Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

Cheng Yu crashed heavily to the ground, his body feeling as if it had fallen apart, every bone screaming in pain. He felt his consciousness fading, the blood flowing from his head soaking his fur, turning his once warm yellow into a shocking dark red. He slightly raised his head, his vision blurred, only able to vaguely see his white-haired self approaching him step by step.

"Is it really... over?" A deep despair welled up in Cheng Yu's heart. Could he really defeat this god-like being? This... this was simply impossible...

"Cough cough..." Thinking of this, Cheng Yu coughed again in frustration, a mouthful of blood gushing from the corner of his mouth, staining the water beneath him red. And his white-haired self had already arrived in front of him. Countless powerful tentacles extended from the white-haired Cheng Yu's body, quickly coiling him up and bringing him to the white-haired Cheng Yu's front.

Cheng Yu's chin was lifted by a cold, sticky tentacle, forcing him to look into the eyes of the white-haired Cheng Yu. Those eyes were filled with mockery and derision, as if looking at a dying ant. "Want to continue, Cheng Yu?" the white-haired Cheng Yu's voice rang in Cheng Yu's ear, tinged with amusement and cruelty.

The white-haired Cheng Yu indicated that the force exerted by the tentacles was still increasing, and Cheng Yu felt as if the bones in his body were about to be crushed. His breathing became increasingly difficult, and his consciousness became increasingly blurred. The shadow of death loomed over him, as if he would completely lose consciousness in the next second.

At that critical moment, a photograph suddenly shot out of Cheng Yu's pocket. The photograph, gleaming with dazzling golden light, severed all the tentacles binding Cheng Yu with incredible speed and power in an instant!

"This..." Cheng Yu was stunned. He stared blankly at the shattered and vanished photograph, his mind filled with confusion. "What... what exactly happened?" He didn't remember possessing such immense power.

Having regained his freedom, Cheng Yu quickly retreated, trying to distance himself from the white-haired Cheng Yu. However, he was too weak; he hadn't even taken a few steps before collapsing to the ground, powerless. He felt as if all the strength in his body had been completely drained, making even moving a finger incredibly difficult.

"Who...who exactly are you?" Cheng Yu asked breathlessly, his voice weak and hoarse.

"Who am I? Hahahaha!" White-haired Cheng Yu laughed loudly, "I am you, Cheng Yu! I am the truest part of your heart, the embodiment of your desire for power, your desire to transcend everything!"

“No…you’re not me…” Cheng Yu shook his head, trying to refute, but felt powerless. “I…I would never be like you…”

"Is that so? Then tell me, why are you here? Why do you possess such great power? Why... do you yearn to defeat me?" The white-haired Cheng Yu pressed closer, his voice echoing in Cheng Yu's mind like a curse.

"I..." Cheng Yu was speechless; he didn't know how to answer. He only knew that he had to defeat the guy in front of him to return to the real world and protect his companions.

"Give up, Cheng Yu." The white-haired Cheng Yu's voice rang out again, "Accept me, and you will gain eternal power; you will become a true god!"

"No...I...I won't give up..." Cheng Yu gritted his teeth, trying to stand up, but his body felt as heavy as lead.

"What are you still insisting on? Look at yourself now, what right do you have to oppose me?" Bai Mao Chengyu's voice was full of sarcasm.

"I..." Cheng Yu lowered his head, looking at his body covered in wounds, his heart filled with bitterness. Yes, in his current state, what right did he have to fight against his opponent?

"Give up, Cheng Yu, accept your fate." The white-haired Cheng Yu's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of temptation. "As long as you are willing to accept me, you will get everything you want."

"I...I really...can I do it?" Cheng Yu's heart began to waver. He didn't know if he could hold on any longer.

“Of course.” Bai Mao Cheng Yu’s voice was full of seduction. “Come on, Cheng Yu, come into my arms, and together we will become the masters of this world!”

"Dominate...the world?" Cheng Yu murmured to himself, his eyes beginning to look lost.

“That’s right!” Bai Mao Chengyu’s voice was filled with excitement. “Together, we will create a brand new world, a world without pain or sorrow, only power and glory!”

“But… my comrades…” Cheng Yu’s mind conjured up the faces of his comrades who had fought alongside him, and a strong sense of reluctance welled up in his heart.

"Partners? Hahahaha!" White-haired Cheng Yu laughed loudly. "Those weaklings are not worthy of being your partners! They will only drag you down and make you weak!"

“No…they…they are my friends…” Cheng Yu shook his head, his eyes gradually hardening. “I…I can’t abandon them…”

"Friends? How laughable!" Bai Mao Chengyu's voice turned icy. "In this world, only power is eternal! Friends are nothing but an excuse for the weak!"

"No...you're wrong!" Cheng Yu retorted loudly, "Friends...are the most precious treasure in the world! They...they can give you strength, give you courage, and make you...make you stronger!"

Bai Mao Chengyu's laughter echoed in his mental world, sharp and piercing, like razor-sharp knives trying to tear apart Chengyu's already wounded heart. His mockery was like a bone-deep affliction, clinging tightly to Chengyu, trying to drag him into the abyss of despair.

