Chapter 225

Chapter 225

A dry cave on a sunken island? That was just too unnatural.

But with the patrol boat still cruising the nearby waters, the more secluded the hiding spot for the cursed black pearls, the better. This coral-covered opening was undoubtedly the perfect hiding place. He didn’t hesitate any longer, drawing his short blade from his waist and cautiously approaching the entrance.

The coral branches covering the opening were exceptionally hard, and hacking at them left only shallow marks and numbed his wrist. He adjusted his strategy, no longer blindly hacking away. Instead, he followed the natural gaps in the coral growth, using the tip of his blade to pry them loose. Where the coral joined the rock were relatively fragile. With a series of crisp cracking sounds, thick coral branches were snapped off and sank into the deep sea.

Evan moved carefully, trying to avoid making too much noise. At the same time, he had the butterfly doll keep watch on the surface, ready to signal if the patrol boat approached.

It took Evan nearly an hour to chisel an opening in the coral thicket just big enough for one person to squeeze through. The opening was pitch-black inside. The dry airflow became even more distinct, carrying a faint smell of earth, completely different from the salty moisture of the deep sea.

He secured the storage pouch to his body, let the rat doll lead the way, and followed closely behind, swam slowly into the opening.

The cave was deeper than he had imagined. The passage was narrow and winding, with cold, rough rocks on both sides covered in water droplets. As Evan swam, his body occasionally brushed against the rocks, making soft thuds that echoed through the silent cave. He could feel the current around him slowing down, and the icy seawater seemed to be warming slightly.

After about another few dozen meters, the passage suddenly widened. Then, something strange happened—the water around him started to pull back!

At first, the water just grew shallower under his feet, but soon, as if an invisible force was pulling it back, it flowed backward along the passage, exposing dry, bluish-black stone.

Startled, Evan stopped moving. Without the water's buoyancy, his feet settled firmly on the rock surface. He took a breath instinctively and found the air surprisingly fresh, with a very high oxygen content. It didn't feel like an underwater cave at all—the air was actually milder than Pearl Island's seaside air.

He raised his hand and touched the rock beside him. It was dry and rough, with no hint of dampness, as if it had never been soaked in seawater.

The rat doll’s fluorescent glow illuminated the cave. It was a spacious circular chamber with a high ceiling, where dim light filtered through cracks in the ceiling.

Pale blue fluorescent moss grew on the cave walls, casting the entire space in a hazy, mysterious glow. Scattered on the ground were small pebbles and dried plant roots, clear signs that life had once existed here.

Evan walked to the center of the chamber, spread his arms, and took a few deep breaths. The fresh air eased the tightness in his chest considerably.

He told the rat doll to brighten its glow, then started examining the cave. Faint carvings on the walls looked like ancient totems. The patterns were twisted and strange, impossible to make out.

On the far side, a narrower passage leading into deeper darkness. The dry airflow was coming from deep within that passage.

"What other secrets could be hidden here?" Evan’s curiosity grew stronger.

He had only intended to find a place to hide the cursed black pearls, but he'd stumbled upon such a strange cave.

Evan gripped his short blade and signaled the rat doll to max brightness and cautiously stepped into the narrow passage. It was even more cramped than the previous one, only wide enough to squeeze through sideways. The rocks felt warm to the touch, not cold like near the entrance.

The ground gradually became flatter, with fewer scattered pebbles. Instead, there was a thin layer of soft, leaf-litter-like material that rustled faintly underfoot.

The deeper he went, the denser the pale blue fluorescent moss became, and the brighter the illumination. The wall carvings grew denser and more complex—some looked like swimming fish, others circling seabirds, and still others twisted human figures in eerie poses, as if performing some mysterious ritual. Evan slowed his pace, his eyes sweeping over the carvings, his confusion growing—this sunken island seemed to hold an untold history.

After another hundred meters, the passage opened up. A warm breeze carrying a faint vegetal scent rushed toward him, completely different from the deep-sea atmosphere outside or the earthy smell of the cave. Evan looked up and was stunned by the sight.

Ahead was an even larger circular space. Somehow, enough light streamed in from above, illuminating the entire area. In the very center stood a strange tree about two stories high. Its trunk was a pale golden color, smooth as jade, with branches spreading outward like unfurled wings.

Each branch bore translucent, willow-like leaves that glowed soft yellow, like tiny scattered stars. The light filled the space with warmth and brightness.

"A glowing tree..." Evan murmured unconsciously, his feet moving forward on their own. He'd never seen such a bizarre plant, especially in a cave deep within a sunken island. The existence of this tree was even more incredible than the dry cave itself.

As he got closer, Evan noticed a single red fruit hanging from the tip of a branch.

The fruit was fist-sized, bright red with a glossy surface, like a fine ruby. It stood out strikingly against the soft yellow light of the leaves.

A faint, pure spiritual energy surrounded the fruit—a stark contrast to the cursed aura of the black pearls.

The moment he saw the glowing tree and the red fruit, a blurry memory flashed in Evan's mind.

He quickly pulled a tightly wrapped oilpaper package from his pocket—inside was the old sailor's diary he'd found at a junk shop in Sheffield. He'd bought it cheap on a whim and glanced through a few pages in his spare time, never expecting it to come in handy now.

