Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1510: Frozen Spine (Part 1)

Moments after Adam and Alexia touched down, dozens of predators closed in on them, to say nothing of the looming ice wyvern. Only two of the creatures actually stepped forward to initiate combat, the white beasts advancing with measured strides as they selected their respective targets.

One detail immediately struck Adam as peculiar. 'Not a single one of them has taken a human form. Is it possible they lack the ability entirely?' he wondered, his gaze fixed on the creature to his left.

Had they been this deep within the Tarnished Lands or the Dark Shore, they surely would have encountered several Elder Level monsters in human guise. Such transformations were standard in those regions, yet the rules seemed different here.

“Hey, we’re each taking one, right?” Alexia asked, waving a hand casually.

Adam gave a firm nod. “Precisely. Whether they intend to kill us or are merely testing our Cultivation, we'll react accordingly.”

While Adam chose a patient stance, waiting for the first beast to close the distance, Alexia broke into a wide grin and charged.

The eyes of both beasts tracked her, but only one halted to meet her head-on, while the other continued its steady march toward Adam. Alexia refrained from summoning her Nexus or activating any specific techniques for the moment. If these were truly hunters, she wanted to gauge the baseline strength of the local monsters first.

Though their auras revealed much, nothing provided more accurate data than a direct physical clash.

“GROOO!!!”

The second beast let out a guttural growl, lunging at Alexia with the momentum of a charging bull. Its massive frame towered over the small girl, its formidable tusks aimed directly at her. To an ordinary human, such a collision would not only cause fatal trauma but the sheer kinetic force would have pulverized them into a bloody mist.

Fortunately, Alexia was anything but ordinary.

THUMP!

Lurching forward with a heavy step, Alexia seized the white beast by its tusks. The impact forced her back several meters, her heels carving deep furrows into the thick snow. Gradually, however, her retreat slowed until the beast’s charge was brought to a dead stop.

“Hah…” Alexia exhaled a plume of hot vapor, staring straight into the creature's icy blue eyes. “Did you really think such a basic move would finish me? You’ll need more than that!”

The white beast responded with a sharp snort. Even without a human form or the gift of speech, a monster of this caliber possessed the intelligence to understand her taunt.

Since Alexia had successfully halted the assault, she felt compelled to deliver a far more spectacular counter-move.

“Fine, I didn't plan on using this so soon, but I'm sure I'll have time to replenish my Qi later.”

Adam and the first white beast watched the exchange with genuine interest. Despite being opponents, they both paused to witness the extent of Alexia’s power. It had been quite some time since Adam had seen her go all out. He was aware that her abilities centered on ice and frost, and that her combat style mirrored his own—fast and unrelenting.

Yet, in a way, Alexia was even more feral and impulsive than Adam. While he relied on instinct tempered by a calculating mind to secure victory, Alexia followed her instincts with her emotions as the secondary driver.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

A violent aura, resembling a flickering blue flame, erupted from Alexia. A brilliant light surged toward her extremities. In an instant, the light solidified into heavy iron gauntlets and boots. A razor-thin layer of ice coated the sharp edges, while exhaust pipes, reminiscent of a high-powered motorcycle, ran along the length of the armor.

The gear looked weighted and lethal, shielding her joints while maintaining her agility. Adam squinted at the pipes; a frigid mist leaked from them, possessing a temperature so low it instantly turned the surrounding snow into crystalline ice.

Shiver.

A visible shudder passed through the beast. Neither its massive bulk nor its dense white fur could fully insulate it against the unnatural cold Alexia was radiating.

“What? Feeling the chill?” Alexia licked her lips. “I assumed a beast of your size, born in these frozen wastes, would find any cold to be like a summer breeze. I guess I over-estimated you!”

Energy flooded her equipment, causing glowing blue lines to pulse through the pipes. She gritted her teeth, her muscles coiling with tension.

Adam’s eyes widened as he realized her intent. “Wait… is she actually going to—?”

Step.

Alexia moved forward, her grip on the tusks tightening until the bone began to groan and crack. The monsters watching from the treeline were stunned by the sight. A girl who looked almost delicate was hoisting the massive white beast off the ground. The creature thrashed, entirely caught off guard by this display of raw strength.

“RRROOOOO!!!” The beast bellowed, tossing its head wildly, but Alexia remained immovable.

She looked up at the dangling monster. While she had enjoyed her reprieve at the Citadel, she had missed the thrill of the Dead Lands. She was ready to unleash everything.

“You wanted to challenge me? Fine, but I’m already bored of you!”

Step.

With a sharp pivot of her torso, she hurled the multi-ton creature through the air like a discarded toy. Ravens scattered from the canopy a heartbeat before the white beast plowed into the forest. Despite the thickness of the ancient trees, the beast’s flight path snapped several trunks before it finally crashed into the earth, leaving a wake of splintered wood.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Alexia brushed her palms together, resting her hands on her hips with a grin of pure satisfaction.

“Perfect! That’s what I call a warm-up!”

The surrounding monsters weren't the only ones in shock; Adam was equally impressed. It filled him with pride to see how far his comrade had come—that a Phantom who started as a novice alongside him had climbed to such formidable heights.

“Well,” Adam muttered, turning back to his own opponent. “I suppose it’s my turn now.”