The Desert Kingdom
The Gale slowly sailed into Alabasta's coastal waters, and the sea breeze carrying heat waves rushed at them face-on, completely different from the previous coolness on the ocean.
Lin Feng stood at the bow, looking far into the distance, and saw endless yellow sand and azure seawater intertwine, forming a peculiar sight.
The rolling heat waves seemed to evaporate the air entirely, and wherever his sight could reach, there was nothing but a desolate scene.
"Is this Alabasta?"
Lin Feng muttered to himself, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.
Recalling the plot of One Piece, Ace should meet Luffy here.
"I wonder if I'll be able to meet them?"
The corners of Lin Feng's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a smile of anticipation.
Bart behind him furrowed his brows tightly, evidently feeling uncomfortable with this scorching environment.
Bart was used to the coolness of the sea, and this desert heat wave was a completely new challenge for him.
"Bart, how do you feel?"
Lin Feng turned his head, looked at Bart, and asked with concern.
"A bit hot."
Bart was sparing with his words, but his tone carried a hint of discomfort.
"Haha, this is just the beginning; it'll get even hotter ahead."
Lin Feng said with a smile, patting Bart on the shoulder.
"Let's go, we'll find a place to dock first."
Lin Feng activated the system's cruise-autopilot function, and under the system's control, the Gale slowly sailed toward a concealed coastline.
After finishing the docking, Lin Feng set up a guard to prevent unnecessary trouble.
The two stepped onto the land of Alabasta, and the scorching sand grains instantly transmitted a burning sensation through the soles of their shoes.
"This temperature could basically fry eggs."
Lin Feng couldn't help but complain, waves of burning sensations transmitting from the soles of his feet.
As for Bart, he silently followed behind Lin Feng without uttering a word, his brows only furrowing tighter.
The two penetrated deep into the desert, the scorching sunlight shining down without any obstruction, making one feel waves of dizziness.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came, and a group of desert lizards darted out from behind a sand dune.
These lizards were extremely fast, possessed strong venom, and opened their blood-pumping jaws as they lunged toward Lin Feng and Bart.
"Watch out!"
Lin Feng let out a low shout, his figure flashing as he executed Soru, instantly dodging the lizards' attack.
"One Sword Style: Iai Slash!"
The Demon God in Lin Feng's hand instantly unholstered, a cold flash swept past, and several lizards were sliced into two halves.
[Ding! Target slain, reward Slash Points +1!]
The system's prompt tone rang out in Lin Feng's mind.
As for Bart, he displayed powerful defensive capabilities, taking the lizards' attacks head-on with a body like steel; the lizards' poisonous fangs were completely unable to pierce his skin.
The two cooperated tacitly, quickly resolving this group of lizards.
"These lizards are actually quite fast."
Lin Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke.
"Mn." Bart let out an acknowledgment, his expression still cold and stern.
The two continued to trek laboriously through the desert, discovering the ruins of an abandoned caravan along the way.
Various goods and skeletons were scattered about, indicating that a fierce battle had once taken place here.
Lin Feng rummaged through the ruins and discovered a tattered map.
The map seemed to mark some mysterious location, arousing his curiosity.
"This map looks somewhat interesting."
Lin Feng held the map and examined it closely.
"What is drawn on it?"
Bart walked over and asked.
"I don't know, but it looks like a treasure map."
Lin Feng said with a smile.
"A treasure map?" Bart wore a puzzled expression.
"Haha, just kidding, but the place on this map might hold some secret after all." Lin Feng said.
Guided by the tattered map, the two found an oasis hidden beneath a sand dune.
Lush date palms grew in the oasis, and clear spring water gurgled past, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding desolate scene.
"This place really is a good spot."
Lin Feng sighed in admiration, looking at the scene before him, his mood immediately becoming much more relaxed.
The two rested in the oasis, replenishing water and food.
The cool spring water washed away the fatigue on their bodies, making Lin Feng feel refreshed and invigorated.
"This water is really sweet."
Lin Feng took a sip of the spring water and said with a smile.
"Mn." Bart also took a drink of water and nodded.
The two rested in the oasis for a while, recovering their physical strength.
At that moment, a young girl wearing tattered clothes walked over cautiously.
"You... are you outsiders?" The girl asked timidly.
Lin Feng sized up the girl before him; she was in rags and her face carried a hint of timidity, but a trace of stubbornness was revealed within her gaze.
"Yeah, we came from the sea."
Lin Feng said with a smile.
"My name is Kali; you can call me Kali." The girl said, her tone carrying a hint of tension.
"Hello, Kali. My name is Lin Feng, and his name is Bart." Lin Feng said.
"You... what did you come to Alabasta for?" Kali asked.
"We came to travel, and by the way, to see this world." Lin Feng said with a smile.
"Travel?" Kali wore a puzzled expression. "Alabasta is very dangerous right now; you'd better leave this place."
"Dangerous? Why?" Lin Feng asked.
"Alabasta is fighting a war right now. The King's Army and the Rebel Army are locked in a fierce battle, and the common people are living in dire straits."
Kali said, a trace of sorrow carrying in her tone.
"Rebel Army? Who is their leader?" Lin Feng asked.
"The leader of the Rebel Army is a mysterious figure named Crocodile. He possesses powerful strength and is manipulating everything from the shadows." Kali said.
"Crocodile?" Lin Feng was startled, thinking inwardly, That guy Crocodile really is pitiful.
"Clearly very strong, yet he runs into the protagonist group right at the start and gets beaten by Luffy, and later in the Paramount War he can go even-steven with just about anyone. Truly interesting." Lin Feng couldn't help complaining.
"You... do you know Crocodile?" Kali asked in surprise.
"Don't know him, just heard his name." Lin Feng said with a smile.
"You... you'd better leave this place; it's very dangerous here." Kali advised once more.
"Thank you, Kali. We'll be careful." Lin Feng said with a smile.
"You... you guys must be careful." After saying that, Kali turned and left.
Lin Feng watched Kali's departing back, a trace of contemplation flashing through his gaze.
"Alabasta seems even more complicated than imagined." Lin Feng said in a low voice, his words blown away by the wind.
"Lin Feng, where are we going next?" Standing off to the side, Bart asked in a rough voice.
"Since we've come, we can't make the trip for nothing." The corners of Lin Feng's mouth curved up, revealing a smile. "Let's go take a look at Nanohana first."
Lin Feng calculated inwardly; Nanohana port was precisely the place where Ace and Luffy first met.
"I wonder if we'll run into them there." Lin Feng muttered to himself, his voice very light.
"Mn." Bart responded with a muffled sound.
Lin Feng stepped forward, walking in the direction of Nanohana.
Bart silently followed behind, his heavy boots treading on the sandy ground and producing dull thuds.
The scorching wind carried sand grains, lashing against the two of them.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes, gazing into the distance, as an inexplicable anticipation welled up in his heart.