The Tide of Blood

Of course, it's for the handsome guys; whether it's the stone man or the suited man, they both possess undeniable charm, and their fighting moves are incredibly cool... By the way, if you were to take the stage, do you think you could defeat them? 

I'm not as handsome as they are! 

That's not what I asked; I want to know if you could beat them! 

You're clearly implying that I'm not as good-looking as them! 

Such a petty tone does not befit my identity, especially considering I've only just met Guan Ling. 

Evidently, Guan Ling is not concerned about my abilities; rather, she's likely pondering whether I would appear equally impressive on stage. 

During the World Cup, countless girls stayed up late to watch football simply because of how handsome Beckham was; I can imagine their boyfriends felt much like I do now. 

An Qiusheng, with his gray eyes and tall, striking figure, possesses a captivating allure that is quite lethal to young women. Snooker's subordinates, too, embody the archetype of Western masculinity; during the heat of battle, their suits are discarded carelessly, revealing their alluring chest hair—skills I could never hope to emulate. Even if I could defeat those two with a single strike, I would still fall short of impressing Guan Ling, especially since I lack the confidence to do so. The sunny boy will inevitably lose charm to a mature man; this is hardly surprising. Although I have trained in various peculiar martial arts, granting me a slight height advantage over my peers, I still fall short. My physique lacks muscle definition, and my face lacks the ruggedness that is often an asset in attracting women—qualities that I envy in the Wolf King. 

If only one could use a wish fruit more than once in a lifetime, I would certainly use the remaining one to gain the shapeshifting ability like Jack. 

I would transform into handsome men from various countries to charm the ladies. 

Guan Ling playfully patted my cheek, seemingly oblivious to the intimacy of the gesture, and flashed a sweet smile just as An Qiusheng executed a stylish uppercut, sending Snooker's subordinate flying. The wild girl, shrieking in excitement, once again ignored my presence. Snooker's subordinate, having endured so many blows, found his clothing shredded by An Qiusheng's punch, revealing his sculpted six-pack abs and hairy legs, almost leaving him in a state of undress. I clearly saw An Qiusheng's punch explode upon impact with Snooker's subordinate's skin, but before blood could spill, a strange force drew it back into his body, causing the muscles beneath the skin to writhe, instantly healing his wounds. 

"If Snooker has made such advancements... 

If I encounter him again, it would be certain doom. The strength of the undead is truly terrifying..." 

Such bizarre transformations sent a chill down my spine. Had Snooker possessed this ability from the start, it would not have been me who sent him sprawling, but rather he who would have killed me. As my emotions fluctuated, my vision blurred momentarily, and the two combatants vanished from my sight, replaced by two ferocious monsters. An Qiusheng stood like a headless stone statue, six arms extending with wings unfurled, a truly fearsome sight. 

Snooker's subordinate morphed into a blood-soaked corpse, his eyes resembling bloodied bells, with muscles exposed in grotesque display. 

This vision lasted but an instant. When I closed my eyes and reopened them, I saw Snooker's subordinate performing an eerie mid-air turn. His legs kicked out wildly, a grand spectacle of aerial retaliation. 

These two are not human! 

A cold shiver ran down my back, as a wave of dread washed over me. Many residents of Demon Island possess peculiar appearances—headless horsemen, horned beings, and grotesque creatures with eyes on their arms and legs are not uncommon. 

Yet, these beings from another world, despite their strange appearances, are not inherently dangerous. An Qiusheng and Snooker's subordinate, however, clearly transcend the realm of mere biology; they have become monsters. 

I am unafraid of powerful enemies, but an inexplicable presence instills a sense of fear that is unavoidable. The abilities of the Time-Space Enforcer have been steadily advancing. While they provide me with ominous warnings, they occasionally reveal peculiar premonitions. For ordinary events, I can even adjust the direction of my foresight. If the Time-Space Enforcer continues to progress in this manner, I could easily become a fortune-teller, raking in riches as distinguished guests flock to seek my counsel. 

However, foreseeing the true nature of An Qiusheng and Snooker's subordinate is not a blessing; at least for now, it merely serves to enrich my nightmares without offering any real benefit. 

Facing an enemy that cannot be harmed or defeated, An Qiusheng finally displayed a hint of impatience. His left hand emitted a grayish light as he slashed towards the sky, and I instantly recognized the power of this technique. 

It was the tenth-level petrification technique. Snooker's subordinate lunged from the air, unleashing a flurry of kicks, his furry legs creating countless afterimages. Although he relied solely on brute strength and speed, lacking any finesse, the display was nonetheless impressive. An Qiusheng's combat skills were undeniably domineering; while his left hand gathered magical energy, his right arm alone provided impenetrable defense. In a moment of opportunity amidst the fierce battle, he struck with his left hand, landing a solid blow to his opponent's back. 

Petrification techniques differ from petrification magic missiles; they require a catalyst to activate. It seems An Qiusheng's method of activation involves direct contact. After enduring such a formidable blow, Snooker's subordinate was sent flying, and before he could land, his back had already developed numerous cracks, taking on a gray stone-like appearance. 

The results of this battle are astonishing; anyone would believe An Qiusheng has secured victory. Yet, a chill gripped my heart, and fear permeated my thoughts, for I knew that Snooker's subordinate would not perish. 

Being able to glimpse the future grants me a deeper understanding of the battlefield than anyone else. I hurriedly turned to Guan Ling and said, "This competition cannot yield a conclusive result. I sense that a massive brawl will ensue, and remaining here will only bring calamity upon us both. 

We have nothing to accomplish here; perhaps we should leave." 

Guan Ling let out a laugh, dismissing my words as a joke, and retorted, "You're a man, aren't you? Must you be so cowardly?" 

Without further ado, I grasped her hand firmly and whispered, "A man should not be synonymous with foolishness; I would rather invest my efforts into becoming a wise gentleman." 

Guan Ling, somewhat displeased, struggled to free herself and exclaimed, "I want to see this match through; what are you trying to do?"