Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1765: New Lord (Part 1)

When a monster achieved the Lord Level, it was always a significant event. In most instances, if other monsters observed it, it was a cause for jubilation.

Indeed, Lords were far more numerous among monsters than Second Rank Phantoms were among humans. Nevertheless, it still represented the gateway to the apex tier.

The absolute strongest entities in this world resided within the Second Circle of evolution.

It was universally understood that not all Lords and Second Rank Phantoms possessed equal strength. Monsters, in particular, harbored no illusions about this, as Lords were categorized into various ranks that dictated their current power level.

The lowest echelon was the Baron rank. This was the starting point for all newly ascended Lords, a designation received immediately upon their evolution. Whether they could ascend further depended entirely on their own capabilities.

Certainly, a Baron with greater experience would inherently be stronger than a monster that had just completed its evolution. Yet, this general rule did not always hold true.

BAM!

The man was sent crashing to the ground by Zin’s punch. It was a blow so potent it could fell a Lord, and Zin hadn't even employed any of his special abilities.

Such an action right after an evolution was not the norm. Zin had just advanced to a new echelon, and it typically required time for his internal Qi to stabilize and for him to reach his absolute peak.

Zin, however, had no desire to wait.

He was acutely aware that he stood as the most powerful Black Threat Level monster within the Hollow Lands. Until the arrival of Adam, he had perceived himself as having no true rivals.

Perhaps in the distant Dark Shore or the far-flung expanses of the Tarnished Lands, a select few First Circle monsters might exist that could offer Zin a challenging contest, but not within these familiar territories.

Nevertheless, he had just entered a new stratum of power.

Zin was not foolish. He grasped that despite both he and Kaerno being Lords, a vast chasm in power separated them.

But the other Lords present were not on that considerable a level. Zin had resolved to push forward and advance, and thus he could not permit himself to be the weakest, even if his current situation might logically suggest otherwise.

Whooooooosh!

The man erupted from the dust cloud, his body soaring above the terrain. Crimson blood streamed from his nose, his features contorted with rage.

"You... You bastard!" he bellowed, his surrounding aura intensifying. "What in the blazes do you think you're doing? Instead of calmly absorbing your newly acquired energy, you choose to launch an assault on your own kin?!"

Yet, Zin's gaze remained utterly unwavering, betraying no hint of hesitation.

"We are monsters. Disputes are settled through strength. That was the way ten thousand years ago, and it remains the same today. I have obtained new power and wish to test it. Nothing more."

The man's fists clenched tightly, yellow electrical discharges coursing through his physique.

"I see. In that case, it is my solemn duty to demonstrate to you the true meaning of being a Lord! You may now be one of us, but you are far too young and untested to comprehend the vast amount you still have to learn!"

The surrounding monsters exchanged bewildered glances.

In truth, a considerable number of them sided with the man, viewing Zin's actions as inappropriate. This was meant to be a momentous occasion, a celebration of one of their own reaching the highest league, not merely a pretext for an impromptu battle.

However, due to the presence of several high-ranking figures among the monsters, specifically Es’aha and Kaerno, no one dared to step forward to intervene. If those two chose not to halt the confrontation, it signified their tacit approval for it to continue, and no one possessed the audacity to oppose their silent decree.

"Well, well, Es’aha, it appears that a solitary encounter with Adam Vinter has transformed Zin far more than years of your entreaties for him to return to the Hollow Lands," Kaerno remarked with a smirk, casting a glance at her over his shoulder.

Es’aha remained visibly taken aback by Zin’s abrupt behavior. She had consistently adhered to established rules and strived to aid her fellow monsters.

She would never have acted with such unbridled ferocity as Zin. At this moment, he more closely resembled a savage eager to prove his might than a monster standing at the pinnacle of evolution.

"That..." she stammered, composing herself. "If this is his desire, then I shall accept it. Though the timing is unfortunate, no one can rightfully deny two monsters a fair contest, especially when they share the same rank. It adheres to the established order!"

Kaerno simply shook his head, recognizing the blatant falsehood in Es’aha’s words.

'Hmph, so she is attempting to frame this situation to appear as if it doesn't violate the rules? It's patently obvious to everyone that Zin is acting on pure whim because he is Zin. Had anyone else been in his position, she would have intervened and ended the fight long ago.'

Paradoxically, Kaerno harbored no objections to this turn of events. Despite the clear double standards and Es’aha's apparent hypocrisy, Kaerno found himself in agreement with Zin’s actions. He believed Zin was in the right.

If he desired a fight and possessed the power to back it up, then he should engage in it. It was as simple as that.

"You." The man directed a stern glare at Zin. "Perhaps you were invincible at the First Circle, but this is an entirely different league, you insolent whelp!"

With a devastating blast of energy, the man surged forward, leaving a shimmering trail of yellow lightning in his wake.

While he sidestepped Zin's initial strike, it wasn't an indicator of weakness. The man had failed to anticipate Zin's immediate aggression post-evolution. After all, he was a Baron, a formidable entity whose mere aura induced trembling in the monsters and Phantoms of the First Circle.

"I understand..." Zin murmured, observing the lightning-fast projectile hurtling towards him. "So this is the prowess of Barons. I must ascend to greater heights without delay."

Zin made no move to evade or shield himself. Instead, he lifted his hand and, with a flick of his fingers, produced a sharp sound.

Click!

He didn't vanish, but beside the man, ripples of sound materialized, instantly condensing to their maximum and erupting in a violet burst, flinging the man forcefully away.

"Urk?"

The next moment the man regained consciousness, Zin was looming above him.

His arms were outstretched, poised for a deafening clap.

"N-No..."

A flicker of terror crossed the man's face, but it was far too late to alter his fate.

He, a Baron, had sealed his own destiny.