Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1527 1527: Pearl and runes

As they plunged into the depths of the abyss, Adam and Alexia braced themselves for fearsome beasts and brutal slaughter breaking out any second now. Reaching this spot demanded that they acquire fresh power and push ahead in their growth.

Yet, reality unfolded in a way that shattered all their predictions.

Besides a pair of spiders lurking at the entryway—who lay slain before they could act—Adam and Alexia sensed they had stepped into a meticulously designed tactical drill, powered by advanced tech and AI, with every detail proceeding flawlessly.

Still, Adam realized this illusion hid the real danger, and their true ordeal hadn't even begun.

'During my clash with Erada, the pact formed without any odd twists. But once she fell and the moment came to grant my desire, the Ancient Voice revealed its might. My request was foolish, yet... had another stood in my shoes, she'd have been forced to obey any command.'

Such an event clearly showcased the Ancient Voice's dominance, while the Rule of Blood offered just a fleeting hint of its potential.

Step. Step. Step.

Through the cavern they advanced, Adam and Alexia trailing the glowing path. Adam possessed greater familiarity than Alexia, who faced the Ancient Voice for the very first time, yet both remained clueless about the trials ahead.

'Silvana, what's your view? Those spiders seemed quite feeble. If pushed, I could take down hundreds without issue.'

After a brief pause, her response echoed in his mind:

'I doubt it'll prove so straightforward. Why demand a pearl? Why not just order the spider nest's destruction?'

'Meaning, you suspect more than a mere spider extermination?'

Silvana shook her head.

'I believe it'll pose a challenge too tough for you both combined. My insight into the Ancient Voice stays shallow, so I could be off, but that's my hunch.'

"I see."

Alexia shared thoughts with Louis too, who arrived at much the same assessment.

Regardless, their only option was to pursue the luminous trail until a fresh section of the caves emerged.

Step.

Emerging from the tunnel, Adam felt blue glow wash over his features, his gaze stretching wide in shock.

He'd anticipated cramped tunnels draped in webs and teeming with skittering arachnids, but what greeted them was a vast lake whose azure waters shimmered faintly.

Stone spires dotted the lake's edges, numbering eight altogether, two per section. Thick webs and glittering crystals cloaked these formations, as blue spiders darted over their surfaces now and then.

These matched the creatures that had assaulted Adam and Alexia earlier, though currently they merely fixed their stares on the intruders.

Hundreds of spiders lurked there, their green eyes gleaming from the darkness, observing the pair of Phantoms who tracked the light path. Their arrival signaled the Ancient Voice's guidance. That alone prompted the spiders to hold back, at least temporarily.

Alexia's gaze lowered to spot a broad stone walkway hugging the lake's shore like tree limbs, from which eight additional routes split off, heading to the spires. In this setup, roughly 20% of the lake lay spanned by these stone trails.

Near the primary route's terminus stood a massive cyan crystal set into the rock face, enclosing a tiny gray sphere edged in soft purple hues.

This was the Pale Spider Orb. Securing it by whatever method required marked fulfilling the initial demand.

"Hey, that's it!" Alexia cried out, dashing ahead without delay.

"Wait!" Adam called to halt her, yet Alexia had already leaped onto the stone trail.

Adam readied himself for combat, anticipating a swarm of hundreds of spiders lunging at Alexia. Though individually frail, their numbers in home ground could inflict serious harm, particularly with her charging solo.

However...

"Agh?"

No spiders lunged at Alexia. They simply observed as the Phantom dashed along the path toward what they viewed as their prize. Or so Adam and Alexia assumed.

"How odd," Adam murmured, scanning the surroundings. The glow from the vivid crystals atop the spires drew his focus. "These crystals stand apart from the rest. What role do they serve?"

Typically, crystals sprouted in disordered patterns, drawing ambient energy. Crystals from one region shared only their hue; all else—form, scale, intensity, even shade—varied wildly.

Yet the eight crystals crowning the spires twisted in spiral shapes. Adam had encountered no such peculiar forms before. Clearly, their design held purpose.

Meanwhile, Alexia arrived at the cyan crystal.

Without hesitation, she channeled a surge of energy into her palm. Then, gripping her fist firm, she unleashed a full-force punch against the crystal.

BAM!

Her impact sent a shockwave surging outward, rattling the cavern walls while waves spread over the lake's face.

The strike landed true, with no sign of the abyss's barrier that had repelled Alexia's prior attempts to breach it.

Or not quite accurate.

"Hmm?" Alexia blinked repeatedly, eyeing the blue runes blocking her path.

These rune patterns created an unseen shield separating Alexia from the cyan crystal. The ward's sole function blocked any damage to the crystal itself.

"What the hell is that?!" Alexia shouted, swinging once more.

Blood sprayed from her split knuckles, yet the barrier stood unmoved. The runes pulsed with a ripple, but held firm, as though the very laws barred her advance.

"I see." Adam nodded thoughtfully. "So, without meeting the terms, we can't claim this orb?"

"But."

He bit his lip.

"Perhaps we simply require greater force?"