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

Returning from the patrol.

The sun was already setting in the west, and the sky was tinged with a layer of orange-red glow.

Fang He walked back to the patrol team's camp with the team.

He felt much more at ease after the trip ended safely.

After mastering the basics of vine manipulation, his performance on patrol improved significantly.

When encountering small sea monsters, you no longer have to rely solely on talismans and teammates; you can now take action on your own.

"Brother Fang, this adds another contribution point to your portfolio."

Han Laosan walked over from the side with a smile on his face.

Fang He nodded: "Thanks to everyone's good fortune."

Han Laosan waved his hand: "It's your own ability, it has nothing to do with anyone else."

He lowered his voice, a hint of envy in his tone.

"You've killed three sea monsters this month, you must have accumulated quite a few contribution points, right?"

"Among this batch of newcomers, you stand out from the crowd."

Fang He didn't answer directly, but just smiled.

Han Laosan didn't press him for details, and patted him on the shoulder.

Fang He nodded.

The efforts of the past month or so have not been in vain.

Just then, a guard from the Zhou family walked over.

"Fang He, the captain of the guard wants to see you. Come with me."

Fang He's heart stirred slightly.

The captain usually only summons the captain for important matters.

He greeted Han Laosan and followed the guards deeper into the camp.

Han Laosan called out from behind, "Brother Fang, come back and have a drink."

Fang He waved his hand without turning his head.

……

After passing through the outer perimeter of the market, the guards led him to a separate courtyard.

The courtyard was small, with a faint glow, and was much cleaner than ordinary barracks.

Two guards stood at the entrance, with swords at their waists.

"Go in, the captain is waiting for you inside."

Fang He pushed open the door and entered.

Several unidentified plants and trees were planted in the courtyard, and a stone table and several stone benches were placed in the corner.

In the center was a simple wooden house with its windows open.

He walked to the door and knocked twice gently.

"Come in."

Zhou Tieshan's voice came from inside the room.

Fang He pushed open the door and entered, his eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.

The room was simply furnished with a table, a few chairs, and a map of the coastline with markings on it hanging on the wall.

"sit."

Zhou Tieshan put down his pen and raised his hand.

Fang He sat down at the table, straightening his back.

Zhou Tieshan pushed the document aside and looked him up and down.

"I've seen what you've done during this time."

Fang He didn't speak, but listened quietly.

"They killed the sea monsters three times, with solid teamwork and no greed for personal gain or recklessness."

"The vine technique is easy to learn and can be used properly in actual combat."

Zhou Tieshan's tone was calm, but it conveyed approval.

"A promising talent."

Fang He cupped his hands in thanks: "Thanks to the captain's guidance."

Zhou Tieshan waved his hand: "It's your own ability, no need to be modest."

He paused, then pushed the cloth bag and porcelain bottle from the corner of the table in front of Fang He.

"This is an extra reward from the Zhou family."

Fang He was slightly taken aback.

Extra rewards?

He never expected this to happen.

"Open it and take a look."

Fang He reached out and picked up the cloth bag, weighed it in her hand, and then opened the bag.

There are ten spirit stones inside.

He picked up the porcelain bottle again and uncorked it.

A dark red pill, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

Qi-restoring pill.

He had seen this kind of pill in the market; one pill cost two or three spirit stones.

It can quickly restore spiritual power after consumption, making it a life-saving item in battle.

"Ten spirit stones and one Qi-restoring pill."

Zhou Tieshan's voice was steady.

"This is a recognition of your performance over the past month."

Fang He felt a warmth in her heart.

This is quite a gain.

Ten spirit stones, plus his existing savings, were enough to cover his cultivation expenses for several months.

The Qi-restoring pill is even more practical, as it can quickly restore spiritual power during battle, providing an extra trump card for survival.

He stood up and solemnly bowed to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Captain."

Zhou Tieshan nodded: "This is what you deserve."

He gestured for Fang He to sit down, his tone becoming serious.

"There's something I need to tell you next."

Fang He immediately sat up straight, her expression serious.

"Recently, the marine mammals have been behaving strangely, so the Zhou family has decided to increase patrols along the coastline."

Zhou Tieshan's gaze deepened.

"I will arrange for you to participate in patrol missions in deeper waters, closer to the open sea."

Fang He felt a slight chill run down her spine.

Deeper waters, closer to the open sea.

This means being further away from Qing'ao Island, closer to the territory of sea monsters, and thus facing greater danger.

But at the same time, there are also more opportunities.

Stronger sea monsters mean richer loot and more contribution points.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, Captain."

Zhou Tieshan glanced at him, seemingly quite satisfied with his reaction.

"The sea creatures there are stronger, and the harvest is greater."

"There are dangers, of course, but you should be able to handle them."

"Get ready, we'll be leaving in a few days."

Fang He nodded in agreement: "Understood."

Zhou Tieshan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and seemed to be pondering something.

Fang He was about to take his leave when Zhou Tieshan suddenly spoke.

"Oh, right, there's something I need to tell you."

Fang He stopped what she was doing and looked up at him.

"Did you notice anything unusual during your inspection?"

Fang He's heart stirred.

He paused for a moment before speaking:

"Reporting to the captain, the sea monsters are indeed more active than before."

"Captain Chen also mentioned before that the migration routes of marine mammals are unusual."

"And it's not just Qing'ao Island; it seems like several surrounding islands are experiencing similar situations."

Zhou Tieshan nodded slightly, his gaze becoming deep.

"The Zhou family is also investigating this matter."

"Preliminary assessment suggests that the abnormal behavior of the marine mammal may be due to human intervention."

Fang He's heart skipped a beat.

Human factors?

This confirmed his earlier suspicions.

Marine mammal migrations, unusual routes, and destruction of habitats...

These events, when put together, seem to suggest that some force is manipulating things from behind the scenes.

The image of Sun Er's hurried departure flashed through my mind.

But he didn't voice his suspicions; he just listened quietly.

Zhou Tieshan didn't continue speaking, but just glanced at him.

"Go back first, and don't tell anyone."

"Yes, Captain."

Fang He nodded, stood up, and took his leave.

Human factors...abnormal marine mammal behavior...

What forces are behind this?

……

As we stepped out of the camp, night had completely fallen.

The moon hung in the sky, casting a faint silvery glow.

There were few pedestrians on the road, and occasionally a patrolling guard would walk by, his footsteps particularly clear in the night.

Fang He slowed his pace, walking and thinking at the same time.

Missions in deeper waters mean greater risks.

He must be fully prepared.

The talismans need to be replenished, the elixirs need to be prepared, and the vine technique needs to be practiced continuously.

The Qi-restoring pills we obtained this time can serve as a life-saving trump card.

He touched the pouch of spirit stones in his arms and made up his mind.

……

When we returned to Lingtian District, the hut was pitch black, with only moonlight shining in through the window.

The light of the spirit array in the distance flickered in the night, enveloping the entire spirit field.

Fang He lit an oil lamp and sat down at the table.

He took out ten spirit stones and Qi-restoring pills and placed them on the table.

The spirit stone gleamed softly under the light, and the Qi-restoring pill emitted a faint medicinal fragrance.

This month's hard work has yielded tangible results.

Material gains were one aspect, but more importantly, they gained Zhou Tieshan's approval.

This means that he already holds some weight in the eyes of the Zhou family.

If a better opportunity arises in the future, he might be given priority consideration.

But Zhou Tieshan's words made him uneasy.

"Human factors..."