The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 279. Expedition into the Abyss Breakout

Maxwell walked out of the lodging area, a noticeable air of pride surrounding him. In his hand, he carried a long staff with an intricate dragon head carved into its edge, radiating elegance and power.

"Cool staff," one of his colleagues remarked, nodding toward the gleaming artifact.

Maxwell grinned, clearly reveling in the compliment. "Yeah, it’s my Dragonova."

"The model that increases a user’s magic power by 10%?" the man asked, astonished.

Maxwell nodded with smug satisfaction. "Exactly. Not everyone can afford something like this."

As he left, his chest puffed out with pride, he overheard a snickering conversation from the group behind him.

"Lol, what were you talking about with poopy-pants Maxwell?" one of them whispered, barely containing their laughter.

"Don’t come near us. You smell like shitt now."

"Next time, use toilet paper, bro," another chimed in mockingly.

"Shh! Shut up. He hasn’t left yet," the first whispered urgently, though it only made the others laugh harder.

Maxwell’s face turned crimson as their words reached his ears. He quickened his pace, gripping his Dragonova staff tightly, and muttered curses under his breath.

At the Good Boy Statue

Maxwell arrived at the meeting point, his embarrassment still simmering beneath his skin. The imposing statue cast a long shadow over the group gathered there. Spotting his teammates, he strode toward them, trying to reassert his authority.

"You’re late," Maxwell barked the moment he approached Tyler, his voice sharp with irritation.

Tyler raised an eyebrow, his expression calm and unbothered. "I’m the earliest one here. You’re the one who’s late."

Maxwell’s eyes narrowed. "I’m the leader here. If I say you’re late, then you’re late. As punishment, you’ll guard the frontline."

Tyler crossed his arms. "I’m an engineer, not part of the combat department."

"Then scout ahead," Maxwell snapped, refusing to back down.

"Alright," Tyler replied casually, giving a small shrug.

Maxwell blinked in surprise. He had expected Tyler to argue further. But Tyler’s quick agreement robbed him of the satisfaction he was seeking, leaving him slightly off balance.

With that, Team C—under Maxwell’s reluctant and abrasive leadership—set out to begin their mission.

The team moved cautiously through the broken streets of Crustle City. The oppressive aura of the Abyss Mist hung heavily in the air, distorting the ruins and making every shadow seem alive.

The three combat mages in the group except Maxwell, pointed at their wand , staffs and burned the vines that are silently trying to get closer to them. The vines are so smaller, so even a small spark is enough to burn them. So they didn’t use more prana.

Tyler walked ahead of the group, scanning the area with a handheld device. The screen flickered with energy readings, the numbers climbing steadily as they advanced.

"We’re getting closer to the first checkpoint." Tyler announced, his voice steady.

Maxwell, who had been trailing behind, quickly stepped forward. "Everyone, stay alert. This area could be crawling with Abyss creatures."

The group nodded, their expressions tense. Engineers, mages, and warriors alike kept their eyes peeled, weapons and tools at the ready.

As they approached a collapsed building, the Abyss Energy readings spiked dramatically. Tyler held up a hand, signaling the group to stop.

"Wait," he said, frowning at his device. "The Abyss Energy level here is 3.5. There’s something big nearby."

Maxwell immediately stepped forward, taking charge. "Mages, prepare defensive barriers! Warriors, form a perimeter! Engineers, stay behind the lines!"

Tyler glanced at Maxwell briefly but said nothing, focusing instead on fine-tuning his device to pinpoint the exact source of the anomaly.

Suddenly, a low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows. The group froze as a massive, deformed creature emerged. Its twisted, monstrous body was cloaked in black mist, and its glowing red eyes locked onto the group like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Abyss Beast!" someone shouted in alarm.

Maxwell raised his Dragonova staff, his face stern. "Hold your ground! It’s a Deadly Panther. We can take it down if we work together!"

The mages immediately began casting defensive spells, their chants forming a shimmering barrier around the team. The warriors drew their weapons, spreading out cautiously, while Tyler adjusted his device to record the encounter.

Maxwell unleashed an attack first. A giant water dragon materialized from his staff, surging toward the Deadly Panther. The creature didn’t flinch. Its red eyes glowed ominously, and with a burst of light, the water dragon dissipated into ordinary water, splashing harmlessly onto the ground.

"Beware of its red light!" Maxwell shouted. "It negates prana and aura-based attacks. Coordinate your strikes! Warriors, don’t engage in close combat unless absolutely necessary. Mages, look for openings to attack from range." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Tyler was impressed despite himself. Maxwell might have been insufferable, but his knowledge of Abyss creatures was undeniable.