"Friends? Friends!" Bai Mao Chengyu's tone was full of disdain. "In this dog-eat-dog world, only strength is eternal! Friends are just an excuse for the weak to seek protection! Don't you understand yet? Without those so-called 'friends,' you are nothing!"

Cheng Yu shook his head, his gaze resolute and unwavering. He gripped the longsword tightly, its blade gleaming with a faint light—the power of the "story," a symbol of his inner conviction. "Power that doesn't belong to me will never belong to me." His voice, though weak, was filled with an undeniable resolve. "No matter how many people tell me, no matter how much I try to convince myself, this evil power will never be mine! All I possess is the 'story' my master taught me!"

"Hahahaha!" Bai Mao Chengyu burst into laughter again, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "'Story'? With that piece of junk in your hand and that tattered armor you're wearing? This is your so-called 'story'? Such weak power, yet you dare to contend with me?"

Faced with Bai Mao Cheng Yu's mockery, Cheng Yu smiled, a smile tinged with relief and understanding. "Isn't the story powerful enough?" he countered, his voice soft yet carrying a soul-stirring force. "If it weren't for the 'story,' how could I have survived until now? If the 'story' wasn't powerful enough, how could I have fought you for so long with such a vast disparity in strength? Gods and mortals are not on the same scale; what's the point of comparing power?"

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he stared directly at Bai Mao Chengyu, and continued, "Besides bewitching me, what else can you do? If you're truly so powerful, why do you need me to accept your power? This only proves that there's something wrong with the power itself!"

Bai Mao Chengyu's smile froze on his face. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by madness. "What do you know!" he roared, the black aura around him growing even denser. "This power is supreme! It surpasses everything! As long as you accept it, you will gain eternal life and endless power! You will become the master of this world!"

"Dominator?" Cheng Yu smiled contemptuously. "To be enslaved by power, is that worthy of being called a ruler? I would rather be a free mortal than a puppet of power!"

"Stubborn fool!" White-haired Cheng Yu roared, and the black energy behind him transformed into countless tentacles, sweeping towards Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He felt the power of the "story" within him, and the bond between him and his companions. Those warm memories, those scenes of fighting side by side, those laughs, those tears, all floated into his mind.

"I'm not fighting alone!" Cheng Yu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with hope. "Behind me are my comrades! And those who trust me and support me! I can't let them down!"

He raised the longsword in his hand, and a dazzling light burst forth from the blade—the light of hope, the light of bonds, the true power of the "story"!

"Come on!" Cheng Yu shouted, charging towards the white-haired Cheng Yu. "Let me see just how powerful your so-called 'supreme' strength really is!"

The two forces collided once more, unleashing a deafening roar. The mental world trembled violently, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.

This battle is not merely a clash of strength, but a collision of beliefs. Will you choose to embrace the darkness and gain false power, or will you choose to uphold the light and protect the hope in your heart?

Cheng Yu has made his choice, and his choice will determine the future of this world.

Just then, a crack suddenly appeared in the sky above the spiritual world, and a familiar figure walked out of the crack.

"Master!" Cheng Yu exclaimed in surprise.

The newcomer was none other than Cheng Yu's master, Long. He was still dressed in simple robes, with a kind smile on his face.

"Chengyu, you did very well," the master said with satisfaction. "You did not disappoint me."

“Master, I…” Cheng Yu wanted to say something, but was interrupted by his master.

“I know what you want to ask,” the master said. “About this power, about your origins, about the secrets of this world—one day you will know. But right now, you have more important things to do.”

Cheng Yu: I hate riddle tellers! But except for my master...

The master turned around and looked at Bai Mao Chengyu, his eyes filled with pity. "Lost lamb, turn back."

"Turn around?" Bai Mao Chengyu sneered. "Who do you think you are? What right do you have to tell me what to do?"

“I am just a storyteller,” the master said calmly. “And you are also a part of my story.”

"What?" Bai Mao Chengyu was stunned. Before he could react, his master had already reached out and waved his hand gently.

A soft light emanated from the master's hand, enveloping the white-haired Cheng Yu.

"No!" Bai Mao Chengyu cried out in terror, "You can't do this to me! I am supreme! I am eternal and indestructible!"

Bai Mao Chengyu: It's not even salty anymore! I want to report this! I want to report this!

However, his voice grew weaker and weaker until it disappeared into the light.

The mental world returned to peace, and the black mist and tentacles all disappeared.

Cheng Yu stood there blankly, looking at everything in front of him, and for a moment he was at a loss.

"Master, this..."

"It's over, Cheng Yu," his master said. "At least, it's over for now."

"Uh, I meant to ask how you got here? You're not..."

"Yes, that's true. But this is just a phantom, you know? That photo was left by me. I didn't think you'd need it."

"Oh, I see! Master, I love you so much!"

Cheng Yu immediately hugged his master in excitement.

"..." The master nodded helplessly, then continued, "This world is far more complex than you imagine. What you see is just the tip of the iceberg. The road ahead is long, and you still need to grow."

“I understand, Master.” Cheng Yu nodded solemnly.

"Yes." The master smiled with satisfaction. "Go back to your companions. They are all waiting for you."

Cheng Yu took one last look at his master, then turned and walked towards the exit of the spiritual world.

His figure gradually disappeared into the light, leaving only his master standing there alone, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.

"A new story is about to begin..." the master murmured to himself.