Chapter 40: Meeting Elsa

Under Gumi's guidance, Kyle and the others cautiously approached the frost marsh. The mist around the frost marsh became even thicker, like a huge white curtain that enveloped everything. The mysterious blue light flickered faintly in the mist. That was the light of the cold energy, luring everyone, yet also concealing countless dangers. The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs seemed to sense the approach of the main characters. Eerie cries could be heard from time to time all around. The sound echoed in the cold air, making one's hair stand on end.

"Everyone, pay attention. The Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs must have set up numerous ambushes. We must not let our guard down," Kyle said, tightly gripping the stardust long sword in his hand and scanning the surroundings with a determined gaze.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a group of Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs leaped out from the mist. They were huge in size, reaching half the height of an adult. Their skin was a cold and dark blue, and their eyes flashed with an eerie red light. The leading Frost Marsh Spirit Frog opened its large mouth and let out a sharp cry. Then, the surrounding Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs launched attacks one after another, spitting out streams of ice cones from their mouths. With the blessing of the cold energy, the ice cones were extremely fast, whistling sharply as they shot towards the main characters.

Kyle quickly waved the stardust long sword. The blade cut through the air, bringing out streaks of light, and shattered the ice cones shooting towards him one by one. Alicia raised the energy gun and accurately shot at the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs. The energy beams flickered in the mist. When they hit the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs, there was a hissing sound. Morgan activated his illusion ability, and several illusory figures appeared among the group of Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs, interfering with their movements. Cavin stood at the rear, muttering something, and waved his staff with both hands, releasing streams of magical shields to protect everyone from the ice cone attacks.

However, the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs were numerous and very cunning. They constantly changed their attack methods, making it a bit overwhelming for the main characters. Just when everyone was locked in a bitter battle, a dazzling blue light shot over from a distance and instantly formed a solid ice wall in front of the main characters. The ice wall was crystal clear, with mysterious runes flickering on it. The ice cones shot by the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs crashed into the ice wall and shattered one after another, turning into pieces of ice shards.

Everyone looked in surprise in the direction where the blue light had come from. They saw a woman wearing a blue magical robe walking slowly over. Her robe fluttered in the wind, like a flowing blue flame. The ice gems inlaid on the robe emitted a soft light. She wore a crown inlaid with ice gems on her head. The gems on the crown were like the stars in the night sky, shining brightly. The woman had a beautiful face, and her eyes revealed calmness and intelligence. Her appearance added a bit more mystery to this cold frost marsh.

"Hello, adventurers from afar," the woman said. Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a mountain spring, echoing in the cold air. "I'm Elsa, an ice mage who has been trapped here for many years."

Elsa raised her hand and waved it gently. A door appeared on the ice wall. She stepped through the door and came to the side of the main characters. At this time, seeing the flaw in the ice wall, the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs launched an attack again and rushed towards the ice wall. The corners of Elsa's mouth turned up slightly, revealing a confident smile. She quickly formed seals with her hands and muttered something. Moments later, countless ice arrows appeared in the sky. Under her control, the ice arrows shot towards the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs like raindrops. When the ice arrows hit the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs, they instantly froze them into ice sculptures, glistening with a cold light in the mist.

"What powerful ice magic!" Cavin couldn't help but exclaim.

Elsa looked at everyone and said, "These Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs have been running amok here for a long time, and I've also been trapped here and unable to leave. When I saw you fighting with them, I stepped in to help. In fact, I've been secretly observing you since you entered this star domain. Through magic, I sensed the strong desire for cold energy emanating from you, and I also saw your heroic performances along the way, so I knew that you were searching for the cold energy."

Kyle stepped forward and said gratefully, "Thank you, Elsa. If it weren't for your timely appearance, we might have been in even greater danger."

Elsa nodded slightly and said, "I've been trapped in this star domain for many years and have been constantly looking for a way to leave. I know more about the cold energy than you might imagine, and you possess great strength and courage. If we join hands, perhaps we can achieve our respective goals."

