Westerners prefer black tea, as it has a richer, more robust flavor that lends itself well to being mixed with sugar, honey, and milk.
To their taste, green tea is somewhat bland and not a good choice for treating guests. Americans are notably fond of sweet flavors, so most of the shops here do not sell green tea. Since coming here, Shiller has not had any decent green tea.
But Shiller lowered his gaze to look at the cup of tea in his hand and the tea leaves, then pondered on the flavor in his mouth.
The premium Dongting Biluochun green tea has a robust aroma and a freshness not found in other green teas. The tea leaves flutter in the water as majestic as clouds and waves, clearly a genuine Biluochun. Shiller hadn't tasted this flavor in a long time.
He turned to look at Walter, who playfully shook his head and said, "It seems someone isn't interested in my story."
Shiller just stared at him.
Walter turned his head and glanced at Shiller from the corner of his eye, revealing a mysterious smile.
Shiller narrowed his eyes.
But then Walter shook his head and said, "I don't have your story here, but I can tell you mine."
"I wasn't born into a rich family, but I have a unique talent for storytelling, and I devoted my life to it, hoping my stories could bring more people joy."
"When I found out that I was terminally ill and didn't have long to live, the thing that saddened me the most wasn't the prospect of death, but the fact that I could no longer create happiness in this world."
"I wasn't able to live to see the opening day of Disney World in Orlando, and I knew that this would be my biggest regret. Every time I think of it, I can't let go."
"I wish, oh how I wish, I could see the completion of the park, the carefree smiles of children and their parents there."
"But I knew I couldn't wait for that." Walter lowered his eyelids and sighed softly, "This story of mine would not end as happily as usual, that only I, only I couldn't have."
Shiller felt a profound sadness from Walter's narration, and thinking of the animated works he created during his lifetime, he could tell that Walter was a man who sincerely pursued happy endings.
The golden age of Disney was filled with joy and reunions. The classic works that once brought laughter to a generation were infused with a type of pure joy that made people truly believe in the goodness of the world.
Yet this master faced a not-so-happy ending — he would never get to see his great vision, a dream-building park that truly provides childlike innocence, come to fruition. How could he not have regrets?
With this realization, Shiller understood that all Walter wanted was a perfect ending to his story, even if it's only in the comic world.
The Walter he saw wasn't the real Walter Disney, but rather, a manifestation of the real Walter Disney's lingering desire, combined with Stan Lee and Marvel, to see the completion of Disney World in Orlando — a version of himself that stands for a happy ending.
"And now you've seen it," Shiller said to Walter, "You've stayed here, seeing each smiling face, watching them play carefree in the park you built."
"Yes," Walter smiled again and said, "It gave my story a perfect ending."
"In this universe, I'm a mutant, and my mutant ability is to inspire others' emotions and turn them into real power, just as I've always done."
"The cartoons I created became part of many people's childhoods. When they grow up, the joy they once received from those cartoons would fuel them, allowing them to face life with a stronger attitude."
"And in this park, the joy sparked by these attractions would also turn into real power, infecting more people, even all the sentient beings that come here."
Shiller gained insight and continued, "So anyone who comes here wouldn't do anything that goes against the atmosphere of the amusement park. How extensive is the influence then?"
"Sentient beings, all equal," Walter replied with a smile.
"Moreover, when enough joyful emotional power has been accumulated, I can alter reality to some extent. Everything you saw during the lighting of the statues in the amusement park is real." Walter took another sip of tea and continued.
"So what about my story?" asked Shiller, as he looked down at his teacup again.
"You know? This universe wasn't my first choice." Walter faced Shiller, then no longer hid his thoughts and said, "You should know, there was a comic company much more famous than Marvel during that era."
Of course, Shiller knew. For a long period of time, the most famous comic company in the world was DC.
Did Walter consider DC initially too?
This was entirely possible. During that era, DC comics weren't particularly dark or grim. For quite a considerable length of time after the appearance of "Batman", it was predominantly an easygoing detective comic.
From a publicity standpoint, Walter's first choice should not have been Marvel, so it would be quite normal for him to approach DC's staff.
However, in the end, he chose Marvel, which indicates that he and DC's people did not agree to collaborate. So what could be the reason?
Shiller looked at Walter with a puzzled look, and Walter continued, "Maybe you should think about the differences between the supreme god on each side."
