The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 373 - 372. Level 3 Fishery

Fisheries are portions of the sea or ocean, varying in size and danger, that serve as natural sources of fish and other sea creatures. These areas are categorized by levels, with each level indicating the strength and rarity of the creatures that inhabit them.

Level 1 fisheries are the most common, typically found in the calmer Southern Seas. They mostly contain Novice-level fish, with only a few rare surprises. Many sects and local clans own and manage these fisheries, as they are a major source of both income and food—especially in the Southern regions where no continent exist. Islanders heavily rely on them to survive.

Level 2 fisheries are a step above. While mostly populated by Novice and Elite-level fish, they offer a slim 1% chance of catching a Master-level creature. These are sought after by slightly more ambitious sects or adventurers.

Level 3 fisheries, however, are a different beast entirely. They contain fishes and sea beasts of all levels, including a rare 1% chance of reeling in a Grandmaster-level creature. These areas are wild, dangerous, and teeming with both opportunity and death.

Since the Boundless World is almost entirely covered in ocean, unlike the landlocked Ixalaria Continent, islanders depend heavily on fisheries for sustenance, resources, and trade. Ownership of a fishery can mean power, and some are controlled by sects, others by federations—or even by pirates.

Floating amidst the chaos of the Level 3 Fishery is a massive boat that spans over three kilometers in length. This massive plank-like vessel has no sails and moves slowly, like a sleeping beast. It bears a colossal dragon symbol across its deck, carved in gold and red. No one dares to interfere with this vessel—not even pirates.

This is a Dragon Boat—the largest floating trading platform in the Northern Seas. It is not just a ship but a moving bazaar, court, and fortress all in one. Backed by powerful factions and deep-pocketed sponsors, the Dragon Boats has become an unspoken law in these waters. Even the most daring pirate crews give it a wide berth.

As the Dragon Boat slowly sails away from the Level 3 Fishery, another vessel enters from the opposite direction—like a nobleman entering a burning slum.

The White Pearl, Its hull gleamed under the sea’s light, and the faint hum of magical arrays echoed softly as it cut through the air and water.

Naturally, it drew attention.

Not far away, a ship bearing a giant bull skull on its hull floated amid the destruction. This was the Beast Skull Pirates.

One of the crew members squinted at the approaching White Pearl. "Is that a merchant ship? Or some rich idiot’s luxury vessel?"

"Shut up," the captain growled, his voice heavy with experience and warning. He stood tall, clad in a black coat adorned with beast claws, his eyes scanning the White Pearl with a mixture of interest and caution. "You think regular ships wander in here? Not during active plundering. Whoever they are, they’ve got guts—or a death wish."

"Maybe some greedy fool hoping for fish..."

"Maybe. Or maybe they’re a wolf in silk robes. Let’s wait and see."

The Level 3 Fishery around them was in a state of chaos. Several flying isles were partially submerged or entirely shattered. Debris from broken ships drifted aimlessly. Fires blazed across the surface of the water where spirit oils had leaked and ignited. Cries echoed in the distance—some calling for help, others shouting orders or warnings.

This wasn’t just a fishery. It was a battlefield.

Inside the CIC Room—the ship’s magically enhanced Control and Information Center—Tyler White stood with his arms crossed, peering through the enchanted crystal window. Magical holograms flickered before him, displaying real-time prana signatures and aura flows around the ship.

He watched the carnage outside with calm eyes. freēnovelkiss.com

"Yeah... there’s a lot of pirate activity," he said slowly. "But let’s not go picking fights. Just take out anyone who dares to make the first move on us."

Tuman nodded and left.

"Serena, status update?" Tyler asked aloud.

Serena projection appeared. "The fishery is unstable. Pirate presence is at 63%. No factional territories detected nearby."

"Yeah... I can see that." Tyler said and saw the battlefield.

"Two pirate ships approaching! Blue Whale Pirates and Reis Pirates," Serena reported sharply.

The White Pearl trembled for a brief second as the ship was bombarded by energy cannon fire from both sides. Fiery explosions lit up the surrounding sea, drawing the attention of nearby pirates who hovered at a distance, eagerly observing the clash.

"Looks like someone’s poking the hornet’s nest," a pirate from the distant Beast Skull Pirates muttered with a grin.

