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: ?
. As long as he maintains the villain image and follows the plot to the grand finale, he can obtain generous rewards and return to the real world. So Gu Chen'an entered the role and began to act as a scumbag villain, but who would have expected that the female leads could hear his inner thoughts. Miss Su from the Su family was shocked: "I originally thought Gu Chen'an was a scumbag, but I didn't expect he turned out to be a gentleman! What? You said I have to call off the engagement? I definitely won't, I'll piss you off!" Bai Yuan Tian was dumbfounded: "Young Master Gu is usually unreasonable and a complete brat, but he actually calls me little sweetie in his heart? What, Young Master Gu even said he likes me?" As the female leads' images collapsed more and more, the plot also collapsed with it. Gu Chen'an looked at all this chaos. "Ladies, don't aggro me, if you keep this up the male lead really will stab me, I still need to survive to the grand finale!"
end. Thus one must continue to cultivate, and become a saint or great emperor, in order to prolong one's life. Chen Xia, however, completely reversed this. Since his transmigration, he has gained immortality, and also a system that awards him with attribute points for every year he lives. Thus between the myriad worlds, the legend of an unparalleled senior appeared. "A gentleman takes revenge; it is never too late even after ten thousand years." "When you were at your peak I yielded, now in your old age I shall trample on you." - Chen Xia
wed him to see the innate talent, destiny, and future of those he invested in. The greater the destiny of his target, the richer the rewards he would reap. Then he discovered that the aloof girl next door, his childhood sweetheart, possessed the highest-grade crimson destiny—a future destined to reign supreme as the Empress of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. Lately, she seemed troubled, pondering how to unlock her sealed meridians and unleash her talents ahead of time... — — — My name is Ying Bing, one of the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns, titled the Phoenix Empress, reigning invincibly over the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. I have been reborn and bound to a Peerless Genius System, where ranking first among my peers grants me rewards. [Would you like to activate the Punishment Mechanism?] [Upon activation, rewards will increase, but after the rankings are announced, you must carry out the "Punishment of the Defeated" on the top-ranked individual.] Ying Bing: "I can’t very well punish myself, can I?" — — — Years later. Ying Bing: "Can’t you let me win just once?" Li Mo: "First, call me 'husband' properly—I didn’t hear it clearly last time."
d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!
