The Light of Healing

Inside the cabin, an exquisite dining table was covered with sumptuous dishes that gave off an enticing aroma.

Lin Feng dug in with gusto, devouring the food before him like a whirlwind without caring in the slightest about his table manners.

"Hey, slow down. No one's going to steal it from you." Lilith couldn't help chiding Lin Feng as she watched him wolf down his food.

"Hehe, I was just hungry." Lin Feng spoke indistinctly with his mouth full.

"Besides, your cooking is so delicious. Of course I have to eat more."

"What a smooth talker." Lilith rolled her eyes at Lin Feng, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly in a smile.

"By the way, I haven't asked you yet. How did you end up being hunted by pirates?" Lin Feng swallowed his food and asked curiously.

"I..." At his words, Lilith's eyes dimmed, and her originally bright smile vanished.

The girl lowered her head and fell silent, as though she had something difficult to say.

"Sorry. If it's inconvenient to talk about, just pretend I never asked." Seeing this, Lin Feng hurriedly spoke up.

"It's nothing inconvenient." Lilith raised her head and forced out a smile.

"I went out to sea this time to search for the legendary 'Tree of Life.'"

"The Tree of Life?" Lin Feng was stunned. It was the first time he had heard that name.

"Mm." Lilith nodded. "According to legend, the 'Tree of Life' can heal all injuries and illnesses. It's the sacred treasure of every doctor."

"And I'm a doctor."

"A doctor?" Lin Feng looked at Lilith in surprise. "You're so young, yet you're already a doctor?"

"Is that strange?" Lilith countered. "I've studied medicine with my father since I was little. I already have more than ten years of experience."

"Impressive, impressive." Lin Feng gave her a thumbs-up. "Then have you found the 'Tree of Life'?"

"Not yet." Lilith shook her head.

"But I've already found some clues." She took a yellowed parchment from her bosom and handed it to Lin Feng.

"This is a treasure map passed down through my family. It records the location of the 'Tree of Life.'"

Lin Feng took the treasure map and examined it carefully. It was covered in strange symbols and patterns that looked incredibly mysterious.

"Can you read it?" Lilith asked.

"I can't." Lin Feng shook his head. "I've never seen the writing on it before."

"It's an ancient script. Only people who have specifically studied it can understand it." Lilith explained.

"What are you planning to do next?" Lin Feng asked.

"I plan to go to the Sabaody Archipelago. There are clues there that I need to find." Lilith said.

"Mm, I understand." Lin Feng nodded. "Do you need my help?"

"No." Lilith shook her head. "This is my own matter. I don't want to drag you into it."

"What do you mean, drag me into it?" Lin Feng said. "We're friends now. Friends should help each other."

"Friends..." At his words, warmth surged through Lilith's heart. Looking at the sincerity in Lin Feng's eyes, the girl lost herself for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Lin Feng couldn't help asking when he saw Lilith staring blankly at him.

"N-Nothing." Lilith came back to herself and quickly lowered her head to hide her lapse. "Thank you, Lin Feng."

"Now that I'm full, I'll go treat the injured sailors first." Lilith suddenly said, then rose and walked out of the cabin.

"Can I come take a look?" Lin Feng asked.

"Of course." Lilith looked back and smiled at Lin Feng.

On the deck, the wounded lay on stretchers, groaning in pain.

Lilith walked over to them, crouched down, and began treating them.

A soft white light radiated from the girl's hands as she gently passed them over the wounded sailors' injuries. Under the glow of the light, the wounds healed at a visible speed, and the pained expressions on the sailors' faces gradually eased.

"Is this... a Devil Fruit ability?" Lin Feng asked in astonishment as he watched the miraculous scene before him.

"Mm, I'm a Heal-Heal Fruit user." Lilith spoke softly, pride in her voice.

"The Heal-Heal Fruit. That's an incredible ability." Lin Feng praised her, but began making plans in his heart.

The Heal-Heal Fruit's ability was incredibly powerful. If he could bring Lilith into his crew, his future adventures would have an extra layer of security.

"Lilith, would you be interested in joining my pirate crew?" Lin Feng suddenly asked.

At his words, Lilith's hands paused. She raised her head and looked at Lin Feng with a complicated expression.

"Sorry, Lin Feng. I can't agree." Lilith was silent for a long while before finally shaking her head.

