Ch 103: My Multiverse Supermarket

While the Lonewind Island patrol ship was trying to establish contact with the artificial island, they discovered that their communication channel was being monitored.

The patrol captain immediately switched to an encrypted frequency and reported to Xu Jiayi.

Xu Jiayi said, “Inform the artificial island to change to an encrypted line.”

The captain relayed her words, but the other side replied, “No need—saves me from repeating myself.”

Xu Jiayi: …

She simply switched the line directly to “frontline mode” and connected with the artificial island herself.

“May I ask why your island has entered Lonewind Island’s waters?” she said, taking the initiative to assert control.

At the same time, it was a way to prevent the escort ships—those listening in—from interfering in the exchange.

Qi Jiayu, however, didn’t care for such political games.

She already knew Zhou Li’s goal: to expand the small supermarket’s business far and wide.

And to make Newborn Island travel the world, they’d need to buy fuel—a perfectly legitimate reason.

Qi Jiayu said, “We didn’t mean to intrude. Our fuel ran out as we passed near your island, and we had no choice but to stop here. Would your island perhaps have any fuel for sale?”

Xu Jiayi: …

The other party’s tone was so open and sincere that her combative stance faltered for a moment.

After a pause, she answered, “I regret to say, our island doesn’t have the kind of fuel you require.”

Qi Jiayu said, “We haven’t even said what kind we need yet.”

“To power something as massive as an artificial island efficiently, it must be heavy oil,” Xu Jiayi said flatly.

Qi Jiayu smiled. “Looks like you know your stuff.”

“If that’s all, please depart—” Xu Jiayi started to say, but stopped halfway. She suddenly remembered—they had stopped because they were out of fuel. How could they possibly leave now?

Qi Jiayu understood what she hadn’t said and continued, “Even if your island doesn’t sell heavy oil, might we request permission to remain in these waters for a while? In return, your island is welcome to trade for supplies with us.”

That last sentence killed the rejection forming on Xu Jiayi’s tongue.

Her pupils tightened slightly. Then she warned, “End communication and prepare your defenses immediately.”

Before she could even be curious about what kind of supplies the artificial island possessed to speak so boldly, Xu Jiayi realized her words might attract scavengers—hyenas that would descend on the island and tear it apart.

At that very moment, the escort ships had already lowered more than a dozen small boats.

Each one carried a squad of armed men, equipped with the most advanced firearms of this world.

It was clear that their commanding officer had already given the order—to attack.

Before the operation, the escort fleet had sent drones for reconnaissance.

The discovery shocked them: the island had very few living beings—no visible guards at all.

They suspected people might be hiding, but infrared imaging showed no heat signatures—neither outside the main building nor within the forest.

There wasn’t even a single watchtower.

This confirmed it: the island was a civilian shelter-type artificial island—one built privately, without military involvement.

And anyone wealthy enough to build such a thing would belong to the richest 0.01% of humanity.

Through quick data cross-referencing, the command identified several possibilities.

Their experts concluded it was highly likely the island once belonged to Higin Hirthus.

Back when Higin had built his artificial island, the news had spread widely—until, not long after, both he and the island had mysteriously vanished.

“The people on that island definitely aren’t Higin,” one of the experts said firmly. “If he were still alive, he’d have announced himself already.”

That matched his reputation—Higin Hirthus loved attention and would never operate quietly.

“So something must have happened to the island.”

Having confirmed that there were no ships, speedboats, or visible defenses, the escort captain decisively ordered his men to storm the beach and seize control.

The small boats sped in, smashing through a few floating “drowned corpses” near the shallows before sliding onto the sand.

The soldiers jumped out and advanced quickly toward the target area.

Then—

A synthetic electronic voice suddenly echoed across the beach and through the comms:

“Warning! Entry onto this island with thermal weaponry is prohibited!”

The sudden announcement startled everyone—on the beach and within the island alike.

It was the first time Qi Jiayu, Fang Qin, and Lin Xiaole had heard such a warning.

What confused them even more was that none of them had triggered it.

Who had broadcast that voice?

A chill ran down their spines.

Then Lin Xiaole said, “Doesn’t that sound… like the voice of Xiao Wan, the vending machine assistant?”

Qi Jiayu and Fang Qin fell silent.

So—the one controlling the broadcast system was Xiao Wan, the artificial intelligence assistant?

Had AI really advanced to the point it could detect who was carrying thermal weapons?

Wait—was this what the little boss had meant by her ‘protection system’?

…

On the beach, the Li family’s private soldiers froze for a second at the broadcast—but then brushed it off and pressed forward.

A moment later, a piercing, shrill sound erupted in their earpieces.

Within seconds, the entire squad convulsed and collapsed—foaming at the mouth, unconscious.

