The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 517 - 518. Giant Ice Bears

The Giant Ice Bear demon —taller than a small house— stirred from its slumber with a long, rumbling yawn that shook the icicles above its den. The sound echoed faintly through the frozen forest like thunder buried under snow. It blinked its pale blue eyes open, the air around it misting from its breath. After a lazy stretch, it lumbered toward the mouth of the cave, scratching its fur dusted with frost.

It was a creature that lived for comfort. It liked sleeping long hours, basking in the cold air, and drinking Aura-Infused Honey stored in crystal jars it had stolen from past travelers. It didn’t like fighting unless it had to.

But what the Ice Bear loved the most —more than sleep or honey— was fish.

Unfortunately, the rivers that wound through the Silverbite Forest were frozen for most of the year. The bear would sometimes break through the thick ice with its claws, but hunting fish that way was slow and exhausting. It often went hungry for days, waiting for the temperature to rise just enough to crack the river’s surface again.

One day, by pure chance, a desperate traveler stumbled upon its territory. The man had no weapon strong enough to fight and was trembling as he faced the enormous creature. In his panic, he offered the fish he had caught earlier in exchange for safe passage.

To his surprise, the bear accepted the offering. It took the fish, ate them with loud crunches, and let the man go unharmed. Word spread quickly.

Now, anyone who dared to pass through Silverbite Forest brought offerings— mostly fish—to appease the Giant Ice Bear. Those who didn’t were chased off, though never killed outright. Some said the bear had a sense of humor and liked watching people run. Others believed it had simply grown lazy and didn’t care to fight anymore.

Either way, the legend spread far and wide: "If you bring fish, the Ice Bear lets you pass."

---

"Wow... That’s actually pretty cool," Tyla said, reading the story carved into a wooden post near the village gate. She and Yumina had just passed through the small settlement bordering the forest. The streets were lively, filled with people trading fish packed in ice crates and sealed jars.

The villagers greeted them warmly. Everyone here was simple, kind, and visibly weaker than the immortal practitioners Yumina was used to seeing. Most of them were only at the Elite or Novice level— basic cultivators who barely strengthened their bodies.

Tyla noticed something else too. "Even though they’re at Elite Level, they can’t fight like real warriors or mages," she muttered thoughtfully. "It’s like... they’re strong, but not skilled."

Yumina nodded. "Technique and training make all the difference. Without cultivation arts or spells, they’re just... strong mortals."

The realization settled in their mind. Not everyone in the world chased after strength or immortality. Not everyone was obsessed with reaching the Eternal North. People here just wanted to live— to eat, laugh, and see another sunrise.

And strangely, Tyla found that refreshing.

"These villagers are clever though," Tyla continued, pointing toward a stall where a fisherman was selling fresh trout. "They sell fish here, and every traveler who passes by has to buy them for the bears. It’s brilliant! Saves time, earns money, and keeps everyone alive."

Yumina smiled, amused at how Tyla’s eyes sparkled whenever she saw clever schemes. "You sound like a merchant."

"Who knows? Maybe I was one in my past." Tyla winked.

Without even bargaining, they bought several barrels of fish, Tyla paid them with Prana Stones. The villagers told them that lately, the Ice Bears had begun traveling in groups instead of alone—a strange development since Snow Ice Bears were known to be solitary beasts.

"They’re evolving," one villager said with awe. "More intelligent... like they’re planning something."

Yumina frowned but said nothing. She knew from her knowledge that beasts only formed groups when something greater threatened them.

"Or it’s just mating season." Tyla mouth twitched.

---

The pair soon left the village and entered the forest. The trees here were thick and ancient, their roots buried deep in the frost. Each branch was covered in snow that shimmered faintly in the pale morning light. The air was still, save for the faint crunch of their boots and the soft grunts of the snow camels pulling their supplies.

Above, the sky was hidden beneath a thick layer of winter fog. It wasn’t ordinary mist—it carried an aura-draining effect that made flying impractical. Even a person with Flying artifact avoided taking to the air here.

"It’s beautiful," Yumina whispered, gazing at the fog as it swirled slowly like liquid glass.

"Yeah," Tyla agreed, though her tone grew sharper. "Beautiful... and dangerous."

She pulled the reins. The camels stopped instantly. Yumina followed suit.

"What is it?"

