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

"Huh, it seems we've arrived at the end." Zargos smiled, noticing Adam's aura had settled. The nightmare no longer plagued him, as he had triumphed over it, just like every time before.

Merra pressed her hand against her chest.

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

"Not quite. It looks like he cleared the First Star's trial. Regardless, now he just needs to take in its power."

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

"If Morok shows up here with his group, stay out of the battle. Those five would overpower you fast, and I couldn't assist you."

"Y-Yes." Her voice shook. She wasn't accustomed to his grave demeanor. "I'll follow your orders, sir. I trust you have everything under control."

All at once, Zargos's face shifted from stern 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 surge of shadow erupted from Adam in a grand column that shot straight toward the crimson barrier.

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

Shortly, once the barrier collapsed, the others would detect it. Plenty would hesitate to approach, unsure of the cause or what lay ahead.

Some would figure out Zargos's home sat in this zone, making it a hopeless effort for them.

Yet... 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 oblivious to all this. His recent focus had solely been on vanquishing Dark Silvana and seizing the power that was inherently his, though he'd lacked command over it.

It was rather ironic.

"Got any words?" Adam halted, gazing at the shadowy needle. He'd never witnessed his weapon in this shape previously.

Tremble.

"Just grip me by the handle and be quiet. You won, like always. Nothing remarkable there."

"Hah, that's definitely you, not the First Star. Excellent." Adam laughed lightly before extracting the dark needle from the earth.

A white emptiness lingered where it had been, mirroring nothing but infinite expanse.

Adam examined the dark needle, its elongated, broad edge resembling a massive sword. Unlike the pale version, its edges didn't flare out much, akin to a spearhead, flowing seamlessly from base to point like one solid blade.

"No guard even now?" Adam arched a brow, observing how the edges merged straight into the handle.

The Silver Weaver smirked.

"You believe 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 the surroundings. At last, he grasped his location better.

"It wasn't the Evolution Tree, was it? Just a facade to render this space recognizable to me..."

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

"Is this entire thing the Dark Energy?"

The Silver Weaver inclined his head.

"More precisely, the remnants of the black flash. Truly, there's only one drop of pure, concentrated energy present. Though if there were two, you'd have no hope. This power is far too perilous."

"I understand."

Adam eyed the blade and aimed his needle ahead.

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

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

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

Adam drew in a deep breath with lids shut.

The instant after, he unveiled his eyes, discovering himself in a familiar setting.

"Back here."

Adam grinned while viewing the massive tree before him. It wasn't barren, brimming with vitality and might as it ought to.

Tremble.

The dark needle quivered as it slipped from Adam's hold and soared ahead, to the Evolution Tree's summit where the Silver Weaver's altar rested.

Adam could only 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 after Adam's advancements and evolutions, faint black tinged its borders. Yet, it amounted to no more than 2-3% total.

Tap.

The dark needle transformed into the Silver Weaver. His extended coat had returned to white, save for the left sleeve, now blackened to the cuff.

"Oh, appears our clash mended your arm?"

"Yeah, sort of. I didn't anticipate it, but who knows the future, eh?"

Adam dipped his head.

"So? Next steps?"

The Silver Weaver gestured to the white orb.

"Channel all the Dark Energy this way. You could attempt elsewhere, but I advise against it. Too risky. Remember, I originated from the black flash. Thus, I'm the ideal choice."

"Hah, or maybe you crave being the mightiest?"

The Silver Weaver lifted his shoulders.

"What difference does it make?"

Adam stayed silent as he extended his arm.

Reality warped the moment a shadowy essence materialized over his palm, an unfamiliar sight to him.

To his own surprise, he had unlocked his long-dormant ace card from the back burner.