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

Three days later, at dawn.

The Qing'ao Island pier was shrouded in a thin mist, and the sea breeze was biting, stinging one's cheeks.

Several merchant ships were moored on the shore, their sails fluttering in the wind.

Fang He carried a backpack and had a storage bag hanging from his waist as he strode toward the dock.

He was dressed in a short blue cloth outfit with a gray cloak over it, his attire was low-key and ordinary.

Zhao Hengdao was already waiting at the dock.

The burly man stood with his hands behind his back, a three-foot-long knife wrapped tightly with cloth behind him, and several porcelain bottles hanging at his waist. He stood as upright as a javelin.

"Brother Fang, you're right on time!"

Zhao Hengdao laughed heartily and patted Fang He's shoulder with his large palm, causing him to sway slightly.

"Brother Zhao."

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze sweeping over the porcelain bottle at Zhao Hengdao's waist: "Is everything prepared?"

"Healing pills, detoxifying pills, and qi-restoring pills—we have them all."

Zhao Hengdao patted his waist. "The deep sea is a place where a slight mistake can lead to death. We can't be careless."

As the two were talking, Captain Chen leaned out from the deck.

"Hey, Brother Fang! Long time no see!"

Captain Chen's voice boomed, "Going to the deep sea this time? It's been a bit unsettled there lately, with frequent sea monster activity. You two be extra careful."

"Captain Chen."

Fang He nodded in acknowledgment, "Please take us to the outer edge of the reef area."

"Sure, come on up."

Captain Chen waved his hand, and the boatman lowered the footboard.

Fang He and Zhao Hengdao boarded the ship, and the merchant ship slowly sailed away from the port.

On the deck, the sea breeze howled.

Fang He stood on the ship's side, watching Qing'ao Island gradually disappear into the distance.

The island grew smaller and smaller in the morning mist, eventually becoming a black dot where the sea and sky met.

"Brother Fang, here you go."

Zhao Hengdao handed over a wine flask.

Fang He took it and sipped it.

The liquor was spicy and felt like fire upon entering the stomach, dispelling the chill of the sea breeze.

"I've been to that area of ​​the reef twice when I was hunting monsters."

Zhao Hengdao leaned against the gunwale, gazing into the distance. "The water is forty or fifty feet deep, with reefs standing like fangs and surging undercurrents. Ordinary ships simply cannot get in."

"Where are the sea creatures?"

"There are plenty."

Zhao Hengdao's expression was solemn. "First-tier sea beasts are everywhere, and high-grade first-tier sea beasts are also common. The Ironclad Giant Crab is one of the overlords of that area. Its shell is as hard as iron, and it has immense strength. Even cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining would not dare to confront it head-on."

Fang He silently made a note of it.

A first-tier superior-grade sea beast is equivalent to the combat power of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

He's only at the fifth level of Qi Refining; a direct confrontation would be certain death for him.

"We have two main things to do on this trip."

Zhao Hengdao held up two fingers. "One is to pick the Condensing Essence Grass, and the other is to hunt one or two sea beasts to exchange for spiritual materials. The former is the main one, and the latter is the secondary one."

"Division of labor?"

"You take care of locating the medicinal herbs, I'll deal with the sea monsters."

Zhao Hengdao grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "I'm really envious of your ability to sense spiritual herbs."

Fang He felt a chill run down her spine.

He used the [Spirit Herb Sensing] skill discreetly, but Zhao Hengdao still noticed.

This man may seem forthright, but he is also quite thoughtful.

"A petty trick, not worth mentioning."

Fang He said calmly.

"Haha, Brother Fang is too modest."

Zhao Hengdao laughed loudly, "We rogue cultivators are out and about, who doesn't have some hidden skills? Don't worry, I'm not one to talk big."

Fang He nodded.

Zhao Hengdao is a sensible man; he knows how to behave appropriately.

"By the way, Brother Fang."

Zhao Hengdao suddenly lowered his voice, "How's your vine technique and fireball technique coming along?"

"It's acceptable."

"That's good."

Zhao Hengdao's expression was serious. "The armored giant crab has amazing defense and is difficult to damage with swordsmanship. However, if its joints are entangled by vines, its movements will be restricted. Although the fireball spell cannot break through its shell, it can interfere with its vision and create openings."