"Why?" Lin Feng asked in confusion. "Don't you want to search for the 'Tree of Life'? If you join my pirate crew, we can search for it together. Wouldn't that be faster?"

"The 'Tree of Life' is only one reason." Lilith spoke softly. "I have something more important to do."

"What is it?" Lin Feng pressed.

"I..." Lilith hesitated, but ultimately didn't say it. "I'm sorry, Lin Feng. I can't tell you yet."

"All right." Seeing that Lilith was unwilling to say more, Lin Feng stopped pressing her. "In that case, I won't force you."

"But the door to my pirate crew will always be open to you. Whenever you want to come, you'll be welcome." Lin Feng spoke sincerely.

"Thank you, Lin Feng." Lilith said gratefully. "You're a really good person."

"Haha, of course." Lin Feng shamelessly declared, "I'm going to become the strongest pirate!"

"Pirate..." Lilith murmured, a glimmer flashing through her eyes.

"What, are you also very opposed to pirates?" Lin Feng asked.

"No." Lilith shook her head. "I just think you're different from those pirates."

"Oh? How are I different?" Lin Feng asked with interest.

"You don't have that loathsome aura about you." Lilith said. "Instead, you make people feel at ease."

"Haha, that's because you don't know me well enough yet." Lin Feng laughed loudly. "You'll find out eventually that I'm an even more terrifying existence than those pirates!"

"Really?" Lilith smiled but said nothing. She continued treating the wounded, serious and focused.

Lin Feng watched Lilith's profile and thought to himself, She's truly a kind and beautiful girl.

The Gale sat quietly alongside the merchant ship. The sea breeze brushed past gently, carrying a faint salty tang.

Lin Feng stood by the rail, gazing at the merchant ship before him that had just endured a barrage of cannon fire. An indescribable feeling stirred in his heart.

On the deck, the sailors busily repaired the damaged hull, while the air was filled with the scent of wood and seawater.

Lilith stood beside Lin Feng, her gaze fixed on the busy figures. A faint sorrow showed in her eyes.

"They... are all very good people." Lilith spoke softly, her voice carrying a tremor that was difficult to detect.

"Mm." Lin Feng nodded without saying much, simply staying quietly by her side.

After a flurry of activity, the merchant ship finally regained its ability to sail. Lilith walked up to Lin Feng, an apologetic smile on her face.

"Lin Feng, I'm truly sorry, but I still can't join your pirate crew."

Lilith said, helplessness filling her voice.

"It's fine." Lin Feng smiled, looking unconcerned. "Everyone has their own ambitions. I won't force you."

"But..."

Lin Feng changed tack, pulled a card glowing with a faint light from his bosom, and handed it to Lilith. "This is for you."

"What is this?"

Lilith accepted the card curiously. Strange symbols were drawn on it, and it gave off a mysterious aura.

"This is my specially made Vivre Card."

Lin Feng explained with a mysterious smile.

"When you run into danger, just hold this card and silently call my name in your heart. I'll sense it, and this great master will come save you!"

"Really?"

Lilith looked at the card in her hand doubtfully, suspicion on her face.

"Of course it's true!" Lin Feng thumped his chest and guaranteed, "I'm Lin Feng, commander of the 17th Division of the Whitebeard Pirates! I can handle something this small!"

"The Whitebeard Pirates?"

A look of surprise flashed through Lilith's eyes at his words.

"You're actually a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"That's right!" Lin Feng nodded smugly. "How is it? Impressive, right?"

"Mm, very impressive." Lilith nodded and carefully put away the Vivre Card. "Thank you, Lin Feng."

"Well, I'll be leaving now." Lin Feng said. "Until we meet again!"

"Until we meet again!" Lilith waved goodbye.

Lin Feng leaped back onto the Gale and stood at the bow, gazing at Lilith standing on the merchant ship's deck.

Goodbye, Lilith. Lin Feng silently said in his heart. I hope we'll meet again.

The Gale raised its sails and gradually pulled away from the merchant ship, heading toward the boundless sea.

Lin Feng stood at the bow, watching the merchant ship recede into the distance, and pondered silently. Lilith, what secret are you hiding? Why would you rather venture out alone than join my pirate crew?

But it doesn't matter. The corners of Lin Feng's mouth lifted into a confident smile. One day, I'll make you willingly become my crewmate!

The sea wind roared and fluttered Lin Feng's clothes. Standing at the bow, he gazed firmly into the distance, anticipation filling his eyes.