Chapter 237: Wonder Island Castle

The changes brought by the system upgrade were internal and profound; Qin Feng needed time to adapt and uncover the full potential of this "top-tier system." External affairs, however, did not pause because of his personal transformation.

Lilith's absurd research on the "wedding" continued, and seemed to have made new progress. This time, she was no longer satisfied with daydreaming at Pandora's headquarters; instead, she turned her gaze to the real world—to a place she deemed sufficiently "romantic" and worthy of her and Qin Feng's status.

Near the International Date Line in the South Pacific lay a group of islands with breathtaking scenery but contested ownership. The largest main island, due to its unique coral reef topography, rare flora and fauna, and an atmosphere of isolated serenity, was privately nicknamed "Wonderful Island" by explorers. In recent years, a mysterious offshore corporation had, through complex means, taken actual control of the island and begun large-scale construction.

Now, at the island's core, a vast castle—blending classical Gothic spires with modern minimalist lines, constructed entirely of white alloy and special glass—had risen from the earth. Built against the mountain and overlooking the sea, it radiated grandeur; more a fusion of a futuristic military fortress and a luxurious palace than a mere residence. This was the "wedding home" Lilith had secretly built using Pandora's vast resources—her envisioned "Wonder Island Castle."

On this day, the castle welcomed its mistress.

Lilith descended in her personal VTOL aircraft, landing on the dedicated heliport atop the castle. Dressed in a tailored white hunting outfit that accentuated her graceful curves, her violet eyes swept over the "love nest" built entirely to her wishes, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

Surrounded by her trusted subordinates, she toured the castle's interior. The towering dome frescoes depicted stars and myths; the intelligent lighting system maintained the interior illumination at the most comfortable level. Antiques from around the world coexisted harmoniously with cutting-edge technology. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched an endless expanse of blue ocean and a private beach.

"Here, we can host our wedding banquet," Lilith said firmly, pointing to a banquet hall capable of accommodating hundreds. "Here, it can be his study—broad views, perfect for contemplation." She passed through a room facing the sea, its decor dignified and substantial. "And here…" She stopped before a master bedroom with a panoramic skylight, as if standing beneath the Star Sea. A faint blush rose on her cheeks, her gaze dreamy. "Will be ours…"

She was utterly immersed in her vision of the future, as if Qin Feng had already accepted her "invitation" and would soon spend the rest of his life with her here.

After the tour, Lilith arrived at the castle's Command Center—a room filled with screens and control terminals, radiating intense technological sophistication. Here, she could monitor the entire island's security and connect to Pandora's global intelligence network.

"Is the 'Gift' ready?" Lilith sat down, leaning back lazily in her chair, and asked.

A trusted subordinate immediately stepped forward: "It's prepared, Miss. As you ordered, we intercepted a shipment of special materials destined for the Quantum Computing Array upgrade, being transported across the Public Sea by the New Era. The quantity is small, but enough to make them feel the pain—and… we added a little 'surprise' inside."

The so-called "surprise" was an extremely covert Nanometer Tracker and Information Sniffer, designed to continuously transmit valuable data once the materials entered the New Era's core zones.

Lilith's lips curled into a smug smile: "Good. Send this 'Gift,' along with my handwritten 'Invitation Letter,' to Qin Feng. Tell him I await his arrival at Wonder Island Castle—to discuss the ownership of these materials, and our… deeper 'cooperation.'"

She emphasized the word "cooperation," its meaning self-evident.

This was her new round of probing—a brazen provocation and "forced negotiation." She intended to tell Qin Feng: I know your weakness (your resource needs). I can create trouble for you. I can also offer you help. Will you choose to oppose me, endure losses and constant harassment—or choose to "cooperate" and share the future?

She was confident, certain she held the initiative.

"Also," Lilith added, a sly glint flashing in her eyes, "leak some… non-sensitive but sufficiently impressive footage of our 'Wonder Island Castle'—'accidentally.' Let everyone know that I, Lilith, have prepared for him a 'surprise' of this caliber."

She intended to build momentum—to use public opinion and this dreamlike castle to pressure Qin Feng, making it impossible for him to refuse easily.

"Yes, Miss!" The subordinate bowed and departed.

Lilith stood, returning to the large floor-to-ceiling window, watching the tides rise and fall, as if she already saw Qin Feng forced to come, ultimately moved by her "Wonder Island Castle" and her "sincerity," walking beside her into the future.

Yet she did not know that, almost at the moment she gave her orders, Qin Feng—far away at New Era—had just completed his initial integration with the upgraded system.

Intelligence regarding the intercepted materials, and Lilith's provocative "invitation," reached Qin Feng's desk within moments—via New Era's own intelligence network and Su Wenqian's report.

Not to mention, the footage of the so-called "Wonder Island Castle" began circulating within certain circles, exactly as Lilith had hoped.

In his office, Qin Feng stared at the screen showing the gleaming white castle beneath azure skies, and Lilith's suggestive "Invitation Letter." His expression remained unreadable.

Su Wenqian stood beside him, frowning: "Sir, Lilith's actions have grown even more outrageous! Not only has she openly stolen our resources, but also…"

Qin Feng raised his hand, halting her words.

His gaze did not linger on the castle's luxury or Lilith's delusions; instead, it pierced through the surface, settling on the castle's geographical location and its architectural structure itself.

In his "perception," through the upgraded system's near-omniscient insight into global energy flows and Geological Structures, he "saw" something Lilith could never have imagined.

Beneath "Wonderful Island," the crustal structure appeared… unusual.

A minuscule, yet undeniably real, Energy Anomaly was quietly accumulating deep within the rock layers directly beneath the castle.

On a broader scale, that stretch of ocean lay precisely atop a secondary active branch of the Ring of Fire.

Qin Feng's fingers tapped idly on the desk, his eyes deep as an abyss.

He suddenly recalled the "Crowbar" project he had just validated theoretically.

A thought, like a meteor streaking through darkness, flared suddenly.

He might not need to visit that ridiculous "Wonder Island Castle" himself.

He could respond to Lilith's "invitation" in a more direct, more fitting way.

And test the… practical effectiveness of the "Crowbar" theory.

Qin Feng lifted his head, looked at Su Wenqian, his tone calm and flat:

"Notify the Crowbar Project Team. Initiate Level One readiness."

"We have… guests to welcome."