Chapter 23: The Life of Luffy, the Pirate King

As Jiang Ping continued on his journey, he realized that all the strange trees shared a noticeable commonality. He keenly observed that there might be a singular soul connecting these exotic trees from all over the world.

“Is it you? Transforming into all things, returning united after countless years?” Jiang Ping pondered thoughtfully.

From a distance, the booming sounds of the dock echoed as an intricately carved ship, resembling a wondrous beast, slowly approached.

Deep within the ocean lurked massive sea beasts, each imbued with extraordinary bloodlines and possessing unique powers. That’s why every grand ship was equipped with the latest alchemical cannons.

Time flowed steadily. Over the years, a young man wandered the world, and observant individuals noted that whenever he arrived, the local exotic trees would sway joyfully in the breeze.

Sometimes, this young man would leave behind small gifts. The fortunate ones who received these presents would rise with hope; their lives began to change dramatically.

Perhaps they would recover ancient relics from the sea or strike it rich in trade.

Gradually, legends about Jiang Ping began circulating across the world. In the verses recited on various streets, this mysterious young man was likened to the God of Luck, Bell, whose fortunate encounters would bring gifts of destiny, allowing those lucky enough to meet him to soar straight to success.

Among all these tales, the brightest star was the Pirate King, Lu Fei!

As a child, Lu Fei encountered the God of Luck, receiving divine blessings. He sneaked aboard a ship as a young boy, becoming a sailor, and within a year, he charmed a crew together.

His ship, the Golden Dragon, became legendary, equipped with twelve divine dragons of cannon and a hull infused with dragon blood, showcasing the pinnacle of alchemical craftsmanship.

With his crew, he traversed many continents, and the techniques of various kingdoms were condensed into his ship, making the Golden Dragon the essence of the Age of Exploration.

Lu Fei’s greatest achievement was sailing around the world! He set sail at the age of twenty-five and, after thirty-two years, finally returned to his homeland. The brothers he once had gathered were now few in number.

His footprints marked every corner of the earth. After the Great Cataclysm, Lu Fei became the first to fully explore the New World, mapping it out entirely! This single achievement assured his name would forever be etched in human history!

It is said that on the day of his return, the sea boiled, and monstrous waves rose to welcome the King of the Seas, as tens of thousands of auspicious sea beasts emerged to offer blessings to this legendary king.

The Kingdom of Humanity trembled, as the king himself came to the dock to greet him.

On the dock, a throng of people filled the square, the cacophony of voices overwhelming. Everyone wore expressions of astonishment while waiting for this historic moment! “I see it! The Dragon Ship!”

A loud shout ahead ignited the excitement at the dock, as nobles, lords, and common folk all stood on their toes to catch a glimpse.

A massive, battered ship raced into view, flying a fierce banner resembling a dragon, vibrant upon the backdrop.

A charismatic middle-aged man raised his sword high, illuminated by the brilliant sunset, embodying the World King! In that moment, the crowd erupted, with countless girls’ and women’s shrieks piercing the heavens, while fervent men jumped with enthusiasm! But no one noticed that Lu Fei held a green leaf pendant tightly around his neck.

After over thirty perilous years filled with trials and monsters, if not for this peculiar artifact gifted by a mysterious individual during his youth, he would have long been lost to the depths of the sea.

Lu Fei glanced back at the ocean, a hint of loneliness crossing his face. “I’ve traveled to the ends of the earth, crossed countless mountains and waters… yet I still cannot find you?”

Unfortunately, his words were drowned out by the celebrations all around him…

In the year 3658 of the New Humanity Chronicles, the legendary Pirate King Lu Fei rose to prominence. Blessed with an extraordinary childhood experience, he sought the lost artifact, the Spear of Destiny, exploring every corner of the New World, ultimately ending up empty-handed.

“Smack!”

Watching this historic moment, Jiang Ping smiled. He slowly opened Genesis and updated the second page yet again.

Chronicles of the Original Era: In this new epoch, Pirate King Lu Fei, blessed with serendipity, sought the legendary artifact, the Spear of Destiny, traversing the New World and drawing the first map of the new realm, ultimately yielding no gains.

