Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?
Chapter 423 - 300: Yilushier of the Cold Valley

Chapter 423: Chapter 300: Yilushier of the Cold Valley

The cold-toned scenery of Yilushier in the Cold Valley was fully revealed before everyone.

The cold moon hung high, and mist filled the air, but unlike the thick fog that would obscure the view at Lake Lienia, this mist wasn’t enough to conceal the beauty of Yilushier; instead, it blended in perfectly.

At first glance, besides the sense of grandeur and a magnificent view, a sense of mystery emerged naturally.

What awaits across the bridge?

What does the Great Cathedral located at the far end of the town possess?

Can the area beneath the bridge that looks like a water surface be explored?

And... what kind of rewards could be gained here?

"I really wish to settle down here..." Tami sighed.

"Wake up, you’d be frozen into a popsicle," Luluwo was the first to snap back to reality from the scenery, and said, "Although it’s really cold, exploring such a beautiful scene is also enjoyable."

Even just watching this for a while is like extending your life.

Tami, reminded by her, finally noticed the cold, and it wasn’t just any ordinary cold.

Upon closer inspection, a layer of frost was slowly forming on everyone’s body!

The smallest one, Mila, was already fully covered in frost, her face didn’t look good, appearing extremely pale!

But because of her weakened body, she couldn’t even call out for help, and the freezing frost added insult to injury, while those immersed in the magnificent view failed to notice her momentarily.

"Fire, quickly start a fire, Mila-senpai is about to die!"

Combining plant-growing magic with flame magic, they quickly made a simple fire pit. When the flame finally rose, the frost on Mila’s body slowly melted away, and with the help of healing magic, her complexion gradually improved.

Luluwo and her group of companions sat around the fire, warming themselves. She watched the slowly melting frost on her body and tried various other methods to remove it, all to no avail.

In other words, could these things only be removed by "fire"?

"This isn’t ordinary frost; it’s more like magic." She shook her clothes and gazed at the softly falling snowflakes over Yilushier, lamenting:

"What kind of divine people can live here?"

They had uncovered the environmental trap of Yilushier—cold damage.

In the absence of a heat source, the cold would continuously accumulate on the adventurers. Once entirely covered with frost, not only would they continuously lose life force, but it would also cause slowed movements, decreased resistance, and other issues.

The solution was simple: just create a heat source nearby. The easiest method was to carry a torch, something even a three-year-old could manage.

But, once exploration began, could they really hold a torch at all times?

"Shall we head down and take a look?"

Initially, they just planned to take a look and leave immediately.

But there’s a long-standing saying that goes, "Since we’re here."

Since we’re here, how can we not go and have a look? We’ll just stick to the outskirts without going in.

Eventually, it will inevitably turn into a thorough exploration.

Hardly had they taken a few steps downward when they discovered a new bonfire, with a spiral sword standing alone in the fire pit, all covered with frost.

Once the bonfire was lit, they realized they could quickly teleport back to the bonfire at the Fire Transmission Ceremony from here. Bonfire teleportation truly is the greatest invention in this world.

Another noteworthy thing was that staying by the bonfire swiftly eliminated the frost on their bodies, at a pace far exceeding the adventurers’ self-made heat sources.

The further they descended, the denser the cold became. At the mouth of the cave, it was tolerable, but on the ground, the temperature had dropped to an unacceptable level. Although holding a torch could suppress the frost, the cold air was still affecting their bodies.

Looking at Luluwo’s group, Luluwo was still wearing her latex-like outfit, Tami was in a layer of leather armor and thin clothes, and the two magicians Ais and Em had it even worse, for the sake of fashion, they were wearing midriff-bearing outfits, now the sisters seemed like they were about to ascend to another realm.

Perhaps the one in the best shape was Elsa, her strong physique aside, her Nameless Knight Set was the best at keeping warm among the group.

"I-I-I..." Tami shivered from the cold, barely able to speak.

Seeing everyone reduced to this sorry state, Luluwo motioned Ais to cast the [Floating Fireball] spell for everyone, creating several fireballs that hovered around them.

With the mobile fireballs providing warmth, their bodily sensations improved somewhat, and they exchanged glances before heading towards the bridge to Yilushier, the only way to that city.

They were resolute in the idea of just skirting around the perimeter without entering. Joking aside, who wants to explore a dungeon in weather this cold?

Winter is for staying home and hibernating! If it weren’t for making a living, who would want to do such a wicked job in the dead of winter?

"It’s so quiet on the bridge, there’s no one around." Tami looked to the left and right; the bridge was clean, not a single monster in sight, so clean it seemed unlike Sain Dungeon.

