After a Week...
"Oh, you can pay using your Bank Card, we also accept Cash" Darla said with a charming smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Or, if that’s not your style, materials and treasures work just as well."
Three ships floated peacefully near the White Pearl, their sails fluttering gently in the ocean breeze. While the scene looked calm from afar, trade was underway in full swing.
Darla, Mana, and several other crew mbers had boarded one ship each, engaging in rchant negotiations. It was a routine they had mastered—swift, professional, and with a subtle air of mystery.
Mana flew back gracefully, her cloak billowing behind her as she landed on the deck. She whispered sothing to the crew, prompting a few mbers to begin storing barrels of wine, crates of fruits, and other exotic goods into enchanted storage bags. One crew mber bowed and vanished with a storage bag, delivering the items with practiced efficiency.
Mana headed straight to the captain’s quarters, only to find Tyler sprawled dramatically on a couch, sulking like a teenager denied dessert.
"Ahhh... I want to et other people in the seas," he groaned, tossing a peach into the air and catching it with the sa lack of enthusiasm a student might show during a boring lecture.
"You can’t," Mana replied, crossing her arms. "That’s the plan. You’re the mysterious CEO operating from the shadows. If people start seeing your face all over, we’ll lose the narrative. Also, make sure Immortal F doesn’t hear any news about you."
"Immortal F... Pfft..." Tyler chuckled, rolling his eyes.
"Be serious," Mana sighed. "We can’t say his na. What if he can sense it?"
Even though Feng Feiyan, the Immortal that tried to kill Tyler, doesn’t have that ability yet, they are not taking chances.
Tyler waved her concern off with a smirk. "Still..."
"Yeah, yeah. Mana gets it. You’re bored." Mana rolled her eyes. "And no, there were no beauties on those ships, Uncle Horny. Mana checked. So stop trying to flirt with every girl you see."
Tyler froze mid-peach bite. "Uncle Horny... It’s been a long ti since I heard that nickna."
The sea was vast, and for Immortal Practitioners, finding rchant ships was rare.
Also it’s risky to approach an unknown ship in the sea. What if they attacked without warning.
Even the three ships they traded with today had approached cautiously, their captains on edge until reassured.
"Boring. Boring. So, what’s our next route?" Tyler asked, tossing the peach core into a waste array.
"It’s called Tiger Reef," Mana replied.
"Oh! We’re already there, huh?" Tyler perked up. "I heard there are reefs under the sea shaped like giant tigers. Let’s stop and dive underwater!"
Mana grinned. "Since we’re stopping anyway, we should collect so Tiger Pearls and Orange Seaweed. They fetch good prices in the so floating cities."
Tyler nodded, the rchant side of him finally kicking in. Although he could replicate almost anything with his copper pot, he was too bored now to replicate everything he sees.
Once the trades wrapped up, the White Pearl resud course, sailing smoothly through glittering waves.
---
Later That Night — Near Tiger Reef
The skies glimred with starlight, but the true beauty ca from above—three moons hung in the sky, but today it was the Purple Moon, the largest and closest, that bathed the sea in an otherworldly violet glow. The waters shimred like liquid athyst.
Nearby, a pirate ship was docked at a small island no bigger than a stadium. The Jolly Roger flying on its mast bore a grinning skull with an exaggerated, curly moustache. The resemblance to the captain was uncanny.
On the island, the pirates were busy. So separated Aura and Prana stones into different sacks; others weighed and counted Lydia notes with greedy eyes. Bottles of rum clinked as a few drank to the spoils. Patrol boats circled the area, ensuring no surprise visitors.
"Hahaha! I like this spot!" the pirate captain bellowed, his thick moustache bouncing as he laughed. "Perfect view. Keep an eye out for passing ships! The sea gods might send us another prize tonight!"
"Aye aye, Captain!" his n echoed.
---
A Few Hours Later...
One of the smaller patrol boats floated lazily a short distance from the island. A pirate snored loudly, slumped in the boat, his fishing rod dipping uselessly in the water. The other, rowing absentmindedly, sighed in irritation.
Suddenly, two short whistles echoed from across the waves.
The rower straightened imdiately, alert. "That’s the signal! A rchant ship’s been spotted!"
He glanced at his sleeping partner and frowned. With a grunt, he used the oar to smack him squarely on the forehead.
"W-what?! I’m the new captain?" the sleepy man mumbled, eyes half-closed and mind still in dreamland.
