Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1547: Ancient Frost

The Frost Oasis was the destination for Adam and Alexia in their pursuit of the Ancient Frost and Blood of God. That single responsive Winding Fragment, among others, had guided them to this very spot.

Neither of them had a clear picture of the objective's appearance or the steps required to claim it. Just as Beth mentioned, a condition's title didn't always capture every nuance, varying for each Phantom, yet occasionally, differently named conditions might prove identical.

At this point, one of the pair of conditions drew near.

Right ahead lay the Ancient Frost, or so Alexia believed with hope.

Step. Step. Step.

Alexia advanced toward the azure tree, parting from Adam.

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

All monsters had been slain by them without question, since the azure tree had stopped producing more.

Still, the Ancient Voice showed no rush to emerge and declare the final trial's completion.

'This had nothing to do with trial rules or rewards; the tree simply aimed to eliminate us however it could.'

Adam's eyes narrowed as he fixed a sharp gaze on the azure tree. Undeniably, the dragon head had perished ages ago, leading him to conclude that the azure tree represented the counterpart in the pact with the Ancient Voice.

While Adam felt joy at Alexia's impending advancement in strength, a frown creased his brow unavoidably.

'Blood of God. It's present, yet its location eludes me...'

Confusion gripped him. A single notion lingered in his mind, one that Silvana expressed:

'Once Alexia finishes, we should inspect that dragon head closely. Perhaps some blood lingers within its flesh?'

He responded with a mere smirk.

'Huh, you really believe this dragon held such divine power to earn the title of a god?'

Silvana rolled her eyes in response.

'Tsk, you realize it's merely a designation! This dragon might have been ancient or achieved something remarkable in its existence! Regardless, it's our sole choice available.'

Adam bit his lip, acknowledging the truth in her words.

Without any blood inside the dragon head, he'd face a complete impasse.

Clutch.

Precisely then, Alexia seized the tree with a firm hold, exerting enough pressure to splinter its delicate bark.

Guided directly by her energy to this point, she didn't hesitate and started drawing in the azure tree's essence.

"You won't get away from me. I suggest you don't fight back," she whispered threateningly. "You've subjected us to countless ordeals; now deliver the prize I've earned!"

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Blue energy erupted from the azure tree, striving to dislodge Alexia, yet she held firm with assurance, tightening her grasp even more.

Bit by bit, vivid fissures spread across the azure tree, unable to endure the mounting strain any longer.

Defeat had claimed it.

CRACKLE!

A resounding snap echoed as the azure tree broke apart into shards resembling mirrors, streaking by Alexia’s startled wide eyes.

In the azure tree's former spot lingered only a profound rift, from which a subtle glow, misty in nature, radiated outward.

Alexia swallowed hard before advancing a step.

Whooooooosh.

An item shot forth, floating before Alexia.

To their astonishment, it turned out to be a somber gray heart encased in a heavy frost coating. The organ resembled a sculpted figure of a savage creature or fiend, radiating an intimidating and somber aura.

Devoid of any pulsation, it suspended motionless in the atmosphere, releasing an icy aura so thick that even Alexia sensed the chill.

A chill coursed over her flesh as frost formed thinly on her fingertips, yet her gaze held no terror, merely wonder.

"This is your true form..."

Her tone quivered while she pressed on despite the biting cold.

"Ancient Frost, you belong to me now!"

Alexia extended her arms, drawing the frozen heart close to her chest.

The instant contact occurred, the chill no longer impacted her, replaced by a thick surge of power coursing through her frame like drifting fog.

Steadily, increasing amounts of power streamed from the frozen heart while Alexia shut her eyes, concentrating on taking it in.

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

Confirmation arrived shortly after, as the frozen heart dissolved into mere gray shards crumbling within Alexia’s palms, slipping away between her digits.

Alexia pivoted gradually, her transformed eyes stirring pain in Adam's chest.

Those typically profound blue eyes of hers now evoked twin cosmic clouds, radiant and enigmatic.

The sight lasted but an instant; upon her blink, a remnant of that brilliance lingered faintly, sufficient to reveal everything to Adam.

"Adam." Alexia’s serene tone echoed. "I understand your current emotions. Just like you, I crave being ahead, so we can't afford delays. We have to locate the Blood of God."

Adam's gaze sharpened.

"Are you alright?"

She gave a firm nod.

"Yeah... Though I have to say, things feel a bit off. I'm unusually composed... No need to fret; I'll fully integrate the Ancient Frost shortly."

PULSE!

Seeming to affirm her statement, a surge rippled over the terrain, striking the shield guarding the pond and dragon head.

The barrier crumbled, stripped of its power source. Absent the azure tree, nothing shielded the Frost Oasis anymore.

"Let's go," Alexia said, patting his shoulder. "Surely a single drop remains in that massive head."

"Sure." Adam trailed after her, eyes fixed on the pond.

Uncertain of what might unfold, he noted the luminous pond stayed undisturbed no matter what.

Whether it served merely as an energy font or concealed something beyond remained a mystery.

Ultimately, Alexia halted by the pond, gazing fixedly at the Frost Oasis, as Adam continued ahead toward the dragon head.

Its presence here had caught them off guard, yet it offered Adam's prime chance to satisfy his requirement.

"Alright, time to check what's inside you." Adam pressed his hand against the dragon head, sensing the aged scales.

He prepared to crouch and shift the skin when terror rooted him in place.

The enormous blue eye, featuring a slit pupil, stared wide.

"W-What the...?"

The supposedly lifeless dragon fixed its stare directly on him.

And that eye appeared fresh, in stark contrast to the decayed remainder of its form.