The Rich Cultivator

Since it’s 200th Chapter... I decided to write 2000 words... (Just for this Chapter)

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A lot of things had changed since Tyler arrived on Cedar Island. The once-powerful Guild Master had mysteriously fallen ill and, shortly after, sold the Adventure Guild to Tyler. Under new management, the guild began to thrive. The new Guild Master, as the people of Cedar Island knew him, was an enigmatic figure, but his actions spoke louder than any introduction. He was generous, quick to offer new tasks and opportunities for adventurers, many of which involved tracking down smugglers attempting to transport the highly illegal Woodpeck Fish.

Woodpeck Fish, while seemingly ordinary in appearance, had sharp beaks that allowed them to chew through wood with ease. These creatures were unique in that they could devour both underwater trees and the valuable wood from land. In the lush and resource-rich world of Cedar Island, where underwater trees flourished, Woodpeck Fish were a rare commodity. They were hunted illegally due to their high market price, despite strict laws prohibiting their trade. This made them a prime target for smugglers, who operated in secret, supplying these prized creatures to buyers across the Ixalaria Continent.

Cedar Island itself was governed by an Island Master, appointed by Ixalaria. However, this governor rarely intervened in the day-to-day affairs of the island. His involvement was only guaranteed during crises, leaving the island’s powerful factions—the Woodcutter Association and the Adventure Guild—to wield significant influence.

Tyler’s acquisition of the guild went smoothly, and under his leadership, business continued as usual. That was, until Tyler discovered a key piece of information hidden in the guild’s records. The Woodcutter Association, known primarily for its dominance in the lumber industry, was deeply involved in the illegal smuggling of Woodpeck Fish. The smuggling operation was lucrative, with shipments regularly being sent to the Ixalaria Continent, where the fish fetched an enormous price. Armed with this knowledge, Tyler devised a plan to target the Woodcutter Association where it hurt the most: their business.

Soon after, the Adventure Guild made a surprising announcement. They, too, would be entering the wood business. The people of Cedar Island were abuzz with gossip. It was becoming clear that the new guild master had set his sights on the Woodcutter Association, and many speculated about who this mysterious individual might be.

But while rumors swirled outside, Tyler remained unfazed. He was enjoying a peaceful dinner with his crewmates aboard their ship.

"Normally, Cedar trees take about 5 to 15 years to reach maturity," Lily explained as she detailed her findings. "But with the right arrays and fertilizers, we can accelerate the growth process, getting the trees ready for harvest in just six months. And if we use even more advanced arrays, we can bring that down to three months. The Cedar wood has different grades, and its demand is especially high in the Northern Seas."

Tyler leaned back in his chair, considering the plan. "The best way to hurt the Woodcutter Association is to take over their business," he said thoughtfully. "And we’re going to do it in the most straightforward way possible. We’ll sell the same wood for half the price. With the three-month array, we’ll be able to outproduce them and keep this going for a full year."

"An entire year?" Mathilda asked as she bit into a piece of Woodpeck Fish, savoring the delicate flavor. "Won’t the three-month maturity array burn through a lot of money?"