This time, many Chosen Ones across the world were genuinely afraid and dared not form alliances.
From Ye Yu's perspective, for the next period, it was unlikely anyone would dare to provoke or target him. If any danger or difficulty arose, it would likely come from other sources—such as Mystic Realms, powerful Sea Beasts, or Ferocious Beasts—rather than Pirates.
Currently, neither he nor the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew were invincible. Indeed, facing more alliances targeting them would be troublesome. However, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew could also form alliances with others if they wished.
Thus, even if some remained unafraid, they knew forming alliances was no longer viable. Their only choice was to strive for self-improvement, believing that Ability Users held greater potential.
Only Yang Luo remained steadfast in his belief that Non-Ability Users could be just as strong in the later stages. Yet, in his heart, he could only pray.
"I hope they're right. I hope Ability Users truly have the greatest potential, and that Fruits are the true path to power—not one's own strength and Haki."
Though this belief worked against him, there was no other choice. Otherwise, Ye Yu would continue to dominate overwhelmingly, leaving them with no hope in sight.
Yang Luo sighed. "Forget it. I'll just wait for an opportunity—perhaps when they face other dangers, and I can profit from their misfortune."
Wang Quanshi made arrangements. "Let's not dwell on this now. The most urgent matter is to get as far away as possible. If the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew catches up or sets their sights on us, we'll be in grave danger."
Soon, they chose to stick together, not daring to travel alone, and quickly distanced themselves from these waters. They even ignored islands with treasure chests or powerful Sea Beasts, focusing solely on their escape. Any thought of self-improvement now would be nothing short of suicidal.
Meanwhile, after resting for an hour, Ye Yu felt much better.
In the next instant, a flash of light filled his vision. When his sight cleared, he found himself standing in a breathtakingly beautiful estate. The third trial had finally begun.
Before him stood a luxurious villa, its cream-white walls paired with a red pointed roof, exuding European elegance. Surrounding the villa was a smooth running track, beyond which lay meticulously trimmed lawns and vibrant flower beds. The air carried a faint floral fragrance, as if he had stepped into a paradise on earth. Yet Ye Yu knew that beneath this seemingly idyllic scenery lay a formidable challenge.
The instructions echoed clearly: the task for this trial was to complete 1,000 push-ups, 1,000 sit-ups, 1,000 squats, and a 100-kilometer run within a single day—all while being forbidden from entering the villa to rest.
Of course, it wouldn't be that simple. The track bore a special gravitational force, making every step and every movement several times heavier than usual.
Ye Yu took a deep breath, refusing to be lured by the villa's comforts. Inside, the fridge stood open, stocked with chilled drinks and fresh fruits. In the living room, an alluring Exotic Beast maid—the beautiful Tiger-Ear Girl—stood waiting. Her figure was exquisite, her attire minimal, her waist slender, and her curves ample. She gazed at him with a captivating smile.
Her fluffy ears twitched occasionally, radiating a unique charm. But Ye Yu knew these were all distractions. Stepping outside, he began his challenge, starting with push-ups.
Under the force of gravity, each push-up was excruciatingly difficult, as if a massive mountain were pressing down on his back. After just a few hundred, Ye Yu was already drenched in sweat, with bean-sized droplets rolling down his forehead and splattering onto the track. Yet without the slightest hesitation, he gritted his teeth and continued one after another. As time passed, his arms began to tremble, his breathing grew ragged, and each upward push required every ounce of his strength.
After finishing the push-ups, Ye Yu took a brief moment to adjust before starting sit-ups. By now, his abdomen ached with soreness, but he told himself he couldn't stop. One, two… His clothes became soaked with sweat, his vision gradually blurred, yet the conviction in his heart only grew stronger.
When he reached 500 sit-ups, the surrounding environment suddenly changed. The previously pleasant temperature rapidly soared, soon reaching a hundred degrees. The scorching heat made Ye Yu feel as if he were trapped inside a furnace—his skin burned with pain, and each breath seared his lungs. His throat was parched to the point of smoking, every swallow accompanied by sharp agony. Yet at this very moment, Tiger-Ear Girl appeared, kneeling at the villa's entrance with a fruit platter and drinks, smiling as she coaxed, "Rest now, come inside. There's air conditioning. After eating some fruit, we can go to bed together. You must be exhausted."
Ye Yu's heart trembled—the temptation was overwhelming. His body craved the cool relief and comfort, longed for even a moment's respite. But he knew that stepping into that villa would mean failure. Clenching his teeth, he shook his head fiercely and continued his sit-ups. Sweat poured endlessly, dripping onto the blistering track and evaporating instantly into steam.
After barely completing 1,000 sit-ups, Ye Yu immediately moved on to squats. By now, his legs felt as heavy as if filled with lead, each squat demanding tremendous effort. The extreme heat persisted, rapidly draining his stamina, and his consciousness began to waver. Yet through sheer willpower, he persevered step by step.
When night fell, the scorching heat vanished abruptly, replaced by an extreme cold of minus sixty degrees. The freezing air felt like countless tiny knives slicing into Ye Yu's skin. His body trembled uncontrollably, his teeth chattering. Tiger-Ear Girl appeared again, just as gentle as before, urging him to come inside and rest—even suggesting they indulge in some intimate activities after eating and drinking.
A wave of doubt surged in Ye Yu's heart; he felt on the verge of collapse. But at that moment, he remembered all the hardships he'd endured to reach this point—wavering now would render it all meaningless. Roaring inwardly, he thought, This trial tests not just physical endurance but also mental resolve. I absolutely cannot give up!
Forcing himself to endure the cold and exhaustion, Ye Yu continued his squats. One after another, his movements grew slower, yet he never stopped. Finally, he completed 1,000 squats. By then, he had exhausted every last ounce of strength—but a 100-kilometer run still awaited him.
Ye Yu dragged his heavy steps as he began his long run. In the freezing cold, his muscles had stiffened, each step feeling as if he were treading on cotton—weak and powerless. His vision blurred, leaving him to rely on instinct to keep moving forward. The voice of Tiger-Ear Girl occasionally whispered in his ear, tempting him to give up, but he remained unmoved.
As time passed, Ye Yu felt his life slowly slipping away, yet his conviction stood like a lighthouse in the darkness, illuminating his path forward. He kept encouraging himself, step by step, pushing toward the finish line.
Finally, just before dawn, with only one minute left before the day ended, Ye Yu completed the last kilometer. Exhausting his final ounce of strength, he collapsed to the ground. He was grateful he had endured—had he rested, he would never have finished. And once he rested, he would have grown dependent on delay, wanting to indulge in comfort.
When Ye Yu opened his eyes again, he had already left that manor and was lying aboard the Tyrant Feather Pirate Ship, meaning he had been out for some time.
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