The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 143. Twilight Seekers and the Couples

Chapter 143: 143. Twilight Seekers and the Couples

The boy with a short sword strapped to his waist stepped forward confidently, a spark of determination in his eyes. "We are adventurers," he declared, his voice steady.

"Be polite," the girl beside him gently chided. She had a soft, calming presence, and unlike her companion, she carried no visible weapons. Despite this, there was an air of quiet strength about her.

The boy was Ling Tian, and the girl was Yumina. Together, they were known as the "Twilight Seekers," a duo that had quickly earned a reputation for their remarkable skills and teamwork.

They had arrived at Pearl Village, a small but lively community that stood as the last bastion of defense against the encroaching sea. The village head had requested the adventurers’ aid to fend off the incoming monster tide, a perilous event that occurred when the sea level rose and the waters surged onto the island. The island itself was modest, with only one large village, but its people were hardy and determined to protect their home.

The monsters that accompanied the tide were unlike any seen on land, twisted amalgamations of sea creatures with the ability to walk on land. Crabs with shells as hard as iron and claws that could snap a tree in half, lobsters that stood on two legs, their pincers the size of a man’s torso, and other grotesque beings that combined the worst traits of both land and sea. Each creature stood at half the size of an average human but was easily twice as deadly. They moved with an unsettling grace, their beady eyes shining with malevolent intelligence.

"Hey, is that them?" one of the adventurers whispered, eyeing Ling Tian and Yumina with a mix of awe and curiosity. A group of other adventurers, who had taken on the same task, stood nearby, preparing for the coming battle.

"They’re incredibly strong, especially that girl. Her skills are too annoying to deal with," another adventurer muttered, recalling a past encounter where Yumina’s abilities had turned the tide of battle in an instant.

"What are they called again?"

"Twilight Seekers."

As the adventurers exchanged nervous glances, the noisy ocean suddenly fell silent. The abrupt stillness was more terrifying than the roars of the waves. All eyes turned to the shore, where they saw the sea begin to recede at an unnatural speed, revealing the ocean floor in its wake. Far on the horizon, a massive wave began to form, towering above the water, growing larger by the second. But it wasn’t just one wave—behind it, another, and another, each one building in intensity, creating a wall of water that surged toward the island with frightening speed.

"Everyone... kill them!" one of the adventurers shouted, the fear in his voice betraying the urgency of the situation. The adventurers, now united in their resolve, drew their weapons and braced themselves for the onslaught.

Ling Tian unsheathed his sword, ’Swifty,’ a slender blade that gleamed like polished silver. It was a needle sword, designed for speed and precision, and in his hands, it was as deadly as any broadsword.

Beside him, Yumina clicked her shoes, and her body lifted off the ground, hovering just above the surface. With a quick motion, she touched the ring on her finger, and two gleaming gauntlets materialized in her hands. She slipped them on with practiced ease, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for the battle ahead.

The first wave hit, and the monsters emerged from the frothing sea, their grotesque forms casting long shadows on the sand. Ling Tian was the first to move, his figure blurring as he dashed forward, ’Swifty’ slicing through the air with lethal precision. He struck down a crab monster, its hard shell splitting cleanly under his blade. Another lunged at him from the side, but he pivoted smoothly, delivering a lightning-fast thrust that pierced its armored hide.

But the monsters were relentless. As Ling Tian fought on the ground, several took to the air, propelled by powerful legs or fins that acted like wings. They swooped down, aiming for his exposed back, but they never reached him. A gust of wind, sharp as a blade, sliced through the air, cutting down the first attacker. Steam bubbles formed around the next, popping with explosive force and sending the creature tumbling to the ground, its exoskeleton cracked and broken.

Yumina hovered above the fray, her gauntlets glowing with energy as she unleashed her abilities. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a barrage of fire bullets streaking through the sky, each one finding its mark with unerring accuracy. The monsters that dared to approach from above were met with a swift and fiery demise, their charred bodies falling into the sea below.

