The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 154 - 153. Angel in a Cage

Chapter 154: 153. Angel in a Cage

"Holy molly. The prices are so high," Tyler muttered as he pulled out a sleek, black card from his pocket. The card had "Phantom" engraved in silver lettering. As he guided his energy into it, the card hummed softly, and an amount of Lydia, the local currency, poured out in a neatly stacked bundle.

Isadora’s eyes widened, gleaming with interest. "Wow... A Platinum Card... You’re dyamn rich," she said, her tone a mix of admiration and envy. She is totally faking it.

To understand how Tyler came to possess such a card, we need to go back to when he visited Rich Berg Island.

---

After Tyler had established himself on Rich Berg Island, he quickly realized the importance of having a secure way to manage his finances, especially in a world where powerful practitioners could easily rob others of their valuables. The Bank of Atlantis, the most prestigious bank in the region, offered a solution—bank accounts protected by powerful arrays and the highly coveted ’Bank Card.’

The Bank Card was an advanced, rectangular item infused with intricate and complex arrays, making it more than just a simple piece of metal. On the outside, it looked like an ordinary card, but its functionality was extraordinary.

The card’s benefits were manifold:

It could store original Lydia notes and coins, transforming them into a digital form that existed within a secure, encrypted pocket dimension. This dimension could only be accessed by the owner of the card through their divine sense.

Even if the card was accidentally broken, the money wouldn’t spill out like it would from a damaged storage treasure. Instead, the funds remained secure within the bank’s encrypted system.

The card was highly portable and convenient, allowing Tyler to carry large sums without needing a physical vault or storage item.

Tyler’s first bank card was registered under his real name. The card was keyed to his unique divine sense, meaning only he could access the funds. However, when he assumed his Phantom Blackwood persona, he needed a separate financial identity. Using the unique properties of his Phantom Mask, which altered his aura and divine sense, Tyler was able to create a second account under the Phantom Blackwood name, completely distinct from his true identity.

Now, Tyler could effortlessly manage his finances without ever needing to visit the bank in person. Whether he needed to deposit or withdraw funds, he could do so with a simple swipe of his card, making transactions in the cultivation world far more convenient.

---

Back in the present, Tyler handed the Lydia to the merchant, who nodded appreciatively before handing over the small array disks Tyler had purchased.

"The items are pricey because of the turmoil in the capital," Lily explained, glancing around at the bustling market. "People are afraid that a civil war might break out at any moment."

Tyler nodded in agreement as they walked down the busy streets, the weight of the situation sinking in. The inflation and instability were affecting the entire country, Tyler could feel the tension in the air.

The whole kingdom seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the storm to break.

---

In the heart of the Royal Capital of the Rosefall Kingdom, the Grand Emperor Palace stood as a symbol of power and opulence, with its towering spires and grand halls. Within its depths, however, lay a place of sorrow—a room that shifted between reality and illusion.

Inside this room, an ornate birdcage, crafted from silver and gold and adorned with intricate patterns, held a young girl within its grasp. The girl, with delicate, angelic features, was bound by chains that seemed to weigh down not just her body, but her very soul. Her luminous wings were clipped, and she gazed up at the sky through the bars, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of despair and resignation.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the chamber, cutting through the oppressive silence. A man with a dignified bearing entered, his presence commanding attention. As he stepped closer, the grand birdcage, her illusion wings, shimmered and dissolved, revealing that it had been nothing more than an illusion. The room returned to its original state, an ordinary chamber devoid of hope.

The man, Prime Minister Rover, looked at Astrid with a calculating gaze. "Your emotions are reflecting well," he remarked, his tone almost approving.

"This is the Room of Emotions," he continued, with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "A replica, made from copying the original Memories Island. Unlike the original, which can delve into the past, this one only shows current thoughts, stirred up by emotion. But I’ve heard that another replica of Memories Island exists within the Labyrinth."

Astrid’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the man who had become the architect of her misery. "Why are you doing this? Why did you poison my father?" she demanded, her voice laced with both anger and desperation.

Rover’s lips curled into a smug smile. "Nuh huh... I didn’t poison the King. The King’s old sins are merely coming back to collect their debt," he said casually. He then reached out and patted her head condescendingly. "There is a saying, ’Children carry their parents’ sins.’"

"That is complete nonsense," Astrid retorted, her voice shaking with emotion.

"Is it?" Rover countered, raising an eyebrow. "Children can enjoy their parents’ wealth, fame, and power, but not their sins? That seems unfair."

He stepped back, his smile growing colder. "Don’t worry, though. You’ll marry my son, and he will rule the whole kingdom once the King passes away. As for the Labyrinth, I’ve already promised it to those pirates. Hmm... but who really cares?"

With that, Rover turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the chamber as he left Astrid to her fate.

As Prime Minister Rover reached the doorway, he paused, as if something had just crossed his mind. Slowly, he turned back toward Astrid, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Oh... I almost forgot," he began, his tone casual but laced with underlying malice. "It seems like a new merchant group is making quite the waves on Port Island. They call themselves the White Merchant Group."

Astrid’s eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. She tried to mask her reaction, but Rover had already noticed.

"You really found some good friends," he remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The smirk on his face grew wider as he saw the flicker of hope and fear in her eyes. "But don’t get too excited," he added, as if delivering a final blow. "Even the brightest flames can be snuffed out if you’re not careful."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, his footsteps echoing ominously in the silence.

Slowly, the room began to morph once again, the walls closing in until the golden cage reappeared, trapping her within its confines.

As Astrid sank to the floor, tears welling in her eyes, the room filled with the ghostly images of her past. A small boy, his face bright with youthful innocence, chased after a giggling little girl. They ran in circles around Astrid, their laughter filling the air with a bittersweet melody.

"Lutz..." Astrid whispered, her voice barely audible as she watched the fleeting memories of her happier days. But even as the past replayed before her, she knew it was nothing more than a cruel trick of the room, a reflection of her deepest emotions and shattered hopes.

---

Tyler surveyed the bustling street, his eyes gleaming with a sly grin as the Lydia symbols seemed to flash in his gaze.

"Since we already know that the half-angel is in the capital, we’ll reach there tomorrow," Tyler declared, his voice full of determination. "We’ll regroup here at night." Without another word, he vanished into thin air like a phantom, leaving Isadora blinking in surprise.

She turned to Temptress, who was still standing calmly by her side. "You’re not leaving?" Isadora asked, half expecting Temptress to disappear like Tyler had.

"No," Lily replied with a mischievous smile. "I’ll accompany you."

Meanwhile, Tyler reappeared amidst the throng of people, this time in his original appearance—his familiar, unassuming guise. He was immediately joined by Mana, Mathilda, and Silvia, who materialized behind him like shadows.

"I smell opportunity," Tyler said, his tone sharp with intent. "Mana, inform Situ that we’re going to open branches in the Rosefall Kingdom."

Mana nodded, her eyes already glowing with the possibilities. Tyler then turned to Mathilda, his grin widening. "The prices of pills and potions are skyrocketing across the country. Well, it’s time to do some charity."

Mathilda understood his plan instantly. While others might see this as a magnanimous gesture, Tyler’s true motive was more strategic. By selling the pills and potions at rock-bottom prices, he would not only undercut the competition but also gain favor among the populace. What the others didn’t know was that the cost of producing those pills was minimal for him—thanks to his ability to replicate ingredients and pills effortlessly.

Tyler had another plan as well. If Phantom Blackwood couldn’t reach Astrid directly, then Tyler White would find another way to get to her.

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