The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 238. That One Extra Lydia

Chapter 238: 238. That One Extra Lydia

During the lunch break, Tyler decided not to go to the cafeteria. Instead, he stayed in the classroom, engrossed in his studies, preparing for the two tests scheduled in the afternoon.

For the past month, Tyler had been skipping most of his classes. It wasn’t due to laziness—he had his reasons—but the consequence was clear: he had no choice but to cram at the last minute. Thankfully, Senior Hawk had helped him prepare. She had collected previous exam questions and their standard answers, providing him with some hope of passing.

The first test was a behavior assessment. Unlike typical academic subjects, it consisted of questions that delved into ethical dilemmas and personality evaluations.

For example: If you encountered an Abyss monster attacking a person, what would you do?

The options were grim.

If you chose to save the person, there was a high chance you might lose your life in the process. On the other hand, if you chose to walk away, you would be morally condemned.

Another question asked: If you found out your wife was cheating on you, what would you do? Options included forgiving her, divorcing her, or taking extreme measures like killing her.

These weren’t questions with "correct" answers. Rather, they were designed to test a student’s personality, values, and critical thinking. The goal was to prepare future cultivators to face difficult decisions with wisdom and resilience.

Tyler sighed as he reviewed these hypothetical scenarios. He was relieved that this would be the last time he’d have to deal with these types of psychological tests. According to the curriculum, such subjects were mandatory only in the first two semesters. Their purpose was to address a critical issue: the arrogance that often accompanied great power. As one delved deeper into the path of immortality and gained immense strength, unchecked arrogance could lead to a cultivator’s downfall. These classes aimed to instill humility and ethical reasoning, even if many students found them tedious.

The second test, however, was one Tyler dreaded for a different reason—it was the combat assessment.

---

Afternoon arrived, and the combat assessment officially began.

The atmosphere in the arena was tense as students waited for their names to be called. Each participant had to enter the testing chamber individually, where their performance would be graded on a strict scale. The grading system ranged from S (Exceptional) to A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Average), D (Poor), and F (Failure).

When Tyler’s name was finally called, he stood up, stretched his arms, and walked into the testing facility. The heavy doors closed behind him with a loud thud, sealing him inside.

The room was eerily silent. A series of camera-like scanners descended from the ceiling, their lenses whirring as they scanned the area. Within seconds, the scanners activated a mechanism resembling a 3D printer. Layer by layer, a creature began to materialize.

It was a four-legged monster, its black skin glistening with an unnatural purple hue. Tentacle-like appendages sprouted from its eyebrows, writhing menacingly.

"Lizart Rat," Tyler muttered under his breath.

These creatures were known as Elite-level beasts from the Abyss. Fast, cunning, and vicious, they were notorious for their agility and unpredictable attacks.

The rules of the combat test were simple: survive for ten minutes.

The Lizart Rat wasted no time. It leaped toward Tyler with blinding speed, its tentacle-like eyebrows snapping forward like whips. Tyler instinctively threw a punch, but the creature vanished mid-air, reappearing by his side.

"Fast," Tyler murmured, narrowing his eyes.

The Lizart Rat’s tentacles lashed out, wrapping around Tyler’s arm. A sizzling sound filled the room as white smoke rose from the contact point. However, Tyler remained calm.

His arm began to emit an icy chill, spreading rapidly through the tentacles and onto the Lizart Rat’s body. Within moments, the entire creature was encased in a thick layer of frost. It froze mid-motion, resembling an eerie ice sculpture.

With a casual flick of his fingers, Tyler shattered the frozen monster into countless shards.

The cameras in the room whirred again, scanning Tyler’s performance. Moments later, the 3D printer activated once more. This time, it materialized four Lizart Rats.

Tyler frowned. Even though he was at the Master Level, dealing with multiple Elite-level creatures was no small feat.

The Lizart Rats spread out, surrounding him from all sides. Their tentacles writhed ominously, and their glowing eyes fixated on him.

Tyler slowly reached into his coat and pulled out a peculiar weapon—a ladle.

A few minutes later

A robotic voice announced:

"Combat test completed. Grade: S."

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

"You mean I don’t really have to defeat it? I just have to survive?" Tyler’s mouth twitched as he processed the information.

"Exactly," Hawk replied, her tone casual. "But defeating them guarantees you a higher grade."

The two hovered mid-air on sleek hoverboards, the soft hum of their engines filling the silence between them.

"I’ll activate it now, Junior," Hawk said, her voice steady with the confidence of experience.