Ling Tian continued his assault on the ground, weaving through the swarm of monsters with deadly grace. His needle sword danced in his hands, striking with pinpoint accuracy. Every thrust, every slash, was calculated, efficient, and devastating. The monsters fell before him like wheat before the scythe, their numbers thinning with each passing second.

The battle raged on, till next day.

---

With the monster tide defeated and the village once again safe, Ling Tian and Yumina received their reward from the grateful villagers. As they prepared to leave, one of the adventurer groups, impressed by their strength, extended an invitation.

"Thank you, we’ll accept your offer," Yumina replied with a polite smile.

As they sailed away from Pearl Village aboard the adventurers’ ship, Ling Tian leaned against the railing, gazing out at the vast ocean. The salty breeze tugged at his hair, and for a moment, he let himself relax.

"We should create a crew and have our own ship," he mused aloud, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. The recent battle had reminded him of the dangers that lay ahead, and the limitations of relying on others. Their boat, the small vessel they had used to sail to Pearl Village, had been destroyed in the monster tide. They needed something more substantial, something that could withstand the perils of the sea.

Yumina, sitting nearby, adjusted her gauntlets before stowing them away. "First, let’s reunite with Ella," she said, her tone practical. "After that, we can decide what to do next."

Ling Tian nodded, though his mind was already wandering to other matters. "We should add more people to our crew too," he added thoughtfully. His thoughts drifted back to the Kun Peng Ruins, where he had once found himself in a life-threatening situation. He vividly remembered the moment when a beautiful lady had saved him—a woman with a presence as fierce as the storm itself. That woman was Lily Gomes.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Meanwhile,

"One red and one white," the man explained as he placed the cups on the table, "means ginseng with red apricot and date tea, as well as ginkgo and white dew nectar. They’re best enjoyed before a meal." He served the couple a hearty meal, his eyes briefly sweeping over them with a hint of curiosity.

"So, you’re searching for some people?" he inquired, his gaze lingering on the woman a moment longer. She was strikingly beautiful, the kind of beauty that naturally drew a second glance. The gentle curve of her belly made it clear she was pregnant.

"Yes," Lan Yi responded after a brief pause. "Their names are Tyler White, Yu Meixue, and Priscilla."

Indeed, they were the Lan couple—Lan Yi and Lan Xuero.

"If I hear anything about those names, I’ll be sure to let you know." The man replied.

The Lan Couples thanked them and left.

As Lan Xuero and Lan Yi walked out , a young man strolling toward the building caught sight of Lan Xuero. His eyes widened, and he nearly drooled at the sight of her beauty.

"Who is that?" the Young Master demanded, turning to his servant with a lustful gleam in his eyes.

"I’ll find out everything about her within the hour, Young Master," the servant replied dutifully, already preparing to carry out his orders.

The Young Master sneered, clearly accustomed to getting what he wanted. "I don’t care who she is. I want her in my bed this evening," he declared with a dismissive wave, before continuing on his way. From the way he spoke, it was clear that this wasn’t the first time he had made such demands. His parents, both Grandmaster-level mages and respected teachers at the academy, ensured that no one dared to oppose him.

"Yiyi, we should leave the island quickly," Lan Xuero urged, a hint of concern in her voice. "Remember the powerful being gave us instructions. I think we should focus on completing the task."

Lan Yi’s expression hardened. "Xuero, forget about that, okay? You’re carrying our child now. I don’t want anything to happen to you. If possible, let’s avoid meeting Tyler White. I know... strange things happened between you two, and that’s exactly why I don’t want you near him again. I don’t like that you dragged me here just to find him," he added, his tone growing slightly irritated.

"Huh... what’s gotten into you all of a sudden?" Lan Xuero asked, taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor.

Lan Yi paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings. "There’s something in the air—a medicinal smell. Some sort of drug... that’s why I’m getting angry," he realized, quickly adjusting his aura to expel the influence.

"Who’s there?" Lan Yi demanded, his voice sharp and alert.

A servant emerged from the shadows, accompanied by several others. "Be a good boy and lend us your wife," the servant said with a lecherous grin, his eyes filled with lust.

After that...

There was no after that. The Young Master later found his servant and the others lying dead in an alley.