The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 149 - 148. New Bounties

Chapter 149: 148. New Bounties

Phantom Blackwood’s voice, calm and calculating, hung in the air like a spell. The words struck a chord in the hearts of the pirates. They paused, looking at one another, the allure of treasure far more compelling than pursuing the vanished Phantoms.

The decision was unanimous. Without another word, the pirates turned their backs on the hunt and rushed toward the entrance of the secret realm, their greed driving them forward. The temptation of untold riches was too powerful to resist.

Isadora Nightkiss, however, was different. she dashed away, her form blending with the shadows as she began her pursuit of the Phantom Pirates. She wouldn’t let them slip away so easily. Back at the entrance to the secret realm, chaos reigned. The Kong Family’s guards and attendants were overwhelmed, helpless in the face of the rushing pirates.

"Where are the elders? The Family Head?" one of the Kong Family members muttered, fear creeping into his voice as he watched the scene unfold. They could only hope that reinforcements would arrive soon to bring order to the chaos that had erupted at their doorstep.

For now, all they could do was wait and watch as the pirates swarmed into the secret realm, eager to claim whatever lay within. The situation had spiraled out of control, and the repercussions were bound to be severe.

In the midst of the chaos unfolding at the Kong Family Secret Realm entrance, four seemingly ordinary practitioners made their way calmly along the streets of Rich Berg Island. Unbeknownst to the frenzied pirates and the Kong Family guards, these individuals were none other than Tyler, Lily, Mana, and Astrid, all expertly disguised to blend into the crowd.

As they walked, Isadora Nightkiss dashed past them, her eyes sharp and focused as she searched for the elusive Phantom Pirates. She paid no attention to the four practitioners, completely unaware that they were, in fact, the very people she was seeking.

Lily couldn’t help but tease Tyler as they strolled along. "I didn’t know you had more of those Master Level Disguise Charms," she said with a smirk, her tone playful. Inwardly, she added, *’Even though we only bought one.’* Tyler chuckled awkwardly in response, casting a glance at Astrid, who was also in disguise.

Their walk soon led them to a quiet part of the island, where Tyler turned to Astrid with a serious expression. "I think this is goodbye," he said, his voice tinged with both sadness and finality.

Astrid, ever graceful, bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you for everything," she said sincerely. Mana, ever affectionate, pulled Astrid into a tight hug, and Astrid returned the embrace warmly.

"Please tell Silvia, Darla, and Mr. Taka my goodbye," Astrid added softly, her eyes glistening with emotion. Lily, ever efficient, quickly grabbed Astrid by the arm, and with a nod to the others, they disappeared towards the sea.

Meanwhile, Tyler watched them go, a contemplative look on his face. "Now... since the Kong Family is preoccupied with the secret realm entrance, let’s wrap this up with one last task," he said, determination in his voice.

At the same time, Lily, now soaring above the sea with her sword, made her way toward a ship bound for the Rosefall Kingdom. She landed gracefully on the deck with Astrid, who was still disguised. A girl approached them, accompanied by Lutz. As the girl canceled her disguise charm, she transformed back into Mathilda.

Mathilda had booked a ticket in disguise, ensuring that Astrid could safely continue her journey under the guise of Mathilda. The two shared a heartfelt goodbye hug, knowing that this was a crucial moment in their plan. With that, Mathilda departed with Lily, leaving Astrid to watch them with mixed emotions as they flew back to Tyler’s ship.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Back at the Kong Family estate, the situation was rapidly deteriorating. A servant, rushing to deliver urgent news to Young Master Kong Shen, froze in his tracks upon entering the room. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the other servants turned into ice statues, their expressions frozen in terror. To his horror, Young Master Kong Shen was nowhere to be found.

While the Kong Family was plunged into turmoil, Tyler returned to his ship, carrying the unconscious body of Kong Shen over his shoulder. He handed the young master off to Situ, who stood by dutifully.

"Put him in the cell," Tyler ordered, his tone brisk.

"Sir, about the other pirates..." Situ began, reminding him of the loose ends they still needed to tie up.

