The sun was already high.
Qin Xuanji brought Cao Jinxing to the docks, ready to board a ship for Rare Beast Island.
This was the only part of Mist-Flow Island open to outsiders. The fog was somewhat thinner here, and many merchant ships lay on the water, all here to trade with Mist-Flow Island.
The seafarers aboard came in all shapes and appearances: people from the Central Plains, Nanyang, and the Folangi people... Many were visibly "not of our kind."
Mist-Flow Island ran many businesses, selling fish, pearls, and "salvage."
The islanders excelled at fishing and pearl diving, and were even better at raising pearl oysters. Their pearls were not as dazzling and ostentatiously luxurious as those from the Fang Family's secret realm, Ten Thousand Pearls Cave, but their muted blue-green glow resembled moonlight, possessing a different, mysterious splendor. They were beloved by powers from all quarters, whose merchant ships came every year, sparing no expense to purchase them.
"Second Miss."
"Second Miss."
As Qin Xuanji walked past, the vendors on both sides bowed respectfully.
The Qin Family had taught the islanders how to make a living. Everything Mist-Flow Island had become today was thanks to the Qin Family, and every islander was grateful.
Qin Xuanji nodded in return and slowly made her way to the center of the docks, holding one of Cao Jinxing's arms.
Cao Jinxing noticed that besides fish and pearls, the vendors also sold porcelain and weapons, and even low-grade martial arts manuals.
"What are these...?"
Cao Jinxing's interest stirred. Did the island have workshops like these too? That porcelain and those weapons hardly look newly made.
"These are things salvaged from shipwrecks on the seabed. We call them 'salvage' here."
Qin Xuanji explained, "The weather at sea is unpredictable. Storms and thick fog are