Time flew like an arrow, and ten years passed in a fleeting rush.
Off Little Olive Island, amid lonely islets and barren reefs, waves rose and fell as an enormous treasure ship slowly approached through the thick fog.
Several young men and women in matching attire stood at the bow, watching the sea with the excitement of traveling far from home on their faces. Only when the ship stopped and Min Lian, the Foundation Establishment cultivator leading them, emerged from the cabin did they hurry over to pay their respects.
Min Lian nodded and addressed one of the female disciples. "Xueqi, call all the disciples out. I have something to say."
The female disciple was in her early twenties, lovely and petite. She answered crisply, "Yes."
Before long, all the disciples assembled and paid their respects together.
"Listen carefully, everyone. The sect issued this training mission to evaluate its inner disciples. Outstanding performance may not earn you an immediate promotion, but it will improve your chances of becoming a true disciple. All merits and faults will be recorded and follow you for life.
"Furthermore, this island is fraught with unpredictable dangers. It is the haunted island where walking corpses were rumored to have run rampant. Remember to stand united and face your enemies together..."
Min Lian lectured the disciples.
Not long afterward, she stood on the deck and watched them disembark, taking small boats toward the island deep within the fog.
"Min Lian, you're quite imposing now. A proper elder, with lofty rank and considerable power." A faint voice drifted over as Shang Yuxian appeared behind her.
Min Lian smiled. "You flatter me, Miss Shang."
Shang Yuxian said, "I really do envy you. Ah, life in the Merchant Association just keeps getting duller. Every day, I do things even I