The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 421. You are Cursed

Chapter 421: 421. You are Cursed

Inside a Rented Luxurious Room

The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the enchanted chandelier overhead. Velvet curtains danced with the wind as moonlights poured in through the wide windows. Lily stood by the table, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"The Phantom Pirates sent a message," she said, breaking the silence. "They want to challenge us for Shi no Kasa."

Tyler, lounging on the plush couch with a device in hand, glanced up. "Oh? They want the Umbrella. What’s the format?"

"Three challenges," Lily replied. "Whoever wins two out of three gets the Name. The loser of the first round picks the second challenge. And the loser of the second picks the Third."

Tyler closed his device like a book with a soft thud. "Shi no Kasa isn’t something to gamble lightly. Are they offering anything of equal value?"

Lily shook her head. "Nothing yet. They’ve proposed the first challenge already."

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—something ridiculous?"

"They want us to dive into Veins Peak," Lily said, her voice calm but serious. "To retrieve something that once belonged to Gunn Calway."

---

Thousands of years ago,

Before the ’Territory Flag’ concept took root, the seas were a wild and chaotic place. Every island stood alone, fighting off not just pirates, but arrogant adventurers and corrupt merchant guilds. With no authority to enforce order, the ocean was a lawless expanse where survival was determined by power and cunning.

Eventually, the ’Territory Flag’ concept emerged—a revolutionary idea that allowed islands to align themselves under major powers for protection. The strongest factions became beacons of authority, offering military defense, trade opportunities, and safe passage in exchange for loyalty.

Islands unable to join the Federation or other dominant groups gravitated toward second-tier powers. For example, the archipelago near Fun Streak Island falls under the control of the Circus Pirates. Tyler got hands on the Fun Streak Island. Now those small islands are under White Merchant Group protection.

Even now, pirates usually avoid islands under powerful flags. They focus their plundering on weaker territories or ships traveling in unclaimed waters.

Veins Peak, however, is an exception. While technically under Federation protection, it’s governed loosely.

A Divine Seeker Realm Guardian named Gunn Calway — once a lieutenant in the Federation —calls it home. His status alone wards off most trouble, even if he no longer enforces Federation law strictly.

If the Island was fully understood Federation, No Pirates are allowed in.

---

Tyler leaned forward, brows furrowed.

"So," he said slowly, "they want us to dive into Veins Peak — one of the most unstable and dangerous places in this region — to retrieve some forgotten trinket of a retired lieutenant?"

Lily gave a dry laugh. "Basically, yes. If we don’t find it, we lose. If we bring it back, we win the first challenge."

Tyler ran a hand through his hair, already sensing the trap. "That’s a huge advantage for them. They don’t even have to play the Round and easily win if we fail to do it."

"And yet," Lily said, "the object apparently belonged to Gunn Calway. If it were truly important, he’d have gone after it himself. The fact that he didn’t... suggests it’s either worthless to him or too risky even for him."

Tyler stood up, walking to the window. "Then let’s flip the script."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Send word back," Tyler said, a devilish smirk curling his lips. "Tell them we accept— with a condition. One of their own must dive with us. If not, we’ll forfeit the first round and select the next challenge ourselves."

Lily’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. "And the second challenge?"

"A deathmatch," Tyler said, grinning wickedly. "But only using talismans. No weapons. No spells. Just charms. The team with the most casualties loses."

Lily let out a low whistle. "Bold. You know they can’t beat you in terms of Resources."

"That’s the point."

---

Elsewhere...

Kael Driftsbane sat at his desk, his brow furrowed. A messenger placed a sealed envelope before him.

Basically, The Phantom Blackwood agrees to the challenge but With conditions.

Kael read the rest, then clicked his tongue in irritation. "Tsk... Like hell we’re going to face him in a talisman-only deathmatch," he muttered.

He scribbled a hasty reply, folded the parchment, and tossed it back to the messenger. "Send this back. "

---

Later, Tyler received the return message. He opened it, skimmed the contents, and handed it to Lily.

"Ohhh... ohh," he muttered, raising his eyebrows.

Lily read the letter carefully, lips pressed into a tight line. "Looks Like We’ll be playing the first round under their terms. And if we lose, we forfeit our right to propose the talisman challenge."

Tyler nodded, unsurprised. "As expected. Kael Driftsbane isn’t reckless. Also, the information he decided to share with us. That is the only reason I am ok with this unfair Challenge."

"But..." Lily narrowed her eyes at the final line of the letter. "He wrote something strange here."

Tyler tilted his head. "What did he say?"

"He said that whoever participates in one challenge can’t join the next ones."

Tyler scoffed. "So many rules—for pirates."

Lily sighed. "That’s how annoying pirate challenges are. We’re the ’Fake’ Phantom Pirates here, remember? So we have to follow the tradition."

"Great," Tyler muttered, slumping back into the couch. "Now I’m even less interested in this whole challenge."

Lily studied him for a moment, then her gaze was sharp.

Her tone shifted. "Hmm... Looks like the real Phantom Pirates have already started making their move."

Tyler blinked. "What?"

He let out a tired yawn. "It’s the middle of the night. What are they—"

Lily cut him off with a serious look. "Tyler... you’re cursed."

"...What?" He asked with sleepy voice.

Lily held up the letter again, flipping it over. A faint shimmer of ink was now visible, glowing softly under the moonlights.

"It wasn’t just a letter. It’s a cursed scroll. Subtle, hidden, probably meant to weaken on whoever reads it."

Tyler’s eye twitched. "That little—he actually sent me a cursed letter? Why aren’t you affected?"

Lily smirked. "Remember? I told you once—my race is different."

Tyler swayed slightly, suddenly overcome with drowsiness. "I think... I understand what kind of curse this is..."

"It’s alright," Lily said gently. "You can sleep. We’ll handle the first challenge."