The escort captain saw the anomaly and tried to contact them, but got no response.

His face changed instantly.

There might be no troops or mercenaries stationed on the island—but there was definitely high-level technology.

“Sir, what now?” his deputy asked.

Should they send in more men—or open fire?

Just then, the communication line between the artificial island and Lonewind Island reconnected.

The escort captain decided to wait—he wanted to hear what the other side would say first.

*

Newborn Island, Control Center.

Zhou Li picked up the shipborne radio handset and said calmly, “Thanks for the warning.”

On the other end of the line, Xu Jiayi’s expression darkened.

That voice… it wasn’t the same as before. Someone new was speaking.

What had happened on the artificial island?

Had Li Zairen’s private troops already taken control of it?

But the patrol ship had reported no sounds of combat—only that the ten or so squads who had landed had lost all contact shortly afterward…

While she was still lost in thought, the voice spoke again: “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the little boss of Newborn Island.”

Newborn Island? Xu Jiayi thought. So that was the name of the artificial island.

And “little boss”? Not “island master”?

She found that oddly fitting. She herself didn’t like being called “island master” either—she preferred “Major” or “Commander.”

At the radio, Zhou Li continued cheerfully, “I also run a small supermarket. So if you or your people need supplies, you’re welcome to come ashore and shop.”

It was the second time Xu Jiayi had heard mention of the island selling supplies.

Her curiosity overrode her worry. “What kind of supplies?” she asked.

“Everything except weapons,” Zhou Li replied. “Most everyday necessities can be found here.”

Xu Jiayi’s breath quickened. “Food and clean water?”

Zhou Li laughed. “Sharp eye. Those are our supermarket’s bestsellers.”

For a moment, excitement and relief flooded Xu Jiayi’s mind.

But soon she forced herself to calm down.

This Newborn Island… was no ordinary place.

In this post-apocalyptic world, food and clean water were the scarcest commodities—yet they were being offered for sale as if it were nothing?

That kind of large-scale trade only happened when powerful forces were behind it.

For example, Lonewind Island’s smuggled goods came from the Su family, who controlled the largest archipelago in the Anhai Sea—the Anxi Islands.

The Anxi Islands were blessed with fertile land ideal for farming.

Even though the zombie virus contaminated soil and water, the Su family had filtration and sterilization systems that reduced the pollution level.

Production had fallen sharply, of course, but with the world’s population now only 7% of what it once was, their harvests were enough to feed the entire archipelago.

Still, those crops carried trace toxins. Long-term consumption inevitably damaged health.

Yet no one had a choice—starve, or live sick and suffering, clinging to survival for another day.

Beyond their plantations, the Su family also built factories across the islands.

Anyone who could pay the price could buy what they needed to stay alive.

The Su family could do that because they had the resources and the power to back it up.

So what was Newborn Island’s backing?

…

Zhou Li had no idea Xu Jiayi was lost in speculation. She continued, “Everyone is welcome to come aboard and trade. Oh, and just a reminder—Newborn Island values peace. We don’t like violence. So please do not bring thermal weapons when you come ashore. Cold weapons also can’t be used to harm others. Otherwise—well, the fifty uninvited guests currently on the island should serve as a warning example.”

The escort fleet captain listening in exploded, kicking over a chair.

Now he was sure—those fifty soldiers were dead.

“Fire! Sink that thing!” he roared.

Fifty elite soldiers—gone. This insult would not go unanswered!

If they couldn’t land, they’d bombard it instead.

His men immediately sprang into action.

The escort ships adjusted course, heavy cannons swiveling toward Newborn Island.

At the captain’s signal, a barrage thundered out.

The explosions were so loud that even Xu Jiayi, back on Lonewind Island, heard them.

She tensed and quickly radioed her patrol ship. “Who fired?”

“It’s the Li family’s escort fleet,” came the reply.

Xu Jiayi ordered her patrol to retreat from the area immediately to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Once her orders were issued, she looked again at the radio and asked cautiously, “Does your island need support?”

Zhou Li replied serenely, “No need.”

Her tone was so calm that Xu Jiayi began to suspect she had anti-air missiles.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly—yet the clock showed that only thirty minutes had passed.

Then the bombardment ceased.

Xu Jiayi waited in silence.

Finally, a report came from the scout ship.

—Newborn Island was still intact.
—The three Li-family escort ships had turned their guns on one another.
Within twenty minutes, all three had sunk.

[Author’s note]

Escort fleet: Why are we shooting each other!?
System: Take a guess. [puppy emoji]
Boss Zhou: The defense system upgraded? It can counterattack now?
Unicorn System: That’s the power of a top sales champion. [dog emoji]

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