The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 455. The defeated Pirates’ new plan

**Title: Rebirth of the Heavenly Demon Emperor**

**Chapter 1: Waking Up in the Past**

*"I... I actually went back?"*

Fang Yuan opened his eyes, his vision blurry. The familiar scent of medicinal herbs filled the air, and the soft rustling of bamboo leaves outside the window sent a wave of nostalgia crashing over him.

*This is... my old room in the Fang Clan?*

He sat up abruptly, his body weak, his meridians aching. A bitter smile curled on his lips.

*I was the mighty Heavenly Demon Emperor, standing above all, yet I was betrayed and killed by my own disciple. And now... I’ve returned to my weakest days?*

His hands clenched into fists.

*Good. Very good!*

This time, he would not repeat the same mistakes. This time, he would crush all who stood in his way!

Just then, the door slammed open.

"Fang Yuan! You lazy trash, still sleeping? The family competition is today, and you dare embarrass us like this?"

A young man in luxurious robes stood in the doorway, his face full of disdain. It was Fang Chen, his so-called "cousin," a talent of the Fang Clan who had always looked down on him.

Fang Yuan’s eyes turned cold.

In his past life, Fang Chen had humiliated him in front of the entire clan, breaking his arm and leaving him bedridden for months. But now...

*Heh.*

Fang Yuan slowly stood up, his gaze icy.

"Fang Chen, do you know what happens to those who bark too loudly?"

Fang Chen froze, then burst into laughter. "Hah! What, has this trash gone mad from fear?"

Before he could finish, Fang Yuan moved.

*Whoosh!*

A crisp slap echoed through the room.

Fang Chen’s head snapped to the side, his cheek burning red. He stumbled back, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

"You—!"

Fang Yuan’s voice was like frozen steel. "Get out , you trash."

Fang Chen’s face twisted in rage. "You dare hit me?! I’ll kill you!"

He lunged forward, his fist aimed at Fang Yuan’s chest— a strike that would have shattered his ribs in the past.

But Fang Yuan only smirked.

*Too slow.*

With a flick of his wrist, he caught Fang Chen’s fist mid-air. Then—

*Crack!*

"AHHHHH!" Fang Chen screamed as his wrist bones shattered.

Fang Yuan leaned in, his voice a whisper. "Remember this well: from today onward, I, Fang Yuan, am no longer the trash you can bully."

With that, he flung Fang Chen out the door like a sack of garbage.

The disciples outside gasped.

*What just happened?!*

*Fang Yuan... defeated Fang Chen in one move?!*

Fang Yuan ignored their shocked stares, turning back into his room. His eyes gleamed with dark amusement.

*This is only the beginning.*

---

"What the heck? This type of novel is popular now?" Tyler asked, raising an eyebrow as he flipped through a book that was Lily Reading.

"Yeah, yeah... pretty satisfying, right?" said the girl beside him, wearing a Phantom Mask. Her playful tone was unmistakable.

Tyler frowned. "I’m not sure about the ’satisfying’ part..." he coughed, setting the book aside.

"Jokes aside you better read the whole story. There is a part that has some Tiny Tiny information about Wyvern Nest..."

"Just tell me which Chapter it is..."

The girl in the Phantom Mask was none other than Lily, now clad in her alluring Temptress outfit— dark leather, high boots, and that wicked smile that could charm even a sea serpent. Her voice dropped slightly, teasing as she leaned close. "Why are you not wearing your mask yet? We’re about to reach our next destination —Wyvern Nest."

With just a thought, Tyler activated his Phantom Mask. As it appeared over his face, his aura shifted immediately. The easygoing tone in his voice was replaced with something deeper, more commanding. His white hair darkened into a pitch-black sheen with a faint reddish hue.

"What’s Mathilda up to? She’s been busy lately," Tyler asked, adjusting the collar of his coat as the transformation completed, becoming Phantom Blackwood once again.

"She’s with Astrid," Lily replied. "Apparently, she found a way to help Astrid digest that foreign energy inside her body. She said the girl might wake up any moment now."

Tyler nodded, eyes scanning the sea ahead. Unlike the core members— himself, Lily, Mathilda, Darla, Su Fei, Mana, and Astrid—most of the crew didn’t have Phantom Masks, more like he didn’t give any more.

