The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 177 - 176. Confronting Evergreen

Chapter 177: 176. Confronting Evergreen

Evergreen, inhabiting Astrid’s body, smirked at Tyler, her eyes glinting with a wicked mix of seduction and power. The way she spun around, flaunting Astrid’s form, showed that she reveled in the control she had.

"Isn’t her body wonderful?" she asked, her voice smooth as silk. "Young, talented, an Angel bloodline, and, let’s not forget, the crown princess-soon to be queen." She paused, twirling gracefully, making Astrid’s beauty and elegance all the more striking.

Tyler’s gaze remained cold, unflinching. "So, you manipulated your own son, the prime minister, the king, and even this entire country... just for Astrid’s body?"

Evergreen laughed, a haunting melody. "Why wouldn’t I? With Astrid’s body, I can live eternally, rule unchallenged, and bathe in the luxury of being both adored and feared."

She stepped closer, her movements sultry, and pressed herself against Tyler. "You’re quite the man, Tyler White. A merchant, adventurer, pirate, warrior, and a mage. You are everything that survived the treacherous seas. How about this? Let’s join forces. You’ll be my consort, and together, we can lead this country to prosperity. You could monopolize every business in the kingdom, command its wealth, and stand beside me."

Her intoxicating scent wafted through the air, a mix of holy purity and sinful temptation. For a brief moment, even Tyler was caught off guard. ’Holy but sinful’... This is kind of new taste for Tyler. But he quickly shook his head.

But Lutz’s voice broke through the haze. "S-Stop... You’ve already taken everything from her! Her country, her father... even me, her childhood friend. Now you steal her body? At least spare her dignity!" Lutz knelt, tears glistening in his eyes, his voice trembling with desperation.

Evergreen rolled her eyes, bored. "Tsk. You’re just like your father, Lutz. Always hopelessly in love with the popular girl." She dismissed him with a flick of her wrist and returned her attention to Tyler, her fingers tracing his chest.

"So, what will it be, Tyler? Will you stand by my side, or must I crush you like all the others who opposed me?" Her voice held both threat and promise, her touch lingering on his chest.

Tyler’s eyes narrowed, and his response came with icy resolve. "Obviously, no."

Evergreen sighed, her demeanor changing in an instant. The playful seductress was gone, replaced by the cruel, calculating master of magic. "Too bad. I would have enjoyed this," she said, her tone laced with disappointment. "Now, I’ll just have to make you regret that decision."

"Be careful!" Lutz shouted, knowing that if Tyler fell, Astrid would be lost forever. His heart pounded in his chest, hoping against hope that Tyler would find a way to survive.

Evergreen’s power flared, her prana igniting around her like an inferno. As a Master Level Mage, her control over magic was unparalleled. Without hesitation, she launched five rapid attacks at Tyler’s chest, her hand glowing with destructive energy.

But instead of hearing the agonizing cries of a man brought to his knees, there was... something else.

"Aaahh..." Tyler’s moan echoed through the chamber, filled not with pain, but pleasure. He stood firm, his face twisted in an expression of rejuvenation.

Evergreen’s face twisted in confusion. "What the...?" She narrowed her eyes and increased her output, sending ten more waves of energy at him. Each one hit with the force to topple armies.

"No!" Lutz cried out.

But Tyler’s reaction was, once again, completely unexpected. His body shuddered, and his eyes nearly rolled back as a groan of bliss escaped his lips. "Aaaaannnn..."

"..."

"..."

The room fell silent.

Lutz stared, speechless.

Evergreen, too, was at a loss, her fury dissipating into utter bewilderment.

Finally, Tyler spoke, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Did you forget that Astrid’s specialty is healing magic?"

He straightened, looking completely refreshed, as though Evergreen’s attacks had given him a full-body massage.

"Now what are you gonna -?" Before Tyler could finish his sentence, a sharp sword slash interrupted him, forcing him to step back.

"My sword skills have gotten a bit rusty," Evergreen mused, her movements swift and precise. "It’s been a while since I’ve used them."

"Huh... Little help here, Lutz?" Tyler called out, eyes darting toward the kneeling mage.

"He can’t," Evergreen said, her tone dripping with confidence. "If he tries to interfere, his little lover’s body will suffer the consequences." She moved with fluid grace, her eyes never leaving Tyler.

Tyler clicked his tongue in frustration, feeling the familiar power surge through his veins. Scales began to appear on his arms and legs.

