Whether monsters or Phantoms, they could spend years or even decades advancing from one level to the next, or even taking just a single step to the next stage within a level.
However, this wasnât an ironclad rule, but merely a statistical trend. The stronger a monster or Phantom became, the harder it was to evolve further. The conditions for Phantoms became more dangerous, and the energy barriers for monsters grew to terrifying sizes and strengths.
This trend never stopped and seemed to stretch toward infinity.
Perhaps the end of the path was the peak of energy created by the First Star and Last Star upon collision, but this was nothing more than a theory.
Thus, when a human or monster reached a great lifespan and a respectable level of power, only a few of them attempted to increase their strength at the same rapid pace as before.
Most gave up.
Many Phantoms remained permanently at K3 or K4 Levels because they were afraid of dying while fulfilling one of the following conditions, or simply could not do so.
The same was true for monsters. Many might have tried to break through their barrier for over a hundred years, to no avail.
However, Adam, Zin, and other fighters like them were not the only exceptions. They were merely among those who continued to press forward.
If Adam was right, he had only two steps left before becoming a Second Rank Phantom, when he would reach a peak he could not even have dreamed of before.
Before that, he needed to return to the Citadel. Only there would he be able to understand where he should go next.
The Bottomless Void, only when he fulfilled this condition would he create the Third Grand Star.
Step!
Adam stepped aside, preparing to leave the blade pillar as well as the Hollow Lands.
"Wait."
Kaernoâs voice stopped him, forcing him to turn around.
"Youâre not planning on walking all the way to the Citadel, are you?"
Adam raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? How do you think Iâm supposed to do that? I mean, I can fly like everyone else, but that wonât make much of a difference."
The corners of Zinâs mouth turned up into a silly smile, but he didnât say anything.
"Well, I placed a big bet on you during the fight, Adam. Thanks to you, I won a lot of land cubes, so I can repay you for that. Consider this my gift."
Adam was puzzled as he watched Kaerno place his palm on the smooth white stone of the pillarâs top.
Whoooooosh!
The purple pulse of energy, like an electrical discharge, ran through the pillar straight to the ground, reaching even deeper than the Bone Lakes.
Adam didnât know what Kaerno was doing, but the curiosity in his gaze was obvious.
Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!
The earth trembled as, very soon, right next to the blade pillar, something enormous burst from the ground. The great shadow moved upward, shaking the space with its massive body, until its head rose above the pillar.
Reflected in Adamâs wide-open eyes was a majestic black serpent, exuding the terrifying aura of an ancient monster.
The serpentâs amber eyes gazed at the three figures standing on the edge of the pillar, while its black scales covering its entire body trembled slightly with every movement.
Two long horns curving downward from its neck like frozen thunderbolts gave this monster its calm, menacing appearance, demanding obedience from anyone who dared to meet its piercing gaze.
Zin glanced upward, a faint flame igniting in his gaze while Adamâs expression froze in shock.
Kaerno nodded toward the serpent.
"Meet Daarâax. I donât often disturb him, but this is a fitting occasion."
Adam gulped. "Daarâax...? These strange names again. And who is this monster to you?"
Kaerno smirked.
"Isnât it obvious?"
He leaned on his hand with a satisfied look.
"Heâs my pet."
"Grh," Daarâax grumbled, leaning forward. A shadow from his head fell on the pillar. "That old man never stops joking, but unfortunately, itâs true. What do you need, Kaerno?"
Kaerno rolled his eyes.
"Did you hear that? That ancient serpent says the old man is me! Well, anyway, letâs get down to business. Daarâax, as you can see, we have an unusual guest." Kaerno pointed at Adam.
Daarâax nodded.
"Yeah... I sensed his aura from the very first moments he appeared in the Hollow Land. But, hereâs whatâs strange..." Daarâax paused to reflect on the events of the past few days. "I donât know exactly when or how he appeared. Thatâs curious."
Keeping his smirk, Kaerno waved his hand casually. "Donât think about it too much. Since you know who this young man is, I want you to help him get back to the Citadel."
Daarâaxâs pupils narrowed as he stared intently at Adam.
"Do you want me to take you straight to the Citadel, or will some other place do?"
Adam scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression. He was grateful to Kaerno for his help, but he felt uncomfortable about using a monster like Daarâax as his mount.
"Ha-hah... I think that if a serpent like you shows up right in front of the Citadel, itâll cause problems. If you can help me get to the nearest spire, that would be a great help to me."
"I see..." Daarâax hissed. "In that case, letâs do it. Itâll be better for both of us. You know, Kaerno, this boy might be smarter than you."
Kaerno frowned. He couldnât believe what he was hearing.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Suddenly, Zin burst out laughing. Given his abilities, his laughter soon reached every pillar nearby. Sometimes, he couldnât control his energy and voice.
"Come on, Kaerno, did you summon that serpent to help Adam or so your own pet could make fun of you?"
Kaerno pretended not to hear, picking at his fingernails.
"Yeah, I think about that every time I work with this grumpy snake!"
Then, Kaernoâs expression changed as he looked at Adam.
"Good luck. Maybe Daarâax doesnât know how to joke, but very soon youâll be at the walls of the Citadel."
Adam nodded as he turned to Daarâax.
"Glad to hear it. In that case, maybe we should get started?"
Daarâax chuckled.
"Huh, sure. The sooner we start, the sooner weâll finish. Climb onto my head, human."