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

As evening approached, the outline of Qing'ao Island gradually became clear in the sunset.

Fang He stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the sparse figures on the dock. After a day of hard work, the recruitment of guides was finally settled, and Xu Haichuan agreed to meet up in three days. The last piece of the exploration team's puzzle was complete.

But he was far from at ease. Ye Chen's descent into darkness and Xiao Yichen's advance created two looming threats that hung like dark clouds over their journey to the open sea. A reliable guide could solve the route problem, but not the man-made disaster.

The ship docked, and Fang He and Zhou Xiaolan stepped off the gangplank. Captain Chen called to the crew behind them to secure the mooring lines, and they agreed to meet at the dock in three days.

Fang He nodded in acknowledgment and continued walking towards the pharmacy without stopping.

Zhou Xiaolan walked side by side, the sea breeze ruffling the hem of her skirt. She glanced at Fang He's profile but didn't speak. After spending a day together, she could tell Fang He had something on her mind, but she wouldn't press her for details.

"You've had a hard day," Fang He suddenly said.

Zhou Xiaolan tilted her head slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Spending the whole afternoon in the sea breeze at the pier must have been tiring."

Fang He was taken aback, then realized she was joking.

"I'll bring you a pot of hot tea next time."

"No need for that." Zhou Xiaolan's smile faded, her tone flat. "I won't interfere when you're doing important things."

Fang He didn't say anything more, but felt a warmth in her heart.

After walking through two streets and alleys, the sign of the pharmacy came into view.

Fang He paused slightly.

The pharmacy door was ajar, and Su Yun'er was standing at the entrance, looking around. She usually had a gentle and composed demeanor, but she was different at this moment. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her gaze kept glancing towards the backyard.

Upon seeing Fang He return, Su Yun'er quickly stepped forward to greet him, her expression subtle.

"Counselor Fang," Su Yun'er lowered her voice, "a guest has been waiting for two hours, saying he has urgent business to attend to and refuses to reveal his name, only saying, 'Counselor Fang will know when he sees you.'"

Fang He's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Two hours. This person had been waiting for them since they set off for Ironbone Island.

Who would be so eager, yet so cautious?

Fang He withdrew his senses and his gaze fell on Su Yun'er's face.

Where is he/she?

"The backyard," Su Yun'er said in a low voice, her voice tinged with unease. "He was wearing a mask, but his build... didn't seem like that of an ordinary person. He didn't sit down, pacing back and forth in the yard, seemingly very anxious, but he never urged me to sit down."

The two-hour wait was conducted without sitting down, urging, or revealing one's name. It didn't seem like someone asking for a favor; rather, it was as if someone had something they absolutely had to say, yet was filled with concerns.

Fang He pondered for a moment.

Just then, a figure emerged from the side door. Zhao Hengdao strode over and reported in a low voice, "Counselor Fang, the person who has come is Shi Potian, the young master of the Shi family on Qing Shi Island. He came masked and without any attendants. I have confirmed that there are no signs of him following us."

Shi Potian?

Fang He's heart stirred.

After the battle to clear out Qing Shi Island, Shi Potian surrendered and was placed on the outskirts of Qing Ao Island. Nominally under surveillance, he actually enjoyed a degree of freedom. His secret visit was far from a casual reunion.

Those who surrendered risked secretly seeking an audience with their former conquerors, either because they had no other choice or because they brought something more important than the risk.

Fang He looked at Zhou Xiaolan.

Zhou Xiaolan understood his gaze and said calmly, "I'll stay in the front hall. You can go."

Fang He nodded and followed Zhao Hengdao to the backyard.

After taking a few steps, he stopped and looked back.

Zhou Xiaolan had already turned and walked into the front hall, her back straight, without the slightest hesitation.

Fang He withdrew her gaze and quickened her pace.

---

In the backyard, dusk was falling.

Fang He stepped into the backyard and saw a person standing under the locust tree.

The man was masked, but his figure was not difficult to recognize. He was thin and upright, with slightly hunched shoulders. His right hand was unconsciously placed on his waist, a posture often adopted by the young master of the Shi family on Qing Shi Island. His fingers were loosely clenched, as if he were ready to draw a sword that did not exist at any moment.

