Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1556: Two of Three

The Winding Fragments.

Phantoms relied on these to discover the locations of their requirements for the Third Grand Star.

Adam and Alexia followed this pattern without fail, making full use of the opportunity. They embarked on a joint mission after one Winding Fragment revealed that the Third Grand Star's conditions lay in that very spot.

However...

The Winding Fragments offered no clues about the specific conditions fulfillable at the Frost Oasis.

Every Winding Fragment merely indicated the treasure chest's position, revealing nothing regarding the treasure's true nature.

Indeed, upon spotting the thick ice layers and peaks blanketed in snow, they presumed the Ancient Frost resided precisely in this place.

Aware of their journey to the Primal Lands and the mighty foe lurking at the Frost Oasis's conclusion, Adam persuaded himself this spot held the Blood of God for him to claim.

The sole idea in his mind was that it came from an ancient, mighty beast. Such a notion fit the creatures of the Primal Lands, including Vaarh. He had surely dwelled in this realm for ages, possessed a potent bloodline, and wielded immense strength.

Yet, right from the start, Adam sought something absent from this area entirely.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heartbeat quickened while his pupils constricted sharply.

At last, Adam realized why, in contrast to Alexia who could follow her energy's guidance, he found no clear path to seize.

His energy merely indicated that one condition awaited him exactly here, within the Frost Oasis.

No further hints.

'If the Blood of God was my condition and it belonged to Vaarh, wouldn't the energy have guided me straight to him?' Adam whispered inwardly, gradually shifting his stare toward Vaarh.

Though Vaarh lacked the full story, Adam's bewildered expression sufficed to grasp the core issue.

This struck Adam like a crushing defeat; it seemed as though he had deceived his own instincts.

Yet the gravest revelation loomed ahead.

Without the Blood of God as his prize here, which of the leftover conditions did he stand to gain in this place?

The Highest Bliss, or perhaps the Bottomless Void?

What opposing force lay in wait for him amid these surroundings?

No one—not Adam, Silvana, or any other—held the key to that mystery.

What Adam now comprehended clearly was that Vaarh himself wasn't the objective, but rather this entire battlefield.

Step.

Vaarch advanced a pace, directing his spear toward Adam, though not with intent to strike. His purpose diverged entirely.

"What happened?"

Alexia scowled. "You really believe we'll spill answers to your queries, you scum?!"

Still, Adam lifted his hand, halting her outburst.

"Alexia, odd as it sounds, I'll respond to him anyway."

"W-WHAT?!" She objected fiercely.

Adam drew in a steadying breath.

"He struck first, so we'll simply repay the gesture."

With a brief incline of his head, Adam wiped the blood from his lips and fixed his eyes on Vaarh.

"I figured your blood would empower me further. That's what I thought. Our journey here aimed at growing stronger. Alexia uncovered her requirement, and I assumed you—or more precisely, your blood—served as mine."

Vaarh's face stayed composed.

"It seems you were quite convinced. Plenty of factors supported that view, didn't they?"

Adam inclined his head in agreement.

"Yes, it all aligned flawlessly, save for that single flaw."

"What about now?"

Adam merely shrugged in reply, offering a wry grin.

"Right now, I haven't a damn clue how to proceed."

Vaarh refrained from taunting or jesting. He simply dipped his head, embracing the reality before him.

"Understood. I've never faced anything identical, but setbacks mustn't halt your path. So long as you haven't yielded to your inner doubts, victory remains within reach."

"Huh," Adam let out a grim laugh. "Isn't it odd to offer such wisdom after declaring our doom and insisting it's unalterable?"

Yet Vaarh's demeanor indicated firm opposition to Adam's point.

"Of course, these words hold no value for you. Your end is inevitable. Still, by sharing insight at this pivotal instant, I'll recall to do so again in due time, when it truly counts."

"Tsk!" Alexia huffed in disdain. "This calculated mercy and benevolence exhausts me. Haven't you an ounce of savage hunger left?!"

Vaarh whirled toward her suddenly. Briefly, an icy veil masked his features, a chilling depth in his gaze unnerved Alexia, though normality swiftly resumed.

"I possess the drive to battle and triumph, much as you do. Lacking that, I'd have perished ages past, far in the past."

His tone deepened gravely.

"I'll honor my vow and deliver a fitting clash. This stems not just from honoring the offering you'll provide for my might, but for my own sake too. To reclaim the pinnacle, I need to rekindle the thrill of conquest."

Suddenly, swirling gray winds enveloped Vaarh, propelled skyward by a fierce blast.

Devoid of wings or overt energy, he ascended hundreds of meters, borne by the gale.

Alexia shielded her vision against the whipping winds with her palms.

Upon unveiling her eyes, she beheld Vaarh ascending far beyond the frosted summits, while the heavens overhead dimmed, choked with brooding storm clouds.

This spectacle unfolded through his command and the surge of his energy.

As ruler of these domains—by might and by name—he intended to demonstrate his dominion.

"What does he plan next...?" Alexia's words quivered as she scanned the vicinity.

Beasts once charging toward the chasm now fled the conflict zone with desperate haste. They shunned crossing Vaarh's path, thus steering clear of Adam and Alexia, his designated foes.

All had witnessed the ice worm's grim fate.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Blinding white bolts crackled across the ominous clouds, the initial flash igniting his spear with tempestuous fury.

Just as prior, Vaarh's assault promised deadly accuracy, leaving Adam and Alexia scant moments to counter.