Tyler nodded, touching his bracelet. A faint light enveloped his body, forming a protective barrier. Hawk, on the other hand, adjusted her watch. Her hover gear, complete with a helmet, gloves, and a high-tech suit, gleamed under the artificial light.

A swirling portal materialized in front of them, its edges glowing with an ethereal blue. Without hesitation, the duo glided into the shimmering gateway.

Wantai Country

Wantai Country, a nation distinct from any others in its governance. Unlike most regions, Wantai was not under the control of any large organizations but rather ruled by its royal family. Known as the manufacturing hub of the continent, Wantai thrived on industry and commerce. Businesses from across the world sought to purchase raw materials and establish manufacturing plants in this country, exporting finished goods far and wide. This economic activity had fostered friendly relations between Wantai and its neighboring nations.

At the heart of Wantai stood Ba Auction House, one of the continent’s most prestigious auction companies. On this day, its grand halls were filled with influential figures, each eager to secure a monumental acquisition.

The object of today’s auction was none other than the Elite Academy of Magic and Technology. While many of those present had little interest in the academy itself, their eyes glittered with desire for its patented technologies, innovations that promised unparalleled power and profit.

---

Headmistress Serena stood in the venue, her posture composed but her eyes betraying a hint of unease. Beside her was GG, her loyal student , who fidgeted nervously while occasionally peering through the tall windows, as if expecting someone to appear.

The sound of creaking wood disrupted the tense atmosphere. A towering tree-like figure, its bark shimmering with age-old wisdom, strode toward them.

"All those years of history come to an end today," the vice principal sneered as he passed Serena. His smugness radiated from every step, accompanied by Cyan, a former student of Serena who had betrayed her to join the vice principal’s faction. Cyan, guilt-ridden, avoided eye contact with Serena as he trailed behind.

"Hmph," GG muttered under his breath. "I’m certain he’s the one pulling the strings behind all this."

"Silence," Serena snapped, her voice cold. GG grimaced but complied, taking a sip from the wine glass in his hand.

The venue resembled a grand ballroom, its opulence fitting for an event of such magnitude. Chandeliers cast shimmering light on polished marble floors, and soft orchestral music played in the background.

"The auction for the Elite Academy of Magic and Technology will end in ten minutes," an announcer declared, his voice echoing across the hall. "Please submit your final bids promptly."

Unlike a traditional open auction, this was a sealed-bid auction. Participants submitted their bids in sealed envelopes, which would be opened simultaneously at the end. However, this auction followed the Vickrey auction format. In this system, the highest bidder would win but only pay the second-highest bid, an approach designed to encourage participants to bid their true valuation.

The academy itself, with its sprawling grounds and ancient buildings, was evaluated at a modest 40 million Lydia. However, the patented technology housed within its laboratories elevated its value to a staggering 50 billion Lydia.

As the ten-minute countdown ended, the tension in the room thickened. The auctioneer, a bald man with an aquiline nose and a pair of feathered wings, stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice commanding. "We shall now reveal the bids."

The auctioneer began reading the bids in reverse order.

"Prince Hi Ping," the auctioneer announced, "51 billion Lydia."

Serena and GG exchanged glances.

Finally, Tyler White’s name was announced: 300 billion Lydia.

The room fell silent, save for the gasps of astonishment from the audience. Serena’s eyes widened in shock, and GG exhaled deeply, with a satisfaction.

But the vice principal remained unfazed. He smirked, his confidence unshaken. Thanks to his bribes, he already knew the top bid. Leaning back in his chair, he gestured for the auctioneer to continue.

"The World Tree Association," the auctioneer declared, "300 billion and one Lydia."

A collective murmur spread through the hall. The vice principal’s faction had deliberately outbid Tyler by a single Lydia—a blatant act of provocation. The smug look on the vice principal’s face was infuriating.

Serena closed her eyes, as though resigning herself to the outcome.

The vice principal rose from his seat, striding toward the stage with a triumphant air. "Prepare the documents," he said, barely concealing his glee.

"Sir, please wait," the auctioneer interrupted, his voice cutting through the vice principal’s celebration. "There is one final envelope yet to be opened."

The room froze. Serena’s eyes snapped open, and the vice principal halted in his tracks, his smugness giving way to shock.

"White Merchant Group," the auctioneer announced, "300 billion and two Lydia."

The hall erupted into chaos. Gasps, whispers, and stunned expressions filled the room. The vice principal’s face darkened, his composure crumbling.