The Island of Thorns.
This was the venue for the International Warrior Selection Tournament.
Located in the center of the vast ocean, the island earned its name from the dense thorny bushes that covered its surface.
This uninhabited island was supposed to be harsh, with complex terrain and filled with unknown dangers...
At least, that's how it should have been.
But!
Evening, 17:00
At the island's aircraft landing zone.
Su Muwan stared in disbelief at the scene before her.
The island's entrance was surrounded by brand advertisements, colorful neon lights, and bustling crowds.
Various tournament sponsors had set up stalls across the island, with billboards advertising "Warrior's Special Drink - Lend You a Helping Hand" and "Champions' Choice - Ultimate Combat Boots."
Nearby, there was a specially constructed viewing platform for spectators, complete with large display screens broadcasting every match in real-time.
Walking down the main path, Su Muwan discovered there was even a food street.
Vendors enthusiastically called out to tourists, selling all kinds of snacks.
There were aromatic grilled skewers, refreshing coconut juice, and seafood platters bursting with flavor.
Long queues formed at every stall, with tourists enjoying their food while discussing the upcoming matches.
Further ahead, she found various entertainment facilities on the island.
The beach was equipped with temporary parasols and loungers for contestants and tourists to rest.
There was even a small amusement park where children played amidst laughter while parents enjoyed sunbathing in the nearby relaxation area.
Wait, an amusement park? Wasn't this supposed to be the dangerous uninhabited island?
Where all contestants were meant to fight to determine the warrior king!
The central competition area was cordoned off with high fences, surrounded by cameras and media reporters.
Major news outlets were scrambling to cover this grand event.
"Is... is this really the legendary dangerous uninhabited island?" Su Muwan muttered to herself.
What? Huh?
Has the modern era really evolved to this point?
Qin Luo, walking beside her, handed her a coconut and said, "No wonder they've held so many tournaments here - it's all been commercialized."
"This place has become a tourist island."
"The International Warrior Selection Tournament is just a special performance attraction here."
Su Muwan unconsciously accepted the coconut: "I see..."
??
"Wait, when did you go buy the coconut?"
Su Muwan turned to look at Qin Luo, only to find that he had somehow changed his outfit.
He was wearing sunglasses, beach shorts, and a beach shirt.
What? It's one thing that you can usually flash and teleport.
But now you can instantly change clothes too?
Do you think you're playing an RPG game with one-click outfit changes?
Qin Luo sipped his coconut juice and shrugged, "Young Miss, since we're here, we might as well embrace the summer island vibe."
"Is this really the time to be embracing the vibe?"
Su Muwan was speechless, but whatever.
She happily sipped her coconut juice. Mmm!
Delicious!
Oh right!
Su Muwan suddenly remembered something - weren't they here to watch the tournament?
So she looked around curiously and asked: "By the way, where's the person who's supposed to guide us?"
Just as she finished speaking.
"Welcome to the Island of Thorns!"
An enthusiastic staff member approached, handing Su Muwan a map and a bottle of mineral water.
She smiled and said, "We hope you'll have a memorable time here! If you're a tournament contestant, please follow the main road signs ahead! That's where the International Warrior Corps Selection Tournament gathering hotel is. If not, please feel free to explore!"
Su Muwan accepted the map and water.
She blinked in surprise.
Huh? That casual?
Thinking this, Su Muwan tossed the cumbersome water to Su Bailian, who had finally recovered her senses: "Here, drink this."
The latter accepted it and unconsciously complained, "I wanted coconut... ahem, this is perfect, I love drinking this the most! Glug glug glug!!"
Hmph!
Su Muwan withdrew her murderous glare and handed the map to Qin Luo: "Qin Luo, lead the way!"
Qin Luo nodded and took the map, then passed it to Zhu Lan: "Zhu Lan, you guys go ahead first."
Zhu Lan: ?? What are you playing at?
Then, Qin Luo looked at Su Muwan and smiled, "Young Miss, since we're here, why rush? Let's relax and enjoy ourselves."
"Look, this little island has everything. The sea breeze, lovely paths to stroll - how romantic."
Hearing this.
Su Muwan blinked.
Hm?
Play?
With Qin Luo? Just the two of them?
Su Muwan looked at Qin Luo, her lips curling into a slight smile.
Hehe.
She cleared her throat: "Hmm... you have a point."
"But! We didn't come to this island to play!"
"So."
Su Muwan looked at Zhu Lan and said, "Zhu Lan, you take Shen Fei and the others with Su Bailian first."
"After all, Jiang Zixuan is our contestant, so I and Qin Luo should scout out the competition!"
Su Bailian, drinking her mineral water, wanted to ask whether this was real reconnaissance or just an excuse.
But having already lost her position as a follower, she naturally didn't dare to speak up.
So she kept quiet.
Zhu Lan nodded after hearing this: "Yes, Young Miss."
As expected of the Young Miss, while Qin Luo only thinks about playing.
Only the Young Miss would focus on what's important!
Jiang Zixuan gratefully said, "Thank you, Young Miss. This servant will do his utmost to win the warrior king title!"
