The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 391. Phantom Pearl

As the White Pearl glided deeper into the dense Pink Mist, the atmosphere shifted. A silence settled over the ocean, unnaturally heavy, as if the very air held its breath. Then, from the swirling fog, a monstrous form began to rise.

The creature loomed higher than the masts of the White Pearl, its sheer size casting a shadow that made the already-chilled fog feel even colder. The silhouette grew until it encircled the ship, its long, scaly body coiling around the vessel with unnerving elegance. It moved like a serpent made of muscle and mystery—both beautiful and terrifying.

Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, two massive heads broke through the mist. Fanged maws dripped with pink seawater, and glowing eyes—tinted the same eerie shade of pink—focused on the ship’s deck with uncanny intelligence.

"A Twin-Headed Sea Serpent," Lily said calmly, her voice barely above a whisper.

In her hand, the card she’d received from the islander—the Seven of Diamonds—began to glow. It pulsed like a heartbeat, each flash sending ripples of energy through the air. Yet this time, the serpent didn’t recoil or retreat like it had before.

Instead, its eyes narrowed on the ship... and it growled.

It saw the White Pearl not as a vessel, but as prey.

"Huh... Just as expected. That guy really did target us," Lily muttered, already pulling out her communication device.

"All crew members," she said, her voice steady and sharp, "prepare for battle. Non-combat units to the safe room. Slaves we picked up—put them in the isolation chamber. Now."

"This is Tuman. Roger that, Vice-Captain," came the reply.

Within moments, the ship’s systems activated. Runes along the hull flared to life. Hidden weapons clicked into position. Energy from Prana stones surged into the array network.

The serpent moved first, coiling its massive tail around the ship in a crushing grip. But the impact was absorbed by a high-grade repulsion array.

The snake hissed in frustration, its heads rearing back before spewing globs of pink acid-like spit at the ship. Another defensive array activated instantly, shielding the ship with a radiant blue barrier.

The acid hissed as it struck, corroding the surface like molten metal on ice. But the barrier held. Fueled by the Prana stones Tyler had stockpiled, the ship endured the assault.

"This is Tuman," the voice came through again. "Everyone’s in position."

"Good," Lily said. Then, without using her communicator, she spoke aloud—her voice echoing across the entire ship. "This is not a drill. Initiate Mode Shadow. Full lockdown. All hands—prepare for Phantom Protocol."

A deep hum resonated through the ship as mechanisms older than most nations began to stir. In the main control room, Lily seated herself in the Captain’s Throne. She placed her palm on the embedded rune circle.

"Activating: Phantom Protocol."

Outside, the Twin-Headed Sea Serpent unleashed its full strength, tightening its coils with devastating force. The ship didn’t even flinch under the pressure. The vessel seemed, suddenly slipped free from its grasp.

The serpent blinked—confused. Its prey had vanished.

The ocean was still. Only mist and silence remained. Then, in the pink waters below, it caught sight of something—a shadow.

The shadow of a ship.

But where the ship itself should have been—there was nothing.

Then the shadow moved.

A moment later, the ship rose from the water like a phantom from the abyss. No longer white and elegant—it was now cloaked in black and crimson. Its surface gleamed with dark energy, and the symbols etched along its hull had changed. A new flag fluttered in the unnatural wind—a skull mask with hollow eyes. The symbol of the Phantom Pirates.

The White Pearl was gone.

This was the Shadow Pearl.

On the deck, a figure stood defiantly. She wore a flowing black coat and a Phantom Mask with sharp, angular edges that obscured her features.

No longer Lily.

This was the Temptress of the Phantom Pirates.

"Hmm... I wonder which name Captain finalized," she mused. "The Blackwood Pirates? Or the Phantom Pirates?" She smirked behind her mask. "Not that this overgrown lizard would understand either way."

She drew her whip—an electrified weapon humming with latent energy.

Behind her, the crew appeared one by one, emerging from hidden compartments and sealed rooms. Each wore the signature cloak of shadows and a ghostly white mask. The transformation was complete.

The ancient array installed in the ship rendered them invisible to even immortal senses. It came from the ancient words Tyler had retrieved from the Abyss, written in a forgotten language. He had spent months decoding it with experts after their return, finally integrating it into the ship’s systems.

"The ship is now the Shadow Pearl," Lily declared.

"Why not just call it the Black –" Darla asked from behind her Phantom Mask.