“Not every effort bears fruit,” Jiang Ping murmured softly at the sight of the words “ultimately yielding no gains.”

He gazed at the Lu Fei in the center of the crowd, a man currently at the peak of his life. Each figure recorded in Genesis had significantly impacted the world, and without a doubt, Lu Fei was the protagonist of the Age of Exploration.

“Desperately searching for treasure, unsuspecting that you already possess it,” Jiang Ping chuckled as he observed Lu Fei, who still bore a trace of regret.

Lu Fei seemed to sense something. He abruptly turned to where Jiang Ping stood, but that direction was empty.

“Is it just my imagination? I couldn’t shake the feeling that I just glimpsed the God of Luck from my youth,” Lu Fei thought, bewildered by the throngs of people.

Jiang Ping leaped between realms, yawning widely. This time, his descent took considerably longer.

Hastily washing up, Jiang Ping prepared for sleep. As the Creator and Fashioner, he still had the grand duty of creating worlds, so he needed to take care of his health.

Jiang Ping lay down, but time in the Original World didn’t stop. Lu Fei, who embodied the spirit of adventure, settled back into his hometown for only a few days before the endless stream of visitors wore out his threshold. He called for his crew, preparing supplies to sail once more.

Many noble lords were puzzled about why Lu Fei, with riches, fame, and strength, continued to venture into perilous seas. After over thirty years of traveling around the world, he hadn’t returned empty-handed but had pieced together much of the lost ancient human history.

He discovered that divine treasures spanned the entirety of human history. Deep in the ocean, he once salvaged ancient murals dating back tens of thousands of years: the God of Dreams, the Human King’s dragon-slaying tale, and the epic of multitudes vying for supremacy. Another treasure had been lost in ancient times.

However, the Spear of Destiny was depicted in the last mural, handed directly to his subordinates by the last Human King, who perished while buying time for humanity’s retreat. Yet, the Spear of Destiny had already been taken from there! Lu Fei felt that he was merely a step away from this legendary artifact!

However, fate works in tandem with effort; luck cannot always free a hero.

After successfully circling the globe, it seemed he had exhausted his life’s luck. For several decades thereafter, even though every sea journey returned bountifully, he would uncover no further clues regarding the Spear of Destiny! Ultimately, it was not yet time for its emergence!

Fifty years later, the once-renowned Sea King had grown old. Lu Fei, now with white hair and weary muscles, was no longer the valiant hero of yesteryear.

Through the years, he had built a family, with children and grandchildren surrounding him. He cast a lingering glance back at his home, leaving behind the treasured green leaf that had impacted his entire life, and began gathering the few remaining brothers for one final, ultimate adventure!

“Grandpa, waah (;Д`) your health is failing! Why are you still going to sea?” His most beloved grandson rushed to persuade him, tears in his eyes.

“Ha ha!”

Lu Fei burst into laughter, affectionately lifting his grandson from his feet. “Fly’er, you should know that Grandpa has stood tall for a lifetime! I’ve faced countless monsters and never bowed low. If I must fall, I’d rather go out in a blaze of glory than die bedridden!”

Gently setting his grandson down, he spread his pure white cape. “Set sail!”

Looking at the group of old friends who had followed him for decades, he laughed heartily, “Let us old fools embark on our last great adventure!”

The old crew came voluntarily. Gazing at the captain who had led them for decades, they exchanged knowing glances and began to laugh madly. How could one ask for more than to follow such a king? Under the blazing dawn, the joyous Golden Dragon slowly sailed into the depths of the sea, never to return.

The wind whispered through the chilly waters; the brave depart, never to return.

Years later, sailors claim they still see the Golden Dragon drifting in the ocean.

Legendary Pirate King Lu Fei, alongside his valiant warriors, battled fierce sea beasts. Some even say that in his final moments, the Pirate King discovered the long-lost divine treasure.

Guided by the artifact, he piloted the Golden Dragon, leading his brothers along the magnificent celestial path to the realms beyond…

“Another era’s main character has fallen?”

A melancholic voice echoed from the depths of the earth.