Huang Lingyu nudged Huang Lingfeng and whispered, "Brother, this place looks so interesting, can we come out and explore later too?"
"What are you talking about, Little Yu? If the Young Miss isn't playing around, how can you?"
"Oh..."
Moments later.
The group split into two.
As Zhu Lan and the others left.
Su Muwan's true colors emerged as she whirled around to face Qin Luo, her eyes sparkling as she pointed at a stall: "Qin Luo, I want that!!"
Qin Luo looked where she was pointing.
It was a shooting gallery.
A black and blue shark plushie was displayed on the shelf.
What happened to scouting the competition?
Well, I'm used to Su Muwan's true nature by now.
Thinking this.
Qin Luo's lips curved into a smile, "Leave it to me!"
A moment later.
Qin Luo led Su Muwan to the stall and asked, "Boss, how do we play this shooting game?"
"50 yuan per shot, don't ask why it's so expensive, it's because on the entire Island of Thorns, my plushies are the best qual-"
Bang bang bang!!
Before he could finish.
Thanks to the enhancement from the Mystic Ghost Fourteen Needles, Qin Luo could hit exactly where he aimed!
Combined with his qi reinforcement.
Three consecutive shots, three plushies were knocked down.
The vendor: Huh??
Clack, Qin Luo put down the gun.
Then he smiled lightly, "First time playing, quite simple actually. Would the Young Miss like to try?"
Su Muwan's eyes lit up, and she snorted, "Well, if you insist."
With that, she picked up the gun and aimed.
Bang bang bang!
Three consecutive shots.
Four plushies fell down.
She looked proudly at Qin Luo and said, "See that? When I take action, it's easily handled!"
Hehe.
Qin Luo smiled.
Picked up the gun.
Bang bang bang!
Three shots.
Five plushies fell down.
He looked at Su Muwan with a smile, "Young Miss still needs more practice."
Su Muwan: ?
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
invincible power, Gu Changge transmigrates into a fantasy world, bound to a sign-in system that grants him cultivation rewards and various peerless treasures daily. While others struggle desperately to break through their cultivation realms, he has long since reached the pinnacle of the Great Dao, becoming a reclusive Emperor whose true strength even he himself cannot fathom. Originally planning to lie low and retire peacefully on Purple Bamboo Peak, the system suddenly issues a new task — take on disciples. With no other choice, Gu Changge casually picks up a few disciples: The eldest disciple, born with a War God Constitution, is thrown a copy of "War God Stratagems" by him, and ends up conquering the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, becoming a peerless War God who sweeps across the cosmos. The second disciple, possessing a Chaos Sword Body, can break all techniques with a single sword, his swordsmanship unmatched throughout history. He points his sword at the heavens: "My master said, the sword and the man stand together. If the sword perishes... my master will give me another one." The third disciple, a reborn Empress who returns to her throne, her elegance and grace overshadowing all beings. And without anyone noticing, his own sect, the Qingxuan Sect, has become the number one sect on the continent. Looking at these unbelievably formidable disciples, Gu Changge, holding the "Primordial Purple Qi" he just signed in for, falls into deep thought: — Wasn't this supposed to be a peaceful retirement? How did I become the ultimate master?!
lan, the Luo family, tracked him down - along with the babies in their arms. Mo Xuan stared pensively at the paternity test results from over a dozen top institutions, both domestic and international, showing a 99.99% match between himself and the two baby girls. At 23, Mo Xuan, a doctoral student, had become the father of two three-year-old children. The kicker? The mothers weren't even the same person! He gradually realized he was being lured step by step into an elaborate trap designed by these two yandere sisters. "Be good, little Xuan. Sister's life belongs to you entirely." "Brother, if you try to run away, I'll have no choice but to tie you up." Mo Xuan: "Do whatever you want, ladies. I give up."
Explosive Plot Song Gua crossed over into another world, bringing along a whole crew of his doppelgangers—all of them mischief-makers. This was a world where everyone could choose a class. Song Gua became a "Bondweaver," capable of borrowing power, while his doppelgangers took on a wide variety of classes, covering just about everything. The number of doppelgangers grew day by day, each one a talented individual with a charming way of speaking. Under Song Gua's brilliant leadership, they would "greet" each other daily and engage in friendly "sparring," pulling off one major scheme after another on Earth. Sometimes they were bandits—stealing bosses, plundering mines, snatching resources. Sometimes they were saviors—descending like divine warriors to face world bosses threatening to massacre cities. Sometimes they even went undercover, infiltrating various major factions to stir up trouble from within, keeping their enemies constantly on edge. To prevent their doppelganger abilities from being exposed, Song Gua made them wear masks with mahjong tile patterns and don Taoist robes in various colors. "Remember, in front of outsiders, call me 'The Dice.'" "Got it! Boss!" "Not 'Boss'—it's 'The Dice.' Think about the vibe, pay attention to the vibe." "Yes! Boss!" "For crying out loud..." From then on, whenever they appeared, they would have their own theme song playing: ~Hey~ paying respects at the mountain stronghold at night~ whose arm is draped over whose shoulder~ gather your courage and follow along...