Berto quickly clapped his hand over his mouth, causing him to struggle immediately.

"Shut up, do you know what a taboo you just committed!" Berto looked around nervously, saying, "When you’re working as an adventurer, you must never say things like that, just like a priest must never say ’Oh, so few patients today,’ because once you say that, patients will come flooding in endlessly!"

Not only Tami, but even Elsa was frightened by this explanation and drew her weapon on high alert.

Luluwo laughed, patting Berto’s shoulder, and said, "Alright, alright, I didn’t sense any monsters’ presence, so let’s ignore the so-called taboo for now. What if this map is just Sain Dungeon letting us relax a bit?"

She marched forward boldly, saying, "What I love most is winter; maybe we can find a room with a fireplace for a nap later."

"Captain..." Berto was at a loss for words, wondering where her relaxed mindset came from, but after thinking it over, he figured it was reasonable.

After all, if Sain wanted to mess with them, there were countless ways, impossible to guard against. Being overly cautious about everything would only turn oneself into a paranoid maniac.

This time, they decided to trust Sain, believing that this clean bridge was safe.

After all, it didn’t look like there was anywhere a Monster could hide, unless it fell from the sky?

Initially, Berto had his guard up completely against this bridge, but as they walked further, with no traps or Monsters appearing, he gradually relaxed.

Well, Sain, you didn’t betray my trust—

Before he could finish this thought, Luluwo suddenly stopped in her tracks and let out a puzzled "Huh?"

"What is it!"

Berto’s vigilance was immediately heightened, and when he reached Luluwo’s side, he also let out a "Huh?"

It wasn’t a Monster or a trap that appeared, but a barrier of white fog blocking their path.

Looking up, they saw this layer of white fog enveloping the entire Yilushier.

"We can’t get through." Luluwo reached out to touch it, finding that this white fog was completely different from a Fog Gate.

They tried various attacks, but to no avail.

"Ah, I understand."

Luluwo pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke up.

Adventurers who have reached the Yilushier in the Cold Valley map are at least familiar with the tricks of the Sain Dungeon, so—

"We must not have met certain conditions!"

Just like how opening the Endless Reincarnation requires Humanity, or challenging the Undead Team is needed to enter the Casas Underground Tomb, perhaps entering the Yilushier in the Cold Valley also requires a special condition.

Her intuition told her that the Sain Dungeon must have given them hints about passing through the white fog barrier earlier. What was it?

"Looks like we can’t get in today." Luluwo shook her head. She even glanced around the area under the bridge to see if there were sewer-like routes to enter Yilushier, but unfortunately, the entire city was enveloped by the barrier.

Upon hearing that they couldn’t enter, everyone was unsure whether to be happy or sad, but obediently turned around to head back.

"We need to consolidate our strategy once we’re back. Although we aren’t the first to pass, we can be the first to publish a strategy."

Berto contemplated how to organize the strategy while walking forward, the bridge empty and perfect for thinking as he walked.

Sain did well this time, without adding any Monsters on the bridge. The scenic view here is great, perfect for a walk to clear one’s mind.

Just as he thought of this, a voice called out from his companions behind him.

"Berto, watch out above!"

Above?

As he looked up, a massive shadow enveloped him.

That gigantic body, split belly, furry torso, and crocodile-like maw...

What else could it be but a Monster!

"Sain Dungeon, I swear!"

So Monsters really do fall from the sky without any build-up at all!?

At least make a Monster slowly emerge from Invisibility Technique for me to praise your cleverness!

Berto widened his eyes, hurriedly retreating, but the Monster seemed to lock onto him, skillfully predicting his retreat direction while in the air.

With a "thud!", Berto’s life was uncertain as the Monster howled to the heavens.

"Berto, senior!"

Looking at this Monster, both crocodile-like and rabid dog-like, Luluwo muttered to herself:

"What on earth is this thing?"

Amidst the frantic response to the Monster, an untimely voice rose from somewhere.

"So cute..."

Cute? Who said that?

People turned their heads in surprise to see Elsa blushing slightly.

This girl’s sense of aesthetics seems to differ a bit from the crowd.

"To have a Monster come just when everyone is out of strength, really, well done, Sain Dungeon."

Luluwo sighed, saying: "This kind of Monster, I can tell its attack style at a glance, keep the distance, don’t engage in close combat, watch out for claws, mouth, and belly..."

Before she could finish speaking, the Monster opened its mouth and spewed a crackling bolt of lightning rapidly towards the group.

This seemingly irrational Monster can actually use a lightning attack!?

The slap in the face came too fast; Luluwo felt her face was tingling audibly.