Infinite Evolution: My Idle Evolution System

— Meanwhile, some miles outside River Mountain City —

Riding atop a massive demonic elephant in the 4th Layer of Foundation Establishment was a relatively tiny, 10-meter humanoid monster. This humanoid monster possessed the bearings of a monarch and sat on a throne of bones with unparalleled calmness.

The demonic elephant was overlooking a tall cliff from which one could view all of River Mountain City. The Formation Array that kept the city hidden had been brought to shambles, allowing tens of thousands of monsters to rush inside the human settlement.

Death and human suffering ran rampant everywhere.

While watching the slow conquering of River Mountain City with the indifference of a ruler, the giant humanoid monster noticed something flashing in the sky. The humanoid monster enhanced its vision, but by then, it was… already too late.

KA—BOOOOM!

Like a missile, Necro crashed into the massive demonic elephant's head. White energy exploded outward, but it wasn't until Necro reverted to his Tree form while stuck inside the elephant's head that blood was truly shed.

Yet, just as fast as he transformed, he transformed again. The towering tree of brilliance that ruptured the Elephant Monster from the inside out returned to his tiny, childlike form.

Necro tapped against the ground. He emotionlessly watched as chunks of meat rained from the sky. But his eyes were not fixed on the gore. No, he was entirely focused on the horned humanoid monster hovering some hundred meters off the ground.

When their eyes met, a stifling tension immediately erupted. The air rippled. The earth shook. Nature itself seemed to cower.

"Human, you don't know what you're getting involved in." The humanoid monster spoke far more fluidly than any other Necro had encountered before now. "If you leave now and never return, I'll overlook your transgressions. If not…"

RUMBLE!!

6th Layer of Foundation Establishment!

Over a dozen times more powerful than the Lion-Mantis and Demonic Elephant!

Even Necro was feeling the pressure. It was great enough to make him understand that this battle would not be an easy one.

And yet…

"You make the first move." Necro taunted with hand motions folding toward himself.

The humanoid monster's aura exponentially increased. "I've given you a chance, human. You are the one courting your death."

Necro smirked. His arms transformed into wooden blades. Dozens of Level 4 |Death Piercers| materialized and hovered around him. Level 4 roots shot out of the ground, building a huge wrapped formation that propelled Necro into the air and hung him there.

He was now face-to-face with the humanoid monster.

"Human, you are abnormal," said the monster. "But you're strong. And because of that, I'll tell you of the name that was bestowed upon me by my Master."

Very slowly, the humanoid monster said, "My name is… Ashtar…"

"...Ashtar, the Dawn of Ash!"

OOOM!

Turning into a blur, Ashtar flickered toward Necro. A dozen Level 4 roots were instantly evaporated by a blazing infernal cyclone. Ashtar reached out with his elongated claws, aiming to rip Necro's heart out of his chest.

"You are fast."

"!!!"

Holding back his huge claws were two hands. Those hands possessed an unbelievable amount of power, far exceeding what should be possible for any Body Refinement cultivator to achieve.

'Danger!!'

Ashtar moved back just in the nick of time. Necro stared coldly at the disconnected arms clasped in his hands. He crushed the arms with overwhelming physical strength.

"How can a human like you have the Innate Strength of the |Colossal Elephant|!?" Ashtar shouted from a distance as he sped up the hyper-regeneration of his arms. "What are you really!?"

"What am I?" Necro repeated. "Who can say for sure? But what I can say with absolute certainty is that I'll be the one to reap your life. Your Bloodline is sure to be a delectable one."

FWIP!

Alarm showed on Ashtar's demonic face. Necro had vanished.

"Where are you looking?" Necro asked from right beside Ashtar.

"How!??" Ashtar fled tens of miles in an instant, beads of sweat now rolling down him. "How can you possibly possess the |Sky Eagle| Bloodline as well!??"

Both the |Sky Eagle| and |Colossal Elephant| were monsters that Ashtar had personally brought for the conquering of River Mountain City. But now, not only were those Rank 4 monsters dead, this human-tree variant had somehow stolen their traits!

FLAP! FLAP!

Necro was flying mid-air with the help of a pair of snow-white wings. Surrounding him were those same |Death Piercers| as before, having never left his side.

"What are you so scared of?" he asked calmly. "Aren't you supposed to be the monster here?"

Realization struck Ashtar like a spark of electricity. That's right, he was the monster here. What was there to fear over some puny human?? The Bloodline Traits he was seeing on the human must just be some sort of flashy trick!

