The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 265. Camp No. 640

Luka City

A shimmering portal appeared near the entrance of Luka City. Tyler stepped through, his eyes scanning his surroundings as the portal dissolved behind him.

"Well, that’s convenient," he muttered, taking in the grim atmosphere of the city. The sky was cloaked in a thick, dark gray fog, casting an eerie, colorless pall over the urban landscape.

Checking his watch, Tyler looked at his new assignment which is assigned by the Academy. As a final-year student at the Starfire Academy , his role was to provide support to the team managing the Abyss outbreak in Luka City.

With a flick of his hand, Tyler activated his hoverboard. It hummed softly as it lifted him off the ground, carrying him toward a small camp located just outside the city center. The camp wasn’t much more than a repurposed building surrounded by makeshift barricades and equipment.

As he approached, Tyler noticed a group of students clustered near an experimental station. They were analyzing strange flowers with thorny stems the size of watermelons, their purplish-red hue hinting at their origin from the Abyss. Beyond the camp, other students wielding wands were battling back creeping vines that seemed intent on encroaching upon the city.

At the entrance, Tyler presented his student ID. The guard waved him through without issue.

"You’re from the Technology Department? Great. We’ve got a malfunctioning observation device in the next room. Could you take a look at it?" A woman with glasses, clearly overworked but efficient, gave him his first task without so much as an introduction.

Tyler nodded and headed into the room she had indicated.

Inside, a six-foot-tall telescope-like device was positioned by the window, aimed at the epicenter of the Abyss outbreak. Tyler recognized the model immediately—it was a newer variant but based on principles he had mastered during his VR training.

He powered it on, watching as the lens flickered to life and emitted a pulse of energy, similar to a radar scan. But no feedback came through.

"Receiver’s malfunctioning," Tyler murmured, opening the casing with practiced ease. He examined the internal components carefully, his fingers tracing over the intricate runes and circuitry. When he reached the receiver box, he spotted the issue: a tiny Abyssal flower embedded within the system.

"How the heck did you get in?" he muttered. His hands turned into scales and he removed the flower after sealing it in a containment pouch. After making the necessary repairs, Tyler reactivated the device.

This time, the pulse worked as intended. Within moments, the display screen lit up with abnormal readings—three massive Abyssal flower buds were buried 1,000 meters underground, dangerously close to the city’s perimeter.

Tyler returned to the main room, handing the sealed flower to the woman who had assigned him the task. "This was jamming the system," he said, explaining the underground readings.

The woman, whose name he learned was Sandra, frowned as she examined the flower. "These Abyss fiends are getting smarter by the day," she said with a sigh.

Sandra, a former student who had graduated the previous year, was one of many who had chosen to stay on as a temporary hire, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the Abyss outbreak.

Placing the flower in a rune-inscribed glass tube, Sandra watched as it began to thrash violently, trying to escape. Its movements were futile; the runes held it firmly in place. After a few moments of resistance, the flower slowed, bouncing lightly within the containment.

"Take this to the lab," Sandra instructed a nearby student, handing him the sealed tube. "Tell them to figure out how it infiltrated our base."

Turning back to Tyler, she gave him a tired but grateful smile. "Thanks for your help. For now, your task is done. Just check the other equipment and ensure the building’s protective arrays are functioning. Tomorrow, you’ll be assigned to inspect the city’s defense array."

She handed him a small ID card, a carved token inscribed with runes. It read: Tyler White - Camp No. 640.

"Welcome to Camp 640," she said.

Tyler pocketed the ID and stepped outside, where he flagged down another student. "Where’s the accommodation?" he asked, showing his camp ID.

The student, barely sparing him a glance, pointed toward a building across the courtyard.

"That’s the girls’ side," he said, gesturing toward a structure where several women in elegant evening gowns stood on balconies, sipping coffee as if they were on vacation.

"And the boys?" Tyler asked.

