Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1535 1535: Actual Rules

Before the grand entrance, Adam and Alexia came to a halt while the blue fairy, serving as their guide through this enigmatic realm, made her appearance.

[Insert the Pale Spider Pearl into the beam of light to advance.]

Shiver. Shiver. Shiver.

The pearl quivered as it lifted from Adam's hand and floated toward the indentation on the gate's left panel.

For ages, these imposing doors had remained still, blanketed in a heavy coat of dust that obscured all but the faint shapes of the carvings.

The recess itself was barely noticeable except for the illumination casting upon it.

Whoosh.

With a sudden thrust, the pearl slammed into the slot, unleashing a vivid blue-violet radiance that swept in ripples over the gate's left half, gradually brushing away the grime and illuminating the etched designs.

In Adam's gaze, the grand wings of a beast caught his eye—something both recognizable and utterly alien.

It wasn't a wyvern or gargoyle, but a dragon locked in fierce combat with an unseen foe. From the mere sketch alone, Adam perceived the terror and desperation etched into the dragon's stare.

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

[The initial trial has been cleared.]

[Trace the glowing path to the next challenge.]

"Hold on!" Alexia shouted, halting the blue fairy in her tracks.

While Adam scrutinized the artwork for any clues, Alexia showed zero curiosity in it.

"You better not trick us again! Spill all the rules upfront!"

The blue fairy quivered.

[Certain rules conceal others. You possess exactly the knowledge every participant ought to have—nothing extra, nothing less. Victory or defeat rests solely in your hands.]

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

No reply came this time, as the blue fairy vanished into the earth, abandoning them with just the luminous trail.

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

She prepared to move on, but then something drew her focus.

"Huh?"

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

Shiver. Shiver. Shiver.

Reacting to his effort, the enormous doors vibrated, fissures spiderwebbing along the surrounding walls from the mere pressure of his gentle press. Such was the might of ancient energy.

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

Snap. Snap.

Like a smith hammering stakes, Adam plunged the needle and staff into the seam between the doors. His arms shook, veins bulging with strain, yet his expression stayed composed.

Astoundment washed over Alexia's features as the colossal gates creaked open a fraction—just briefly, but sufficient for Adam's gloved fingers to seize the edges.

Activating his Stellar Nexus granted him not only the full powers of the Staff of Defeat but also a staggering physical prowess that had stunned even Menax.

'If this power could pulverize the golden skeleton's digits like tissue, then dealing with these stone barriers should be feasible, no?'

His assumption proved correct.

Despite one more test ahead, the portal began to part, inching open steadily as Adam wrenched the panels asunder amid fractures racing through the floor from the force. In a region with thinner energy, his boots would have buried to the knees in the soil.

Adam's eyes grew wide at the brilliant shimmer afar, emanating from depths below. He glanced at the basin, which appeared formed not of liquid but of countless gems.

Gradually, his sight shifted to spot a massive, inert silhouette standing sentinel over the basin.

Clang!

Instantly, golden symbols ignited on both faces of the gates as they crashed closed. A blast of thick, piercing energy hurled Adam backward with overwhelming might, catching even Alexia off guard.

Finally, Adam halted only after crashing into the pool at the cavern's mouth, site of their initial clash with the two spiders.

"Adam!" Alexia cried out, rushing toward him, though he required no aid.

Unscathed, he rose effortlessly as droplets fell from his ebony locks, a pleased smirk forming on his lips.

"Ha, that settles it."

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

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

He shook his head while emerging from the water and striding after the light path.

"Dealing with External Artifacts, they lay out their aims and motives straight away. You can bargain with them or gauge if they're allies or threats. But not here."

He gestured dismissively.

"This domain has zero interest in granting 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 that Ancient Voice!"

"Wrong."

"Huh?"

Adam glanced back at her.

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

He flashed a grin skyward.

"Approach this spot as a straightforward explorer, and escape seems impossible. It's essentially a vast, fanged trap that chews you up bit by bit."

"What...? So what do we do?" Alexia rubbed her cheek, thrown off by Adam's words.

Adam laughed softly.

"What we're pros at: triumph and shatter the system."

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

"The second trial's demands don't matter. We'll tackle it on our terms, not theirs. I nearly pried the gate open alone, so united, we'll crack this rigged challenge one way or another."

That reassurance was precisely what Alexia craved.

"Damn straight! Suddenly, this place rocks!" She yelled and dashed after Adam.

...

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

It detected two presences overhead, proceeding to the second trial.

The choice was made: eliminate them immediately.