"That name’s already taken," Lily said flatly, cutting her off without turning around.

"Now... fire the cannons."

With a thunderous roar, the ship’s cannons launched molten projectiles—chunks of compressed red mana that glowed like lava. The shells slammed into the serpent’s body, creating massive explosions that sent shockwaves through the mist.

One of the serpent’s heads screamed in agony as it was blasted apart. The other reeled back in shock, hissing violently, eyes now burning with rage and pain.

But something shocking happened. The Blasted Head grew again.

Temptress eye’s widened

"What the Actual Fu–"

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

"– ck...." Tyler groaned, his body aching as he struggled to keep consciousness. His head throbbed with a sharp, rhythmic pain that refused to dull. Everything around him was a blur, distorted like a half-remembered dream.

He could barely see straight. Above him, an enormous mechanical press loomed like the blade of a guillotine—descending ever so slowly.

"Damn it..." Tyler muttered, clutching his forehead as his vision swam.

The entire chamber had a surreal aura. It was oddly clean, pristine even, with walls that glistened faintly under Blue and Pink lighting. Huge candies and toy-like decorations were scattered around the room—yet none of it felt playful.

Dude to pain in spiritual consciousness, Tyler couldn’t use his divine sense at all.

Gritting his teeth, "Mana," Tyler called weakly, "put me in the Pocket Dimension... and take me out of here."

A pop of energy pulsed from within him, and Mana came out from his body. Her eyes shimmered with concern.

"Mana can’t phase through this wall," she said, gently tapping the nearby surface. Her fingers met resistance, and ripples of sealing energy radiated from the contact point. "It’s blocking everything... even me."

Tyler sighed, his energy already drained. "Huh... Then we need something that can stop that thing," he muttered, glancing up at the descending press. It had moved inches lower. Time was running out.

"Mana has this crazy idea," Mana said, her voice uncertain for once.

Tyler didn’t even look at her. He simply slumped down, crossing his legs. "Whatever it is... do it fast."

He closed his eyes and began to meditate. He had to control the pain, slow his breathing, and prepare himself. Deep inside, he trusted Mana.

Mana wasted no time. She zipped into the Pocket Dimension, rummaging through Tyler’s inventory with urgency. She also took Tyler’s copper pot and Copper Ladle with her.

Moments later, she reappeared.

Tyler sat still, sweat beading down his forehead. The pain dulled slightly, and just as he exhaled, a loud creaking echoed above him.

The press had stopped.

Tyler opened one eye, groggy but curious. "Huh... did it work?"

Mana floated back beside him, looking smug. "It worked."

He tilted his head slowly, then widened his eyes. "Wait... this was your crazy idea?"

Before him stood a towering wall—no, a grotesque barricade made from the stacked clones of Apollo.

Tyler blinked, jaw slack. "You literally used a mountain of Apollos to block the press?"

Mana crossed her arms proudly. "Only because they still had the Immortal Armor. That thing doesn’t break easily."

Despite himself, Tyler chuckled weakly. "I can’t decide if that’s genius or madness..."

Dozens of identical figures collapsing one atop another like stacked mannequins.

Mana has carefully positioned the stack directly beneath the press.

They are copies of Apollo.

Apollo, The Abyss Hunter that Tyler , Adam and Dusk defeated in the Abyss.

Meanwhile, far away from Tyler’s chamber, another scene played out.

In a dark, dimly lit chamber filled with flickering screens and mismatched furniture, a strange figure lounged on a garish throne made of colorful plush toys and metal spikes.

The Clown.

His face was a grotesque smear of white and pink, with smeared lipstick and eyes that twitched with erratic delight. He leaned back and laughed hysterically.

"My precious Pinky... got hurt by a merchant ship? Really?" he snorted, looking at the card in his hand blinking , the card has Twin Headed Sea Serpent picture on it. "Well, it’s not easy to kill Pinky. But what kind of merchant ship was that?"

He clicked his tongue and turned toward one of the screen—this one showing the Candy Crush room from the outside.

"What happened to Tyler Pancake? Is it ready?" he asked aloud, lazily.

The monitor displayed the press, that was stuck in half.

"Is he using his strength to stop that thing?... it’s still a hopeless struggle, Hahahaha ". The laughter dying from his lips.

The Clown leaned back into his throne ignoring Tyler and others.