"You're right!!" Ashtar grinned evilly. "It's time for you to die!"

He flashed forward, producing sonic booms in his wake. Demonic wings sprouted out of his back, giving him the ability of flight as well. His murderous intent exploded, the human before him already dead in his eyes.

"I thought you'd be able to go faster." Necro appeared behind the charging Ashtar, both arms folded behind his back. "What a let-down."

"!!!"

Ashtar struck out to his rear, expecting to hit something. However, Necro had already moved, reappearing on Ashtar's other side.

"What? Can't keep up?"

A taunt forced blood into Ashtar's eyes. He furiously discharged an energy blast capable of killing a 6th Layer Foundation Establishment Realm expert.

Necro retreated a few hundred meters. That attack of Ashtar's was very dangerous, even for him. His eyes fell on his partially scorched arms, with those same eyes freezing over.

"You will be the first person to witness this form of mine." Ashtar began to glow a crimson red, his horns and tail becoming more pronounced. "Rejoice, feeble human, for dying to I, the 4th Demon Prince Heir of Demon King Mykon, shall be your life's greatest accomplishment!"

OOOM!

Ashtar's entire vibe had changed. If before, he was shackled and restricted, then now he was like a freed lion. He was far more muscular as well, akin to a 50-meter-tall giant demon god.

Halos of fiery demonic energy circled above Ashtar's head, each one emitting power beyond the 6th Layer of Foundation Establishment. These halos were the trademarks of Demon Royals, with the number representing the demon's genetical rank.

With three of the halos, Ashtar was equivalent to his father, the Demon King. This also meant his combat power was utterly absurd.

Necro could sense the danger. Under the threat of certain death, his body screamed at him to run.

But he wouldn't.

He refused to.

Ashtar raised a brow in amusement. "You've got guts, human. I'll give you that. But unfortunately…"

*Fwooop!*

"!!!"

"...Your courage won't make a difference."

BOOM!

Necro was launched back hundreds of miles by a blow that cracked all of his ribs. Countless trees were toppled by his cannonballing body, with the aftermath being a massive linear line of pure destruction.

Flying through the skies like a mirage, Ashtar appeared above where Necro landed. "Do you understand now? This is my true strength. A power that even 8th Layer and above Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators would run away in fear from."

Ashtar stretched out a finger. Searing demonic energy condensed at the tip before being released by the Demon Royal in the form of a red light beam.

WAZOOOOM!!

Thousands of trees had their tops slashed off very cleanly. Even a distant mountain was affected by Ashtar's casual attack.

"Give up and become my pet." The Demon Royal gave an ultimatum. Losing his previous slaves and mount was a bit unfortunate, but if he could get his hands on a prime specimen like Necro, the losses would be more than made up for.

RUMBLE!

The earth started to violently shake, urging a small frown on Ashtar. Disappointment filled his heart as he said, "It would seem that you're more foolish than I originally believed. A shame—..."

"Are you still talking?" Necro's right hand was firmly placed on Ashtar's face. The demon reacted fast, but not fast enough, for Necro had already pushed forward, slamming his opponent down from the sky like a shooting star.

BOOM!

Ashtar's crash created a giant crater that spread outward for thousands of meters. Necro was now the one indifferently hovering in the air, his once-injured body finishing its regeneration process.

WAAA!

Ashtar didn't stay down for long. However, with a purple bruise mark on his left cheek, he appeared far less nonchalant compared to before.

"YOU DAMN HUMAN!! HOW DARE YOU HUMILIATE ME!???"

Ashtar no longer wanted to take Necro as a pet. He only wanted to see the human bastard's head detached from his body!

There was just one problem…

FWISH!

"How… How is this possible…!?"

Over ten minutes had passed since the beginning of their battle. Ashtar overpowered Necro every step of the way, and just now, he finally managed to behead the audacious human.

Yet, just as he smirkingly watched Necro's head go sailing, a truly unexplainable thing happened. The human's head… reattached itself to his neck through the assistance of roots hiding within his skin.

"What even are you!??" Ashtar had never heard of a lower realm human capable of this degree of regeneration. It should've been impossible!

"Me?" Necro parroted, cracking his neck as his eyes sunk into a black abyss. "I'm no one, really—just a tree man trying to survive in this cruel world."

"A tree man?? Are you playing me for a fool right now!?"

Necro didn't respond, further infuriating Ashtar.

"Good, good, then under the witness of heaven and earth, I vow to tear you limb from limb, ensuring that your death is one engulfed in misery—..."

"!!!"