The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 202. Shopping

Chapter 202: 202. Shopping

The first thing Tyler and the others noticed upon entering the Ixalaria Continent was the overwhelming abundance of energy in the air. Unlike other regions, where practitioners could easily manipulate the natural energy around them, the Source Energy here was complex. It wasn’t a pure form of energy like Aura or Prana. Instead, it was a potent mixture that also contained impurities, making it impossible to extract directly. Despite this, the sheer volume of Source Energy made the entire northern side of the continent uninhabitable for ordinary mortals. Only Immortal Practitioners, those who had transcended the limitations of mortality, could survive and thrive in these areas. Even the taxi drivers were Elite Level Warriors or Mages, their power far surpassing the ordinary practitioners Tyler had encountered elsewhere.

As the flying taxi zoomed through the bustling city, Tyler found himself sandwiched between Mathilda and Silvia, who both peered eagerly out of the windows. They were captivated by the sheer scale and beauty of the city, as vibrant and alive as it was steeped in mystical power. Astrid sat in the center of the backseat, Zuzia curled up in her lap, fast asleep. Lily was seated by the opposite window, gazing out with a mix of curiosity and intrigue.

"Huh... We could have just booked more taxis," Tyler muttered, feeling a little cramped between the excited girls.

"Nooo..." they all responded in unison, laughing. They clearly enjoyed being together in the same car and were not about to miss out on the shared experience.

The city they passed through was a fascinating blend of modern technology and ancient structures. Tall buildings of glass and metal stretched toward the sky, while down below, beautiful Ginkgo trees lined the streets, their golden leaves creating a stunning yellow canopy. The trees looked so out of place amidst the modern buildings, yet they blended seamlessly with the vibrant energy of the place. Tyler marveled at the contrast, taking in the cars zooming on the roads below, as well as the flying vehicles that zipped through the air above them.

The driver, a middle-aged man with the aura of an Elite Level Warrior, chatted amicably about the city as he guided the taxi toward their destination. "This city, Velkryna, is one of the most advanced in Ixalaria," he said, his voice calm but proud. "We’ve got some of the finest shops, inns, and training grounds for practitioners. A lot of the buildings may look ancient, but don’t let that fool you. The materials we use last centuries, and with most of us having long lifespans, there’s no rush to tear them down and rebuild. Tradition and modernity live side by side here."

Tyler nodded as he listened, gazing out at the roads below. Though they were flying, he noticed plenty of vehicles driving on the ground as well. "It seems like those rides are even cheaper," he observed.

The driver chuckled. "Oh, definitely. Ground taxis are more affordable, but when you’re Immortal Practitioner, time is more valuable than money. Flying cars save a lot of time, especially in a big city like this."

Their first stop was to rent an inn. Despite the city’s technological advancements, there were still plenty of old structures, relics of the past that had withstood the test of time. The inn they arrived at was one of the most prestigious in the city. From the outside, it looked like a mountain covered in caves, but the moment they entered, it was clear this was no ordinary inn. Each cave led to a lavish suite, equipped with comfortable beds, modern lighting, refrigerators, and all the conveniences one would expect in a luxury hotel.

Tyler whistled in appreciation. "Not bad," he muttered, impressed by the contrast between the exterior’s primitive aesthetic and the interior’s cutting-edge technology.

As they were about to part ways to settle into their rooms, Lily leaned in close and whispered, "Don’t try to dismantle these things."

Tyler blinked at her, a mock expression of hurt on his face. "Do I look like the kind of person who’d do that?"

Lily didn’t answer verbally. Instead, she pointed at his hands. Tyler followed her gaze and realized he was already holding a small light bulb that he had absentmindedly opened up to examine.

"Ah," he laughed hollowly, "well, you know, just a little curiosity."

Lily rolled her eyes and left for her room, leaving Tyler standing there. He shook his head and sighed. "Can’t help it," he muttered to himself. His curiosity was insatiable. After all, understanding the mechanisms behind technology and artifacts was a part of who he was. He quickly retrieved his copper pot, activating its ability to copy the bulb. After copying the design, he opened the bulb to inspect it further.

His desire to disassemble and study didn’t stop there, either. He was dying to take apart the refrigerator and other modern appliances in the room. However, when he tried to place one of the items in his storage tool, he received a warning that the inn’s anti-theft array would activate if the item left the room. He sighed, grudgingly putting the item back where he found it. "Guess I’ll just have to admire these things without taking them apart," he muttered.

After a day of rest, Tyler and the others rented another taxi and headed out to explore the city. Their first major destination: a renowned clothing store. While Tyler simply grabbed a few casual outfits, the girls took their time, immersing themselves in the vast selection of fashionable clothes available. Hours passed as they tried on different outfits, each one more stunning than the last. The entire store seemed to buzz with their excitement as they examined themselves in the mirrors, giggling and posing.

Each girl had a style that suited her perfectly. Lily chose a vibrant yellow dress that hugged her figure, giving her a radiant, summery look. Mathilda, ever the picture of elegance, selected a green ensemble that made her look both powerful and graceful. Silvia went for a striking golden outfit, her confidence shining through as the fabric shimmered under the store lights. Astrid opted for a soft pink dress that matched her angelic beauty, her smile lighting up the room as she twirled in front of the mirror. Even Zuzia, who had taken on her humanoid form for the occasion, dressed up in sleek black attire, looking sharp and mysterious.

When Tyler saw them all together, his jaw dropped slightly. "You all look amazing," he said honestly.

"Of course we do," Lily smirked. "Did you expect anything less?"

After several more hours of shopping, the group finally left the store, their spirits high and their arms loaded with bags. Tyler, of course, was carrying a few himself, much to his chagrin.

"You know, we have storage items," he pointed out with a raised eyebrow. "We don’t have to carry everything."

"Where’s the fun in that?" Mathilda grinned. "It’s not shopping unless you leave the store with an armful of bags."

"But why is it always me?" Tyler sighed. He wished he had more tentacles like Taka.

He suddenly sensed something and glanced to the left. A girl with pink cat ears and a pink tail was happily walking out of the store, chatting with her boyfriend. The boy had reindeer horns. Tyler had already seen other humanoid species—Silvia and Astrid, after all, were a half-angel and an Elf, respectively—so he wasn’t surprised. What did surprise him, however, was that the reindeer guy had vines extending from his pocket, carrying all the shopping bags behind him.

"Aw... If only I could do that..." Tyler sighed.

The reindeer guy looked at Tyler, burdened with shopping bags, then at the girls surrounding him. He gave Tyler an encouraging look before walking away. Tyler let out a small smile.

"What was that?" Lily, who noticed that small exchange, asked.

"That’s a guy thing. You wouldn’t understand," Tyler replied.

They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring more of the city, stopping at food stalls, watching street performers, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Velkryna. Everywhere they looked, there was something new to see—ancient-looking temples standing side by side with towering skyscrapers, flying vehicles darting through the air, and vendors selling mystical artifacts alongside cutting-edge technology.

Tyler couldn’t help but marvel at how seamlessly tradition and progress coexisted here. The blending of modern conveniences with the spiritual and mystical elements of the world made Ixalaria feel like a realm where anything was possible.

As they rode back to the inn in another taxi that evening, tired but happy from their day of exploration, Tyler leaned back in his seat, gazing out at the golden sunset over the city. "I think I could get used to this place," he said softly.

Mathilda, seated next to him, nudged him playfully. "Good, because I don’t think we’re leaving anytime soon. I meant the continent"

Tyler smiled. He wasn’t in any rush to leave either. There is still academy to attend.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.