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: ?
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
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
is also known as: "Sword Flying Under the Desk: My School Life" "Balancing Cultivation and STEM Homework" "The System That Taught Me to Take College Entrance Exams While Surviving Heavenly Tribulations" Good news: I got reincarnated. Even better news: I got reincarnated with a system. So, should I chase wealth? Or pursue immortality? Maybe become a superhero for the motherland? But with regrets weighing on this second life, I’d rather fix what I missed before. System: "Host, the cultivation world is full of dangers. You must form your Golden Core immediately!" Lin Mo glanced at the truck he’d just stopped with one hand. "At my level, it’s not like I’ll piss off ‘Little Boy’ or ‘Fat Man,’ right? Whatever—I still have two math problems left. Go play by yourself." System: "How can you still focus on homework at a time like this?! Host! Don’t throw your life away!" Lin Mo stayed silent, burying himself deeper into his workbook.
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
