https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-160-The-Sleeping-Beauty-Who-Won-t-Wake-Up/12973921/
Chapter 159: The Swamp
Chapter 159: The Swamp
"How far is it?"
"3 kilometers."
"Any signs of danger?"
"It's cold, and I can't detect anything with sonic detection."
"..."
Lin Sai waved his hand, signaling the bat to rise into the air to keep watch.
He whispered to himself,
"With this temperature, there must be something unusual ahead."
"Should we take a detour or go straight ahead and see?"
Without needing much persuasion, the overwhelming sense of loneliness convinced Lin Sai.
"If we encounter any problems, we'll take the detour."
"At this rate, even if we reach Black Mountain, our lack of growth in strength might cause trouble."
Lin Sai's eyes hardened with determination as he ventured into the increasingly frigid wasteland ahead.
Being bold didn't mean abandoning caution.
When they were about two-thirds of the way to the 3-kilometer distance reported by the bat, Lin Sai halted and expanded the reconnaissance range of his map.
When this skill had first awakened, with Lin Sai's life essence, he could sustain it for about three seconds within a 1-kilometer range.
Now, with his advanced life essence, he could maintain it for a little longer and at a greater distance, enough for him to discern some details.
Following the wasteland ahead, the temperature indeed continued to drop.
The change in temperature further defied the common knowledge of the Black Mountain world, as if a scene of ice and snow was about to unfold here.
As Lin Sai scouted with his map, he caught a fleeting glimpse at the edge of his range, but it was enough to see something.
"A yellow... marker?"
Lin Sai's eyebrows arched, and his curiosity surged.
Ordinary beasts within his detection range would surely be marked in yellow, not to mention the monsters and those loyal to the Dragon Beast.
But a yellow marker, indicating neutrality...
Aside from the hidden border towns and the Mountain Spirits he encountered in the underground world, it was indeed a rare sight! Especially with the temperature change contradicting common sense.
"Could this be the escaped rebel against the Dragon Beast that the spider mentioned?"
Lin Sai prepared to prove his conjecture and continued deeper.
After covering the 3-kilometer distance, a cold wind began to blow across the wasteland, and although the vegetation on the ground was sparse, there were moss and wild grasses that could withstand the low temperatures.
Lin Sai himself was resistant to the cold, and the situation improved his mood.
As he continued his exploration, the ground around him became uneven, with wild grass growing between small mounds. Frequent low-lying pools soon soaked his pant legs.
"Is this the swamp mentioned in the records...?"
As he trudged through the muddy terrain, Lin Sai pulled out the expedition team's records.
Based on the location and geographical distribution, the swamp they were approaching on the other side of the wasteland seemed to match the description.
However, the team's records clearly stated:
[This swamp is hot and humid, teeming with mosquitoes. Although they can't harm us, they are enough to give anyone a headache.]
"Hot and humid, teeming with mosquitoes..."
Lin Sai looked around; the scene before him couldn't possibly match the description in the book.
"This change must have occurred within the last century and is undoubtedly related to the Dragon Beast's appearance."
Lin Sai made his judgment and, as he continued forward, carefully examined the swamp.
His speculation was soon confirmed.
In the swamp's wild grasses and shallower pools, he found no mosquito corpses, ruling out the possibility that the abnormal temperature was caused by a short-term event.
Lin Sai continued onward, and the temperature kept dropping.
After another kilometer, the various low-lying pools froze, turning into fragmented mirrors embedded in the grass.
The environment became a frozen swamp, like a desolate wasteland of frozen mud.
Combining this with his feelings of loneliness and anticipation.
Lin Sai recalled "Snowy Night by the Woods," and couldn't help but recite it:
"I think I know the owner of this forest,
He lives in the village by the woods,
But he won't see me as I stop here to admire the snow-clad forest.
…”
Just then, the yellow marker finally appeared on the map.
A magnificent ice sculpture glistened in the sunlight, reflecting the cold winter sun's rays like a meticulously crafted work of art.
Lindsey approached it.
The ice sculpture had distinct edges, yet its figure was slender and graceful, with long icicle-like spikes on its arms and back, resembling both armor and weapons.
However, within the ice sculpture...
There was no frozen creature, only a series of ice-blue cores, shimmering like translucent crystals.
"Elemental Being?"
Lindsey had already encountered fire and earth elementals in the remote borderlands.
Although the ice sculpture before him differed slightly, it wasn't difficult to recognize its elemental nature.
And unlike the previous two...
This ice elemental showed no signs of movement.
Even as Lindsey approached and drew closer, it maintained its original posture, as if it were truly an immovable statue!
"Since I'm here, I might as well check out the situation."
The abnormal temperature in this swamp might be linked to the ice elemental before him.
However, on the map, this elemental being was marked in yellow, symbolizing neutrality. Lindsey had no intention of killing it; instead, he planned to investigate using the Hunting Module.
He extended his hand and selected Simulate Management.
[Elemental Being: Glacier Elemental]
[The ice in the depths of the glacier, after merging with Life Essence, forms an elemental being. It is proficient in various ice-based abilities. It prefers cold temperatures and possesses the ability to regenerate in glaciers, currently in a state of slumber, slowing its melting process.]
[A rare elemental being, taming and enslaving it can fetch a good price.]
"Glacier Elemental, in a state of slumber?"
"How is it even possible for it to appear in a swamp!"
"And based on the current environment of the Black Mountain World, those towering glaciers must have a lower temperature. Why would they come to such a place to slumber?"
Lindsey had a clear memory of the glaciers.
There were two locations in the Black Mountain World where glaciers existed.
One was in the mountains at the world's center, and the other was at the world's edge, surrounding the Black Mountain, where the Dragon Beast resided.
However, both places were still quite a distance from the swamp before him.
It was as if these elemental beings, by nature, had left their birthplace and migrated to this remote location for their slumber.
New thoughts emerged in Lindsey's mind.
Perhaps these ice elementals had rebelled against the Dragon Beast's rule and were driven away, becoming a small number of survivors?
"The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend, but it's worth trying to win them over."
At this moment, Lindsey stood at the edge of the entire frozen swamp, facing the first glacier elemental that had appeared.
If there were to be negotiations or discussions, or if they needed to escape after a failed negotiation, there was no better place than here.
Bang! Bang! Lindsey stepped forward and knocked twice on the cold, icy block.
"Hello!"
"..."
"Hey, are you there?"
"..."
"Wake up!"
"..."
The glacier elemental showed no reaction.
It remained standing in the cold, wintry wind, its ice-blue core faintly glowing.
Lindsey folded his arms across his chest and pouted. His current problem was how to wake this thing up.
"I'm here to negotiate and gather intelligence."
"And... and chat to pass the time! In this situation, I can't just burn it, can I?"
Just then, as if in response to something, Lindsey's task list updated.
[Temperature Difference Dilemma: Ice Crystal]
[A unique temperature swamp seems to hide a dilemma. Uncover the truth and resolve this terrifying crisis.]
[Task Reward: Secret Treasure Map; RPG Module Upgrade]
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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