"Stop day dreaming during night ti, you drunk sponge. Focus. I got the signal—two whistles. rchant ship incoming."
A mont later, a long, loud whistle followed.
"Three-whistle code. Regroup." The pirate’s expression turned serious as he turned the boat around. "Better get back before Captain rips us a new one."
As the small patrol boat cut across the glowing purple sea, the silhouette of a large vessel began to take shape in the distance—sleek, fast, and sailing silently toward the reef.
The ship heading their way wasn’t just any rchant vessel.
It was the White Pearl.
┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉
"Captain, we’re detecting multiple energy signatures approaching," Tuman reported, eyes fixed on the glowing console. "Looks like a pirate ship."
"Are they hostile?" Tyler asked, his voice calm but curious.
"Doesn’t seem like it. No cannons or other weapon arrays are locked onto us," Tuman replied, adjusting a few dials. Just then, a small translucent window flickered open in the air.
Serena’s voice echoed through the room. "The other ship is sending a transmission signal. Requesting communication."
"Patch it through," Tyler said, leaning forward.
A circular audio icon appeared mid-air, and soon a string of voices ca through—chaotic, unfiltered, and clearly unprofessional.
"Huh? Is this thing connected or what? Why it is still red? Hurry up already—"
"Captain, wait—Red ans disconnected—"
"What? They disconnected?"
"Captain, you’re colorblind, rember? It’s green. It’s already connected!"
Tyler and Tuman exchanged a glance, both fighting back a laugh.
A rough cough followed, then the supposed leader spoke, trying to sound official. "Ahem. This is the Tash Sun Pirates. Don’t worry—we’re friendly. You just have to pay a tiny amount of Lydia as toll to pass through this stretch of water."
"Just a toll, huh..." Tyler replied with a sigh, clearly disappointed by the lack of drama. "I was expecting so action."
He was expecting so Pirates raids and all.
"Did they hear us? Why is there no reply?" one pirate muttered in the background.
"Wait, Captain. Maybe they’re still thinking—"
Tyler waved a hand and said to Tuman, "Whatever. Pay the toll. And ask them if they know anything useful about the reef—good materials, rare resources, that sort of thing."
"This is Tuman," Tuman began, taking control of the conversation. "I’m currently handling operations—"
But Tyler was already gone. He went straight into the ship’s internal Pocket Dinsion.
Inside, the ti of day and night mirrored the outside world. Simulated moonlight stread through the clouds as Tyler walked through a lush garden path toward a regal castle-like structure. Maids in neat uniforms bowed as he passed, acknowledging their Master with grace.
He nodded in return and entered a quiet room adorned with silk curtains and floral incense.
There, lying on a bed like a slumbering princess, was Astrid.
"Astrid..." Tyler murmured, brushing her cheek gently with his fingers. His expression softened—until he suddenly paused, feeling a sharp fluctuation of energy beneath her skin.
"What the f—" Tyler blurted, his eyes wide in shock.
—
A few minutes later, Mathilda was beside him, scanning Astrid with a device that looked both magical and dical.
"Hmm... looks like the anomaly that rged with Astrid is accelerating her cultivation," Mathilda said thoughtfully. "She’s right on the verge of reaching Grandmaster level."
Tyler blinked. "Just from sleeping?"
"Yup. Leveling up by doing nothing. Can you believe that?" Mathilda huffed, clearly jealous.
As she continued her examination, Mathilda’s hand casually lingered—and then fondled—Astrid’s chest.
Tyler narrowed his eyes. "Oi..."
"What? just regular check up." Mathilda said innocently.
"Wipe those drools on your mouth." Tyler said.
Mathilda smirked. "You know, if you dual cultivated with her while she’s unconscious, it might actually boost her growth further."
"Absolutely not," Tyler said, grabbing her by the wrist. "This is why I don’t let you visit her alone."
Mathilda pouted dramatically, then suddenly spun around and kissed him. "No fair. I’m already Horny. Help calm, Captain..."
He carried her into the next bedroom.
Mathilda even shalessly called so maids to join them. The maids blushed but didn’t refuse. Tyler also had no reasons to refuse those beauties.
Back in Astrid’s chamber, silence returned.
Except for one tiny movent.
Unnoticed by either of them, Astrid’s eyelids twitched — just a little.
User Comments
0 comments from readers