The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 200. Leaving Cedar Islands

Chapter 200: 200. Leaving Cedar Islands

Since it’s 200th Chapter... I decided to write 2000 words... (Just for this Chapter)

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A lot of things had changed since Tyler arrived on Cedar Island. The once-powerful Guild Master had mysteriously fallen ill and, shortly after, sold the Adventure Guild to Tyler. Under new management, the guild began to thrive. The new Guild Master, as the people of Cedar Island knew him, was an enigmatic figure, but his actions spoke louder than any introduction. He was generous, quick to offer new tasks and opportunities for adventurers, many of which involved tracking down smugglers attempting to transport the highly illegal Woodpeck Fish.

Woodpeck Fish, while seemingly ordinary in appearance, had sharp beaks that allowed them to chew through wood with ease. These creatures were unique in that they could devour both underwater trees and the valuable wood from land. In the lush and resource-rich world of Cedar Island, where underwater trees flourished, Woodpeck Fish were a rare commodity. They were hunted illegally due to their high market price, despite strict laws prohibiting their trade. This made them a prime target for smugglers, who operated in secret, supplying these prized creatures to buyers across the Ixalaria Continent.

Cedar Island itself was governed by an Island Master, appointed by Ixalaria. However, this governor rarely intervened in the day-to-day affairs of the island. His involvement was only guaranteed during crises, leaving the island’s powerful factions—the Woodcutter Association and the Adventure Guild—to wield significant influence.

Tyler’s acquisition of the guild went smoothly, and under his leadership, business continued as usual. That was, until Tyler discovered a key piece of information hidden in the guild’s records. The Woodcutter Association, known primarily for its dominance in the lumber industry, was deeply involved in the illegal smuggling of Woodpeck Fish. The smuggling operation was lucrative, with shipments regularly being sent to the Ixalaria Continent, where the fish fetched an enormous price. Armed with this knowledge, Tyler devised a plan to target the Woodcutter Association where it hurt the most: their business.

Soon after, the Adventure Guild made a surprising announcement. They, too, would be entering the wood business. The people of Cedar Island were abuzz with gossip. It was becoming clear that the new guild master had set his sights on the Woodcutter Association, and many speculated about who this mysterious individual might be.

But while rumors swirled outside, Tyler remained unfazed. He was enjoying a peaceful dinner with his crewmates aboard their ship.

"Normally, Cedar trees take about 5 to 15 years to reach maturity," Lily explained as she detailed her findings. "But with the right arrays and fertilizers, we can accelerate the growth process, getting the trees ready for harvest in just six months. And if we use even more advanced arrays, we can bring that down to three months. The Cedar wood has different grades, and its demand is especially high in the Northern Seas."

Tyler leaned back in his chair, considering the plan. "The best way to hurt the Woodcutter Association is to take over their business," he said thoughtfully. "And we’re going to do it in the most straightforward way possible. We’ll sell the same wood for half the price. With the three-month array, we’ll be able to outproduce them and keep this going for a full year."

"An entire year?" Mathilda asked as she bit into a piece of Woodpeck Fish, savoring the delicate flavor. "Won’t the three-month maturity array burn through a lot of money?"

Tyler chuckled. "Mathilda, have you forgotten? Money is the last thing I’m worried about."

She smiled sheepishly, knowing Tyler’s wealth had never been a concern for their group.

"One year, huh? But what about the academy?" Lily asked, her brow furrowed. Tyler had previously mentioned their plans to attend a prestigious academy in Ixalaria.

Before Tyler could respond, Mana popped out of thin air, her sudden appearance startling everyone at the table. "Don’t worry, Mana will take care of everything here," she said confidently, floating in the air. "You all go to the academy. I’ll handle things on the island."

Tyler and the others exchanged surprised glances. "Really, Mana?" Tyler asked, a bit skeptical but intrigued by her sudden decision. "It’s good to have you here, but are you sure?"

"Yeah," Mana said with a small smile. "Lily already did some investigating. It seems Mana’s uncle’s family went to Ixalaria Continent, but we can’t pinpoint exactly where. Mana will start the search for them after we bring down the Woodcutter Association. They’re connected to Mana family somehow, and Mana need to figure out why they targeted them."

Tyler leaned back, nodding in understanding. "If that’s what you want, then I trust you. We’ll leave the island in your hands, Mana."

Mana was resolute. She would stay on Cedar Island, leading the charge against the Woodcutter Association while Tyler, Lily, and the others attended the academy. Taka, the octopus fishman, would also remain on the island to assist Mana, along with Situ and Crystal, two more of Tyler’s trusted crew members. Together, they would ensure that the guild continued to thrive, and the Woodcutter Association’s smuggling operations were brought to an end.

Meanwhile, Tyler’s merchant ship, The White Merchant, would continue its voyages across the seas, making its way to Ixalaria Continent. The ship was an essential part of their operations, keeping their business alive and generating profits even while they pursued other objectives.

The next major step for Tyler and his crew was the academy. In just one week, they would use a teleportation array to travel to Ixalaria Continent.

"Oh, by the way, you’ve been running around the island looking for someone. What was that about?" Lily asked curiously, her eyes flickering with intrigue.

Tyler shrugged nonchalantly, though there was a flicker of frustration in his gaze. "It’s nothing. I was just trying to find someone, but it seems like they’ve already left the island."

