Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1544 1544: Only One Way Out

The Frost Oasis wasn't a special spot specially reserved over centuries just for Adam and Alexia to show up.

For countless years—maybe hundreds, or possibly thousands—it served as a deadly testing ground.

Here gathered wild beasts, along with Phantoms and Elders alike.

In the end, death was the sole fate that met every single one of them.

Up to now, Adam and Alexia remained clueless about the azure tree's reason for devouring the vitality and blood of fellow beings, or if it linked in any way to the Ancient Voice, the dragon head, or the pond.

Yet, they were compelled to attempt its destruction, for failure meant not just breaching their terms but certain doom.

Maybe Adam and Alexia had misjudged the sheer scale of danger looming ahead, a fact clear from the stunned expression on Alexia's face.

"W-What?" She swallowed hard, gazing at the figure in ragged black garb who had effortlessly halted her frozen blade by trapping it between his hands.

Achieving such a feat demanded not just unmatched accuracy and swiftness, but also horrifying power.

Yet, that wasn't even the extent of his capabilities.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Fissures spread over the sword's surface, causing the massive weapon to break apart into shards of ice that whizzed by the man's features.

Next instant, his body quivered as he appeared directly before the astonished Alexia.

Her strike had aimed to shatter the azure tree, yet now she confronted a Phantom long gone from the world, revived to battle her!

'Hold on, hold on, this wasn't how it was meant to unfold!' She threw up her arms defensively as darkness loomed above her.

BAM!

The man's punch crashed into Alexia, unleashing a surge of agony across her form. It struck like an ordinary person's blow on her limbs, but burned like a scorching mallet of immense weight.

The force hurled Alexia away so violently that in a blur, her spine collided with the shield enclosing the pond and dragon head.

"Gha!" She groaned from the hurt, though no pause was possible since her foe loomed right there again.

With his features shrouded in gloom and gaze vacant, the man unleashed another punch, one brimming with enough might to inflict severe harm on Alexia.

Alexia lacked the moment to respond.

In that frantic instant, her mind raced with just one thought:

'Damn! My hidden aces! I must unleash them, or else—!'

Tap.

A faint snap echoed nearby as the black staff's end struck the man's chin.

The blast generated a burst of wind, flinging the man off to the side.

But while Alexia struggled to steady herself, the man rebounded from a close boulder and touched down steadily.

"Silvana, that wasn't my imagination, was it?"

She gave a firm nod.

"Yes. The azure tree apparently can't compel the deceased to wield their skills, yet their bodily prowess matches what it was in life—or close to 80-90% at least."

He squinted, fixing a sharp gaze on the figure who prowled at a distance, encircling them like a calm yet lethal predator.

The azure tree had called forth numerous beings, mostly beasts, but only this one turned out to be a Phantom.

Though the man's presence felt corrupted and unclear amid the chaos, Adam sensed that facing them was no mere Elder or Lord, but a Phantom—vastly superior in strength during his lifetime.

Should this Phantom regain his full might and access his powers, it spelled doom for both Adam and Alexia.

However, under these circumstances, victory remained within their grasp.

"What's our plan?" Alexia inquired, dabbing the blood from her lips.

Adam rested his staff across his back.

"I'll attempt to battle him solo and test what I can manage alone. Handle the others. If we team up to take him down but end up drained, the swarm of beasts this tree calls will just rip us apart."

True to form, Alexia yearned to tackle the toughest foe on her own. She shared that trait with Adam.

Without protest, she simply flicked her wrist.

"Fine, I'll handle these pathetic foes. The previous powerhouse was all mine anyway. Though... it fell flat. I finished that demon in a single blow."

Adam's brow furrowed.

"Sure, that strike of yours was striking. Still, it seems a repeat won't faze him."

Step. Step. Step.

Adam advanced, signaling to the man that he was the challenger.

The man eyed Alexia as she moved to engage the beasts, then dipped his head faintly. Those terms suited him.

"Come on, strike first!" Adam aimed the dark staff toward the man.

The man regarded Adam briefly, assessing him, then pivoted and approached a nearby monster.

'Ugh? What's his game?'

Beyond its robust frame, this beast's standout trait was the extended dark horn, twisted like a coiled lance.

Step.

The man halted before the creature and seized its horn without a second thought.

The monster's gaze bulged as it grasped the man's intent, but the deed was done.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Showing no mercy in his stare, the man tore the horn free from the monster's skull, effectively ending it.

Of course, all were truly deceased, but while the azure tree stood whole, it revived them for the moment.

Slash. Slash. Slash.

The man tested the new armament with several swings, familiarizing himself with its balance and form.

This development boded ill for Adam.

'Hah, a spear then? Actually, more of a lance. Damn, guess I'll watch my signature move executed by another,'

The man stepped back from the fallen beast and positioned himself across from Adam, resembling duelists poised for combat.

One of them needed to initiate the clash.