The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 293. Frozen Abyss and the Boiling Lake

Snow was falling heavily. The world was painted in a thick layer of pure white, as if a celestial artist had swept a brush across the land. The icy wind howled through the desolate expanse, carrying with it a chilling bite that could freeze bones.

Above, the sky was a deep shade of purple, an eerie contrast to the snowy ground below. Despite the countless moons scattered across the heavens, their glow was weak. They blinked—yes, blinked—as though they were not celestial bodies but watchful eyes, scanning the world below with unseen intent.

A lone figure clad in a heavy cloak soared across the sky on a hoverboard, cutting through the frigid air like a phantom. The moons’ eerie blinking reflection flickered against the glossy fabric of the cloak, but the rider paid no mind. The darkness of the sky seemed endless, a void where no natural light could pierce through.

Yet, the land was not entirely without illumination. Rivers of molten lava, like veins of fire, snaked across the barren terrain, their molten glow casting ominous shadows on the jagged rocks and frozen plains. These rivers of liquid flame provided a strange contrast to the icy tundra, creating a landscape of extremes—burning rivers flowing through frozen ground.

The cloaked figure hovered downward, landing on the rocky edge of a small lava river. The ground sizzled beneath their feet, heat waves distorting the air. At the very edge of the river, where fire met frost, a peculiar plant grew.

A delicate tomato plant, its vines twisting toward the heat, bore fruit that glowed like tiny embers. The contrast was mesmerizing—the fiery red tomatoes swaying against the dark and lifeless terrain.

"Lava Tomato."

A girl’s voice echoed softly in the silence, her tone carrying both curiosity and satisfaction.

She moved carefully, taking out a sleek metallic device and placing it around the plant. The device emitted a faint hum as an energy shield materialized, surrounding the Lava Tomato along with its soil. With a small click, the entire encapsulated plant shrank, turning into a glowing orb no larger than a marble.

With a practiced motion, she tapped her wristwatch. A holographic screen flickered to life, scanning the orb. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared, safely stored away in her inventory.

Her eyes gleamed as she spotted another Lava Tomato plant a short distance away. Without hesitation, she repeated the process, her hands swift and efficient. Another plant stored.

She turned toward a third one, her excitement barely contained.

Just as she was about to activate the device again, the magma behind her roared to life.

A massive crocodile, its scales glistening with molten rock, erupted from the lava, its jaws wide open, teeth shimmering with heat.

The girl’s reflexes were sharp. She leaped backward just in time, the creature’s powerful bite missing her by mere inches. The impact of its jaws slamming shut created a resounding crack, sending tremors through the ground.

As she twisted midair, she flung several potion flasks toward the beast. The glass containers shattered upon contact, releasing a chilling mist that spread rapidly.

The effect was instantaneous. The lava crocodile, once dripping with molten rock, froze solid, encased in ice from snout to tail.

Without wasting a second, she activated her hoverboard and shot into the air, leaving the frozen beast behind.

However, the disturbance had not gone unnoticed.

A much larger crocodile, this one the size of an elephant, surfaced from the river, its glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing figure.

Before it could react, another figure emerged, flying effortlessly alongside the girl. Unlike her, this one needed no hoverboard to stay airborne.

"That was dangerous, Lady Boss," the newcomer remarked, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation.

The girl chuckled, unconcerned. "I have a Grandmaster-level mage sister accompanying me, so it’s not that dangerous."

The flying woman sighed. "Ahh... I’m definitely going to complain to the Boss about this."

"Ahhh... Big Sis, please don’t..." The girl’s plea was met with laughter as the two disappeared into the snowy horizon.

---

Half an hour later, they approached a cave nestled between jagged cliffs. The blizzard had grown fiercer, snow whipping through the air in thick torrents.

"The blizzard is getting worse," the Grandmaster woman noted. "Good thing we made it back quickly."

The girl nodded, stepping off her hoverboard as they neared the entrance.

Further inside, a group of Grandmasters sat in a dome-like array. They were meditating in a circle around a bonfire—not an ordinary fire, but a white flame that burned without smoke, its eerie glow casting elongated shadows on the stone walls.

The Grandmaster woman gave a small wave before joining them, settling into a meditative position.

Two more Grandmasters stood guard at the cave’s entrance. As the girl walked past, they didn’t even attempt to stop her.

She entered the cave’s interior, passing through a shimmering, bubble-like barrier. The moment she crossed the threshold, warmth enveloped her, banishing the biting cold in an instant.

