This happened after Tyler and the girls had separated from the White Pearl ship.

While Tyler and his group ventured deeper into the Dragon King Territory, to find the Copper Lid , the White Pearl continued its voyage under the leadership of Vice-Captain Lily Gomes.

Their destination: Red Dragon Boat.

---

The Red Dragon Boat was a sight to behold — a colossal vessel stretching for kilometers, its hull dyed a deep, lustrous crimson. The structure rose like palaces stacked atop one another, towering above the sea like a floating fortress. Unlike the Azure Dragon Boat in the Dragon King Territory, this one bore only three floors, yet each floor radiated an aura of age, strength, and power.

Even amidst dozens of grand vessels anchored in the area, the White Pearl still stood out — sleek, silver-white, and radiant under the sun, a vessel whose craftsmanship was unmistakably the work of a genius.

But among the gathered ships, one, in particular, regarded the White Pearl with simmering hatred.

Onboard that ship, the atmosphere was tense. The deck was littered with bandages, splints, and the faint scent of blood. Most of the crew members were injured, their bones broken, their pride shattered. Several massive broken harpoons were in the ship’s sides, a grim reminder of their defeat.

"That’s the White Pearl..." one of the bruised men muttered, his expression dark. "Where’s our boss? He said he’d avenge the Hunter Pirates..."

Another crewmate spat into the sea, his voice bitter. "He said he made a deal with the Rising Phantom Pirates. They’ll meet us at the Nox Pass. Let them enjoy their peace while they can..."

The first man clenched his jaw, his swollen cheek throbbing as he recalled the humiliating memory — that man who moved through the rain like a creature born of water, dodging every strike with effortless grace. The pain of those punches lingered even now, like echoes of a nightmare he couldn’t escape.

---

Meanwhile, aboard the White Pearl, life was more tranquil.

"Finally, we arrived..." Darla sighed in relief, her eyes lighting up as she accepted a steaming cup of tea from one of the kitchen assistants — an octopus-like fishfolk they’d recruited during their travels.

She took a sip and exhaled pleasantly. "Hmm... nice tea. But you should boil it at a slightly lower temperature and use a closed pot next time. That’ll bring out the aroma better."

"Thank you, Miss Darla," the octopus assistant said politely, bowing slightly. Though humble in demeanor, he knew who she was — one of the chief chefs of the White Pearl, alongside the ship’s main cook, Taka. Darla’s culinary mastery was well-known, even if she spent most of her time in other duties these days.

"Huh... I want to go back to the kitchen," Darla sighed wistfully, resting her chin on her palm.

A teasing voice drifted from behind her. "Stop with the gloomy mood. You’re making my fish depressed."

Darla turned and smiled wryly. A fox girl sat near the ship’s edge, white ears twitching and three fluffy tails swaying behind her. Multiple fishing rods extended into the sea around her — a comical yet impressive setup.

"Sorry, Su Fei," Darla said. "It’s just... kind of boring without Boss Tyler around."

Su Fei smirked, not missing a beat. "You’re just a maiden in heat. Same as that pervert inside."

Darla’s cheeks flushed instantly. She didn’t have to ask who "that pervert" referred to.

"Speak of the devil," Darla muttered.

The cabin door slid open, and Mathilda strolled out, stretching her arms with a sleepy yawn. She wore loose pajamas — clearly not meant for public appearance — yet carried herself as if she were dressed for a royal ball.

"Sister Mathilda, you shouldn’t come outside dressed like that!" one of the maids scolded, hurrying forward with a blanket.

Mathilda turned, grabbed the maid by the collar, and planted a playful kiss on her lips. "Good morning kiss," she said with a mischievous wink.

"It’s already afternoon..." the maid whispered, face red as a tomato.

"I’m feeling down," Mathilda sighed dramatically. "Where’s my Tyler baby?" She waved her hand lazily and began walking back toward the cabin. "Come, girls, let’s take a bath together. Use your bodies as soap..."

"As usual — pervert," Darla muttered, shaking her head.

Before she could say more, the rhythmic flap of wings echoed from above. Darla looked up and spotted an angelic figure descending gracefully through the sky. The woman landed gently beside her, radiant even against the snowy-blue sea.