Shiller also thought of this. The cosmic settings in Marvel and DC comic books have each taken cues from the other. However, the biggest difference regarding the setting of the Supreme God is that Marvel set the Supreme God as the comic creator, while DC made it God.
If asked what the difference between the two is, it's clear that God, in the world of Shiller's previous life, was also a deity worshipped by many, or could even be referred to as the God in the trinity.
For a while, due to religious considerations, DC had to make the God in the comics nameless, referred to only as "The Presence." This clearly shows that this God is indeed the one in the trinity, not some derivative character.
Upon this thought, an idea occurred to Shiller. If the God in DC comics was the same as the God in the real world he once lived, if they truly are deities and there really is a God in this world, then besides himself, who else can enable the soul to transcend the cosmos?
Was Walter implying that his transmigration has something to do with God?
Then how did Walter find out?
Shiller thought, if Walter had also once sought DC, trying to write a happy ending for himself in a DC comic, but ultimately failed, who interfered with this failure?
If Disney intended to grant licenses, any comic company in the world would likely agree. If DC didn't agree, could it be due to an interference from higher dimensions?
Suppose this was a scheme set up by Walt Disney, aiming that the comic company would finally be acquired by Disney, thereby giving Walt Disney a happy ending, then could DC have known this in advance from some entities and avoided the trap?
Who could that entity be?
Shiller took a deep breath. He had long thought over, would his first stop in DC have any special implications? Now it seemed that everything did indeed have to do with God.
"Alright, there's no point discussing these things now. Since you're here, we better talk some serious matters," said Walter, leaning sideways and looking at Shiller.
Without being distracted by the commotion in the Tower of Thought, Greed, who had been waiting for a long time, cleared his mind of miscellaneous thoughts and focused on the task at hand.
Shiller instantly straightened up. He cleared his throat, walked over to the door, waved outside, and the other three walked in.
The time had come for serious talks. Though the subject was fantastic, it still followed the usual rules of business negotiation.
Firstly, both parties had to state their demands.
"We need a complete universe," Shiller spoke up first, "a universe with a strict structure that can accommodate souls equivalent to a single universe, while maintaining redundancy to prevent accidents."
"And we'd need more participants from both sides, even the possibility of exchanging some personnel in certain universes of the two worlds, but we'll try as much as possible not to interfere with the storyline."
"I can accomplish the first one," replied Walter, he turned to God of Stories and stated, "Simply make this a story under a quill pen, then it will naturally have a complete universal structure. That's why I invited him here."
Everyone glanced at the elderly Loki. The young Loki was curious. When the elderly Loki started to talk, Loki recognized him as Loki, who had claimed himself as the God of Stories and had appeared in front of him twice.
"I am the child of a story, and also its father," said the elderly Loki at a slow pace, "Each story I create turns into a universe in the great world. This is the authority I possess, approved by the Supreme God."
"I have visited the previous Battleworld," continued the elderly Loki, "It has the basis to create many wonderful new stories, but it's too crude at the moment."
The four of them exchanged glances, Nick spoke, "We don't deny that. The original model was just a concept, but we have some ideas for the new version."
"Let's hear it," Walter said, expressing interest.
"But we need to know your conditions first," said Shiller, glancing at Walter, and then the elderly Loki, "Your conditions."
"I just need more unique stories," The elderly Loki slowly replied, almost dozing.
"And I want exclusive title sponsorship," Walter spread his hands and elaborated, "I wish to rename this universe as 'Disney Battleworld'."
"No way," the four men said in unison.
Before Walter could say something, Shiller interrupted, "You can't expect us to convince every Batman to wear Mickey ears, or everyone to link arms and sing and dance when they meet. No Mickey, no family-friendly rating, no Disney!"
Walter sighed as if they missed out on a brilliant idea, but negotiations were all about sky-high asking price and settling for less. He immediately said.
"How about setting the newbie tutorial in Disneyland? Meaning every new contestant must visit Disneyland," he proposed.
Shiller, a bit exasperated, covered his forehead and said, "Isn't that the same? Batman goes in, and Batbaby comes out. You think God will approve?"
Walter waved his hand dismissively, "I don't think you will bring someone who needs to go through a lengthy level to learn how to play the game. What if I design a cartoon? It will include all system introductions and game tutorials, but I'll have to put my name at the end."
The four looked at each other. Obviously, Walter was indulging his desire to continue creating as an animator. After some thoughts, the four of them nodded in agreement.
However, they knew, this wasn't all that Walt Disney wanted.