The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 262. Abyss Breakout

It had been more than five years inside the Starfire Time Dilation Server, the special VR of Starfire Academy where time flowed differently, allowing practitioners to hone their skills and knowledge.

Inside one of the towering structures, Tyler was engrossed in crafting a small robot. He meticulously designed it, built its frame, inscribed intricate runes, and programmed its core. The entire process was his alone—a testament to his boundless curiosity and expertise. Unlike ordinary mortals, Immortal Practitioners had an extraordinary capacity to absorb knowledge. For someone like Tyler, who was deeply passionate about the emerging field of Magic Engineering, mastering these complex disciplines was almost second nature.

While Tyler continued his studies, an alarming situation unfolded outside.

---

In a grand chamber filled with the hum of Death energy, the Principal of Starfire Academy, a skull shrouded in dark robes, leaned forward on his throne-like chair.

"When is it happening?" the principal asked, his voice hollow and echoing.

"It’s already begun," replied the Vice Principal, "The Abyss has erupted in the northern regions. It appears someone tore through the Void Barrier, and now Abyssal Mist is pouring into our world. This mist isn’t the only problem—microscopic organisms from the Abyss have also leaked through. They’re causing rapid mutations in practitioners and beasts alike."

One of the professor tone grew heavier. "These mutants are tearing open the Void Barrier even further. As a result, larger Abyssal beasts are emerging. Villages, towns, and cities in the north have been razed to the ground."

"What about the defenses?" the principal inquired.

"Many towns and cities have raised their barriers. They’re serving as the first line of defense, but the situation is escalating quickly. The Abyssal creatures are growing stronger with every moment."

The skull-faced principal tapped his bony fingers on the armrest, seemingly unfazed. "The Bank of Atlantis and the Federation won’t sit idle. They’ll step in."

"Not unless an Immortal-level Abyssal Fiend emerges," the Vice Principal countered. "Until then, they’ll refrain from deploying their strongest forces."

The principal chuckled, a chilling sound that reverberated through the room. "This is no ordinary disaster. It’s an opportunity. Every Abyssal breakout brings chaos, yes, but also untold resources. My own transformation into a Lich was possible only because of an Abyssal incident centuries ago."

The Vice Principal nodded, understanding the implications. The Abyss was a double-edged sword—while it unleashed destruction, it also brought rare materials and challenges that could push practitioners to their limits.

Here’s an edited and expanded version of your text to enhance clarity, flow, and reach the 1000-word mark:

--- freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Cancel all classes for the fourth-year students," the principal ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. The atmosphere in the meeting hall grew tense as the faculty exchanged uncertain glances. "Send them to the Abyssal border. Assign them to towns, cities, and villages under our protection near the breakout zones."

One of the professors, a bespectacled man with an air of caution, raised an eyebrow. "All of them? Even the ones who aren’t combat-ready?"

"Every last one," the principal confirmed without hesitation. "Survival isn’t limited to fighting. They must apply everything they’ve learned here—magic, engineering, alchemy, and even diplomacy. Let them form their own clubs or teams. How they organize themselves is their decision. This is their trial."

The Vice Principal gave a curt nod. The Academy had always embraced the philosophy that true growth stemmed from adversity. Now, with the Abyss erupting, opportunities for both challenges and rewards were abundant.

As the room fell silent, the principal leaned back in his high-backed chair. The hollow sockets of his skeletal face glowed faintly with a sinister, otherworldly light. "The Abyss holds immense potential for those who dare face it," he said ominously. "Let us see which of our students rise to the occasion—and which of them crumble."

The meeting concluded with murmurs of agreement and reluctance, and the faculty began to disperse. The Vice Principal lingered for a moment before heading towards his office. His polished wooden face betrayed no emotion, yet his steps carried a weight of contemplation.

Upon reaching his office, he opened the heavy oak door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of aged parchment and ink greeted him. He sank into the comfort of his chair, swiveling slightly to gaze at the quiet corner of the room.

"What brings you here?" the Vice Principal asked, his voice steady but laced with intrigue.

From the shadows, a figure emerged. His entire face was cloaked in darkness, a deliberate concealment that gave him an aura of secrecy. He stepped forward, holding out an envelope. "I thought you’d find this interesting."

The Vice Principal took the envelope, opening it with precise movements. Inside was a photograph of a man—middle-aged, with a confident posture and a shrewd gaze. It was a face he recognized instantly.

"Tyler White," he muttered, almost to himself.

"A Half-Celestial Immortal is looking for him," the shadowed man said in a low voice.

The Vice Principal sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I’ve given up on Project ’T.’ That man has carved out a life of his own in the South—he’s running multiple businesses and raking in millions every day. I am considering negotiating with him, but I am not sure if it will go smoothly ."

The shadowed man hesitated before speaking again. "B-but this might be an opportunity to reclaim the academy..."

The Vice Principal cut him off with a weary wave of his hand. "That academy was rebuilt by that guy’s Money. It now thrives with over a thousand students. Tyler’s salary package have even swayed several teachers from the other Branch to join his endeavors. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Tyler White cannot be defeated in the game of wealth."

"Not even by that rich mermaid?" the man asked, an edge of curiosity in his tone.

"Who knows..." The Vice Principal exhaled deeply, his thoughts trailing off. He glanced at the skull emblem etched into the wooden hand, a stark reminder of his past assassination attempt on Serena.

The shadowed man leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But we could simply inform the Half-Celestial Immortal. Let him take care of the rest."

A chill settled over the room as the Vice Principal extended his arm, revealing a glowing skull mark etched into his wooden hand. The curse pulsed faintly with a malevolent energy. "No. I can’t," he said, his tone grave. "The principal wasn’t pleased with my actions before. He cursed me to ensure that I’d never harm my own students again, directly or indirectly. If anything were to happen to Tyler because of me, I’d suffer unimaginable consequences. Besides," he added with a hint of irritation, "you could’ve snitched without telling me."

The shadowed man shifted uncomfortably. Now that the Vice Principal knew, he was bound by the curse to ensure Tyler’s safety. Protecting students was no longer just a moral obligation—it was a rule etched into his very being.

"So, what should I do?" the man asked after a long silence.

The Vice Principal tapped his fingers on the desk, contemplating his next move. "When Tyler White exits the VR," he said finally, "relay the information to him. Let him decide how to handle it."

The man gave a slight nod before retreating into the shadows, his form dissolving into the darkness as if he were never there.

The Vice Principal sat alone in his office, the weight of the conversation pressing heavily on his mind.