The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 122. Finally Arrived

Chapter 122: 122. Finally Arrived

"We can’t find these Phantom Pirates. It’s like they disappeared forever," an old man said to the middle-aged man steering the helm.

"I didn’t expect someone to have knowledge of the ancient language in the south. We can find them later. It’s not urgent. They will definitely make waves; we just need to wait," the man replied, gently turning the helm.

"But we don’t even know if they went south or north. What if they never appear again?" the old man asked.

"Sometimes, when you can’t find someone, it’s not because they want to hide. It’s just that they don’t care enough to reveal themselves," the man answered calmly, taking the wanted poster of Phantom Blackwood in his hands. "I wonder where they are?"

---

"We’re here. Across these Giant Mountains is the beginning of the world," Lily Gomes shouted, pointing at the imposing peaks.

"Are you sure they aren’t some monster’s teeth?" Tyler asked, recalling the incident vividly.

"Probably not."

"Probably?"

Towering above the sea like ancient sentinels, the Giant Mountains were a breathtaking sight. Their jagged peaks pierced the sky, shrouded in mist, while their sheer cliffs plunged into the dark, churning waters below. The mountains’ surfaces were a mosaic of rocky crags and sparse, hardy vegetation clinging to life in the unforgiving environment. The tallest of these mountains seemed to rise endlessly, its summit lost in the clouds, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance.

Tyler stared at the formidable range, his mind racing with possibilities. "How are we supposed to get past these mountains?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe and apprehension.

Lily Gomes smiled enigmatically. "Observe carefully," she instructed, her eyes twinkling with a secret she was eager to share.

Tyler squinted, scanning the peaks and valleys for any sign of a passage. After several long moments, something caught his eye. One of the mountains didn’t seem to have a base. Suspended between two towering giants, it appeared to be floating, as if held aloft by some invisible force.

"That mountain... it doesn’t touch the ground," Tyler said, a note of wonder in his voice.

Lily nodded, her smile widening. "According to legend, this mountain was lifted by an ancient being to create a path for a little Fishman. It’s said that the being saw the Fishman’s plight and decided to help, raising the mountain to provide safe passage."

Tyler marveled at the story, feeling a mix of excitement and reverence. "So, that’s our way through?"

"Yes," Lily replied. "We just have to navigate carefully between those giants. The path is narrow, but it’s there."

---

The ship glided smoothly across the water, its sails billowing in the gentle breeze. As the vessel approached the towering Giant Mountains, the crew gathered on deck, drawn by the awe-inspiring sight before them. The mountains loomed large, their jagged peaks piercing the sky and casting long shadows over the sea. The cliffs were a rugged tapestry of rocky crags and sparse vegetation, with some sections appearing almost vertical, while others formed natural terraces and overhangs.

Silvia stepped to the rail, her eyes wide with wonder. "Look at those mountains," she murmured, loudly. The sheer scale of the peaks was overwhelming, a testament to the raw power of nature.

As the ship continued its approach, Tyler noticed a line of other vessels ahead, each moving in a careful, orderly fashion. Some were merchant ships, laden with goods and manned by seasoned sailors. Others were sleek, fast-moving craft, likely used by traders and adventurers. Near the edge of the mountain range, several pirate ships lay anchored, their crews watching the passing ships with predatory interest.

"They won’t dare to rob here," Lily muttered to Tyler, who stood beside her. "But once we cross those mountains, they might target us."

Tyler nodded, his expression serious. "I hope they rob us. I have yet to meet Pirates that wanted to rob us in the middle of the sea."

The ship moved closer to the base of the mountains, the water growing calmer as they entered the shadow of the towering peaks. Tyler’s eyes scanned the cliffs, looking for the path Lily had mentioned. Soon, he saw it: a narrow gap between two massive mountains, one of which seemed to hover mysteriously above the water, its base missing. It was as if an ancient giant had lifted the mountain and placed it there to create a passage.

