Immortality and Cultivation: I can extract entries from all things.

Seventeen days later, the Zhou family's council hall was brightly decorated.

As dusk fell, the hall was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the aroma of spirit wine.

Bright red ribbons hung between the beams and pillars, and each table was laden with spiritual fruits and delicacies.

The direct descendants and core members of the Zhou family gathered together to celebrate this hard-won victory.

Zhao Hengdao led his guards to stand to one side, Zhou Qing and several of his old subordinates huddled together talking in hushed tones, and Su Yun'er stood in a corner, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the entrance of the hall.

As Fang He stepped into the council hall, everyone's eyes turned to him.

Seventeen days ago, he infiltrated the Qing Shi Island stronghold alone, working with Ye Shuanghua to uncover the Dark Abyss Pavilion's conspiracy, capture Shi Potian, and obtain crucial intelligence.

This achievement was so great that it could change his status in the Zhou family.

"Counselor Fang has arrived."

Someone shouted, and people from all around came forward to offer their congratulations.

The compliments were endless, but Fang He simply nodded in response.

"Counselor Fang, the greatest credit for this great victory at Qing Shi Island belongs to you alone."

"Counselor Fang is young and promising, with a bright future ahead of him."

"Counselor Fang, please take good care of us in the future."

Fang He responded to each question, but her gaze remained calm and serene.

He knew very well that flattery was just something to listen to, and taking it too seriously was a losing proposition.

These people were ignoring him three months ago, but now they're incredibly enthusiastic.

They just wanted to benefit from his changed status.

Zhou Tieshan sat in the main seat, with Zhou Yuanhai and his daughter beside him.

Zhou Xiaolan wore a light blue dress today, which made her skin look as white as snow. She sat upright, but her gaze was intentionally or unintentionally glancing in his direction.

Noticing Fang He's gaze, she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing.

"cough."

Zhou Tieshan cleared his throat, and the council hall fell silent.

"At today's victory celebration banquet, there are two things to announce."

He stood up, his gaze falling on Fang He.

"Firstly, Fang He made great contributions in the battle to clear out Qing Shi Island."

After discussing with Yuan Hai, we have decided to promote Fang He to the position of Advisor to the Zhou Family's Decision-Making Committee, allowing him to participate in the Zhou Family's core decision-making.

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The position of decision-making advisor carries significant weight in the Zhou family.

The last person to hold this position was Zhao Hengdao, a close confidant of Zhou Tieshan.

How long has Fang He been in the Zhou family? Less than a year at most.

"My goodness, Councilor Fang, this is way too fast!"

"Shh, keep your voice down, they got up there on their own merit."

"Nonsense, if you're so capable, you go try it yourself."

Whispers broke out.

The crowd's gazes were complex, a mixture of envy, jealousy, and thoughtful contemplation.

A position that even the direct descendants of the Zhou family might struggle their entire lives to obtain, Fang He, an outsider cultivator, took just like that.

"The monthly salary is eighty spirit stones," Zhou Tieshan added.

Eighty spirit stones!

Even Zhou Qing's expression changed.

As a core member of the Zhou family, his monthly salary was only fifty.

Fang He is a newcomer, what gives him the right?

Fang He remained calm, stepped forward, and bowed to accept the order.

Fang He accepted the order.

Thank you for your trust, Boss Zhou.

His expression was calm, but a slight ripple was stirring within him.

His monthly salary of eighty spirit stones was equivalent to sixteen times his original rent.

He went from a struggling, unemployed cultivator to a core member of the Zhou family in less than a year.

Everything happened too fast, but Fang He knew very well that this was not luck, but something he had earned by risking his life time and time again.

"it is good."

Zhou Tieshan nodded, his eyes flashing with approval.

This young man remains calm in the face of both honor and disgrace; he is indeed a promising talent.

"Secondly," he said, looking in Ye Shuanghua's direction, "Fang He will be responsible for coordinating the exploration of the outer sea ruins with the sect leader's faction."

This matter is of great importance and Fang He will be fully responsible for it.

Fang He turned around and accepted the order.

"Yes."

He didn't notice that when Zhou Xiaolan heard those words, her fingers trembled slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

As the celebration banquet began, fine wines and delicacies were served in a continuous stream.

Fang He sat at the head of the guest seats, and people kept toasting him.

He accepted all offers, but only took a small sip of each drink.

Having cultivated to this level, his alcohol tolerance was far greater than before, but he didn't want to get drunk, at least not today.

He understood that a practitioner who drinks too much will make mistakes.

"Counselor Fang, let me toast you."

Zhou Xiaolan stood up, holding a wine pot, and moved gracefully to stop beside him.

Fang He looked up and met her gaze.

Something was shimmering in those eyes, like starlight, or like flames.

"Young Miss".

He said lightly.

"There's no need for such formalities between us." Zhou Xiaolan sat down beside him, tilting the wine pot. "I poured this glass of wine for you myself."

The amber-colored spirit wine is poured into the cup from the hand-held teapot.

Zhou Xiaolan's fingers brushed against Fang He's hand, intentionally or unintentionally.

Fang He felt a slight coolness from the fingertips, as if she had been gently touched, or as if nothing had happened.

Thank you.

He took the glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhou Xiaolan showed no intention of leaving and sat down beside him.

"Fang He," her voice was soft, only the two of them could hear, "do you remember the first time we met?"

Fang He recalled for a moment.

That was a long time ago. He was just a country boy who had recently transmigrated, working in the spirit fields, when Zhou Xiaolan came to inspect the area…

"Back then, I was just..."