In truth, Tyler had been searching for the source of the mysterious resonance that had occurred in his copper pot. The copper pot vibrated a little back then.

He had tried to trace the source, but despite his efforts, whoever or whatever had triggered the resonance seemed to have vanished from the island, leaving him with more questions than answers.

"Alright, but if you start chasing shadows again, let me know. " Lily knows that Tyler is hiding something but decided not to pry more. ’It’s probably about the copy ability.’ she thought.

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A week later, Tyler, Lily, Mathilda, Astrid, and Darla arrived at the Teleportation Array, their destination clear in their minds. The group stood together, observing the massive structure before them. Tyler’s sharp gaze noticed something peculiar about the array.

"An encryption array," he murmured to himself, his curiosity piqued. The real array was obscured, hidden behind layers of protective wards and encryption techniques, likely to prevent tampering or unauthorized use.

Mana, along with the rest of the crew who had stayed behind, came to see them off. As the group waited in the designated area, they noticed an old man with a weathered wooden axe sitting calmly in the waiting area, his presence quietly imposing. The aura of the man drew the attention of Tyler and Lily immediately.

Tyler’s eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized the figure. "I didn’t expect the mysterious head of the Woodcutter Association to be the one sending us off."

The old man looked up from his seat, meeting Tyler’s gaze with a smirk. His voice was gravelly yet commanding. "And I didn’t expect the new Guild Master of Cedar Island to be just a child."

Tyler gave a slight smile in return, unfazed. "Neither did I expect the legendary woodcutter who slew the Abyss Demon to show up here, of all places."

Mana, standing beside Tyler, looked at the old man with obvious hostility. Lily remained indifferent, while the others eyed him cautiously. The tension between the two groups was palpable, yet neither side made a move.

The woodcutter’s weathered face showed amusement, but his eyes held a dangerous glint. "I see. A treasure, perhaps? Something that keeps you young," he said, as if Tyler’s youthful appearance was a puzzle he had already solved.

"Possibly," Tyler replied with a shrug, not giving away any further details.

The old man straightened in his chair, all pretense of small talk fading as he spoke with authority. "I’ll cut to the chase, kid. Stop your wood business. Now."

It wasn’t a request, nor a plea. It was a command, spoken with the confidence of a man who was used to getting what he wanted. But Tyler, never one to bend easily, responded in kind.

"I’ll cut to the chase too. Why did you target the Redwood family?" Tyler asked, his voice carrying a cold edge.

The woodcutter smirked at the question. "Ah, so this is about revenge, then. Well, what if I kill everyone here? Right now." His words were casual, but the threat was clear, and deadly.

Tyler didn’t flinch, meeting the man’s gaze with steely resolve. "Really? Here, near the Teleportation Array? Killing us here would be asking for trouble with the Island Master. Besides, are you sure you can kill us?" His confidence bordered on arrogance, but it was well-earned. "We might look like kids, but trust me when I say I’ve stomped far more powerful beings than you under my feet."

The woodcutter let out a mocking laugh, the sound grating and dismissive. "Kids these days. You speak as if you’ve seen the world. I’m pretty sure your mind regressed along with your age."

Tyler smiled, unbothered by the insult. "Old man, I don’t have time to play games with you. I won’t be here much longer. My Ghost Spirit will take care of things in my absence. Good luck with that."

Tyler turned to walk toward the Teleportation Array, his steps unhurried, confident.

The woodcutter’s smirk twisted into a sneer. "I’ll kill this ’Ghost Spirit’ of yours once it leaves this place," he growled, his voice laced with menace.

Tyler glanced back over his shoulder, his smile widening. "I’d be more worried about saving your lumber factory if I were you."

At that moment, a beautiful woman descended from the sky, landing gracefully near the woodcutter. She approached him quickly and whispered something in his ear. As her words sank in, the woodcutter’s face stiffened, his composure faltering for the first time.

Tyler chuckled. "Looks like your daughter came to give you some bad news."

The woodcutter’s glare intensified, and his fists clenched around the handle of his axe. The woman’s face flushed at Tyler’s words, but her gaze lingered on him with interest, a glint of something deeper in her eyes.

Tyler chuckled. "Looks like your daughter came to give you some bad news."

The woodcutter’s glare intensified, and his fists clenched around the handle of his axe. The woman’s face flushed at Tyler’s words, but her gaze lingered on him with interest, a glint of something deeper in her eyes.

Mathilda couldn’t resist adding her own commentary, grinning widely. "Damn, Tyler! Flirting with the old man’s Wife right in front of him?" She gave him a thumbs-up, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Tyler, unfazed by the exchange, turned to Mana. "If things get too dangerous, you know what to do."

Mana nodded, her expression serious. She stepped forward to hug Tyler, and the rest of the crew followed suit, saying their goodbyes. There was an air of finality about their departure, but also a sense of resolve.

As Tyler, Lily, Mathilda, Astrid, Darla, Silvia, and Zuzia stood within the Teleportation Array, the massive pillars surrounding them began to spin. The outer pillars rotated clockwise, while the central one spun counterclockwise, creating a vortex of energy that enveloped the group.

In a brilliant flash of light, they disappeared, leaving behind the tense atmosphere at Cedar Island. The woodcutter, who was leaving the waiting area, watched them go, his expression unreadable. The beautiful woman beside him glanced at him before flying off into the sky, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.