Ch 17: The World’s Number One Resort

“This is amazing.”

“Dear viewers, this is definitely not special effects. I’ve never seen such beautiful trees before! Ah, I have to take some selfies first!”

Although the other tourists didn’t share Li Rui’s prince-like fantasies, they were equally mesmerized by the beauty of Blue Sea Lake. Just moments ago, they had been trudging through a barren, rugged valley, and now, after crossing two mountain peaks, they had arrived at this lush oasis.

Nature truly is magical. Upon reaching Blue Sea Lake, everyone felt as if the air here was fresher, and their moods noticeably lightened. It felt like they had entered a natural oxygen bar, and the experience was particularly striking for Darcy and Evan.

As seasoned travelers, Darcy and Evan had visited numerous tourist attractions. To their surprise, Blue Sea Lake could hold its own when compared to world-renowned spots like Neuschwanstein Castle, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Hillier. In fact, the unique charm of each place was what made them all so special.

Darcy and Evan felt as though they had stumbled upon a hidden gem. The group, filled with curiosity, continued to snap photos enthusiastically. The weariness from climbing the mountains quickly dissipated.

“Huh, there’s a statue here? It’s holding a hoe in one hand and a book in the other… quite an odd pose,” said Xiao Shengguo after half an hour of walking, as they arrived at the entrance to Blue Sea Lake. He snapped a couple of pictures of Tang Wangchun’s statue with his camera and then turned to ask curiously.

The statue of Tang Wangchun stood life-sized, cast in a deep bronze hue. He wore a broad-brimmed hat, exuding a comical yet lively air. The material suggested it had been sculpted within the past six months. Its presence here clearly held some special meaning.

“He’s someone of great importance to Sora Island,” Tang Huai said, his expression complicated as he stood beside the statue. Indeed, Tang Wangchun held a significant role in the island’s history, so much so that Tang Huai had to resist the urge to throw him into the Pacific Ocean.

“Could he be the owner of Sora Island?” The group exchanged glances. They didn’t know the complicated relationship between Tang Huai and Tang Wangchun, but given Tang Huai’s words and the fact that Sora Island was a newly developed place, they couldn’t help but speculate about the statue’s identity.

“Just past these two Angel Oak trees, and you’ll see it,” Tang Huai smiled, skillfully deflecting the question.

The group didn’t press the matter. The statue was merely a brief curiosity. Moving past it, they continued their journey.

“Dear viewers, the exciting moment has arrived! We’re about to reach Blue Sea Lake. What will it be like… Oh my God, oh my God!” In her rising anticipation, Jiang Yaoyao kept her live stream going. As a gaming streamer who usually showcased niche strategies, she had maintained a modest fan base of around 30,000. To her surprise, switching things up this time had boosted her online viewership to over 60,000 for the first time.

With the surge in popularity, Jiang Yaoyao became even more determined to make the most of this stream.

She mentally prepared to give a detailed introduction to Blue Sea Lake. However, as soon as she rounded the corner and saw the lake for herself, her mind went completely blank.

Before her lay a serene expanse of deep blue water, so clear that it resembled a giant natural mirror. Vibrant, colorful fish swam leisurely beneath the surface, while majestic Angel Oak trees lined the banks. The trees’ lush green reflections shimmered in the water, making the lake appear even bluer and more pristine.

“My goodness, is this a movie set? Did the streamer turn on a beauty filter?”

“Even with a filter, you couldn’t achieve this effect! I’ve never seen such crystal-clear water before. Nature… I am in awe!”

“Are those koi fish in the lake? Haha, I wonder if sharing this stream will bring me good luck.”

Without needing Jiang Yaoyao’s narration, the viewers were already stunned by the sight before them. The group, too, had initially thought Blue Sea Lake’s beauty was exaggerated due to their distance from the top of the mountain. But now, standing close, the scene was even more breathtaking.

They couldn’t help but compare it to other famous lakes like Peyto Lake, Lake Baikal, and Lake Atitlán. Amazingly, Blue Sea Lake held its own against these postcard-worthy destinations.

Though Blue Sea Lake spanned just over a thousand square meters, its relatively small size—combined with the surrounding Blue Sea Forest—gave it a mysterious, almost ethereal charm.

The group couldn’t help but think: I just want to breathe it all in!

The tourists were still buzzing with excitement, unable to tear their eyes away from the stunning scenery around Blue Sea Lake. Experiencing it firsthand left an even deeper impression than seeing it through photos or streams. The beauty of the scene was undeniable, but what amazed them even more was the air by the lake. It was even fresher than in the surrounding forest, making everyone feel instantly clear-headed and refreshed.

“Welcome to Blue Sea Lake,” Tang Huai said with a smile, watching their reactions. He couldn’t help but feel immense satisfaction at the sight.

As they stepped into the Blue Sea Lake area, a mechanical notification from the system echoed in Tang Huai’s mind.

Current Task: Host ten tourists within a month. 15/30 [Note: Inducement is invalid.]

Task Progress: 7/10

Island Value: 7,000 Island Points [Pending]

Tang Huai had already collected pre-payment from the tourists on the Storm ship. Since the only available services on Sora Island were the Angel Oak Treehouses, Blue Sea Fish, and island entry fees—all clearly priced—he had charged each tourist $1,000, with plans to refund or charge more if necessary later. Given the current low volume of visitors, he could still manage everything on his own. However, once the number of tourists increased, he would need to hire a professional AI housekeeper, which he had already discovered would cost at least 500,000 Island Points.

It was a long road ahead. His goal was to complete his task while also earning as many Island Points as possible.

