It took Max only a few hours of flying across the vast, shimmering sea to find the perfect place—a secluded island far beyond the reach of any known sect or power. It was hidden on no map, protected by natural storms and turbulent sea currents. The kind of place only someone like Max could find… or survive reaching.
But when he landed with his girls in tow, Max immediately sensed something beneath the serene beauty of the place.
The beach was flawless—soft golden sands, turquoise waters stretching endlessly to the horizon, and lush green palms swaying in the breeze. But the moment his feet touched the ground, he felt it. Power. Ancient. Wild.
Rize squinted at the tree line. "This isn't just any island, is it?"
"No," Max said, eyes narrowing. "There are Spirit Beasts here. And not just any kind… very old, very strong ones."
Malaika had already drawn her blade, instinctively. "How strong are we talking?"
"Strong enough to give a Title Douluo a very bad day," he said with a smirk. "But nothing I can't handle."
Lan Xue and Mu Qing moved to stand near him, slightly tense. "Should we retreat?" Mu Qing asked.
Max smiled calmly. "No need. I chose this island for its isolation. But if there are threats here… then I'll clear them out."
He walked forward, his steps casual but controlled. Each footstep sent faint ripples through the earth—power thrumming beneath his skin. He extended his senses outward like a net across the jungle, and one by one, powerful presences stirred.
Spirit Beasts. Many of them.
Some were intelligent—ancient beings who had cultivated for Hundreds of thousands of years. Others were vicious, feral, twisted by time and battle.
One, in particular, a beast with scales of obsidian and a crown of bone, stepped from the jungle like a silent king.
It snarled, eyes locking onto Max.
But Max only smiled.
"Time to clean house."
What followed was swift and precise.
He didn't overdo it—not like before. He didn't shatter mountains or boil the sea. Instead, he moved with surgical control, sealing and subduing. He offered the intelligent beasts a choice—submit peacefully and relocate, or be forcibly moved.
Most understood. His presence alone demanded respect. Power radiated from him in quiet waves, like a slumbering god stretching one hand.
A few resisted.
Those were swiftly dealt with—knocked unconscious or sealed in spatial prisons Max crafted on the spot. He didn't kill unless necessary. After all, they were just defending their home.
Within the day, the island was cleared. Safe. Untouched, and now entirely theirs.
As the sun dipped into the sea, casting an orange glow across the sky, Max returned to the beach where the girls waited, watching from a distance.
"All clear," he said, brushing dust from his sleeves. "No more interruptions."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "You took care of all that in a couple of hours?"
He gave a small grin. "Didn't even break a sweat."
Rize leaned back on a beach chair with a mock sigh. "So annoying being in love with someone who makes taming an ancient island look like a morning jog."
Lan Xue and Mu Qing still looked slightly stunned, even though they had seen his power before.
"This place is ours now," Max said, turning to them all. "No one will find us here. No sects, no spies, no peepings… just us. Just peace."
Malaika nodded, her usual seriousness softening. "Good. Then let's make the most of it."
And so, their beach paradise began.
Without hesitation, Malaika turned and walked over to her bag—one she'd insisted on carrying herself the whole time. She opened it, dug through for a moment… then stood up tall.
With zero shame, she pulled off her outer robe in one smooth motion.
The others blinked as she revealed a sleek, form-fitting bikini-style swimsuit underneath—deep crimson with black accents, minimalistic yet bold, perfectly suited to her confident figure. It clung to her toned form like it was made just for her.
Rize immediately whistled. "Wow. Didn't know you packed heat and style."
Malaika tossed her robe over a rock and stretched her arms lazily, her golden-brown skin catching the sunlight. "Figured I might need it. We're near the ocean, after all."
Max raised a brow, amused. "You knew we were heading to a remote island in the sea, and you still managed to pack a swimsuit in this world?"
Malaika smirked. "Custom-made by a certain fashion-crazy blacksmith in Heaven Dou City. I told her it was for 'assassination missions in humid climates.' She went all in."
Meanwhile, Lan Xue and Mu Qing were… struggling.
They stood a little off to the side, staring at what Malaika was wearing. Then down at their own bags. Then back up again. Their faces were a mix of confusion, discomfort, and mild panic.
"I… I don't think I brought anything like that," Lan Xue murmured, clearly flustered. "Is that even considered clothing?"
Mu Qing bit her lip. "It looks like a modified undergarment… but prettier?"
Rize stepped in, clearly enjoying their dilemma. "You poor sheltered sweethearts. This is a swimsuit. Or in Douluo terms—battle robes for water-based flirtation."
Gwen laughed. "More like minimal armor for maximum distraction."
Max leaned back against a tree, arms crossed, watching them all with quiet amusement. "Relax. Just wear what's comfortable."
But Malaika, already waist-deep in the waves, shouted back, "Comfortable? You don't come to paradise to be modest! You come to live."
Rize grinned. "Luckily, I did pack a few extras."
She opened her own bag, pulling out several neatly folded swimsuits—each crafted in her unique style. Elegant. Tempting. Functional. She handed two to Lan Xue and Mu Qing.
Lan Xue took hers hesitantly. "What even is this material…?"
"Silk blend reinforced with spirit beast scales," Rize said proudly. "Waterproof. Breathable. Slightly enchanted to self-dry. Thank me later."
The two girls walked off behind a set of rocks to change. A few moments later—
Mu Qing came out first, her cheeks red, but she didn't try to cover herself. Her suit was a sky-blue one-piece with a subtle silver pattern that shimmered in the sun, accentuating her grace.
Lan Xue followed, her own suit a pale violet two-piece with translucent wrap ties on the sides. Her arms were tightly wrapped around her stomach at first… but when Max looked at her and smiled—not teasingly, but gently—she exhaled and let her arms fall.
"You look beautiful," he said simply.
Lan Xue flushed harder but smiled back. "Thanks…"
Gwen, already in a black strapless swimsuit with gold trim, clapped her hands together. "Now that everyone's here—let's get wet!"
***
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It's 22 chaps ahead