Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1595: Ice Path (Part 2)

Through a Spatial Anomaly, Adam and Alexia had made their way to the Primal Lands. For Phantoms such as themselves, this route offered the swiftest and most practical means of travel, though the hour had now arrived for heading back.

"Ice Path? Does that mean some sort of pathway across the Primal Lands?" Adam questioned, his thoughts swirling with bewilderment.

Goen gestured dismissively with his hand.

"No, it's essentially a passage that stretches across the whole of the Primal Lands. With multiple offshoots, you could head to the closest spire in the Dead Lands and warp to the Citadel, or proceed directly there if you prefer."

Adam and Alexia shared a look. Such Paths were completely unfamiliar to them.

"First the Detached Mountains, and now this?" Adam wondered aloud.

Goen lifted his shoulders in a casual shrug.

"If you'd rather skip this handy option, feel free to stick to the traditional route. No one's blocking you from pivoting and trekking all the way to the Citadel."

"No way in hell!" Alexia burst out, smacking her hands against the earth. "That'd drag on endlessly! Damn, why can't we simply warp to any spot we choose?"

"Hahaha, even supposing you possessed such power, I guarantee plenty of folks would take issue with it pronto, and they'd scheme to curb your freedom to use it."

Adam tilted his gaze skyward. In this vicinity roamed the Spatial Anomaly that delivered them, yet its current location eluded everyone, including Goen.

Solely at the Detached Mountains did the Spatial Anomalies remain fixed in place. Tampering with those anomalies was utterly prohibited, as they hung in a fragile equilibrium among themselves.

"So that's why we took a natural Spatial Anomaly, huh?" Adam probed.

Arika's face grew more solemn while she offered a subtle smile. "Oh, you caught on that fast? Indeed, the Detached Mountains provide not just rapid transit but a secure one throughout our realm. Your emergence point stays utterly unpredictable."

Alexia paid little heed to this exchange, propping her cheek on her palm instead.

"Fine, so where exactly is this Ice Path? I know the route Adam took back from the Tarnished Lands. You proposing we dash in a straight shot for hundreds of kilometers?"

Adam's gaze revealed he harbored the identical doubt.

Should a secure path exist from Izardo to the nearest spire, he'd seize it without hesitation. The hunters, particularly Menax, posed a lethal danger to him. He'd scarcely triumphed that previous encounter.

"No, it's way easier than that. The Ice Path forms a tunnel buried far beneath the ground. An access point lies close to my territory. There, you'll encounter my acquaintance, Ramilo. He's... well, an odd sort of talker. No dashing required, and the journey should wrap up in just a few hours."

Goen's explanation hinted this wouldn't be a serene excursion, yet it far outshone navigating to the Citadel overland.

"When are we setting off?" Adam fixed Goen with a stern stare. "You mentioned granting us a couple of days, but after your skirmish, I figure that timeline's been cut short?"

"Hah, spot on. You could depart immediately or hold off until tomorrow dawn at the latest."

Adam and Alexia traded glances. No further discussion was needed to settle it.

"Very well, we're ready to go now."

Alexia dipped her head in agreement. "Mhm. Appreciate the meals and rest—it was a neat stay. But Adam's got it right; we've wrapped up our objectives here and then some."

Surprise flickered across Goen's features at their choice, but what grounds did he have to object?

After all, he'd settled in the Primal Lands seeking tranquility and solitude.

"Fine then. Come along with me. We'll reach it in about ten minutes."

Alexia shot a look at Arika.

"You joining us? And... am I right that you can shift into a sword and let Goen tote you around?"

Her lips curved into a grin.

"Yep, that's possible. I've got all those choices. Goen could even hold me like a partner if I wished, but this evening's too fine to skip."

With that, they departed Goen's dwelling, heading toward the river nestled at the slope's base.

Though merely hours had elapsed, scant remnants lingered from Goen's clash. Gusts and flurries had erased much, concealing the gore and pits, while opportunistic foragers had shredded the fifth team's remains.

Unsure of what awaited, Adam and Alexia halted before a modest cavern tucked amid the boulders.

Without Goen's guidance, they'd never suspect anything notable here, let alone something vital like the Ice Path.

Step. Step. Step.

Into the cave they ventured, where it soon widened into an imposing stone-hewn stairway. This plunge ran deep, designed to shield the Ice Path from any surface disturbances.

"Incredible, who crafted all of this?" Adam marveled, his fingers brushing the jagged wall surfaces.

Goen shrugged again.

"It's how these matters typically unfold. Ages back, a figure like you required a swift, straightforward link between points. Spotting the value, others joined in, expanding and refining it, establishing guidelines, and the like.

"Whenever the masses recognize the advantage in something, it eventually emerges and gains traction, much like the vehicles in the Citadel."

Echoes of their steps resounded against the chill stone as they completed the descent, which spanned nearly ten minutes.

Before them stretched a vast level expanse that dropped off sharply into a chasm, resembling a subway platform's brink.

To the right, a figure perched on a rocky seat.

It wasn't a Phantom or a beast mimicking human shape. This being evoked the Old Horn more closely.

"That's him...?" Adam murmured in puzzlement, eyeing the humanoid form.

"Yes, that's Ramilo."

It resembled a person, save for being an enormous, furry, azure feline!