplished it. Allow me to offer my congratulations and-"

Whooooooosh!

Her words were cut short as Zin's form flickered, and with a flash of purple, he propelled himself toward the man, the youngest Baron in their territory.

Zin materialized before the Baron in an instant, the very fabric of space distorting around him as sonic waves crackled with a menacing intensity.

"Huh?"

Bewilderment flickered across the Baron's face just before Zin's fist connected squarely with his jaw.

Silence descended.

The air hung still for a beat, then erupted into peals of thunderous laughter.

"Hahahahahahah!"

Kaerno's laughter boomed, unrestrained.

"Magnificent! He's eager to test his newfound might! This is precisely the kind of spectacle an evolution should entail!"