The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 155 - 154. White Crown Galleria

Chapter 155: 154. White Crown Galleria

As they continued their walk through the bustling streets, Silvia’s eyes widened as she pointed excitedly, "Ah, an angel!"

Tyler, Mathilda, and Mana turned their heads in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, there was a man with large, white wings sprouting from his back, and a glowing halo floating just above his head. His very presence seemed to radiate a divine aura, causing passersby to glance at him in awe.

Noticing Silvia’s stare, the man chuckled warmly. "Little girl, I’m not an angel," he explained with a friendly smile. "I’m more like a harpy—a beastkin, actually. Swan race." He gave a playful wink. "There’s still a debate going on, even after centuries, about whether humanoid birds like me are considered harpies or beastkin."

Silvia’s gaze was fixed on the glowing halo above his head, her curiosity apparent.

The man noticed her interest and reached up to grab the halo, easily lifting it from above his head. "Oh, this?" he said with a grin. "It’s just a trinket—it cost me 250 Lydia. Pretty cool, right? I bought it from that store over there." He pointed to a nearby shop, its display windows filled with various mystical and enchanted items.

Tyler and his group exchanged glances.

Few minutes later...

The four of them emerged back onto the street, each wearing a glowing halo.

Tyler carefully examined the Halo device in his hand, his eyes shining with curiosity and excitement. "What are you doing?" Mathilda asked, her tone both amused and mildly exasperated as she watched him tinker with the small object.

"I’m curious," Tyler replied, his fingers deftly prying open the casing. "This one isn’t just an array-infused item—it’s technology. And technology like this is popular further north. It’s one of my goals to study these things."

As the casing popped open, Tyler leaned in closer, his breath catching slightly as he peered inside. The interior was a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship, a blend of cultivation arrays and advanced technology. He could see tiny semiconductor materials that emitted light when energy passed through them, complex arrays that seemed to regulate the flow of energy, heat sink arrays to manage the temperature, and two metal leads connecting everything to the main body.

Tyler didn’t fully understand the intricacies of the device, but the mere fact that something so small and seemingly simple could hold such complexity thrilled him. His mind raced with the possibilities, ideas for experiments and applications already forming.

"Alright, alright," Mathilda interrupted, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You can experiment with it in your free time. We’ve reached the place."

Reluctantly, Tyler closed the device and slipped it back into his pocket, still buzzing with excitement. He looked up, and saw slightly at the sight before him. They had arrived at a massive building, a structure that once served as a grand castle for esteemed guests. Its towering walls and ornate architecture spoke of a time when it had been a place of luxury and status.

Now, the castle had been repurposed, its grand halls and chambers likely filled with new occupants and purposes. The imposing structure still held an air of majesty, but there was also a sense of change, as if it had adapted to the times, much like the device Tyler had been studying.

Tyler stood before the grand entrance of the castle, the sprawling fortress casting long shadows under the setting sun. It was an imposing structure, easily one of the largest in the country, boasting a staggering 13 million square feet of ancient stonework and towering spires. Yet, despite its grandeur, it had long been neglected, the once-glorious walls now showing signs of wear and the air heavy with memories of a bygone era.

As Lily had gone off to gather information about Astrid, Tyler had tasked her with finding any other valuable insights as well. Now, as he looked up at the castle, he knew this was something worth pursuing.

"I got information that this place is for sale," Tyler said, breaking the silence.

The elderly owner of the castle, a man well into his twilight years, stood beside Tyler. His expression was a mix of sorrow and resignation, the weight of history pressing down on him. "This castle belonged to my great-great-grandfather," the man began, his voice thick with emotion. "He left his family and went north, never to return. For generations, we’ve carried on his legacy, but now... it’s time to say goodbye."

The old man’s words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the passage of time. He had kept the castle in the family for decades, a symbol of pride and heritage, but it was clear that the burden had become too much to bear.

Tyler’s response was as direct as ever. "I will buy it."

The elderly man’s eyes widened slightly, though not with shock but with curiosity. "Lydia or Aura Stones or Prana Stones?" he asked, a glimmer of hope sparking in his eyes. The currency of this world is Lydia. But some people prefer to get Aura Stones or Prana Stones. They are like Gold and Silver for the mortals.

Tyler considered for a moment before replying, "I’m happy to pay with Aura Stones and Prana Stones."

He can’t copy Lydia. But he can Copy tons and tons of Aura Stones and Prana Stones.

The old man’s face brightened visibly at this. Aura Stones and Prana Stones were highly valuable, and Tyler’s offer was more than generous. "Which portion would you like to buy?" the man asked, his tone one of anticipation.

Tyler gave him a steady look. "All of it."

The man blinked, confusion crossing his features. "Oh, that portion... Wait, what?"

Tyler repeated himself, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "I want the whole castle."

Hours later, the elderly man left the premises, clutching the official documents with a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. He had never imagined anyone would buy the entire castle, yet Tyler had done so without hesitation, even covering the taxes.

As Tyler watched him go, Mana and the other girls approached, curiosity evident in their expressions. "Why did you buy the whole castle?" Mana asked, echoing the question on everyone’s mind.

Tyler’s thoughts drifted back to his previous world, where ’immortal gathering points’—places where Cultivators rented stores to sell their wares—were commonplace. He saw the potential to create something similar here.

"Ever heard of the term ’shopping complex’?" Tyler asked, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It was a business model he had learned from books, and while not entirely new to this world, such complexes were more common in the northern regions.

He went on to explain his vision—renting out portions of the castle to small businesses, turning the vast, empty halls into a bustling hub of commerce and trade. It was a bold plan, but one that could generate substantial profit.

"I’m going to the capital," Tyler announced, his mind already shifting to the next task. "Mana, Mathilda, can you take care of this?"

Mathilda grinned, patting her chest with confidence. "Sure! Don’t worry, I have plenty of experience handling things from the sect."

Tyler nodded, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Also, after giving the slaves on our ship new jobs, tell Situ to buy more slaves for the ship. If Situ wants to retire, he should start training a successor to replace him."

Mathilda frowned slightly. "I don’t think we can buy slaves in this country," she pointed out.

Tyler remained unfazed. "That’s alright. Mana will contact some pirates. I’m sure they’ll have those goods."

Mana, who had once been in charge of her father’s adventure ship, nodded in agreement. "Leave it to mana," she said confidently. She knew the world of piracy well, and while it wasn’t the most ethical source, it was effective.

"What is the name of this place?" the mana asked, looking at Tyler expectantly.

"Hmmm? White Shopping Mall?" Mathilda suggested a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"That sounds so bland," Tyler murmured, clearly unimpressed.

"White Haven Hall," Mana offered, trying to add a touch of elegance.

"White Stone Plaza," Tyler considered but didn’t seem thrilled.

"Everwhite Mall," came another suggestion, but it still didn’t quite hit the mark.

"White Fortress Bazaar," was the next idea, but it didn’t quite capture the essence Tyler was looking for.

Mathilda and Mana continued to debate, tossing out names and considering their merits. The discussion was lively, with each suggestion falling short of Tyler’s expectations.

Suddenly, Silvia, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "How about White Crown Galleria?"

Tyler’s eyes lit up at the name. "Silvia is the smartest," he said, a broad smile spreading across his face. He patted her head with genuine affection. "White Crown Galleria it is."

With that, the name for the shopping complex was set, embodying the grandeur and sophistication Tyler envisioned.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Author notes :

- The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world at over 12 million square feet (equivalent to more than 50 soccer fields).

- A galleria is a covered shopping area, like a mall or a bazaar. Galleria means "gallery" in Italian, from a Latin root meaning "church porch."

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