Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1535 1535: Actual Rules

Adam and Alexia halted right before the entrance while the blue fairy, acting as their escort through this enigmatic realm, made her appearance.

[Pass the Pale Spider Pearl to the light to proceed.]

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The pearl shook violently while lifting from Adam's hand and drifting toward the recess located on the gate's left flank.

For ages, these entrance slabs had remained still, blanketed in a heavy coating of dust that barely let the shapes of the carvings show through.

The recess itself only became noticeable due to the illumination striking it.

Whoooooooosh.

With a sudden thrust, the pearl slammed into the recess, sending a vivid blue-purple glow rippling over the gate's left panel, gradually wiping away the dust and causing the carving outlines to gleam brightly.

The grand wings of a beast reflected in Adam's gaze, one that felt somewhat recognizable yet entirely unfamiliar.

It wasn't a wyvern or gargoyle, but rather a dragon locked in combat with an opponent or force. From the mere carving, Adam could detect the terror and alarm in the dragon's stare.

Still, without revealing the gate's right side, the complete scene stayed hidden.

[You have passed the first trial.]

[Follow the line to the second trial.]

"Wait!" Alexia shouted, halting the blue fairy.

Unlike Adam, who scrutinized the carving for any clues, Alexia showed zero curiosity in it.

"Don't you dare trick us this time! Spill all the rules upfront!"

The blue fairy quivered.

[Some rules hinder others. You know exactly what every challenger ought to, nothing more, nothing less. Victory or defeat rests solely with you.]

"Hey..." Adam's quiet tone echoed. "What's on the other side of the gate? Is that dragon actually there?"

This time, silence followed as the blue fairy vanished into the earth, abandoning them with just the glowing path.

"Damn it!" Alexia slammed her fist against the wall, sending small rocks tumbling onto her shoulders.

She prepared to move on, yet something drew her focus.

"Agh?"

Adam advanced, pressing his hand against the gate. He channeled his power through his limb, not the star power, but the primordial kind.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Reacting to his move, the enormous entrance quaked, fissures spreading along the surrounding walls from the mere pressure of Adam's gentle contact. Such was the might of the ancient power.

He pressed further, summoning a needle into one grip and a dark rod into the other.

Crack. Crack.

Like tools wielded by a smith in his forge, Adam hammered the needle and rod into the seam of the gate. His arms shook, his sinews strained to their utmost, yet his gaze stayed steady.

Astonishment washed over Alexia's features as the colossal entrance creaked open a fraction, only briefly, but sufficient for Adam's gloved fingers, shrouded in black, to seize the borders.

By activating his Stellar Nexus, he didn't just inherit every power from the Staff of Defeat, but also immense bodily might that even stunned Menax.

'If this power could shatter the golden skeleton's digits like mere parchment, then dealing with these stone barriers should be no issue, yeah?'

He proved correct.

Despite another challenge awaiting them, the entrance began to part, inch by inch yet steadily, as Adam forced the twin panels asunder amid fissures spiderwebbing the floor from the force. In a region with thinner power density, his boots would have buried halfway up his shins in the soil.

Adam's eyes grew wide upon spotting a radiant shimmer far off, emanating from the depths below. His sight shifted to the basin, which appeared formed not of liquid but of countless gems.

Gradually, he glanced aside to spot a massive, inert silhouette that appeared to watch over the basin.

Clasp!

Right then, golden symbols ignited on both faces of the entrance as it crashed closed. The blast of thick, piercing power hurled Adam backward with brutal intensity, catching even Alexia off guard.

Finally, Adam came to a halt only after crashing into the pool at the cavern's mouth, site of their initial clash with the pair of spiders.

"Adam!" Alexia cried out while dashing to his side, though he required no aid.

He emerged unscathed and rose effortlessly as droplets fell from his dark locks, a pleased smirk crossing his lips.

"Hah, now I'm certain."

"Agh?" Alexia paused, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"This whole area is a total scam. Damn, it just hit me."

He shook his head while pulling himself from the pool and striding toward the luminous trail.

"Dealing with External Artifacts, they straight-up reveal their aims and purposes. Ultimately, you can bargain with them or figure out if they're allies or foes. Not here, though."

He gestured dismissively.

"This spot has zero plans to grant us rewards for the ordeals we've endured, unlike some Stronghold. It aims to eliminate us however it can."

"I knew it!" Alexia burst out. "I sensed from the start we couldn't rely on this Ancient Voice!"

"No."

"Agh?"

Adam glanced back at her.

"The Ancient Voice isn't involved. We need to question whoever established these guidelines. Hah, that old golem nailed it."

He smirked while tilting his head skyward.

"Viewing this place as a fair wanderer leaves no escape. It's essentially a massive, fang-lined trap snapping shut on you bit by bit."

"What...? So what do we do?" Alexia rubbed her face. Adam had thrown her off.

Adam laughed lightly.

"What we excel at: triumph and shatter the guidelines."

Sparkles lit up Alexia's eyes as Adam went on:

"The second trial's demands don't matter. We'll tackle it our style, not by the rules' design. I nearly pried the entrance open, so united, we'll crack this biased challenge one way or another."

That was precisely what Alexia wanted to hear.

"Hell yeah! Suddenly, this place rocks!" She yelled and dashed after Adam.

...

Meanwhile, a colossal eye cracked open just a slit, azure and profound like timeless frost, featuring a slit-shaped pupil.

It observed the pair of presences overhead, advancing to the second ordeal.

It resolved to eliminate them, immediately.