Tyla’s gaze shifted toward the trees. Her senses tingled— pressure, faint but unmistakable, pressing from all directions. "We’re surrounded."

The temperature dropped further. The fog grew denser, curling between the trunks like white smoke. Then, one by one, enormous silhouettes appeared among the mist. Their eyes glowed red—massive Ice Bears, each one taller than the trees themselves.

For a moment, Yumina’s hand hovered near her weapon.

But Tyla simply smiled. "Easy."

She reached into her pocket dimension and began pulling out barrels—one after another, filled to the brim with fish. Soon, twenty barrels stood in neat rows on the snow.

The bears didn’t move. Their eyes flickered with intelligence, watching closely.

Tyla crouched and rolled one of the barrels forward. The mist rippled, curling around it like fingers. Then, all at once, the barrels vanished—swallowed whole by the mist.

The snow camels trembled nervously, their breath steaming in the air. Tyla placed a hand on one’s back, gently soothing it. Yumina did the same.

Moments later, the red eyes blinked out one by one. The oppressive aura faded.

Then, silence.

Tyla exhaled slowly and straightened up. "Looks like we’ve been given permission."

Yumina let out a small laugh, half-relieved, half-amazed. "That actually worked?"

"Never underestimate the power of a good bribe," Tyla said, grinning.

They both climbed back onto their camels and continued along the forest trail. Behind them, faint paw prints appeared in the snow—massive ones—but none followed.

As they exited the forest, Yumina glanced back. "Do you think they understood what we were doing?"

Tyla looked at the fog-covered trees, a strange smile curving her lips. "Maybe. Or they too busy with other things."

Yumina blinked. "Other things?"

Tyla didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she tilted her head, sensing something strange beneath her feet. A second later, the ground trembled— softly at first, then in rhythmic bursts, as if something massive was pounding the earth again and again.

The snow shook from the nearby trees, falling like white rain.

"Tsk..." Tyla smirked. "They’re this strong?" Her tone carried more amusement than concern.

Ever since traveling with Yumina, she had learned a few things about her own strength. One of them being how absurdly powerful her divine sense was compared to Yumina’s. Even within this heavy ice mist— where most cultivators’ senses would be dulled— Tyla could still see the forest clearly for several miles.

And what she saw made her lips curl into a mischievous grin.

"It’s not an earthquake," she said with a knowing tone. "It’s... well, something else entirely."

Yumina raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Tyla turned toward her, still smiling. "It’s mating season."

Yumina blinked. "Wait —what?"

"Two Ice Bears," Tyla said, pointing toward the distance. "And they’re... enjoying themselves. That’s what’s causing the shaking."

Yumina’s face turned crimson instantly. "T-Tyla!"

Tyla chuckled, clearly entertained by her reaction. "Should we take a peek? You know, for future reference?"

Yumina’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re impossible!" She turned away quickly, covering her red face with her hand as she walked ahead. "It’s freezing out here, but somehow I feel hot!"

As she tugged the reins of her snow camel, she muttered a single word without looking back—"Pervert."

Tyla only laughed. The shaking of the ground continued like distant thunder, and even the snow camels began to slow down, clearly unsettled by the noise and vibrations beneath the frozen earth.

"Should we stop somewhere until it calms down?" Tyla asked, still smiling as if this was all an amusing show.

"I heard some of these beasts can go for five days without stopping..." Yumina muttered.

"Say what now?" Tyla’s eyes went wide. "Five days? How?"

Before Yumina could scold her again, Tyla’s expression suddenly changed. Her divine sense flickered —a faint premonition. "Wait. Move!" she shouted.

The two quickly tugged the reins and veered their snow camels aside.

A split second later, a massive splash of thick white liquid rained down from the direction they’d just been in, sizzling faintly as it hit the cold snow and steam rose.

Tyla blinked, then let out a low whistle. "Damn... this one actually pulled it out."

"Pulled out what?" Yumina asked innocently, still confused.

"Never mind," Tyla said quickly, her expression somewhere between disbelief and laughter. "Let’s just say that direction is a no-go. There’s a flower field over there— let’s head that way instead."

She sighed and guided her snow camel forward, shaking her head.

Neither of them realized that Tyla’s strange luck had already begun to stir. Each step toward that flower field was leading them closer to an encounter neither of them could ever forget.