Alicia asked curiously, "Why were you trapped here?"

A trace of sadness flashed in Elsa's eyes, and she said slowly, "I originally came from a distant magical kingdom. An accident caused me to be stranded in this star domain. My magic staff was also lost in that accident, and that staff is the key item for me to cast powerful magic and leave here. Without it, I can't break through the confinement of this star domain."

Kyle and the others exchanged a look. They deeply understood the pain of being trapped in a foreign land and also knew that cooperation might be the best way to obtain the cold energy and help Elsa leave. Kyle said, "Elsa, we're willing to cooperate with you. We'll help you find the lost magic staff, and you can help us obtain the cold energy and find a way to leave here."

A glimmer of surprise flashed in Elsa's eyes, and she nodded vigorously. "That's great! With your help, my hope of leaving here has increased a bit more."

Morgan asked, "Then do you know where your magic staff might be?"

Elsa thought for a moment and said, "I remember that in the depths of this frost marsh, there is an ancient ruin. When I was stranded here, I lost my staff near that ruin. I guess the staff might still be in the ruin, but that ruin is protected by a powerful magical force, and it's very dangerous to enter."

At this moment, Eric suddenly shouted, "Wait, everyone, look!" Everyone looked in the direction he pointed. On the ice surface, there was a string of strange footprints. The shape of the footprints was similar to that of a human's, but they were a bit larger in size, and there were some signs of damage around the footprints, as if someone had struggled here. Eric said excitedly, "These are probably Tom's footprints! He was hunting nearby before. Maybe he encountered some danger and left these marks."

Cavin said, "Since there is a clue, we have hope of finding him. Let's first deal with the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs in front of us together, and then split into two groups. Some people will go to search for Tom's trace, and some people will go to look for the ruin."

Everyone nodded in agreement. With Elsa's addition, the strength of the main characters increased significantly. Elsa continuously cast ice magic, summoning ice walls and ice arrows, and closely cooperating with the main characters to launch a fierce counterattack against the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs. Under the powerful attack, the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs gradually couldn't hold on and began to flee in all directions.

After dealing with the Frost Marsh Spirit Frogs, everyone took a short rest. Elsa showed everyone more of the subtleties of ice magic. With a wave of her hand, she condensed an ice chair on the ground and invited everyone to sit down. She also created some ice shields for everyone. These shields could not only resist the cold but also release cold air to counterattack the enemy when attacked.

"Elsa, your magic is really amazing," Alicia said enviously.

Elsa smiled and said, "Ice magic is profound and extensive. I've only mastered a part of it. In this Frost Spirit Marsh Star Domain, ice magic has unique advantages. The cold energy here can be used by me, making the power of the magic even stronger."

Kyle said, "Let's split into two groups and take action next. I hope we can successfully find Tom and your magic staff."

Elsa nodded and said, "That ruin is very mysterious, and there may be all kinds of dangers hidden inside. The process of searching for Tom won't be easy either. We must make full preparations. I know something about the magical power in the ruin and may be able to help those looking for the ruin avoid some traps. I can also use magic to sense and see if I can find Tom's approximate location, providing some clues for those searching for him."

So, with Elsa's help and based on her magical sensing, everyone was divided into two teams. One team, led by Eric, went in the direction where Tom's footprints extended to search for his trace; the other team, led by Kyle, walked towards the ruin in the depths of the frost marsh under Elsa's guidance. Along the way, Elsa introduced various dangers and coping methods in the frost marsh to those searching for the ruin. She also cast magic from time to time to clear the obstacles on the road for everyone, such as freezing the turbulent frost marsh water so that everyone could pass through smoothly.

As they delved deeper into the frost marsh, the surrounding environment became even more eerie. The light of the cold energy became stronger, and a oppressive atmosphere filled the air.