The small island only looked small from a distance. When the boat approached closer, the island seemed to stretch endlessly beyond the horizon.0

The boat eventually docked on a sandy stretch of beach.0

Fu Yiran helped Sikong Yan off the boat and their feet sank into the soft sand. Sikong Yan glanced back and saw Eighth Brother rowing away. The trusty wooden boat disappeared into the sea mist.0

In the distance, the seabirds that followed them from the mainland called out one last time as they swooped into the forest, vanishing from sight.0

In the visible distance, a faint path extended from the beach toward the distant forest. The trees ahead cast shifting shadows, obscuring any clear view of what lay within.0

Sikong Yan seemed still groggy from...0