Chapter 293. Frozen Abyss and the Boiling Lake
Snow was falling heavily. The world was painted in a thick layer of pure white, as if a celestial artist had swept a brush across the land. The icy wind howled through the desolate expanse, carrying with it a chilling bite that could freeze bones.
Above, the sky was a deep shade of purple, an eerie contrast to the snowy ground below. Despite the countless moons scattered across the heavens, their glow was weak. They blinked—yes, blinked—as though they were not celestial bodies but watchful eyes, scanning the world below with unseen intent.
A lone figure clad in a heavy cloak soared across the sky on a hoverboard, cutting through the frigid air like a phantom. The moons’ eerie blinking reflection flickered against the glossy fabric of the cloak, but the rider paid no mind. The darkness of the sky seemed endless, a void where no natural light could pierce through.
Yet, the land was not entirely without illumination. Rivers of molten lava, like veins of fire, snaked across the barren terrain, their molten glow casting ominous shadows on the jagged rocks and frozen plains. These rivers of liquid flame provided a strange contrast to the icy tundra, creating a landscape of extremes—burning rivers flowing through frozen ground.
The cloaked figure hovered downward, landing on the rocky edge of a small lava river. The ground sizzled beneath their feet, heat waves distorting the air. At the very edge of the river, where fire met frost, a peculiar plant grew.
A delicate tomato plant, its vines twisting toward the heat, bore fruit that glowed like tiny embers. The contrast was mesmerizing—the fiery red tomatoes swaying against the dark and lifeless terrain.
"Lava Tomato."
A girl’s voice echoed softly in the silence, her tone carrying both curiosity and satisfaction.
She moved carefully, taking out a sleek metallic device and placing it around the plant. The device emitted a faint hum as an energy shield materialized, surrounding the Lava Tomato along with its soil. With a small click, the entire encapsulated plant shrank, turning into a glowing orb no larger than a marble.
With a practiced motion, she tapped her wristwatch. A holographic screen flickered to life, scanning the orb. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared, safely stored away in her inventory.
Her eyes gleamed as she spotted another Lava Tomato plant a short distance away. Without hesitation, she repeated the process, her hands swift and efficient. Another plant stored.