Chapter 39: The Traps of the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs

After successfully repelling the Ice-Winged Snow Dragon, Kyle and the others took a short rest and then continued to move towards the depths of the glacier under Eric's lead to search for the missing Tom. Along the way, the biting cold wind still howled, as if showing them the ruthlessness of this Frost Spirit Marsh Star Domain.

As everyone gradually approached the spirit marsh area, the surrounding environment became more and more eerie. A gurgling sound of running water began to be heard under the originally solid ice layer. That was the cold energy contained in the frost marsh surging under the ice layer. The chill in the air also became more intense. Every breath seemed to carry a cold air that went straight through the throat to the heart and lungs.

"Everyone, be careful. We're already close to the spirit marsh. There might be traps set by the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs everywhere here," Eric said with a solemn expression. He was not only reminding everyone but also carefully observing the ice layer under his feet.

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Morgan, who was walking in the front, suddenly felt the ground under his feet go soft, and his whole body quickly sank. "Not good!" he shouted. Instinctively, he tried to use his illusion ability to steady his body, but he found that the cold energy around him interfered with his ability. The illusion flickered a few times and then disappeared.

Kyle was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He immediately gathered the stardust power and formed a glowing rope, which he quickly threw towards Morgan. "Grab it!" he shouted. Morgan reached out and tightly grasped the rope, and Kyle and Alicia pulled him up with all their might. Everyone looked down and saw that the place where Morgan had just stood seemed to be an ordinary ice layer, but in fact, it had become like a marsh, emitting a cold mist. Any object that stepped into it would be quickly frozen and sink into it.

"This is the frozen marsh trap of the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs. They use the special energy of the frost marsh to turn the water under the ice layer into this terrifying trap," Eric explained with a frown.

Everyone continued to move forward cautiously, not daring to be careless anymore. However, the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs didn't seem to want to let them go easily. Not long after they walked out, a dense row of ice spikes suddenly rose up in front of them. These ice spikes were extremely sharp, protruding abruptly from under the ice layer and forming an insurmountable ice spike array.

Cavin tried to use his staff to release magic to melt the ice spikes, but when the magical energy touched the ice spikes, it was rebounded by a powerful cold energy, almost hurting himself. "These ice spikes have been given a special cold energy protection by the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs. Ordinary magic can't damage them at all," Cavin said helplessly.

Just when everyone was in a predicament, a short figure quietly poked its head out from behind the ice layer not far away. The figure was extremely small, only reaching the waist height of an ordinary person. Its skin was a faint ice blue color, as if it was condensed from the ice crystals deep in the frost marsh, exuding a cold and clear luster. Its eyes were big and round, like two black gems in their face. Under the reflection of the dark blue ice layer, they sparkled with a curious and slightly fearful light. Its light blue hair was messily stuck to its scalp, and a few strands of hair fluttered gently in the cold wind. When it saw that everyone had discovered it, it quickly shrank back in fright.

"Who's there?" Kyle shouted vigilantly, while tightly gripping the stardust long sword in his hand.

After a while, the short figure cautiously poked its head out again and said in a trembling voice, "You... you don't hurt me. My name is Gumi, and I'm a native of the frost marsh." At this time, it could be seen more clearly that he was wearing a tattered but neatly mended animal skin coat. There were also some small pendants strung together with special crystals from the frost marsh hanging on the coat, which swayed gently with his movements, making a slight jingle. His hands were hidden in his sleeves, only revealing a pair of skinny little hands with long fingers, slightly protruding joints, and fingernails that were a faint blue color.

Eric stepped forward and said gently, "Gumi, we won't hurt you. We're looking for a missing person, and we want to obtain the cold energy. But there are traps set by the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs everywhere here. Can you help us?"

Gumi hesitated for a moment and then slowly walked out from behind the ice layer. He looked up at everyone who was tall in stature, a trace of timidity in his eyes. He then looked at the ice spike array and said, "The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs are very cunning. They've set many traps. But I know how to break these traps because I've lived here for a long time and am familiar with their habits." As he spoke, the white breath exhaled from his mouth quickly condensed into small ice crystals in the cold air and drifted around.

Hearing Gumi's words, a glimmer of hope ignited in everyone's hearts. Gumi walked up to the ice spike array and squatted down. His thin legs bent, almost touching the ground. He carefully observed the arrangement pattern of the ice spikes. His eyes widened even more, his gaze focused and serious, not missing any detail. Then, he picked up a stone and tightly grasped it with his slender fingers, throwing it towards a specific position in the ice spike array. Something magical happened. The originally seemingly solid ice spike array began to change. The ice spikes slowly retracted, gradually revealing a narrow passage.

"These ice spike arrays are arranged according to a certain pattern. As long as you find the key trigger point, you can make them ineffective," Gumi explained while leading everyone through the passage.

During the continued journey, Gumi introduced various habits of the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs to everyone. "The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs like to inhabit the edge of the frost marsh. They feed on the energy in the frost marsh and at the same time use this energy to set traps. Their eyes are very sensitive to heat induction, so try to keep your body temperature stable when you're moving and don't let them detect your position." As he spoke, he unconsciously rubbed his hands, as if even wearing the animal skin coat couldn't withstand the bone-chilling cold.

As they walked, everyone encountered a new trap. This time, it was a seemingly calm ice surface, but Gumi immediately reminded everyone, "There are ice magic arrays all over this ice surface. Once someone steps on it, the magic arrays will be triggered, and they will be attacked by countless ice blades." As he spoke, a trace of worry showed in his eyes, his brows furrowed slightly, and a few fine wrinkles appeared on his forehead.

Gumi walked around the ice surface. His steps were light and flexible, and he hardly made any sound on the ice surface. Then he picked up some faintly glowing crystals from the ground and placed them around the ice surface in a specific order with his slender fingers. As the crystals were placed, the light of the magic arrays under the ice surface gradually weakened and finally disappeared.

"These crystals are special ores in the frost marsh. They can neutralize the magical energy of the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs, thus breaking their traps," Gumi said.

With Gumi's help, the main characters successfully avoided one trap after another and gradually approached the spirit marsh. However, Gumi's face became more and more solemn.

"What's wrong, Gumi?" Alicia asked with concern.

Gumi let out a sigh. His small shoulders drooped slightly, and his face was full of sorrow. He said, "The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs have become more and more crazy recently. They not only set traps everywhere but also destroyed the ecological balance of the frost marsh. My home has also been destroyed by them, and my originally peaceful life has been completely disrupted."

After hearing this, Kyle said, "Gumi, we will help you repair your home and restore the ecological balance of the frost marsh. But before that, we need to obtain the cold energy. This is very important to us."

Gumi nodded. His light blue hair swayed gently with the movement. He said, "I know that the cold energy is very important to you, and I will do my best to help you. Moreover, only by obtaining the cold energy may we truly subdue the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs and make everything return to normal."

Just then, a huge frost marsh appeared in front of them. A thick mist hung over the surface of the frost marsh, and a mysterious blue light flickered in the mist, which was the light of the cold energy. Everyone knew that they had finally reached their destination, but it also meant that they were about to face greater challenges. The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs seemed to have already sensed the arrival of the main characters and were lurking around the frost marsh, ready to launch an attack at any time.

"The frost marsh is right ahead. The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs must have set more traps and ambushes nearby. We need to be even more careful," Gumi said nervously. His voice trembled slightly, and his hands unconsciously clenched the corners of his clothes.