He clasped his hands in a salute to Fang He, his posture much more respectful than during the mopping-up operation on Qing Shi Island.

"Counselor Fang."

Fang He did not respond immediately. He walked into the courtyard and glanced around.

Shi Potian's state was completely different from when they last met. Back then, although he had been subdued, he still retained the pride of a young master deep down. Now, that pride had been replaced by something deeper: anxiety, and also resolve.

The news this person brought was probably more significant than he had anticipated.

Fang He raised her hand, and spiritual energy flowed from her fingertips.

The array patterns in the courtyard flickered in and out of existence under the influence of spiritual energy, and a pale blue light barrier slowly enveloped the surroundings. Sound was cut off from the outside world; even the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves became muffled.

Shi Potian's eyes flickered slightly.

Fang He's array formation skills had already impressed him deeply during the mopping-up operation on Qing Shi Island. Now, seeing them again, he realized they had improved even more. In just ten breaths, he had set up a complete soundproof array, his technique clean and efficient, without any unnecessary delays.

"Counselor Fang's skill in array formations has improved even more since his time on Qing Shi Island," Shi Potian said in a low voice, his tone filled with genuine emotion.

"Young Master Shi must have something important to discuss in his secret audience." Fang He went straight to the point, ignoring his flattery.

Shi Potian took a deep breath and lowered his voice, saying, "Counselor Fang, I have come here at great risk because I have some crucial information to tell you—the Vice Sect Master's faction has sent out a new agent."

Fang He's expression remained unchanged, but her heart tightened.

Qin Wujiu had mentioned Xiao Yichen before, but information was limited at the time—only a name and a peak Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivation level. Shi Potian's secret request for an audience now clearly indicates he knows more.

"Who is it?"

Shi Potian's expression was solemn as he said, word by word, "This person is named Xiao Yichen, nineteen years old, with a peak cultivation level of the ninth level of Qi Refining."

Nineteen years old. Peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Fang He's heart sank.

Ye Chen reached the ninth level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty and was already hailed as a genius rarely seen in a century by the Qingyuan Sect. This Xiao Yichen is even younger than Ye Chen, yet his cultivation has already caught up. What does this mean? It means that this person's talent, resources, and opportunities may all surpass Ye Chen's.

"continue."

Shi Potian nodded, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

"This person is the direct disciple of the vice sect leader and holds a very high position in the inner sect. He is outwardly gentle and refined, and speaks with exceptional eloquence. Both elders and fellow disciples speak highly of him."

He paused, lowering his voice even further.

"But these are all illusions. This man is as cunning as the sea and ruthless in killing. Within the inner sect, no one who opposes him has a good end, yet no one can find any evidence against him. The dead have no way to testify, and the living are silenced in fear."

Fang He pressed further, "How did you find out all this?"

Shi Potian stated frankly, "Although the Shi family is a marginal clan, we have some old connections within the Qingyuan Sect. I have channels to understand Xiao Yichen's actions within the inner sect. Moreover..."

He paused, a complex look in his eyes.

"My men saw him when he stopped at Ironbone Island for supplies."

"You saw it with your own eyes?" Fang He's gaze sharpened slightly. "Tell me what you saw."

Shi Potian recalled: "When he landed, he was accompanied by only three people, dressed simply, looking like ordinary rogue cultivators. He stayed on Ironbone Island for less than two hours, and after resupplying, he hurriedly left. My men observed from a distance and found that he even smiled and was very polite and considerate when talking to the locals."

He shook his head.

"But my men noticed a detail—his three attendants never looked up at anyone. Their gazes were fixed on him, like three locks. That kind of vigilance can only be found in those who have been tempered by bloodshed."

Fang He silently made a note of it.

Three silent attendants, their gazes fixed on one person. This was an act of absolute obedience, and also proof of absolute control. The fact that Xiao Yichen had even trained his attendants to this extent speaks volumes about his abilities.

Fang He withdrew his senses and focused his gaze on Shi Potian's face.

Shi Potian had no motive to lie. His family's future depended on Fang He, and passing on false information at this moment would be pointless. However, his sources of information were limited, and his understanding of Xiao Yichen's core intentions was not deep enough.