She removed her cloak, revealing her face.

"Welcome back, Mathilda," a voice greeted her.

Mathilda turned to see Mana lounging on a sofa, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Huh... Mana... I’m back," Mathilda said, smiling. "Oh, and I found some Lava Tomatoes."

Mana’s eyes lit up. "Ahh, take them out! Quick!" She grabbed a copper pot with both hands, anticipation clear on her face.

Mathilda chuckled and made sure the entrance was securely shut before retrieving a glowing Lava Tomato from her storage.

She placed the fiery fruit into the copper pot.

Then, something strange happened.

Mathilda reached in and took the Lava Tomato out, only to find an identical copy had been left inside the pot.

She stared at it in amazement. "No matter how many times I see this, it’s unbelievable."

Mana grinned. "Right? Tyler never has to worry about money with this thing."

Mathilda shook her head, glancing around the cave. Despite being a temporary resting place, it looked more like a comfortable hideout. The furniture was well-arranged, and vibrant flowers bloomed in various corners, filling the air with a fresh scent.

After stepping inside, the two girls momentarily forgot that they were deep within the Abyss.

"We’re lucky," Mathilda mused. "To have descended into a harmless floor."

Mana nodded.

Mathilda then picked up a radiant golden-white flower with translucent petals that shimmered like fireflies in the dark.

"I want to experiment with these Luminis Blooms," she said. "Maybe I can make potions out of them."

Mana scoffed. "Don’t bother. Alchemists have been trying for centuries after the Abyss Breakout. This flower’s only use is purifying Abyss energy in the air. We’re lucky to have enough to keep this cave purified."

She gestured toward the copper pot. "Thanks to that thing, we can fill this place with as many flowers as we want."

Mathilda sighed, then asked, "Where’s Tyler?"

"He went outside," Mana replied.

"There’s a blizzard now," Mathilda pointed out.

Mana shrugged. "The cold never bothers him anyway."

---

Far away from the cave, nestled between ice-crusted cliffs, lay a lake.

But this was no ordinary lake—it bubbled and churned with scalding heat, a natural hot spring boiling despite the raging blizzard above.

The storm howled, snow and ice pelting the surface, yet the water remained unaffected.

A fish leaped from the depths, only to freeze solid the moment it hit the icy air. It plummeted back into the water, thawing instantly before darting away.

A massive snake, its body thick and sinuous, slithered beneath the surface, its glowing eyes fixed on a target ahead.

A figure swam at unnatural speeds, cutting through the boiling water like a jet.

The snake surged forward, its powerful body undulating as it gave chase.

A translucent chessboard shimmered beneath the water, distorting the serpent’s movement.

Tyler sighed. "Ah... even the chess domain isn’t working."

He switched techniques, utilizing the Kun Peng Swimming Art, his speed doubling. The heat of the lake did nothing to him.

A shadow passed overhead. A Grandmaster descended, hovering above the water. "Boss, Lady Boss is back."

"Oh," Tyler mused. "I’ll return soon. Wait somewhere."

The Grandmaster nodded. "Alright."

As Tyler swam, dragon scales began to emerge across his body, shimmering with an eerie glow.

With his speed amplified, he shot forward, vanishing into the boiling depths.

Tyler suddenly sensed something unusual. He turned around sharply.

The snake that had been slower than him just moments ago was now swimming at an astonishing speed. It surged past Tyler as if fleeing from something far more terrifying.

Tyler, who had already activated his dragon mode in preparation for combat, was momentarily dumbfounded.

Then, he turned back—only to see a massive snake’s head, at least eight meters wide, surging toward him with terrifying momentum.

"Huh... A little help here?" Tyler called out, quickly realizing that this was not an opponent he could handle alone.

An arrow whistled through the air and struck the massive snake’s head with a resounding impact. Before it could react, three more arrows followed in quick succession, each aiming precisely for its eyes.

However, the snake swiftly closed its eyelids, shielding its vulnerable spots, and then plunged into the depths of the water.

Above, the Grandmaster who had fired the arrows lowered his bow with a sigh.

"Now, shall we head back?" he asked, his tone weary but relieved.

Tyler didn’t hesitate. He gave a firm nod. "Absolutely."

They flew away in the blizzard. The snake that chased Tyler , looked at the him leaving.

"It’s been 2 months since we arrived at Abyss. Any update on our Mission?" As Tyler asked the Grandmaster as they disappeared in the blizzard.