Just Call You Penglai Island

This time returning to the desolate island, Qin Ran wasn’t actually cowering or making empty threats—he was genuinely focused on construction, building a comfortable refuge for his true self.

He wasn’t afraid of that so-called "Yuan Organization," really.

Before starting construction, he needed to mark his territory properly. Otherwise, all his hard work might end up benefiting someone else, which would be a total waste.

To develop the island, he first had to enclose it, and to enclose it, he needed to set up a mountain-protecting array.

Qin Ran had some experience with mountain-protecting arrays. He began by tidying up the island’s perimeter, smoothing out irregularities, filling in gaps, and repairing depressions until the island was properly shaped. Only then did he start laying down the array.

Calculating, sketching, and placing materials purchased from Demon Island, he worked tirelessly for over a month before finally completing a rudimentary mountain-protecting array.

Unlike Dan Peak, which had the Dao Sword Sect’s spiritual veins as an energy source and the Devouring Demon Willow—a ninth-tier demonic beast—as its core, Qin Ran could only manage a simple array.

This mountain-protecting array consisted of a dual formation: an illusion array and a maze array. It lacked offensive or defensive capabilities, making it rather crude. The only impressive aspect was its scale—it covered the entire island.

Even this simple array was a testament to Qin Ran’s skill. Without high-grade treasures to serve as the array’s core, most people wouldn’t have been able to pull it off.

Once the array took effect, a dense white mist rose around the island, shrouding it completely and obscuring its interior from view.

From a distance, the island appeared ethereal, like a mirage, as if it didn’t exist at all.

Though just an illusion and a maze array, Qin Ran had infused it with a touch of ingenuity.

With the mountain-protecting array in place, the land was officially claimed. This worthless, godforsaken island now bore Qin Ran’s mark.

Floating midair with his arms crossed, Qin Ran gazed down at the mist-covered, illusory island and nodded in satisfaction. "Since you’re mine now, you deserve a proper name. Calling you ‘desolate island’ all the time doesn’t sound right."

What should he name it?

After a few seconds of thought, he declared, "I’ll call you Penglai Island!"

Penglai Island—the legendary immortal mountain beyond the seas. A name like that wouldn’t disgrace this barren land.

The moment he spoke the name, Qin Ran felt as though the island gained a newfound aura and vitality. Whether it was psychological or the name truly bestowed spiritual energy, he couldn’t tell.

Laughing, he retrieved a suitable piece of coral from the sea and placed it at the spot where he had first landed on the island. On it, he carved three large characters: Penglai Island.

"Penglai Island!"

He stared at the name for a long while before flying another lap around the island, musing, "I wonder if people will come here someday seeking elixirs of immortality."

With the mountain-protecting array established, he could now focus on developing the island’s interior—at least making it habitable.

Penglai Island was shaped like a mountain, high in the center and sloping down on both sides. Qin Ran cleared the trees at the peak, then transformed into a human bulldozer, flattening the summit to create a vast, level area.

Once the land was prepared, he spent half a month drafting blueprints before finally starting construction.

Building materials came from various sources: earth and stone from the island, timber from its trees, rocks hauled from the sea, and supplies he’d bought earlier on Demon Island. After eight months of work, he completed a modern-style beachfront villa.

The villa was massive, covering thousands of square meters—practically the island’s main feature. It included a beach, swimming pool, sports field, small zoo, and more.

Qin Ran did his best to create a luxurious retreat, envisioning it as a place where his true self could either take refuge in comfort or enjoy a relaxing vacation with Shi Yin if he ever returned in high spirits.

After furnishing the villa with items from Demon Island and handmade wooden furniture, Qin Ran finally had a functional island getaway.

Wearing wooden-framed sunglasses and a pair of grass-woven swim trunks, he lounged on a beach chair by the pool, sipping juice made from wild island fruits. As he gazed past the trees toward the horizon, his thoughts wandered.

"The island’s scenery is too monotonous. I could dredge up mud, rocks, or even small mountains from the sea to create landscapes and plant ornamental flowers and trees.

"The zoo’s animals are too few—just strays I picked up out of pity. I should find a way to acquire some divine beasts to raise.

"I could also cultivate spirit herbs using ‘Water Method Spirit Planting,’ setting an example for my true self to learn from if he hasn’t figured it out yet.

"A library would be useful too, storing all the cultivation manuals and books I’ve collected so my true self can quickly learn about the Tianhai Region when he arrives.

"And a treasure vault—somewhere to store all the magical artifacts I’ve gathered, ready for when he comes..."

Finishing his juice, he resumed refining Penglai Island, determined to create the ultimate comfortable retreat.

Two months later, Penglai Island had been transformed.

Now, the island was lush with greenery and vibrant flowers, neatly divided by clean, flat pebble paths leading from one end to the villa at the center and onward to the other side.

Scattered across the island were several "mountains"—one housing the library, another the treasure vault, and yet another the spirit herb garden...

A year had passed, and the desolate island had become a modernized ancient hermitage.

Standing at the entrance to Penglai Island, Qin Ran—his body tanned dark by the sun—surveyed his year’s work with satisfaction. "I’ve done right by you," he muttered. "If you don’t show up, I’ll hunt you down in the Land of Immortal Legacy and knock your teeth out."

Putting on his wooden sunglasses, he turned toward the sea, his expression darkening as he glared in the direction of Demon Island. "Now, it’s time to settle some scores. The Yuan Organization has pushed me too far. Did they really think I was made of clay?"

With that, he strode off the island, pausing only to retrieve clothes from Mr. Zhai’s storage ring and dress himself before stepping beyond the mist-shrouded borders of Penglai Island.

Looking back one last time, he whispered, "My task here is done. I’ll do one last thing for you. May fortune favor us both."

With that, he plunged headfirst into the sea, his Time Flows Like Water technique activating as he merged with the waves, swiftly making his way toward Demon Island.