“Are our bags really here? Where are we staying tonight?” After their initial excitement, the group began wandering around Blue Sea Lake. Qian Dasong pointed to the neatly stacked luggage and asked. Eight suitcases were lined up, along with eight sets of bedding, and cooking supplies, which had been transported by Ali, who had since vanished into a [Character Card] after delivering the items.

“We’ll be staying in the Angel Oak Treehouses,” Tang Huai replied, pointing to the surrounding Angel Oak trees. During his previous stay, he had learned that Blue Sea Forest contained over fifty Angel Oak trees, with more than thirty of them featuring treehouses. These treehouses blended so seamlessly with the trees that one would have to look closely to spot them.

“Let me see… Wow, there really is one!” Qian Dasong, still skeptical, walked up to the nearest Angel Oak tree and found a treehouse nestled within its thick branches, complete with a green, leafy staircase leading up to it.

He had assumed the “treehouse” Tang Huai mentioned was just a quirky hotel gimmick but was surprised to find it was completely natural. However…

“There aren’t any bugs, centipedes, or snakes in there, are there?” Qian Dasong asked as he descended from the treehouse, feeling uneasy. Sora Island was a tropical island, and Angel Treehouses, close to Blue Sea Lake, could be prone to high humidity—a breeding ground for insects. The more he talked, the more unnerved he became, as if he could already feel critters crawling around.

After he voiced his concern, the others also began worrying and turned to Tang Huai. While they were up for adventure, none of them wanted to deal with pests in the middle of the night.

“No need to worry about that,” Tang Huai reassured them with a smile. “The Blue Sea Lake area has been treated with a special method to keep pests away. You won’t encounter any bugs or creepy crawlies here.” Sora Island operated on advanced technology, ensuring that no unpleasant creatures would appear.

“Let’s take a look then…” Although the group still felt a bit uneasy, Tang Huai’s confidence eased their minds. After all, they hadn’t seen a single insect or mosquito since they arrived, and the pristine cleanliness of the lake was undeniable.

“Alright, everyone can choose their treehouse now. We’ll have grilled fish for dinner at 8 PM,” Tang Huai announced, gesturing to the treehouses. He moved his own luggage to the base of the oak tree where he had stayed before, one that held the box left by Tang Wangchun. Tang Huai had already spent ten days in this particular treehouse.

“See you in a bit.” The group waved and then started rummaging through their luggage. Since Ali had already brought over all the bedding and luggage, it would seem a bit too pretentious if they didn’t at least carry something themselves.

Moments later, everyone retrieved their suitcases, grabbed a set of bedding and some kitchen utensils, and eagerly headed off to find their treehouses.

A forest treehouse experience? How fun!

By the time Tang Huai had finished arranging his belongings and stepped out of his Angel Oak Treehouse, the area around Blue Sea Lake was empty.

Tang Huai descended from the treehouse, rolled up his pant legs, grabbed the basket he had woven earlier, and began his usual island routine—fishing. By now, he was well-practiced. Within five minutes of stepping into the lake, he had already caught a basketful of lively colorful fish.

…

“Mr. Yu, was today’s meal not to your liking?” Meanwhile, back at the Ring City Villa in Mexico City, Zheng Cai’e looked at the untouched breakfast tray in surprise, glancing toward the greenhouse.

Today, she had come by for her routine breakfast service. She had prepared a glass of milk, two boiled eggs, and a small bowl of nut oatmeal, a more lavish breakfast than usual.

Zheng Cai’e had expected Mr. Yu to eat it as usual, but to her surprise, the food remained untouched.

“Mr. Yu, should I make you a fresh salad?” she asked again, thinking it over. Fruit salads were one of the most common items on his meal trays.

After speaking, there was no reply from inside. She waited for another two minutes, but still, there was no sound.

With a sigh, she accepted this as typical of Mr. Yu’s behavior.

Not concerned whether or not he would eat, Zheng Cai’e headed to the kitchen, where she busied herself with the usual sounds of preparation. Before long, a fragrant, fresh fruit salad was ready.

She placed it inside the small door of the greenhouse, tidied up the kitchen, and left. Today, she had already stayed two hours longer than usual.

As soon as she left, the villa fell into complete silence again. Five minutes later, a figure slowly approached the small door. The figure glanced at the food on the tray, then looked outside the window, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. The downstairs resident hadn’t been around for five days.

In these five days, the villa had been completely empty, leaving the figure alone once more. He felt a tinge of remorse—perhaps he should have finished that vegetable salad last time instead of leaving just a small rose in return.

But… he really couldn’t finish it.

As moonlight streamed through the windows, softly stirring the curtains, the figure’s mood grew even more conflicted.

…

“I’m still in Mexico. Probably for another ten days or so. Hmm, is that wellness center you mentioned reliable? Well, let’s check it out together when I get back.” In the Angel Oak Treehouse, Zhao Hongxia chatted on her phone while Xia Shengguo tidied up the bedding.

The treehouse was about thirty square meters, clean and woodsy. Aside from a wooden bed, there was also a wooden bathtub and a sink. Xia Shengguo had tried the faucet earlier—it actually worked, and he was curious where the water came from.

Recalling the statue at the entrance to the forest, Xia Shengguo had an epiphany. It seemed that Blue Sea Lake had undergone some sort of human intervention, but the modification was so natural and aesthetically pleasing that it blended right in.

“Ah…” Ten minutes later, Zhao Hongxia put down her phone with a sigh, looking a bit conflicted. Xia Shengguo, who had just finished making the bed, noticed her expression.

“Old Chen trying to get you to do another wellness treatment?” Xia Shengguo frowned as Zhao Hongxia plugged her phone into the charger.

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