From the left and right, the two attacking pirate ships unleashed volleys of cannon fire. But when the smoke cleared, the White Pearl remained unscathed. Not a single scratch marked its sleek surface. Instead, glowing magical symbols shimmered brightly across the hull, revealing a protective array shield that covered the entire ship like a magical dome.

"F@#£!" one of the Blue Whale pirates cursed aloud. "What kind of turtle shell is this?! It’s impenetrable!"

"Who the hell sails around with fortress-class shielding in a Level 3 Fishery?" another Reis Pirate growled.

Before their anger could boil over into more attacks, three figures leapt from the deck of the White Pearl.

Lily soared through the air, a smirk playing on her lips, and landed gracefully on the deck of the Blue Whale ship. Mana and Mathilda followed, crashing down with force onto the Reis Pirates’ vessel.

"This is robbery!" Lily shouted.

"Hahaha! Robbing pirates isn’t robbery. That’s just... retribution... redistribution," Meanwhile Mathilda laughed, drawing her spear with a flourish. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she charged into the fray.

"Mana just wanted to join the fun," Mana added, her voice calm and eerie as bolts of ice formed around her fingertips.

"Huh?" The confused pirates barely had time to react.

Within moments, chaos erupted.

On the Blue Whale ship, Lily moved like a shadow, darting from pirate to pirate. Her whip cracked like lightning, sending shocks through armored opponents. Soon the whole ship broke into two and started sinking.

Meanwhile, on the Reis ship, black smoke began to billow out from the deck as Mathilda hurled bottles filled with colorful liquid. A burst of green smoke filled the air, followed by a deep rumble.

Suddenly, the entire right half of the ship began to melt like wax under the sun. Screams rang out as pirates leapt overboard.

"Tsk... wrong potion," Mathilda muttered, returning to the White Pearl with a frustrated frown. Her cloak was slightly singed, and her braid looked ruffled.

"Well, Mana got their storage bags," Mana said, floating back with a calm smile, holding a small sack that jingled with stolen loot.

Behind them, the entire pirate vessel literally melted into the sea, reduced to liquid by the aftermath of Mathilda’s alchemical chaos.

At the same time, Lily reappeared on the White Pearl’s deck, flipping through a set of storage rings she had swiped from the other ship. The deck beneath her sparked with residual lightning, a lingering trace of the electric field she’d unleashed.

Everything had happened within minutes. The two pirate ships that dared attack were destroyed with surgical precision. Other pirates who had considered joining the assault immediately abandoned their plans and respectfully steered clear of the White Pearl.

"Where did that distress signal come from?" Tyler asked, stepping into the Control Room—or as he liked to call it, the CIC.

Serena pointed to a glowing island icon on the display. "It’s from that island. But..." She paused as a visual projection formed before them, showing the island in question half-submerged in the ocean. Fires raged across its surface. "Looks like we’re too late."

Tyler sighed. "Still, see what’s going on in this fishery. I want to know why the whole place has turned into a battlefield. And check if there’s a giant prana-infused tuna available. I’m in the mood for something rare."

"Got it," Serena said, already issuing commands to the crew.

As the team got to work, the White Pearl’s vendors opened their storage decks. Crates of aged wine, exotic dried fruits, and enhanced rations were offered for sale. For desperate travelers and pirates alike, the White Pearl became a floating marketplace.

Tyler watched quietly as negotiations unfolded. Some pirates haggled for food, others bartered stolen items for rum, potions and pills. So long as no one caused trouble, Tyler was more than happy to sell goods—at a premium, of course.

A group of weary travelers approached the dock and pleaded for transport to the next island. Judging from their robes and injuries, they were survivors from some of the destroyed floating islands.

Tyler didn’t hesitate. "Let them aboard. We’ll drop them off on our way."

Lily returned a short while later, her clothes slightly ruffled from the earlier raid but her expression thoughtful.

"I’ve got information," she said, walking straight up to Tyler.

"What did you find?"

"The reason this entire Level 3 Fishery is in misery... is because of the Dragon Boat just left," Lily revealed.

Tyler’s eyes widened in surprise.

What could have driven the Dragon Boat to attack the fishery? Now he was genuinely curious.