Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1547: Ancient Frost

The Ancient Frost and Blood of God drew Adam and Alexia to the Frost Oasis. That single responsive Winding Fragment guided them precisely to this spot.

Neither had a clear picture of their objective's form or the steps required to claim it. Just as Beth explained, a condition's title often hid deeper nuances, varying for every Phantom, though occasionally distinct names might conceal identical requirements.

At this point, one of the two conditions loomed near.

The Ancient Frost lay just ahead, or so Alexia believed with fierce hope.

Step. Step. Step.

Alexia advanced toward the azure tree, parting from Adam as she moved.

"Hmm... On second thought, it feels like we've explored every corner of the Frost Oasis." Adam scanned the surroundings.

All monsters had fallen to their blades. The azure tree's silence confirmed no fresh spawns emerged.

Yet the Ancient Voice lingered without haste, refusing to declare the final trial conquered.

'This wasn't tied to trial rules or prizes—it was the tree itself, desperate to eject us by whatever brutal method it could muster.'

Adam's gaze sharpened on the azure tree. The dragon head had perished ages ago, beyond question, leading him to suspect the tree itself bound the pact with the Ancient Voice.

While thrilled for Alexia's impending surge in strength, Adam's brow furrowed in unease.

'Blood of God. It's nearby, but exactly where...?'

Confusion gripped him, until Silvana offered her sole suggestion:

'Once Alexia finishes, we should inspect that dragon head closely. Perhaps traces of blood linger in its remains?'

He responded with a wry grin.

'Huh, you really believe this dragon wielded godlike might?'

Silvana shot him an exasperated glance.

'Tsk, it's merely a title! This beast might have been ancient or achieved legendary feats in its era! Either way, it's our sole lead.'

Adam pressed his lips together, knowing her words rang true.

Without blood in the dragon head, he'd hit a sheer impasse.

Clutch.

In that instant, Alexia seized the tree with unyielding force, splintering its fragile bark under her grasp.

Her energy had drawn her directly here, so she dove in without delay, commencing the absorption of the azure tree.

"You won't slip away from me. I suggest you don't fight back," she snarled with venomous intent. "You've forced us through endless ordeals—now yield my rightful prize!"

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Blue energy erupted from the azure tree, striving to hurl Alexia aside, yet she held firm with unbreakable resolve, her hold tightening further.

Bit by bit, vivid fissures spiderwebbed across the azure tree, overwhelmed by the relentless strain.

Defeat claimed it utterly.

CRACKLE!

A thunderous snap echoed as the azure tree exploded into shimmering shards like fractured mirrors, streaking by Alexia's astonished gaze.

Where the azure tree once stood, a profound rift yawned open, releasing a hazy glow akin to ethereal mist.

Alexia swallowed hard, inching closer to the edge.

Whooooooosh.

An item burst forth, hovering boldly before her.

To their astonishment, it proved a somber gray heart encased in heavy ice. The organ resembled a sculpted effigy of a savage creature, radiating dark menace.

It hung motionless, not pulsing, while unleashing a chilling aura so profound that even Alexia shivered in the chill.

A chill raced along her flesh, frost glazing her fingertips lightly, yet her eyes burned not with dread but profound wonder.

"This is your true form..."

Her words quivered as she pressed onward against the biting cold.

"Ancient Frost, at last, you belong to me!"

Alexia extended her arms, drawing the frozen heart into her clutch.

The moment contact sparked, the frost's grip on her vanished, replaced by a surging tide of energy that coursed through her like drifting fog.

Steadily, greater volumes of power streamed from the ice heart as Alexia shut her eyes, concentrating on drawing it all in.

"It's happening..." Adam balled his hands into fists. "She's claimed her condition, hasn't she?"

Confirmation arrived swiftly when the ice heart crumbled to ashen pieces in her palms, slipping away like dust between her fingers.

Alexia pivoted slowly, her transformed eyes piercing Adam with an unexpected pang.

Those azure depths, once serene, now swirled like twin cosmic clouds, radiant and enigmatic.

The vision faded in a blink, leaving faint echoes of that brilliance, yet it revealed everything Adam needed to grasp.

"Adam." Alexia's steady tone cut through. "I sense your frustration perfectly. Like you, I crave the lead, so we can't delay. We have to locate the Blood of God without further pause."

Adam's eyes tightened.

"You alright?"

She inclined her head with conviction.

"Yes... Though I confess it feels oddly serene inside me. No need for concern—I'll fully integrate the Ancient Frost shortly."

PULSE!

As though affirming her claim, a ripple surged across the earth, slamming into the barrier shielding the pond and dragon head.

The shield fractured apart, starved of its vital power source. Devoid of the azure tree, the Frost Oasis stood defenseless.

"Let's go," Alexia nudged his shoulder. "That massive head must hold at least a single drop."

"Right." Adam trailed after her, eyes locked on the gleaming pond.

Unsure of what might unfold, he noted the pond endured unchanged no matter the chaos.

Whether it served merely as an energy font or concealed deeper secrets remained a mystery.

Ultimately, Alexia halted by the pond, fixating on the Frost Oasis' core, as Adam pressed ahead toward the dragon head.

Its unexpected presence here stunned them both, yet it offered Adam his prime shot at satisfying his condition.

"Fine, let's check what you're hiding." Adam pressed his hand against the dragon head, sensing the weathered scales.

He prepared to crouch and peel back the hide when terror rooted him in place.

The enormous blue eye, slit by a vertical pupil, glared wide.

"W-What the...?"

The supposedly lifeless dragon fixed its stare directly on him.

And that eye gleamed with unnatural vitality, stark against the decayed husk of its form.