Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1526 1526: Conditions and the voice

At the beginning of a Phantom’s path, the act of consuming genes, forging new abilities, and shattering bottlenecks is accompanied by a mechanical voice.

As time passes, every Phantom discovers that this voice originates from their Evolution Tree. This internal entity gradually develops human-like traits, evolving its own personality and tone of speech.

Adam’s Evolution Tree underwent this exact transformation. What was once a cryptic force residing in the center of his inner space had long since evolved into a trusted companion.

To a certain degree, the Path Construct functioned in a similar manner.

However, once a Phantom grows powerful enough to explore the far reaches of the Tarnished Lands or other high-level territories, they might encounter a different phenomenon.

The Ancient Voice.

Adam’s first experience with the Ancient Voice occurred during his battle with Anelez and the subsequent interference of Erada. It functioned as a hidden arbiter, establishing the regulations and overseeing the flow of events.

On that occasion, the Ancient Voice manifested because Adam and Anelez had invoked the Rule of Blood.

It was this very authority that compelled Erada to honor Adam’s terms by entering the library to study. She would never have submitted to such a task of her own volition, but her dread of the consequences outweighed her pride.

The Ancient Voice remained indifferent to Erada’s status; it only recognized her as the losing party of a binding contract. Consequently, the Ancient Voice ensured she adhered strictly to the established terms.

Of course, the Ancient Voice was not entirely all-powerful. A sufficiently powerful individual could potentially disregard it, though the outcome depended heavily on the initial constraints.

Had Adam struck a deal with a Second Rank Phantom, that entity might have brushed aside the Ancient Voice due to the massive power disparity. However, if two Second Rank Phantoms or Lords were involved, such defiance would be impossible.

Now, Adam was facing the Ancient Voice for the second time, and the encounter was taking place within the Primal Lands.

“The Ancient Voice, I see...”

Adam whispered to himself, causing a bewildered Alexia to look his way. She was completely unfamiliar with the term.

“Though, considering our current location, its presence isn’t actually that shocking.”

“Ancient Voice? What on earth is that?” Alexia asked with a scowl. “And how is it that you know about it while I’m in the dark?”

Adam simply gestured toward the blue fairy in response.

“Are you permitted to explain that, or is it outside your jurisdiction?”

In a strange display, the fairy shuddered as the mechanical voice resonated once more:

[I am the manifestation of the ancient energy’s will. That is the simplest explanation for you both.]

Alexia arched an eyebrow in skepticism.

“First it was ancient energy, then ancient flux, and now an ancient voice? What’s going to be next?”

The blue fairy offered no reply, merely drifting in the air between them and the massive portal.

“Tsk, just open the gate!” Alexia ordered sharply.

[That is impossible until the requirements are met. You are currently standing on the upper tier of the Frost Oasis. To advance, the gate must be unsealed.]

Alexia’s frown deepened as she stepped toward the blue fairy. The creature was merely a concentrated mass of energy and light—a basic form adopted by the Ancient Voice within this specific region.

During Adam’s conflict with Anelez and Erada under the Rule of Blood, the Ancient Voice had possessed no physical shape at all. It had manifested as swirling currents of wind, which was its typical form when intervening on the surface world.

“What?” Alexia pulled back her fist, ready to strike the glowing fairy.

Whooooosh.

She swung without a second thought, but her hand passed right through the fairy’s body, causing nothing more than a faint ripple along its luminous edges.

“Hmm...” Adam stroked his chin in deep thought. “I understand now. Unlike External Artifacts that possess their own consciousness and agency, the Ancient Voice is a pure observer. Its only function is to ensure the rules are upheld.”

“Huh?” Alexia snapped, turning toward him. “What the hell does that mean? Speak in plain words!”

Adam’s gaze intensified as he studied the towering gate ahead.

“It means we are stuck here until we meet the specific conditions. Even the Ancient Voice is bound by those rules and can't change them, right?”

The blue fairy vibrated slightly.

[Correct. Do you wish to proceed?]

“Obviously!” Alexia shouted, her eyes burning with determination. “Tell us what we need to do!”

[Understood. You must complete the engraving on the gate. Your first task is to obtain the Pale Spider Pearl.]

“Can you provide us with a direction?” Adam inquired.

Silence followed. Whether the silence was due to the restrictions of the rules or the inherent nature of the Ancient Voice was unclear, but no further information was offered.

“Hey, we should just head to the spiders' nest and take that pearl! Tsk, since when do spiders carry pearls anyway? Don’t they just produce webs, venom, and eggs?”

“I suppose we’re about to find out.” Adam turned his attention back to the gate.

Wiping away a thick coating of dust, he noticed a complex pattern etched into the stone. On the left side of the gate, there was a small, palm-sized circular depression.

‘So the pearl fits in there? This isn’t exactly what I anticipated, but I have a feeling things are only going to get more complicated from here on out.’

Adam shook his head and pivoted, getting ready to head back toward the pond.

“Let’s go, Alexia. We need to find our way. We won't get any more clues from the Ancient Voice until we secure that pearl.”

Surprisingly, Adam’s assumption was incorrect.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The blue fairy shook violently before diving into the ground in a brilliant flash. Suddenly, a pulse of light raced across the floor, stretching toward the left side of the cavern system.

A glowing trail remained on the ground—dim, but bright enough to serve as a guide through the darkness.

“Hah, I see...” Adam let out a breath. “We’re playing a game with very rigid rules, yet nobody is willing to explain all the mechanics to us. This might be more difficult than I anticipated.”

The Pale Spider Pearl was merely the first objective set by the Ancient Voice, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.