Merlin regarded the Frost Lord coldly. Unless he had no other choice, he would not break the seal on the fourth form of Darkness Eye. He knew that once the seal was opened, he would have to use the power of the Maxims to constantly suppress the fourth form of Darkness Eye. Once the power of the Maxims was exhausted, Merlin would no longer be able to suppress Darkness Eye.

Nevertheless, improving his body was also an important quest because if he succeeded in cultivating Glacier Country, Merlin would possess two types of special Pandora Demon Abilities. By then, even if Merlin was only able to wield its third form, Glacier Country would suppress everything in its surrounding when it descended. Should the opponent be too strong to be suppressed, his abilities would still be considerably weakened.

Thereafter, Merlin would wield Darkness Eye. With this combination, even Kleis who possessed Spatial Blade would no longer be his opponent. Therefore, the Frost Lord's Frost Pond was quintessential to him. There was no price that Merlin was unwilling to pay in order to enter the Frost Pond and improve his physique.

"Hoo…"

The giant ghostly face belonging to Darkness Eye seemed to be getting clearer and clearer. The Frost Lord's face fell slightly. It could vaguely sense a vicious power lurking as if once the ghostly face fully appeared, the Frost Lord would be in grave danger.

"The fourth form of Darkness Eye…"

After a long, tense silence, the Frost Lord exhaled heavily, and its humongous body began to gradually change back into the delicate-looking beautiful lady it displayed earlier.

However, after witnessing the Frost Lord's terrifying true form, Merlin could no longer gaze fondly at the current form.

"Well, if your desire is to enter the Frost Pond, it's not completely impossible!" The Frost Lord said pointedly, finally relaxing its tone. It appeared that the Frost Lord too, did not want to engage Merlin, the Dark Fire Incarnate, in a life-and-death battle.

"What are your conditions?"

Merlin's eyes narrowed in concentration as he curled his fists into a tight grip, and the huge ghostly face behind him disappeared without a trace. Darkness Eye seemed to resent Merlin for reining it in, so waves of "angry" emotions were ebbing out. However, they did not affect Merlin as he was still able to easily suppress Darkness Eye.

"Why don't you come in with me first?"

The Frost Lord regarded Merlin with indifference and turned to fly back into the palace.

Merlin did not hesitate and led both Wizards Ernie and Watson to follow behind the Frost Lord, and they flew into the mysterious palace.

This palace was only accessible to the snow sprites since it was specifically built for them by the Frost Lord. In other words, it was built for the sole purpose of training the snow sprites in the Frost Pond.

Upon entering the palace, Merlin felt even colder than before. Even with his physical fitness, he felt quite chilly and had no choice but to cast a spell.

Whereas Wizards Ernie and Watson, upon entering the palace, immediately cast spells on themselves in order to walk around freely.

"Crack."

Around Merlin and the others, occasional ice crystals would appear and freeze rapidly as well as a thin layer of ice which slowly spread on the ground toward Merlin.

Merlin stepped on it gently, and the ice layer instantly shattered into pieces in all directions.

"Interesting!"

The corners of Merlin's mouth curved into a smile. It was not an attack but a snow sprite which was practicing its innate abilities. These snow sprites were mostly equivalent to a Fourth-level Spell Caster.

It was unknown how many snow sprites the Frost Lord had gathered in the palace. In Subzero Snowfield, the Frost Lord was like a banner that attracted a countless number of snow sprites.

"We're here!"

Quickly, the Frost Lord came to a stop. Merlin and the others looked ahead and saw a huge pond with a few snow sprites inside, appearing to be enduring great suffering.

These snow sprites were either completely unaware that strangers had arrived by the pond or were aware but too preoccupied in their own predicaments to care.

The surface of the Frost Pond looked extremely calm but the icy aura emitting from it caused Merlin to feel a sense of astonishment. It was a level of extreme chill that he had never encountered before, almost like there was a special kind of power hidden in the Frost Pool.

"Gulp gulp."

The snow sprites in the Frost Pool suddenly started to struggle frantically, and their auras became more and more chaotic as they struggled for help. However, the Frost Lord who stood beside the Frost Pool stayed very still and did not show any intention of extending a helping hand.

Soon enough, the snow sprites were completely submerged by the cerulean blue pond and lost their life forces. Just like that, two snow sprites were swallowed by the Frost Pond.

It seemed like the Frost Pond was not as simple as it was rumored to be.

"Frost Lord, are those snow sprites not under your protection?"

Merlin pointed at the Frost Pond but his meaning was clear. Why did the Frost Lord not react when the two snow sprites fell into danger?

