Ye Yu surveyed the golden, glittering island that would drive the world mad with greed, his gaze as indifferent as if he were looking at a pile of worthless trash.
"The process is what truly brings enjoyment," Ye Yu murmured, his eyes sweeping over the breathtaking Phantom in the Crystal Pool without a trace of infatuation—only utter detachment.
"A so-called 'summit' with no challenge, no process, no meaning..." His voice suddenly sharpened, brimming with an arrogance that looked down upon all and an absolute confidence in his own path. "Is this even worthy of stirring greed in Ye Yu? Is this worthy of making me abandon the path I've chosen—one filled with unknowns and challenges?! To me, that is what makes it interesting."
Buzz—!!!
No explosive power was needed. It was simply his pure, absolute conviction in his own path and his complete rejection of the "temptation" before him. An invisible yet overwhelming force of will, like a raging undercurrent beneath calm waters, erupted and spread outward.
Crack… Crack…
Centered around Ye Yu, the golden sand beneath his feet began to fracture inch by inch. The mountains of treasures piled around him rapidly lost their luster like sand sculptures weathered by time, crumbling into dust.
The hovering Pluto Battleship emitted a piercing screech of twisting metal, its massive hull cracking apart as if crushed by an invisible giant hand! The "Sea King" in the Crystal Pool let out a soundless scream, its beautiful form distorting violently like a reflection in water before dissipating entirely!
The bewildered Groundhog Exotic Beasts didn't even have time to scream before they, along with everything around them, vanished into nothingness.
The entire Summit Island, constructed by the rules of greed, shattered and disappeared in an instant under the sheer force of Ye Yu's conviction and will.
The Greed Gate—shattered!
At that very moment, the fifth trial appeared. A gray, hazy Sloth Mist descended soundlessly, instantly swallowing Ye Yu's figure.
Sloth!
Unlike the suffocating pressure of wealth in the greed trial or the scorching, all-consuming Magma of the wrath trial, this "Sloth" mist was gentle, warm, and carried a drowsy, sweet fragrance.
It was like the most comfortable down blanket, the softest lullaby, seeping into every pore, every nerve of Ye Yu's body.
In an instant, Ye Yu felt all his strength quietly slipping away under the influence of this gentle mist.
The gray mist before him gradually dispersed, revealing a sudden change in scenery.
No longer was he in a treacherous Mystic Realm or a boiling Lava Sea. Instead, he lay on a pristine, pearl-white beach. Above him stretched a clear blue sky without a single cloud, the sunlight warm but not harsh. A soft sea breeze brushed against his cheeks, carrying the salty, refreshing scent of the ocean.
Beneath him was an incredibly soft and comfortable beach chair, perfectly conforming to the curves of his body. On a small table beside him sat a glass of freshly squeezed juice, chilled to perfection, with glistening condensation forming on the glass. Next to it were several plates of exquisitely arranged fruit, looking like works of art, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air.
What truly shook him, however, was the sight of his companions nearby, their faces filled with unprecedented relaxation and joy.
Zhang Tian, dressed in an adorable swimsuit, was crouched not far away, using her fair fingers to carefully draw something in the sand. The sunlight spilled over her smooth hair, casting a warm golden halo. Occasionally, she would look up and flash Ye Yu a shy yet sweet smile, her eyes pure and untainted by any impurities.
Xia Ling, on the other hand, lounged lazily on another beach chair, her ice-blue hair casually splayed out. Wearing sunglasses, she rested one arm behind her head while holding a cold drink in the other, her red lips parting slightly as the straw emitted a soft hiss.
Her long, well-proportioned legs were crossed, gleaming with a healthy sheen under the sun, her entire body radiating a carefree ease and contentment, as if all her defenses had melted away. She even tilted her head toward Ye Yu, raising her glass with a relaxed, cheerful smirk. "Little Yu, what're you spacing out for? The sun and sea breeze here are practically heaven."
Everything was so perfect, so peaceful, so… intoxicating.
No ferocious Sea Beasts, no treacherous Mystic Realms, no enemies lurking in the shadows, no looming threat of the Marines arriving in three years. Only warm sunlight, gentle sea breezes, sweet fruit juice, and the carefree smiles of his companions.
"Stay…"
A voice, as tender as a mother's and as intimate as a lover's, rippled directly across the surface of Ye Yu's heart, carrying an irresistible allure.
"Why go through those storms again? Why face those life-and-death battles? Look how happy your companions are—they don't need to fight, don't need to take risks, only to bask in this eternal peace and happiness."
"You're tired, Ye Yu. Ever since the world changed, you've been fighting, scheming, bearing burdens. Your nerves are stretched too tight. Relax… This is the end. This is the most perfect home."
"Put down your blade, shed your responsibilities, forget your goals… Just lie here, enjoy the sun, the sea breeze, the company of your friends… Isn't this true happiness?"
"The outside world is too cruel. Stay. Here, there's only tranquility and beauty…"
The voice was full of temptation, each word piercing precisely into Ye Yu's deepest longing for a moment of respite. The power of the gray mist seemed to seep deeper with every syllable, attempting to dissolve his will entirely in this paradise of comfort.
Ye Yu could even feel his eyelids growing heavy, the fingers gripping Black Blade Night loosening slightly. A thought—"Maybe this is fine, too"—began to sprout and coil like seaweed in his mind.
Everyone has moments of laziness—when waking up and not wanting to rise, wanting only to sleep longer. Here, that laziness was amplified at an alarming rate.
Reality—Tyrant Feather Pirate Ship.
Eight hours had passed. The black-red mist showed no signs of dissipating. Instead, at its core, a thicker, stickier gray fog surged like a massive, drowsy cocoon, completely sealing away everything within.
"That gray mist... it's so eerie!" Zhang Tian clutched the ship's railing tightly, her fingertips turning white from the pressure, her small face filled with anxiety. "The Captain... could he be trapped inside? I can't sense any battle fluctuations—that mist... it's as still as stagnant water!"
The Cold Energy around Xia Ling nearly froze the air itself. She stared fixedly at the gray mist, her ice-blue eyes filled with unprecedented gravity and worry. "It's terrifyingly quiet... more unsettling than any fluctuations we've felt before. This sensation... it's like being completely enveloped by something soft and spongy, swallowing all vitality."
She recalled the fiery determination in Ye Yu's eyes before he entered—now forming a heart-wrenching contrast with the deathly stillness of that gray mist.
Xiao Ke clenched his fists and said solemnly, "Have faith in the Captain!"
(End of Chapter)