Inside the caverns of the Seafoam Islands lay an Ice Maze a hundred times more complex than anyone had imagined.
There were no signs of human excavation here. Everything was nature's own extraordinary handiwork.
The ice walls were as smooth as mirrors, reflecting countless distorted figures that could easily leave people disoriented.
The ice underfoot was solid in some places and fragile in others, with a freezing underground river of unfathomable depth beneath it.
The cries of unknown wild Pokémon echoed through the air, which was full of unknown dangers.
This place was one enormous, natural death trap.
Yet the expedition's progress was unusually smooth.
"Everyone, pay attention. Thirty meters ahead, behind the ice wall on the left, there's a Dewgong nest. Go around it."
"The ice beneath our feet is very thin. Everyone, follow my footsteps and take a zigzag route."
"That opening is a dead end. Don't go in. A group of bad-tempered Jynx live inside."
Ye Li walked at the very front of the group, like the most experienced of guides.
He could always foresee danger, leading the group around every trap and dead end.
Nothing about his performance suggested this was his first visit.
He seemed more like... a local who came here for a walk every day.
The group soon encountered its first real obstacle.
A broad underground river blocked their way.
The current was swift and bone-chillingly cold, making it impossible to cross.
Upstream, a square boulder weighing several tons was wedged in a narrow passage.
"What do we do now? Are we supposed to swim across?"
One team member looked at the underground river before them with a troubled expression.
Apollo frowned as well. He was about to have his Machoke try smashing the boulder.
"No need to make it that complicated."
Ye