"What is Xiao Yichen's goal?" Fang He asked.

"The Sea Soul Altar," Shi Potian said in a low voice. "He has already led the Vice Sect Master and his elite troops to set off ahead of you, at least five to seven days earlier. Their target is the 'Sea Soul Altar' in the outer sea."

Fang He quickly deduced the scenario in his mind.

A five- to seven-day head start. However, the formations of the outer sea ruins are complex, and Xiao Yichen may not be able to break them on his own. This aligns with Qin Wujiu's previous prediction—Xiao Yichen will most likely need to borrow help.

How many men did he bring?

"I cannot confirm the exact number, but according to my people's observations, there are at least five cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining or above accompanying them."

Five members were at least at the late stage of Qi Refining. Combined with Xiao Yichen's own peak ninth level Qi Refining cultivation, this team's combat strength was already quite considerable.

Fang He felt even more pressure.

"Anything else?"

Shi Potian took a deep breath, his tone becoming even more solemn. His fingers clenched slightly, as if the words he was about to say weighed heavily on his mind.

"What's even more dangerous is that Xiao Yichen carries with him the 'Formation-Breaking Pearl' bestowed upon him by the Vice Sect Master."

A formation-breaking bead?

Fang He frowned. "What is this?"

"The Formation-Breaking Bead is a rare treasure personally crafted by the Vice Sect Master. It can forcibly break most first-order formations and also weaken second-order formations," Shi Potian explained, deliberately slowing his voice as if afraid Fang He would miss any details. "When activated, the spiritual energy within the bead impacts the formation's nodes, causing the formation to become disordered and ineffective for a short period. This bead was originally for the Vice Sect Master's personal use, and its bestowal upon Xiao Yichen shows how highly he values ​​it."

Fang He's expression darkened.

Breaking Formation Bead.

These three words are like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

This means that his prized advantage in formations will face a severe test. First-tier formations can be directly broken, and second-tier formations will be weakened. If the formations of the Outer Sea Ruins are forcibly broken, Xiao Yichen will be able to advance unimpeded.

Fang He's most crucial trump card is precisely his formation.

"What are the limitations of the Formation-Breaking Bead?" Fang He asked calmly, his voice without the slightest fluctuation.

Shi Potian thought for a moment: "As far as I know, each activation of the Formation-Breaking Bead consumes a large amount of spiritual energy. With Xiao Yichen's cultivation at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, his spiritual energy will inevitably be greatly depleted after activating it two or three times. Moreover, the Formation-Breaking Bead is ineffective against formations of the third rank or higher. Of course, with our current cultivation, we can't use third-rank formations either."

The limit is two or three times.

Fang He silently memorized this information. Two or three times might not sound like much, but it could be enough to turn the tide of battle at crucial moments. If Xiao Yichen used it once at the entrance to the ruins, once at the core formation, and saved one more for survival, three times would be sufficient if he controlled the timing properly.

This is a breakthrough point, but it's also a sword hanging over our heads.

"How much do you know about the origin of the Breaking Formation Pearl?" Fang He continued to press.

Shi Potian shook his head, his tone frank: "My knowledge is limited. I only know that it was personally crafted by the Vice Sect Master, but the materials used are unknown. The Vice Sect Master himself is a Core Formation cultivator, and crafting this bead must have taken a lot of effort; he wouldn't give it away easily. The fact that it was given to Xiao Yichen shows that he is determined to obtain the Outer Sea Ruins."

Fang He nodded, secretly making plans in his mind.

Shi Potian added, "There's one more thing, concerning Xiao Yichen's style of doing things. He never attacks head-on. He's good at exploiting his opponents' weaknesses and is used to obtaining the greatest benefit at the lowest cost."

He looked into Fang He's eyes, his tone solemn.

"He will first feign weakness, then leverage his strength, and finally close the net. Councilor Fang, when dealing with him, never be fooled by his seemingly gentle demeanor. Just when you feel you have everything under control, that's often when he's about to make his move."

Show weakness, leverage resources, and then close the net.

Fang He pondered these three words repeatedly in his mind.

Xiao Yichen set off first, and he may not be able to break the sea tribe's formation on his own.

They will then propose "cooperative exploration," but in reality, they will use this opportunity to break through the enemy's defenses and finally crush them in the end.