Mode Dragon.

Suddenly, a burst of ice shot up from the ground, freezing Evergreen’s leg in place. Taking the opportunity, Tyler stomped his left foot down, followed by his right, using the momentum to launch himself forward for a powerful punch.

"Will you really punch me, Mr. Tyler?" Evergreen’s voice took on a pitiful tone, her face adopting an expression of Astrid.

*Bam!*

The answer came in the form of Tyler’s fist, which connected with a satisfying impact, sending Evergreen flying. She skidded across the ground before coming to a stop. Slowly, she stood up, wiping blood from her lip and spitting out a tooth. A moment later, a white light enveloped her body, healing the damage, and even her lost tooth regrew.

"That hurts," she remarked with a sly smile, brushing herself off. "You’re not the gentleman Astrid thinks you are."

Tyler cracked his knuckles, unfazed. "I believe in gender equality," he replied with a smirk.

Evergreen’s eyes gleamed with amusement, but beneath that amusement was a flicker of frustration. "Very well then, let’s see how far your equality takes you," she said, raising her sword for another round.

Evergreen and Tyler, locked in combat, suddenly froze mid-action, their attention pulled to the side. Tyler’s expression shifted as his phantom mask materialized over his face. Both of them stared at the sudden commotion.

"Catch meeeee!" a voice echoed as a figure flew through the air.

Without hesitation, Tyler moved. He caught the flying maiden and spun in midair, using the motion to slow her down and bring them both safely to a stop.

"Temptress?" Tyler said, recognizing Lily in his arms.

"Captain..." Lily panted, trying to catch her breath. "That Silver Eye guy is burning through his fuel fast. Stall him a bit longer."

"Captain Silver Eye?" Tyler glanced past her. His eyes widened as he spotted a beam of light hurtling toward them at terrifying speed.

Just before it could reach them, the water on the ground suddenly surged upward, forming a massive spherical barrier. Captain Silver Eye, focused on his target, ignored it initially, but in an unexpected turn, the water sphere moved, trapping him inside. He struggled, but no matter how hard he tried, his movements were completely immobilized.

Tyler turned around and spotted Lutz, his hands raised, controlling the water with intense focus.

"Huh? Isn’t he the enemy?" Lily asked, her brow furrowing in confusion as she stared at Lutz.

Tyler gave her a knowing smile. "Well..." He leaned in close, whispering the quick details of everything that had transpired between them.

Lily’s eyes widened in surprise as she processed the information. She shifted her gaze toward Astrid’s body, now inhabited by Evergreen, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"What’s your plan?" Lily asked, her gaze sharp.

"Knock her out until the real Astrid takes back her body?" Tyler shrugged, his voice casual.

"So... you don’t really have a plan." Lily sighed, falling deep into thought before adding, "Ask Mana. She might have a solution."

"I sent her to Silvia right before the Labyrinth emerged," Tyler replied.

Lily groaned, "So, plan B: knock her out and bring her to Mana."

"Can you two *please* stop discussing your plan in front of me?" Evergreen, still in Astrid’s body, stomped her foot in frustration. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she looked oddly cute in Astrid’s form, her angelic features betraying the sinister mind controlling them.

Tyler chuckled, but before he could respond, Evergreen snapped, "This will not work. Lutz, go on and attack Tyler. And release that pirate, since he’s after the Temptress." Her voice carried a cold authority.

Lutz glanced at Evergreen, then back at Tyler. His expression wavered.

Evergreen took a knife and slashed her own arm. Blood dripped to the ground.

"No... stop!" Lutz cried, panicking. His expression grew wild as he saw the wound. He turned to Tyler, "Sorry."

With a pained sigh, Lutz released Captain Silver Eye from the water prison. As the beam of silver light emerged, water began swirling around Lutz, preparing for an attack.

"That’s cheating," Tyler muttered under his breath, watching the situation escalate.

Evergreen, meanwhile, used Astrid’s natural healing ability to mend the wound, the cut sealing quickly. She grasped her sword, the gleam of magic pulsing through the blade.

"Phantom Blackwood. Temptress. Give me back the Orion Cube," Captain Silver Eye growled, his voice laced with burning fury. His silver form crackled with intensity, his eyes glowing with an unrelenting fire.

Lily tightened her grip on her whip and took a defensive stance. "Looks like we’re not going to talk our way out of this one."

Tyler sighed. "It never goes smoothly, does it?"

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