Maxwell conjured another water dragon while the other mages launched elemental spells from different angles. The Deadly Panther snarled, its focus divided between the simultaneous attacks. Unable to negate all of them at once, it was struck by several spells, roaring in pain.

A warrior, seizing the opportunity, darted in from behind. His spear found its mark, piercing through the creature’s thick hide and pinning it to the ground. The Deadly Panther let out a final, anguished growl before collapsing lifelessly.

Cheers erupted from the group. The tension melted away as they celebrated their victory, many of them praising Maxwell’s leadership.

But Tyler remained silent, his eyes glued to his device.

Maxwell noticed and frowned. "What are you still doing? The fight is over."

"The heck..." Tyler muttered, his voice laced with concern. "There are more of them."

"What?" Maxwell’s confidence faltered for the first time.

Tyler raised his head, meeting Maxwell’s panicked gaze. "Well, leader, I suggest setting up a Concealment Array. Now."

As if on cue, a series of growls echoed from deeper within the ruins. Shadows shifted, and soon, more Deadly Panthers emerged—an entire pack of them. They prowled toward the group, their eyes glowing with predatory intent.

The team hurriedly activated a Concealment Array, its shimmering barrier enveloping them just as the pack reached the spot where their fallen companion lay.

They ate the fallen panther.

The Deadly Panthers sniffed the ground, growling softly as they investigated the area. Inside the array, the team held their breath, their hearts pounding in unison.

"Don’t make a sound," Maxwell whispered, his earlier bravado replaced with genuine fear.

The Abyss Beasts prowled closer, their hulking forms just meters away from the group. Tyler monitored the array, his fingers hovering over his device to ensure it remained stable.

"Please work... please work..." one of the mages whispered under her breath.

One of the Panthers paused, lifting its head as if sensing something. It turned toward the concealed group, its glowing red eyes narrowing.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as everyone waited, praying the array would hold.

Finally, the Panther let out a low growl and turned away, joining the rest of the pack as they moved deeper into the ruins.

The team remained silent for several minutes after the Panthers disappeared, too afraid to make a sound.

"They’re gone," one of the girl in the group finally whispered, exhaling a shaky breath.

"They didn’t leave." Tyler said, showing the device the Panthers are gathered together nearby. Wandering aimlessly.

"What should we do?" Asked a warrior.

"We will retreat and take another route." Maxwell quickly made a decision, everyone nodded. They quietly retreated.

"They’re gone," one of the girls whispered, exhaling a shaky breath.

"They haven’t left," Tyler interjected, holding up his device. The screen showed the Abyss Panthers lingering nearby, moving aimlessly but still dangerously close.

"What do we do now?" a warrior asked, his voice laced with unease.

Maxwell furrowed his brows, his earlier confidence returning. "We retreat and take another route. Stay quiet and move carefully."

The group nodded in agreement, their movements cautious as they began to backtrack. The Concealment Array still shimmered faintly, masking their presence from the prowling creatures.

Tyler kept his eyes on the device, monitoring the Panthers’ movements. Every step felt like an eternity as the team carefully navigated the ruins, avoiding the beasts.

After what seemed like hours, they finally reached a safer area. The oppressive atmosphere of Abyss Energy began to thin, and everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

"That was too close," a mage muttered, her hands trembling slightly.

Maxwell turned to the group, his expression stern but calm. "We’ll regroup and reassess. This mission is not over yet. I will update the information in the log."

He quickly updated the information in the log which will be received by the people in Camp 640.

Tyler sat on a broken debris and looked at the foggy sky. He has bad premonition in his heart. Something is coming.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Beyond the Ixalaria Continent lies the gateway to the True North, a region of chaotic oceans inhabited by powerful Immortals.

On one of the floating islands, an Immortal sat regally on his throne, exuding an aura of dominance.

A man appeared before him, kneeling respectfully. "Immortal Feng, we’ve located Tyler White," he reported, his tone reverent.

He proceeded to provide detailed information about Tyler White, even presenting a current image.

Immortal Feng’s eyes slowly opened, glowing with an intense light. "At last... it’s time to settle the score."

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his throne and reappeared at the edge of the Ixalaria Continent. The speed of his movement defied comprehension.

Standing at the precipice, he gazed out at the land before him, where half of the continent lay shrouded in the ominous Abyss Mist. A faint smirk curled his lips.

"This time, my powers are unrestricted," he murmured, his voice filled with resolve. "Let’s see if your luck can save you now, Tyler White."