The student smirked and pointed in the opposite direction. Tyler followed the gesture and saw a row of tents pitched on scorched earth. The ground had been burned to remove invasive Abyssal vines, leaving it barren and ashy.

Under the tents, a chaotic scene unfolded. Some boys were brushing their teeth, others were playing augmented reality (AR) games with holographic cards, and a few were simply lounging around, unbothered by the rough conditions.

Tyler couldn’t help but laugh.

"Name’s Tyler," he said, turning back to the student.

The boy shrugged. "Don’t have time for introductions," he replied curtly, before heading toward the girls’ building. Tyler watched as a girl exited to meet him, the two exchanging smiles before disappearing into the city together.

"Tsk," Tyler muttered, shaking his head. "My girls are assigned to other cities."

His crew—Lily, Astrid, Mathilda, and the others—had been scattered across various locations for their final year assignments. The realization stung a little. It was unlikely they’d cross paths again for at least a year.

For now, though, Tyler focused on his new reality. He was in Luka City, surrounded by the looming threat of the Abyss. There would be no time for nostalgia or distractions. He would study more about the Abyss and see if he can sneek in and take a look. According to the information he gathered there are some Master Level Warriors saw the Crack that led to the Abyss breakout.

They were still trying to find which floor of Abyss has broken out.

Tyler strolled toward the boys’ accommodation, his eyes scanning the area as muffled laughter reached his ears.

"Hey, look, the new pretty boy!" someone called out, prompting a chorus of chuckles from the group of boys lounging nearby.

Tyler smirked, unbothered. "Nice to meet you all. I’m Tyler."

One of the boys, a burly man with a bald head and rippling muscles, stepped forward. "Technology Department, huh? I was expecting Combat, to be honest. Still, you’re lucky. There are seven girls from your department stationed here." His tone carried a hint of envy.

The group introduced themselves. The bald man’s name was Brolin. He leaned in slightly, his presence imposing but not hostile. "Most of the girls are working on the City Array. You heading there, too?"

"Yeah, tomorrow," Tyler replied casually.

"If you need a place to crash, my tent’s over there." Brolin pointed to a flimsy-looking tent sagging in the corner, its condition precarious at best.

Tyler shook his head politely. "Thanks, but I’ve got my own setup."

Brolin hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I’ll need a favor tomorrow. Nothing big—if you’re cool with it, I’ll explain later."

"Sure," Tyler said with a shrug. "If it’s something simple, I don’t mind helping."

As he moved to an empty spot in the camp, another boy piped up, grinning mischievously. "Hey, Flower Boy, need a hand?" The comment, paired with Tyler’s sharp looks, drew another round of laughter.

Tyler only chuckled and waved them off, his focus elsewhere. Reaching into his storage device, he pulled out a small, palm-sized house.

The group watched in confusion as Tyler placed the object on the ground and activated it using his divine sense. With a faint hum, the compact structure began to expand.

In moments, the simple object transformed into a fully functional house. Its smooth, white wooden walls, accented with dark gray trimmings, exuded modern sophistication. The sloped metal roof gleamed under the camp’s dim lighting, its sleek corrugated pattern catching the eye. Large windows framed each side of the house, promising a bright and airy interior.

The front door, made of sturdy wood with a horizontal-panel design, added a welcoming warmth to the otherwise clean aesthetic. The structure spanned approximately 20 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and stood 15 feet tall at the roof’s peak.

The entire camp fell silent, their jaws practically hitting the ground.

Even the girls from their accommodations peered out of their balconies, curiosity piqued.

"Wait, is that... a portable home?" Josh, one of the boys, asked incredulously.

"Not a portable home. That thing must be worth at least a hundred thousand Lydia! And it’s just one time use." another boy exclaimed. "And he’s using it for a temporary camp?"

Josh stared at Tyler’s house, then back at his own tattered tent. The comparison was almost cruel.

"Damn, rich!" he blurted, unable to hold back. Others also nodded.

Tyler merely smiled as he stepped into his new abode, ignoring the murmurs of awe and envy behind him.