Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1531 1531: Too Slow (Part 2)

As anticipated by Adam, the outcomes of their second try didn't vary greatly from the initial one. Certainly, they gathered far more Glowing Tips, yet they also possessed additional time on their side.

"Tch, haven't we advanced even a little?" Alexia huffed while coughing up a glob of blood. A ghost spider had struck her side with considerable force.

Adam shook his head.

"Not quite. For every Glowing Tip acquired, the golden spiders gain speed, while the ghost spiders grow tougher. In other words, snagging five tips starting from zero differs vastly in challenge from doing so after already securing 25.

"Still, you're correct. It's insufficient progress."

Next, Adam scanned the surroundings, eyeing the lake's surface. Roughly 20% of it featured stone paths. Clearly, this limitation hampered Adam and Alexia. Whenever a golden spider lingered between peaks, they were forced to traverse the air to prevent plunging into the water.

Regardless, this greatly diminished their efficiency, so action was necessary to push ahead.

"Alexia, I've got a question for you."

"Huh?" Alexia tilted her head, puzzled.

"From what I gather, the majority of your powers still revolve around ice. Furthermore, your Nexus hasn't shifted dramatically since our previous encounter. It's grown more intricate and potent, and you've added boots to your gauntlets, but the core remains unchanged, correct?"

Alexia nodded without a word.

"Got it. Then." Adam gestured toward the surrounding lake. "Are you able to freeze the entirety of this area?"

Rather than replying outright, Alexia approached the edge, knelt down, and extended her arm over the water. Energy gathered before her palm as the air chilled noticeably.

Within moments, ice started forming atop the water's surface, though far slower and frailer than Alexia anticipated.

Had she confronted a mere pond of ordinary water without any energy, a mere aura release would have transformed it into a massive ice block.

"Tch. From the plain stones to the water itself, everything here brims with such thick energy that freezing even one path demands tremendous exertion."

Adam blinked. "Yet you can manage it, can't you?"

Alexia responded with a broad grin.

"Naturally. Plus, unlike you, I've devised a genuine strategy."

"Eh?"

Alexia jabbed a finger at him.

"Silvana informed me about the capabilities of your latest Nexus acquisition. Why hold back on using it? It allows for rapid movement, doesn't it?"

Adam blinked repeatedly, taken aback.

In reality, it had slipped his mind, or more precisely, he hadn't considered that angle. His goal was to assess their potential without relying on abilities, and although his new Nexus boosted his speed, it wasn't instantaneous. Thus, Adam explored alternatives, overlooking this particular one.

"Ha, seems like somebody isn't quite the genius they imagined!" Alexia teased before thumping her chest. "Since I'm the cleverest, we'll proceed with my strategy!"

Adam let out a chuckle.

"Fine by me. So, what's the strategy, brilliant one?"

"Straightforward enough."

Alexia pointed at him once more.

"I'll encase them all in ice, leaving you as the sole pursuer!"

"Eh...?"

Adam felt bewildered. This wasn't the approach he had foreseen.

Nevertheless, he didn't dismiss the idea. It sparked some contemplation.

"Hold on, this could succeed. With them frozen or at least hindered, pursuing them solo becomes far simpler. I'll operate alone, but time might suffice," he murmured, stroking his chin.

"Hey!" Alexia gestured emphatically. "Are you paying attention? Do you consent or not?"

Adam gave a faint nod.

"Yes, I consent. Let's commence immediately."

Instantly, Adam's aura intensified markedly. Black boots and gloves materialized on his limbs, forged like iron, alongside the black staff known as the Staff of Defeat—his Stellar Nexus.

Yet that wasn't the full extent of what Adam intended for this challenge. Employing his Nexus meant the subsequent attempt must be their final one, culminating in triumph.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Adam's aura swelled to an alarming intensity, prompting Alexia to retreat several steps on instinct.

A four-pointed star materialized in Adam's left eye as Silvana's energy coursed through him, while his right eye shifted to green.

Though he skipped the needle, this didn't bar him from harnessing the Silver Weaver's power.

At this point, Adam embodied his deadliest form.

"Proceed, we're set."

The platform quaked as Alexia's eyes widened. She hastily invoked her Nexus and positioned herself at the lake's heart.

Adam needed to seize 60 golden spiders by himself, yet he trusted that Alexia's support would enable it. Each now fulfilled a distinct role, often proving more efficient than joint efforts.

[The trial has begun.]

[You have 10 minutes to collect 60 Glowing Tips.]

Upon the Ancient Voice's declaration, the spiral crystals vibrated, unleashing scores of ghost spiders from every direction.

Tap.

Before Alexia could unleash her frozen surge, Adam struck his staff against the ground.

"What?"

In that instant, he vanished from Alexia's sight and rematerialized several meters forward.

Crack.

The black staff crashed into the golden spider, reducing the creature to mere energy residue.

This marked their initial Glowing Tip, with 59 remaining. Alexia needed to act swiftly.

"Fine, my moment now!" Alexia declared as icy vapor billowed from her gauntlets' conduits.

Without delay, she brought her gauntlets together, though they didn't clash. Rather, a small frost sphere emerged between them, drawing in escalating energy over time.

The chill deepened swiftly, frosting the ground encircling Alexia as she flung her arms apart and slammed her palms with full force, detonating the frost sphere.

Beneath her watchful stare, the vicinity transformed into ice, ensnaring all within her frigid grasp.