This is a game of chess, and Xiao Yichen has already made his move.

"You said he's good at leveraging external resources," Fang He said in a low voice, "Whose resources has he leveraged?"

Shi Potian thought for a moment: "When he was in the inner sect, he never personally dealt with his rivals. He would always find their enemies, lure them with benefits, and have others do the work. Afterwards, those people would either be silenced or become his vassals. From beginning to end, his hands were clean."

Fang He felt a chill in her heart.

This kind of person is more terrifying than Ye Chen. Ye Chen is a gleaming knife; you can see its sharpness and know to dodge. Xiao Yichen is a net; by the time you see the whole picture, you're already entangled.

Shi Potian said in a low voice, "Counselor Fang, I risked coming here not only to deliver intelligence, but also to leave myself a way out. Xiao Yichen... if he gains power, my Shi family will not have an easy time. He looks down on us marginal small clans, and is ten times more arrogant than the Zhou family. In his eyes, marginal small clans are not even pawns, just disposable waste."

Fang He looked into Shi Potian's eyes and read his true intentions.

Shi Potian bet that Fang He would win, so he invested in advance. This is a matter of shared interests and self-preservation. Loyalty is irrelevant; it's all about which side has a greater chance of winning.

Fang He did not expose him, but simply said, "I have remembered Young Master Shi's kindness."

Shi Potian took out a communication jade slip from his bosom and handed it over with both hands.

"Counselor Fang, this jade slip can transmit messages three times in one direction. If I have any new information, I will notify you through this. However, for security reasons, I will not contact you unless it is an emergency."

Fang He took the jade slip and put it into his storage bag.

Shi Potian clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave. But as he reached the courtyard gate, he paused, turning back to glance at Fang He.

In the twilight, his gaze beneath the veil was unusually complex.

"Counselor Fang, Xiao Yichen is... ten times more terrifying than Ye Chen."

His voice was deep, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Ye Chen is a knife, its sharpness is exposed, and you can see where the danger lies. Xiao Yichen is a net; by the time you realize you're trapped, it's too late to escape."

Fang He remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"I've got it."

Shi Potian said no more and left masked. Zhao Hengdao emerged from the shadows and silently followed behind, escorting him to the edge of the island.

---

The backyard fell silent again.

Fang He removed the soundproofing array, and the pale blue light barrier dissipated like ripples on water. The sounds in the courtyard became clear again: the chirping of insects, the sound of the wind, and the muffled sound of waves crashing on the shore in the distance.

Fang He sat alone on the stone bench, closing his eyes in deep thought.

Dusk had fallen, and night was deepening. The branches and leaves of the locust tree in the courtyard swayed gently in the night breeze, casting dappled shadows.

Xiao Yichen's intelligence was sorted out in his mind: nineteen years old, peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, even more amazing than Ye Chen back then; his mind was as deep as the sea, and he was good at disguising himself; he had the Array-Breaking Pearl in his hand, which could break most first-order arrays; he had already set off ahead of others, five to seven days earlier; his style of doing things was to first show weakness, then borrow strength, and finally close the net; at least five people of the late stage of Qi Refining or above accompanied him.

Four threats overlap: cultivation level, strategy, formation-breaking beads, and first-mover advantage.

And then there's Ye Chen. Qin Wujiu said Ye Chen has turned to the dark side and joined the vice sect leader's faction; his Dao heart has collapsed, making him even more dangerous. If Ye Chen also appears in the outer sea, the five threats will overlap, making the situation extremely complex.

Fang He took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

Despite the numerous threats, he is not without trump cards.

The formations of the sea race and the formations of the human race are almost two completely different systems.

Human formations are anchored to the earth's veins, with fixed nodes, and the circulation of spiritual energy follows a set pattern.

The sea creatures' formations are based on the tides, with nodes moving with the ocean currents, and spiritual energy rising and falling like breathing.

The principle behind breaking the formation is to impact the spiritual energy nodes of the formation.

Fixed nodes are naturally more susceptible to impact.

But what if the node itself is constantly moving?

Fang He's mind raced with thoughts.