"We’re here," said Astrid, her soft voice carrying warmth despite the cold breeze. "The Red Dragon Boat is in sight."

"Thanks for the hard work, Astrid," Darla replied, smiling.

She turned toward the horizon — and there it was. The Red Dragon Boat, towering like a crimson mountain floating upon the waves, its golden ornaments glittering in the sun. The sight drew gasps of awe from the crew.

On the upper deck, footsteps echoed.

Everyone turned and immediately straightened. The crew bowed their heads respectfully as Vice-Captain Lily Gomes stepped forward.

"Vice-Captain Lily!" Darla said, bowing slightly.

Lily waved her hand. "Cut the formalities," she said with a laugh. "We’re just docking. You’ll still be the one going to the Red Dragon Boat, Darla."

"Ugh..." Darla pouted and turned away, pretending to sulk.

Lily chuckled softly, then turned her gaze toward the horizon beyond the Red Dragon Boat — a line of endless darkness that rippled faintly like a living thing.

"The Nox Pass..." she whispered. The air around it seemed to twist unnaturally, like reality itself hesitated to exist there.

Her expression darkened slightly. "I wonder if Ling Tian has found the Manhunter yet."

The sea breeze brushed her golden hair across her face as she sighed softly.

Her gaze lingered on the distant waters for a long moment before she finally smiled faintly, whispering to herself, "And Captain... come back soon."

On the horizon, the sun dipped lower, its orange hue bleeding into the waves. The White Pearl gleamed softly, moving towards the Red Dragon Boat.

---

Inside the Red Dragon Boat, high above the roaring waves and the endless stretch of crimson decks, a single chamber stood sealed from the world. Thick golden curtains muffled the light, and the scent of burning incense filled the air — a blend of dragon scales and ancient herbs said to calm the mind and sharpen the soul.

At the center of that dimly lit chamber sat the Master of the Red Dragon Boat, a man whose presence alone made the air grow heavy. His eyes, closed in deep meditation, finally fluttered open — revealing pupils shaped like burning coals.

For a long moment, he simply sat there, listening to the quiet crackle of the incense. Then his brows furrowed slightly, and his expression darkened.

"...There’s a shift," he muttered softly, his deep voice echoing across the empty room. "A disturbance in fate itself."

He slowly raised his hand, forming a circle with his fingers as thin strands of golden energy appeared before him, weaving together into a web of destiny — countless threads crossing and looping like rivers of light. Yet, several of them were... fading, distorting, their glow clouded by something unseen.

"I don’t understand..." he whispered, leaning closer. "A seed of vengeance that I once buried — accidentally, perhaps foolishly — has taken root." His voice trembled faintly, the first hint of unease slipping through his calm tone. "And now... it grows strong enough to devour even me?"

The golden threads flickered in response, as though mocking him.

"But who?" he demanded, his voice rising slightly. "Who? Why can’t I see you anymore?"

He reached out, his spiritual energy piercing through the layers of fate — but no matter how far he searched, something blocked his vision. A fog thick as iron veiled the thread that once connected him to the source of his misdeed.

"What is this obstruction?" His tone grew sharper. "Who are you? Someone from Phantom Pirates?"

The chamber trembled faintly. Even the protective formations around the Red Dragon Boat rippled, reacting to the surge of his frustration.

He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes once more. "Whoever you are... you’ve hidden yourself well." A thin smile curved his lips, one both curious and grim.

He waved his hand, dispersing the golden threads. The Master’s gaze drifted toward the floor as he muttered, "Still... is an Immortal obstructing my divination? Or is that person trapped within some kind of divine item?"

---

At present

Deep within Tyla’s consciousness,

The world inside her mind was soft and white, like clouds suspended in eternity. At its heart, a small sapling grew — delicate yet vibrant, its leaves glimmering with hues of green and gold. Its roots spread into the fabric of her soul, pulsing faintly with life and memory.

Sitting beside it was Mana, cross-legged, her expression one of quiet curiosity. She reached out with a gentle hand, brushing her fingers along one of the sapling’s tender leaves. It swayed in response, releasing a faint ripple of light that danced through the air.

Mana smiled faintly. "So... you’ve already started growing, huh?" she whispered, her tone filled with wonder.