Throughout Subzero Snowfield, it was a well-known fact that the Frost Lord protected all the snow sprites. As long as they made it into the Frost Lord's territory, they would be safe from harm.

Now, on the other hand, those two snow sprites could have been easily rescued by the Frost Lord yet the Frost Lord had chosen to stay aloof to their cry for help. This appeared to be completely different from the rumors.

"This is their destiny! I can protect them for a moment but I cannot protect them forever! If they want to be strong, then they have to pay the price of becoming stronger!"

At this moment, the Frost Lord seemed to be particularly cruel. The Frost Lord looked at Merlin and said, "The Frost Pond is here but it was built with my own blood, sweat, and tears for the sake of the snow sprites. If you want to enter the Frost Pond, you must agree to one condition."

"Tell me, what is it?"

Merlin was already prepared to pay a steep price. If the Frost Pond was truly as magical as its legend and could improve Merlin's physique to the point that he would be able to cultivate Glacier Country, then no price was too high to pay.

"It's very simple. I need you, after the baptism in the Frost Pond, to help me defeat another snow sprite!"

The Frost Lord's words surprised Merlin. Was there another snow sprite in Subzero Snowfield that could attract Frost Lord's wrath?

The Frost Lord's infallible reputation was known throughout Subzero Snowfield yet he had never heard of a snow sprite that could compete against the Frost Lord.

In fact, there was not even a snow sprite that could compare to a Seventh-level Spell Caster.

"What's the real problem?"

Naturally, Merlin had to ask. Although he was eager to enter the Frost Pool as soon as possible, these details had to be discussed properly first.

"Wizard Merlin, that snow sprite is probably about as strong or perhaps just slightly stronger than me. It's not that much stronger compared to me. This is a matter between the other snow sprite and I. If Wizard Merlin agrees to defeat the snow sprite with me, then you can use the Frost Pond whenever you want."

The Frost Lord did not elaborate further but even from the simple explanation, Merlin could surmise that the snow sprite being targeted by the Frost Lord would not be easily defeated. In fact, it was even stronger than the Frost Lord, albeit not by much.

Nevertheless, it was still an extremely tricky mission. The Frost Lord was already stronger than him so to defeat a snow sprite slightly stronger than the Frost Lord was definitely going to be a tough row to hoe.

Seeing that Merlin was hesitant, the Frost Lord continued. "Wizard Merlin, it won't be just you and I. I've also invited some powerful Great Wizards among the Seventh-level Spell Casters!"

Surely, to be labeled "powerful" by the Frost Lord was no average Joe! He did not expect the Frost Lord's plan to be so comprehensive and well-prepared, and even invited along some powerful Spell Casters.

Merlin deliberated internally for a moment and finally nodded his head. As long as he was able to cultivate Glacier Country, no price was too great to pay. Moreover, it was only to defeat a snow sprite that was comparable to the Frost Lord.

"Very well, let's sign a contract."

The Frost Lord was very thorough as it took out a contract which flew toward Merlin.

Merlin quickly glanced through the contents of the contract. It was according to what the Frost Lord had said earlier and did not contain any traps. So, it was safe for him to sign it.

"Hum hum."

Merlin imprinted his Mind Power onto the contract, and the Frost Lord kept it. Satisfied, the Frost Lord nodded at Merlin. "Wizard Merlin, please go ahead. The Frost Pond is now open for you to use! Though I must remind you, the Frost Pond is very dangerous, and its frigid blast is unparalleled. Although it can help improve a Spell Caster's physique, the effects are not as good as the Spell Casters' original bodies are too weak to begin with."

Merlin clearly understood the Frost Lord's heavily-laden words. Entering the Frost Pond came with a certain degree of risk. Even the snow sprites were completely submerged by the Frost Pond and would remain in the Frost Pond forever.

What more the Spell Casters' weak bodies.

Merlin stripped off his black Wizard robes, revealing a very well-proportioned figure. From the outside, Merlin did not look strong at all. In fact, he looked even a little on the thinner side.

After taking off his clothes, however, the curves on Merlin's body would be envied even by powerful Elemental Swordsmen. Within those tout rippling muscles, packed a formidable mass of power waiting to explode.

"Frost Lord, please be rest assured. Since I'm the one who came to you, I'm prepared for any eventuality. Moreover, how would a mere Frost Pond be my downfall?"

Merlin took a deep breath and jumped into the chilly Frost Pond.

"Crack."

The moment Merlin jumped into the Frost Pond, the entire surface of the Frost Pond froze instantly. Especially the spot where Merlin had jumped in, it was condensed into a thick layer of ice, effectively trapping the tip of Merlin's forehead which was just emerging onto the surface.