Tyler snapped his fingers as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh, I almost forgot about them. Bring them here. Let’s collect the bounty money. And I need to visit the Bank of Atlantis branch as well."

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Next Day...

The sun rose gently over the horizon, casting golden rays across the deck of the ship. The crew was just beginning to stir when a sudden burst of excitement broke the morning calm.

"Look, look, look!" Mana shouted, flying down from above with a wide grin, waving three freshly printed bounty posters in her hands. Her excitement was contagious as she landed in the middle of the group, her wings fluttering slightly in her eagerness.

Everyone gathered around as she displayed the first poster. The image was of a sexy woman in black, holding a whip with a mischievous grin on her face.

**Temptress – 40 million Lydia**

Lily grinned as she looked at the poster, recognizing herself instantly. "Well, at least they got my good side," she joked, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

The second poster featured a young lady wearing a Phantom mask, her presence eerie and captivating at the same time.

**Ghost Princess – 50 million Lydia**

Mana couldn’t help but smirk as she saw the image. "Hey, I’m higher than you!" she teased, poking Lily in the side playfully.

Lily rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "It’s probably because you used your ability to hypnotize everyone. They think you’re more dangerous."

"Well, it doesn’t matter," Tyler interrupted, his voice calm but with a hint of amusement. He was holding the final poster, examining it closely. "We’re going to the bank," he added, handing the poster over to Lily.

The last poster was the most imposing of the three, featuring a tall, mysterious figure in a dark red and black outfit, his face obscured by a Phantom mask. The caption underneath read:

**Captain Phantom Blackwood – 80 million Lydia**

Tyler’s bounty had nearly doubled from the last time, a clear indication of the growing threat he posed to their enemies.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

At the Bank of Atlantis, Tyler, Lily, and Mana entered the opulent branch on Rich Berg Island, its marble façade gleaming under the bright sunlight. The interior was equally impressive, with grand chandeliers and polished stone floors that reflected the bank’s grandeur. The trio’s footsteps echoed softly as they approached the bustling reception area, undeterred by the activity around them. They had a clear purpose in mind.

Tyler stepped forward, addressing the receptionist with a calm yet assertive tone. "I heard that we can turn in bounties here," he said, gesturing subtly towards the chained pirates they had brought along.

The receptionist, a composed woman who had clearly seen her share of unusual requests, gave a small nod. "Oh... The bounty section is on the above floor. Take the stairs on the left."

Following the directions, Tyler, Lily, and Mana ascended the staircase, their movements purposeful. At the bounty counter, they efficiently exchanged their captives, receiving a hefty sum of 40 million Lydia in total. Tyler inspected the transaction with a satisfied nod.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" the man at the counter inquired, his professional demeanor masking any curiosity about the group’s activities.

Tyler glanced at Lily and Mana, who both gave him a curious look before coughing lightly, trying to hide their amusement. Tyler, however, was serious. "I want to open a bank account," he stated.

"hmm..." Lily and Mana hummed.

"Actually, probably three or more." Tyler said, then he paused and continued, "Nope... for everyone on my ship."

The man behind the counter blinked in surprise but quickly composed himself. "Of course, sir. That can be arranged."

Creating a bank account in the Bank of Atlantis was a straightforward process, particularly for individuals of their caliber. Tyler, Lily, and Mana used their Divine Sense to imprint their consciousnesses, a secure method that ensured only they could access their accounts. With this, they could withdraw or deposit money at any branch in the Northern Seas, a convenience that suited Tyler’s growing ambitions.

But Tyler wasn’t done yet. He made arrangements for the bank staff to send a team to his ship, where they helped the rest of his crew register their own bank accounts. This way, every member of his crew would have access to their earnings, and more importantly, Tyler could streamline his operations.

The efficiency of the process pleased Tyler. With these accounts, he could now start businesses on multiple islands and seamlessly receive payments. This was more than just about security; it was about laying down the foundation for something larger. With access to such a wide financial network, Tyler could expand his influence far beyond.

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