He carefully unfolded the oilpaper and took out the yellowed, brittle diary. He flipped through the pages quickly, his fingers tracing over the rough paper. Soon he found the relevant entry. The handwriting was scrawled and the ink faded, but it was still readable: "August 8, [XX]. Strong wind.

The captain still hasn't come back. I was too hungry to sleep, so I went deeper into the cave. I don’t know how long I walked before even my torch went out. Just when I thought I was going to die here, I saw a glowing tree. There were some red fruits on it. Just one was enough to kill my hunger. I picked all the fruits from the tree and brought them back."

Hill Bird, the sailor who was stranded on this island, had eaten the red fruits from this glowing tree. The diary clearly stated that the fruit could alleviate hunger and restore strength. Moreover, Hill Bird survived after eating them, proving the fruit was not only safe but also held strange energy.

He looked up at the single red fruit on the tree again, a suspicion forming in his mind. Hill Bird must have picked all the fruit to survive when he drifted here. This one fruit had grown again after his departure, the only one produced by the miraculous glowing tree in all these years.

Evan walked slowly under the tree, looking up at the red fruit carefully.

The fruit’s fragrance drifted on the warm air, a light, sweet scent that was refreshing and revived his weary spirit.

He could clearly sense that the fruit contained a pure, gentle energy that resonated with the airflow in the cave, nourishing the surrounding environment.

The rat doll jumped to the base of the tree, circled the trunk, and pointed a small claw at the red fruit, sending a spiritual signal meaning "safe."

The butterfly doll also flew in from the deep passage and landed on a low branch, its light blue wings interweaving with the tree’s pale yellow glow, creating a strange halo.

Evan reached out a hand, stopping just an inch from the fruit.

After a moment of hesitation, Evan’s curiosity about the unknown power of the fruit ultimately overcame him. He also thought it might give him an extra chance to protect himself in the dangers ahead. He stood on his tiptoes, his fingertips gently touching the red fruit. The skin was delicate and warm, with a slight heat, contrasting with the surrounding air.

With a slight twist, the fruit detached from the branch. It was heavy in his hand, carrying a subtle sweetness. Without further thought, Evan opened his mouth and took a small bite. The flesh was fine and juicy, melting instantly in his mouth. There was no intense sweetness, but rather a crisp, mellow flavor that slid down his throat, leaving a faint aftertaste.

Almost as soon as the pulp entered his stomach, a warm current suddenly spread from his abdomen, like melting snow in spring, rapidly flowing through his limbs and bones. Evan instinctively closed his eyes, feeling the flow of warmth—it first embraced his internal organs, bringing a comfortable warmth, then coursed through his veins toward his limbs. The lingering aches, like frost driven away by the sun, vanished instantly.

The fatigue from diving and cutting coral quickly faded. His body became light and strong, as if every cell had been awakened and filled with vitality. Evan stretched his limbs. There was no stiffness in his joints, and he felt even more relaxed than when he had been in peak condition. He could clearly feel that the tightness in his chest had completely disappeared, his breathing smoother. Each inhalation brought fresh air into his lungs, nourishing every part of his body.

"Incredible..." Evan opened his eyes, filled with astonishment. The effect of this fruit was even more remarkable than what Hill Bird had recorded in his diary. It not only alleviated hunger but also thoroughly repaired the body’s fatigue and damage.

But even more wonderful changes were yet to come. As Evan marveled at the lightness of his body, an even purer and gentler force separated from the warm current. Like a small stream, it flowed directly toward his heart.

This force was different from the previous warmth, possessing a resilient texture. Upon touching his heart, it took root instantly, like a seed falling into fertile soil.

Evan could clearly feel this force settling around his heart, like a gentle net wrapping around it. It brought no discomfort; instead, it made his heartbeat steadier and stronger. Each pulse drove this energy to circulate slightly, nourishing all the blood vessels in his body. It was a wonderful sensation, as if this force had always belonged to his body, now simply returning, merging completely with his heart, inseparable.

He placed his hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and the warmth of the force rooted within it. This power was not violent but exceptionally stable, calming his mind—tense from the series of dangers—and bringing profound peace.

The rat doll jumped onto his shoulder, patting his cheek with its small paw, sending a spiritual signal of "safe and comfortable." The butterfly doll circled above his head, its wing beats becoming gentler, as if also rejoicing in the changes in his body.

Evan looked again at the glowing tree. Now empty of fruit, the pale golden trunk and luminous leaves still radiated their soft light. The surrounding air seemed fresher and milder after the fruit’s harvesting.

He felt as if a faint connection had been established between himself and the tree—unclear, yet real.

He looked down at the half-eaten fruit in his hand and finished it without hesitation.

This time, no new power surged. Only the comfort in his body intensified, and the force rooted in his heart grew more stable. Evan moved his hands and feet, feeling the brimming energy within him, filled with gratitude—fortunately, he had chosen to pick this fruit, or he would never have gained such an astonishing reward.

"Did Hill Bird survive on this kind of fruit back then?" Evan muttered, his curiosity about Hill Bird’s experience growing.