"I know," Zhou Xiaolan said softly. "The way you looked at me back then was different from how you looked at anyone else."

"What's different?"

When they see me, they either treat me with respect and obedience or try to please me.

"Only you seem to be looking at an ordinary person." Zhou Xiaolan's voice carried a hint of amusement. "I thought to myself, this person is quite interesting."

Fang He remained silent.

He didn't know how to respond to that sentence.

Does he have to say that he clearly knows she is the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, while he himself is just a rogue cultivator who rents spiritual fields?

Given the vast difference in their social status, he never had the freedom to indulge in wild thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Xiaolan asked.

"I'm thinking about things on the open sea," Fang He said. "Exploring ruins is no small matter; it requires careful preparation."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Zhou Xiaolan's eyes.

"You're always like this," she said softly, "you can't stop talking about business."

Fang He did not explain.

Some things don't need explanation.

He couldn't very well say that he was thinking about how to survive.

In this dog-eat-dog world, emotions are the most luxurious thing.

He Fanghe is not entitled to enjoy this.

In the distance, Su Yun'er looked over, her gaze complex.

She witnessed every step Fang He took along the way.

From an unknown, unaffiliated cultivator to a councilor of the Zhou family.

She saw this path, yet she understood this person less and less.

Is he truly a blockhead, or does he simply not care at all?

She remembered what Fang He had once said: In this world, emotions are the most fragile thing.

She didn't think much of it at the time, but now she understands it a little better.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

The atmosphere in the hall became even more lively, with everyone discussing everything from the Battle of Qing Shi Island to the situation in the outer seas, from martial arts cultivation to everyday family matters.

Fang He found an excuse to leave the table and went to the East Coast alone.

He wanted to be alone.

A gentle sea breeze blows, and waves crash against the shore.

The east coast of Qing'ao Island is usually deserted, but it was unusually quiet tonight.

The moonlight spilled onto the sea, shattering into countless silvery fragments.

Fang He sat down on the rocks and stared blankly at the distant horizon.

This is a place he frequented when he first transmigrated here.

At that time, he was still renting land to cultivate, working hard from dawn till dusk every day to support himself.

Everything has changed now, but he misses the simpler days of the past even more.

At least at that time, he didn't need to think too much.

Fang He.

A familiar voice came from behind me.

Fang He didn't turn around; he had already sensed the presence of the newcomer.

Zhou Xiaolan walked over to him and sat down on another rock.

"Why did you come out?" Fang He asked.

"The banquet was too boring," Zhou Xiaolan said. "Besides, I wanted to come see you."

Fang He remained silent.

"Do you have something to say?" he asked.

Zhou Xiaolan hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke: "Are you... avoiding me?"

Fang He was stunned for a moment.

"Why do you say that?"

"Since we returned from Qing Shi Island, you've seen me less and less," Zhou Xiaolan said softly. "At the banquet just now, you were just going through the motions."

Fang He didn't know what to say.

He was indeed avoiding Zhou Xiaolan.

Over this period of time, Zhou Xiaolan's feelings for him have become quite obvious; he's not oblivious, so it's impossible for him not to notice.

But what he knew even more clearly was that in this world, emotions were the most fragile thing.

"Xiaolan," he called her by her name for the first time, "do you know what kind of background I have?"

"That's not important."

"Important," Fang He said. "I came from Earth and have no relatives or friends in this world."

"And you are the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, between us..."

"What happened between us?" Zhou Xiaolan interrupted him. "I don't care."

"I care," Fang He said. "Feelings are the most fragile bond."

I don't want to have a weakness.

Zhou Xiaolan fell silent.

The waves crashed against the rocks again and again, making a crisp sound.

After a long silence, she finally spoke:

"You're just too rational."

"This is how we survive."

"And what about me?" Zhou Xiaolan asked. "What am I to you?"

Fang He was stunned.

He didn't know how to answer.

What does Zhou Xiaolan mean to him?

Friend? Ally? Or something else entirely?

He couldn't answer.

"You're always like this," Zhou Xiaolan said softly, "calculating everything so meticulously."

But can feelings be calculated?

Fang He did not answer.

He didn't know how to answer.

Zhou Xiaolan stood up and gave him one last look.

"Fang He, think this through carefully," she said. "I'll wait for you."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Fang He sat on the rocks for a long time.

What is he thinking?

Perhaps they weren't thinking about anything at all.

Or perhaps, I've thought about it a lot.

Having traveled from Earth to this world, he was always keenly aware that his environment was resource-scarce, fraught with danger, and of low status, so he took every step with extreme caution.

Emotions are a bond.

And bonds are the most fragile thing.

Old Man Lin left without a sound, and Zhao Haisheng was seriously injured and almost died.

If he had any weaknesses, they would have been exploited countless times by now.

Therefore, he always maintained a clear distance.

How could he not see Zhou Xiaolan's discerning eye?

But saying anything before you understand your own situation is pointless.

Relationships are built on a foundation of mutual strength.

Without strength, all gentleness is nothing but a mirage.

Fang He stood up and took one last look at the horizon.

That's the direction of the open sea.

The overseas ruins, the secret method of the Golden Elixir, and the relentless pressure from the Deputy Sect Master's faction—every single matter requires meticulous preparation.

It can't be rushed.

After the celebration banquet, Zhou Tieshan privately instructed him: "Rest assured and recuperate for half a month to consolidate your cultivation."

As for matters in the outer seas, we will make plans after Ye Shuanghua officially issues the mission.

Fang He deeply agreed.

Although he has broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refining, his foundation still needs to be strengthened.