The Formation-Breaking Pearl was crafted by the Vice Sect Master, a Core Formation cultivator. When he crafted it, it was naturally designed to target the human race's formation system. The spiritual energy strikes a fixed point, breaking it in one blow.

However, the nodes of the sea creature formation are not fixed.

It changes with the tides, here one moment and elsewhere the next.

The spiritual energy impact of the Breaking Formation Pearl might only hit a blank space.

It's like hitting a running rabbit with a stone versus hitting a crouching rabbit—the difficulty is worlds apart.

An idea gradually took shape.

The array-breaking bead is effective against human arrays, but it may not be equally effective against sea race arrays. The way spiritual energy is circulated, the distribution of nodes, and the logic of array pattern arrangement in sea race arrays are all completely different from those of humans.

This means that Fang He's advantage in formations might not be completely lost in the outer sea ruins. The sea creatures' formations might actually become the key to his fight against Xiao Yichen.

But this is just speculation.

Speculation needs to be verified.

The only time to verify this is when it will be available offshore.

Fang He opened her eyes, her gaze calm.

A tough battle is imminent, but he is not without a plan.

Footsteps came from behind.

Fang He didn't turn around; he knew who it was. Her footsteps were light and steady, unhurried and measured—a rhythm unique to Zhou Xiaolan.

Zhou Xiaolan walked to the opposite side of him and sat down quietly. She didn't ask about the contents of their private conversation; she simply sat there, gazing calmly at the night sky.

A warm feeling welled up in Fang He's heart.

This unspoken understanding speaks louder than a thousand words. She knew he would speak, just not now.

"Have you figured it out?" Zhou Xiaolan asked softly.

Fang He shook his head. "I haven't completely figured it out, but I have a direction."

He paused, then said in a low voice, "Xiao Yichen is more difficult to deal with than I expected. But he has a weakness, or rather, there might be one. I need to get to the outer sea to confirm it."

Zhou Xiaolan did not press for details about the flaw, but simply nodded slightly.

"Then we'll see when we get there," she said calmly. "There's no point in thinking too much now; we should conserve our energy."

Looking into her eyes, Fang He suddenly felt the heaviness in her heart lighten a bit.

"you're right."

He stood up and glanced at the night sky.

"I need to go to the Zhou family tomorrow to inform Zhou Tieshan and Qin Wujiu of the situation. We have two days to prepare, and we can't waste them."

Zhou Xiaolan nodded and followed him out of the backyard.

---

The lights were already on in the lobby.

Su Yun'er had prepared dinner and was quietly waiting to the side. Three dishes and a soup, steaming hot, were her usual thoughtfulness. Her gaze lingered on Fang He's face for a moment, and seeing that his expression was normal, she felt relieved and quietly stepped aside.

Fang He sat down and picked up her chopsticks.

Zhou Xiaolan sat opposite, eating quietly, occasionally glancing at Fang He's profile before quickly lowering her gaze again.

Su Yun'er gently added a bowl of soup for each of them. She lingered beside Fang He for a moment, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately only whispered, "Councilor Fang, drink the soup while it's hot."

Fang He nodded, picked up the bowl and took a sip, still processing the events in his mind.

The Breaking Formation Bead has a limited number of uses: two or three. How will Xiao Yichen allocate his resources? One for the entrance to the ruins, one for the core formation, and one for survival. If he uses it all three times, he will lose his biggest trump card. If he uses it once before the third use, the situation will be very different.

The difference between the sea race's formations and the human race's formations. This is his biggest variable, and perhaps his biggest trump card. Upon arriving at the outer sea ruins, he needs to confirm as soon as possible whether the sea race's formations can truly withstand the effects of the formation-breaking beads.

Xiao Yichen's modus operandi: First, feign weakness; then, leverage his strength; finally, close the net. He will definitely propose cooperation, as the possibility of him deciphering the sea race's ruins alone, given his mastery of formations, is extremely low. Cooperation is a pretense; leveraging his strength is the real purpose, and closing the net is his ultimate goal.

Ye Chen's possible moves. Ye Chen, after his descent into darkness, becomes even more unpredictable. He is a visible weapon, potentially launching a fatal attack in conjunction with Xiao Yichen's dark network at a crucial moment.

Every variable needs to be taken into consideration.