A Cultivator in the World Dominated By Awakeners

"I didn't expect rich people like you to monopolize entire mountains for yourselves," Oliver said to Edward.

"It may seem excessive, but the truth is, we pay a high price for it," Edward replied.

"In return, we build a lot of infrastructure, and all we get is a mountain with restricted access. The government could take it back anytime—there's no official document stating we actually own the mountain."

"But they won't, because you also control the officials, am I right?" Oliver shot back.

Edward chuckled at that, then shook his head.

"Maybe it won't always be like that. The Royal Family is growing stronger these days—especially since Evylin's rise. She might not be popular, but she's ambitious. She's even trying to take back control of the government from Parliament. If she comes to power, she definitely won't let us keep doing whatever we want.

Yeah, thankfully her mother comes from the Rothschild family—but even so, there's no guarantee our families will be safe if she becomes too powerful."

"Ohhh…" Oliver responded with a look of interest.

This was something about Evylin he didn't know before.

It seemed that behind her indifferent attitude toward the world, she had much bigger plans.

"She wants to grow stronger. That might be the real reason she took you as her disciple—she wants powerful allies," Edward continued.

"I guess I'll help her if she wants to rule the country," Oliver replied with a laugh.

That would be great for him. If Evylin became queen and ruled the nation, wouldn't that mean his own status would skyrocket?

Edward rolled his eyes at his words.

"Power in the hands of a monarchy isn't good. It's better under Parliament, like it is now—where the people can elect their leaders. Isn't it obvious? The UK is one of the most prosperous and powerful countries in the world."

"Hmph, it's only good for capitalists like you…" Ivy suddenly chimed in coldly.

"What do you call prosperity? Most people earn just enough to survive month to month. You capitalists take more, then share just a little with politicians so they keep helping you. Clearly, you're just scared your family's reign will end when the monarchy takes back control."

Compared to Oliver, Ivy was far more direct in criticizing Edward.

The pilot sitting in front couldn't help but be stunned—wondering who these two people were, brought along by his young master, yet speaking so bluntly to him without fear.

Usually, anyone who got close to Edward treated him with nothing but politeness, always hoping to gain his favor.

Instead of getting angry, Edward merely wore an awkward expression.

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about sensitive topics like this," he said, forcing a smile.

He really didn't look angry—if anything, he seemed worried that Oliver and Ivy might be mad at him.

"But honestly, you two actually make me feel like I have real friends—not just people who want to flatter me for favors," he added.

Oliver gave him a strange look, but at that moment, the helicopter had already arrived above the villa—drawing his eyes back outside.

The villa combined ancient European architecture with futuristic design, creating a kind of luxury that made it feel like a palace from a special civilization.

Its size exceeded Oliver's imagination. The villa alone was likely larger than a football field, and its grounds were even more expansive—with a massive swimming pool in the back.

His gaze paused at the pool—where a young blonde woman lay face-down on a lounge chair beside the water, being massaged by two women who looked to be in their twenties.

Each of them was massaging one of her legs.

She was wearing a short nightgown, which seemed completely soaked, probably from a quick swim just moments ago.

Without a doubt, she was stunningly beautiful—with curves in all the right places and porcelain skin so fair it seemed impossible to tan, no matter how long she stayed in the sun.

As if sensing the helicopter's arrival, she turned over—revealing a face that was perfectly shaped, with piercing sky-blue eyes and a naturally haughty expression.

She was even wearing a large diamond necklace.

There might be limits to a woman's beauty, but her aura—an unmistakable presence of a highborn lady from an immensely wealthy family—seemed boundless.

That was the most striking thing about her—something no other woman, no matter how beautiful or well-dressed, could replicate.

"She's my relative—also a member of the Rothschild family, though from the German branch. Rebecca Rothschild. Our great-grandfathers were brothers," Edward explained to Oliver and Ivy.

"I doubt that's the extent of your relationship with her," Oliver replied.

"Hahaha, you're quite observant, Oliver. Yeah, we're engaged. In our family, it's common to marry within the bloodline—though occasionally there are exceptions, like my aunt who married one of the Queen's sons, Prince Charles," Edward laughed.

"But the reason she's here is because her parents wanted her to attend university—but she's not interested. She lied, saying she enrolled in Manchester, but in reality, she didn't at all."

As Edward said this, the helicopter finally touched down at one of the helipads, located in the backyard beside the pool.

"Let's get off," Edward said, quickly opening the helicopter door.

As they stepped down, Rebecca was already sitting up, glaring at them with a sharp look.

Oliver could vaguely sense that she was also an Awakener—recently awakened, it seemed.

Still, her gaze made him uncomfortable—not because he felt threatened, but because she was looking at him and Ivy the way a city girl might stare at villagers. Her brows furrowed repeatedly.

"Edward, where'd you find these two bumpkins? Why did you bring them here?" the woman said before Oliver even took a step forward.

Not only were Oliver and Ivy both stunned by her words—even Edward looked shocked, as though he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

"Ahem, ahem!" He cleared his throat several times.

"Rebecca, don't be rude. This man is Oliver Whitemoon, a true friend of mine, and this woman is his girlfriend—Ivy Wilson," Edward said firmly.

"Oliver is a talented Cultivator who's already reached the Fifth Stage despite just starting out. He's also the disciple of my cousin, Evylin. And Ivy is an Awakener who's already reached Level 10, with terrifying power.

Neither of them are people you can look down on."

Edward seemed genuinely offended by Rebecca's dismissive attitude toward Oliver and Ivy.

Oliver gave him another strange look, wondering if Edward was really this respectful toward them.

As for Rebecca, who clearly looked down on ordinary people with disdain, Oliver instantly disliked her.