But the ship had transformed into the Shadow Pearl, and with it, the rest of the crew took on new appearances. They now wore black cloaks and skull-shaped masks, resembling grim reapers adrift in an endless night.

Even Tuman had donned the cloak and mask. He approached Tyler and Lily with a calm yet alert demeanor.

"Captain, Vice-Captain," he addressed respectfully. "There are multiple ships following us."

Tyler raised a brow. "Oh? Are they hostile?"

Tuman shook his head. "No signs of aggression. They’re keeping a respectful distance and have sent signals stating they mean no harm."

"Hmph," Tyler grunted, placing a hand on the railing. "Curious rats or cautious wolves... either way, keep watching them."

"They’re probably some other pirates," Lily chimed in, lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "Curious... and scared ~"

Her voice dripped with playful malice, echoing over the deck as the Shadow Pearl sliced through the waves like a phantom in the night.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

In a small, abandoned island...

"Captain Wudong, another ship is heading toward Wyvern Nest," said a tall, lean man with scruffy hair and a nervous look on his face.

Captain Eye Patch or Captain Wudong, with one eye and a gem hidden behind a tattered black eyepatch, glanced toward the horizon. "Ragetti... is it the White Pearl?"

"It is a Pearl, but not the white one.," Ragetti replied, He just reported the scout report . "There were some odd markings on the hull—’Shadow Pearl,’ I think. That’s what the report says. The ship looked like it was sucking in light itself... like one of those mythical black holes from the old tales."

Captain Wudong’s brow furrowed. "Shadow Pearl... ah, the new crew from the Southern seas. That’s them— The Phantom Pirates."

It’s normal for to name ships as Pearls, Sharks or any water based beast or object names.

"Oh them.. I heard the rumours. They won the challenge against the old Phantom Pirates and acquired the name. Kael Driftsbane didn’t even survive." Ragetti said.

Captain Wudong tapped his pipe on the wooden rail of the ruined dock, ash scattering in the breeze. "We usually avoid fighting pirates, since they are from same buisness line. You know that, Ragetti. Out of courtesy and all."

Ragetti nodded. "Of course, Captain. Just thought you’d want to know. Well, our Aim was the White Merchant Group after all."

Wudong looked over his shoulder, where several of his men lay wounded on mats, some moaning, others unconscious. Their makeshift camp smelled of salt, blood, and herbs. Boars they’d caught earlier were chewing on piles of fish nearby, adding to the chaos of the scene.

The Captain’s gaze lingered on one massive figure— Martis the Giant, — now lying on his back, ribs cracked, blood dribbling from his lips. A visible, fist-sized dent marred the center of his chest, as if someone had driven a stake into him with godlike strength.

"That masked guy. Who was that?" Captain Wudong muttered.

He overheard a group of pirates nearby tending to Martis, whispering amongst themselves.

"Was this guy really weak...?"

"You think Martis is weak? You kidding me?" one snapped. "Remember how he crushed a Metal Shark with his bare hands?"

"But come on, whether it’s Martis or your mom, does it make sense he was taken down in one punch?"

"Don’t talk about our mother, Brother."

Captain Wudong exhaled sharply, his knuckles tightening around his cane.

"Phantom Pirates, huh..." he said, staring at the now-distant sea. Then He turned back to Ragetti. "Do you think they’re heading for the Dragon Princess?"

"Possibly," Ragetti shrugged. "But from What I heard she doesn’t bring anyone under her that easily. Many Groups are eager to join under her because of rumours that she is Dragon King’s daughter."

Wudong’s mind raced.

"Should I... provoke them into fighting the White Pearl?" he wondered aloud, he totally ignored all other information.

But even as the thought crossed his lips, he shook his head.

"No... But"

His crew wasn’t in any condition to move, let alone carry out schemes. Half of them couldn’t even hold their weapons. The plan to rob the White Pearl had failed, and he was certain the other divisions were already laughing at him.

"If I can defeat them and wash away my shame, then what’s wrong with asking for help?" he muttered under his breath. Then, raising his voice, he added, "Ragetti... Let’s try partnering with the Phantom Pirates to take down the White Merchant Group. They can even take sixty percent of the loot."

Ragetti nodded seriously. But before anything could happen, they would have to negotiate with the Phantom Pirates first.