"We’re almost there," Lily said, pointing towards the gap. "Once we get through, we should be able to reach the Edge faster."

Tyler nodded, his mind already racing with plans for the journey ahead. As the ship slowly maneuvered towards the passage, Tyler noticed a group of pirates on one of the docked ships watching them intently. One of the pirates, a wiry man with a cunning expression, slipped quietly into the water and swam towards their ship.

The pirate moved with practiced stealth, carefully affixing a half sea shell to the hull of Tyler’s ship. The shell clung to the wood, its surface glistening in the sunlight. The pirate then swam back to his crew and climbed aboard their ship.

"I successfully stuck the tracking charm on their ship. We can find them easily on the other side," the wiry man reported to his captain, a burly figure with a scarred face.

"Let me check if it’s still there," another pirate said, taking out the matching half of the sea shell. Holding it in his palm, he watched as it twitched and then flew towards the first pirate, like a magnet drawn to metal.

The captain’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Turn around," he ordered. The wiry man did as instructed, revealing the tracking charm stuck to his own back.

Back on Tyler’s ship, a faint, satisfied chuckle echoed through the air as Mana, Tyler’s ghost spirit, reappeared. Invisible to the pirates, Mana had been following their every move and had deftly removed the charm, ensuring their ship remained untraceable.

"Good luck tracking yourself." Mana laughed.

---

Some things in this world simply defy logic. Like how the sun and the moons are visible everywhere in the giant cylindrical-shaped planet, casting their light in ways that make no sense according to conventional understanding.

Then there are the Giant Mountains, towering impossibly high and stretching across the horizon. Their sheer scale and the mysterious gap between two of them suggest forces at work that are beyond human comprehension. Most people, not given to deep thought or curiosity, dismiss these anomalies as miracles of the gods and move on with their lives.

However, a small number of inquisitive minds dare to question these mysteries. They spend their lives seeking answers, probing the unknown, and challenging the accepted explanations.

There is a famous saying in this world "If you want to seek Answers, go North. If you want to seek Peace, go South "

In the south, though, such curiosity is rare. The southern people are practical and unconcerned with the deeper truths of the world. They live their lives contentedly, accepting the world as it is without seeking to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Yet, there is one thing that even the pragmatic southerners hold in reverence: the Edge of the World. It’s a place of myth and legend, a destination that every southerner dreams of seeing at least once in their lifetime. Stories abound of its beauty and the sense of awe it inspires, a place where the fabric of reality seems to fray, revealing glimpses of the beyond.

"Mana, go and bring Ms. Mathilda. It’s been a long time since she saw the sky." Tyler said with some guilt.

"You finally remembered that I exist." Mathilda walked out and pouted.

Some of the servant girls blushed looking at her. Mathilda winked at them which made their faces turn even redder.

"Seems like you have been enjoying a lot in the ship." Tyler’s mouth twitched.

"Aren’t you afraid I might tell the secret to senior Lily?" She whispered.

"I trust you." Tyler replied. He didn’t mention about the Oath considering it as Lily’s secret.

"If you trust me, then release me."

"I trust 50% of you."

Mathilda pouted and sighed. She doesn’t really hate to be on this ship. It’s just that she wants to move around the ship without any restraints.

"So are we there yet?" She asked.

"Yes, we are. After reaching the south. We will find the witch and make a contract. I will release you." Tyler said.

"Alright... Mana keep an eye on her." Tyler said to Mana and walked to the bow.

As Tyler’s ship slowly navigated the narrow passage and emerged on the other side of the Giant Mountains, a sense of wonder and anticipation filled the air. The waters here were calmer, the light softer, casting a serene glow over the landscape. Tyler stood at the bow, his eyes scanning the horizon, filled with a mixture of relief and excitement.

"Holly Molly." Tyler shouted while looking at the sky.

"Welcome to the real south." Lily Gomes smiled.