Ye Yu's rationality was screaming warnings: This is a trap, the temptation of Gluttony! Once he started, he might sink into an endless abyss of gluttony!
Yet his primal instincts drove him forward. Suppressing the nearly uncontrollable urge with great difficulty, he averted his gaze. Here, his desire to eat was amplified infinitely, and he remained in a perpetual state of starvation.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Yu sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and tried to suppress the overwhelming hunger with sheer willpower. However, the aromas of food permeated the air—the sizzling sound of roasted suckling pig fat dripping, the bubbling of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, the crackling of grilled meat—all of it seeped into his mind like a haunting melody.
Time crawled by in the face of extreme temptation and desperate resistance, each second an agony.
Beads of sweat formed on Ye Yu's forehead, his muscles tense from restraint. Over and over, he repeated in his mind: This is an illusion! Don't eat! If you eat, you lose! Your comrades are still waiting outside!
After what felt like an eternity, the maddening hunger seemed to recede slightly—not from satisfaction, but from being temporarily suppressed. Just as Ye Yu was about to exhale in relief—
The scene on the long table refreshed instantly!
The roasted suckling pig transformed into a whole lamb roast, exuding rich spices, its skin crispy and the meat tender and juicy inside.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was replaced by a massive pot of Sichuan Water Boiled Fish, its red oil boiling fiercely, dotted with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, its domineering aroma assaulting the senses.
The Wagyu beef sashimi turned into ultra-fresh Hokkaido sea urchin sashimi arranged in the shape of a peony, its golden roe exuding the sweetness of the ocean.
New additions appeared beside them: Sichuan Hot Pot, the uniquely fragrant Tom Yum Soup, and a Chicago Deep Dish Pizza layered with melted cheese…
A whole new array of regionally iconic dishes, with even more intense aromas and visual impact, instantly reignited Ye Yu's hunger—stronger than ever before!
And then, a bowl of instant noodles with a single sausage appeared right before his eyes, nearly breaking his resolve.
"Why resist?" The seductive voice spoke again, laced with feigned concern and persuasion. "A man is iron, food is steel. How can you fight without eating? How can you protect anything? Look at these delicacies—they are innocent. Enjoying them is a natural right! You're so powerful, yet you deny yourself even the most basic appetite? Eat… Eat them, and you'll regain your strength. Only then can you continue your journey…"
Ye Yu's throat convulsed violently, his eyes locked onto the boiling red oil of the Water Boiled Fish. His mouth seemed to already taste the numbing, spicy, umami-rich flavor, and his stomach roared in protest once more.
Clenching his fists, his nails nearly digging into his palms, he used the pain to keep himself grounded.
"Get… lost!" He forced the words through gritted teeth, shutting his eyes again and channeling his Conqueror's Haki at full power, trying to dispel the all-consuming temptation of appetite.
But the power of Gluttony seemed specifically tailored to prey on primal instincts—the deterrent effect of Conqueror's Haki was far weaker than when facing Pride or Wrath. The hunger clung to him like a persistent parasite, eroding his will bit by bit.
The scene refreshed once more!
This time, the table was dominated by an ocean of desserts.
A massive cake drenched in rich chocolate sauce.
Towers of delicate macarons, vibrant in color, exuding the sweet aroma of almonds and jam.
A colossal parfait glass layered with thick cream and fresh strawberries.
Crème brûlée oozing caramel and adorned with gold leaf.
A mountain of freshly baked, steaming croissants, their buttery fragrance wafting through the air…
The atmosphere was saturated with an overwhelmingly sweet scent, so intoxicating it could make one forget all their troubles, luring them into this blissful Land of Gentle Delights.
The temptation of sweets was an attack on another level—one that targeted the brain's pleasure center. The seductive voice grew thick and syrupy, like honey:
"Look… life is already so hard, battles so brutal… why not be kind to yourself? Just a little sweetness can soothe a weary soul. This isn't indulgence—it's a reward, a small comfort in a bitter journey. Just a taste… just one bite… no one will know… Doesn't such a tiny happiness deserve to be yours?"
Ye Yu's willpower visibly wavered. The prolonged, extreme hunger had been a grueling test, both physically and mentally. The allure of happiness offered by sweets now felt especially lethal. A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes as his body involuntarily leaned forward, as if pulled by the sugary fragrance.
Outside, aboard the Tyrant Feather Pirate Ship.
Sixteen hours had passed. The center of the black-and-red mist now exuded an eerie, stagnant calm.
Xia Ling's expression darkened. "Something's wrong… the Captain's presence… it's weakening! Not from injury—it's like his vitality is draining away!"
Zhang Tian paled, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. "Captain… what's happening to him?"
Xiao Ke and the others wore grave expressions.
"The Captain has to pull through…"
...
Inside the Mystic Realm, Ye Yu's hand moved almost involuntarily toward the nearest slice of cake. His fingertips hovered just an inch away from the dripping chocolate glaze. The cloying sweetness seemed to materialize into hooks, tugging at his resolve.
"Just one bite… just a tiny one… it won't hurt…" Even his own mind seemed to whisper in surrender. The relentless torment of hunger had pushed the temptation to its peak.
Just as his fingers were about to make contact—
Buzz!
A resistance surged from the depths of his soul.
Ye Yu's outstretched hand froze abruptly before clenching into a tight fist.
"I can't eat it. If I start, I won't be able to stop."
Ye Yu knew—even a single bite would break his endurance.
In the next instant, an unimaginable scorching heat descended.
It was as if he had been thrown into a boiling furnace. The air warped like liquid, each breath searing his throat and lungs. The ground beneath his feet turned blistering hot, the heat penetrating his soles—enough to fry an egg.
Sweat evaporated the moment it surfaced, leaving behind stinging salt. Ye Yu felt like meat roasting over charcoal, every inch of his skin screaming for relief.
Amid this torturous inferno, the endless banquet table refreshed once more.
This time, it wasn't steaming meats or sugary pastries—but a world of icy delicacies.
Snow-capped mountains piled high with ice cream of every flavor: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, matcha... exuding a sweet, icy fragrance.
Glistening, massive ice blocks emitting wisps of Cold Energy, frozen within them were crimson watermelon balls, emerald kiwi chunks, and golden mango cubes, like dazzling crystal amber.
Rows of tall glasses brimmed with colorful, bubbling iced juices and sodas—cola, Sprite, and various carbonated drinks.
Even towering ice cream sundaes drizzled with chocolate sauce and crushed nuts, and shaved ice mountains piled high with fresh fruits.
In that instant, Ye Yu's pupils constricted sharply—the horror of Gluttony was far greater than he had imagined.
(End of Chapter)