"Brother Zhao means..."

"We'll cooperate."

A glint flashed in Zhao Hengdao's eyes. "You hold them back, I'll take the lead. Once we get the Condensing Essence Grass, we'll split the sea beast materials."

Fang He pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

The two made a pact by giving each other a high five.

In the afternoon, the merchant ship arrived at the outer edge of the reef area.

The seawater turned from blue to black, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

In the distance, reefs emerged from the water like fangs, with undercurrents surging and churning among them, emitting a low roar.

A faint fishy smell floated on the sea surface, making one's heart pound.

"This is the only way we can deliver it."

Captain Chen pointed ahead, "Further in, the currents are too strong, and large ships are prone to running aground. You will need to transfer to smaller boats and must return before sunset. I will wait for you here."

"clear."

Fang He and Zhao Hengdao switched to a small boat and rowed deeper into the reef area.

The small boat rose and fell with the waves, sometimes climbing to the crest and sometimes sliding into the trough.

Fang He circulated his spiritual energy to stabilize himself, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily.

The terrain in the reef area is complex, with crisscrossing underwater reefs. A slight mistake could result in the loss of the ship and the lives of the crew.

"Brother Fang, it's your turn to make a move."

Zhao Hengdao stopped rowing.

Fang He nodded and closed his eyes to concentrate.

His divine sense spread out like ripples, sensing the fluctuations of spiritual energy on the seabed.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and pointed northeast.

"Over there, about three hundred feet away, there is the scent of Condensing Essence Grass."

"good!"

Zhao Hengdao's spirits lifted, and he swung the oar, propelling the small boat toward its destination.

The small boat slowly approached.

Through the clear seawater, you can see a few small, white grasses swaying with the waves in a crevice of a reef on the seabed.

Condensing Essence Grass!

Fang He's pupils constricted slightly.

That luminous white luster and that unique aura were exactly the medicinal materials he needed for his breakthrough.

However, at that very moment!

[Crisis Intuition] is suddenly triggered!

A strong sense of crisis surged through Fang He, making his hair stand on end and his pupils shrink.

"There's something down there...be careful!"

Before the words were finished, a huge creature slowly crawled out from behind the underwater reef.

A giant crab, the size of a house, emerged from the shadows. Its shell was as black as iron, and its two enormous claws slowly opened and closed, radiating a suffocating aura of power.

Eight arthropods stepped on the rocks, each step causing the undercurrents to surge.

A Tier 1 Superior Armored Giant Crab!

It's bigger than I expected.

Zhao Hengdao gripped the hilt of his sword and said in a low voice, "Brother Fang, get ready to make your move."

Fang He leaned against the ship's railing, forming a pincer movement with Zhao Hengdao. Their eyes met, and an unspoken understanding was established.

"I'll hold you back, you pluck the fruit."

Fang He said in a low voice, "Let's finish this quickly."

"good!"

The armored crab seemed to sense the intruder, and suddenly opened its massive claws, letting out a piercing hiss.

Fang He made the first move.

With hands forming hand seals, spiritual energy surged, and the Vine Technique was activated!

Several thick water vines shot out from the sea, coiling around the giant crab's claws and limbs like serpents.

The water vines coiled around the crab's joints and tightened forcefully. The crab's movements faltered, and it flailed its massive claws, trying to break free of the vines.

"Now!"

Fang He snorted softly.

Zhao Hengdao leaped into the sea, his body diving to the seabed like a fish. His long sword was drawn, its blade gleaming coldly in the water.

The crab roared in anger and suddenly broke several vines.

Fang He dared not stop, unleashing a barrage of fireballs!

A blazing fireball shot through the air and slammed into the crab's shell.

Flames flew everywhere, but they did not cause any damage. Instead, they successfully attracted its attention.

The crab changed direction and slammed its massive claws down on the small boat!

Fang He dodged the direct attack with a swift movement.

The giant claw slammed into the edge of the small boat, sending wood chips flying and causing the boat to shake violently.

The undercurrent became turbulent due to the crab's movements, and the small boat tossed and turned in the waves like a falling leaf.

Fang He slipped and nearly fell into the sea.

He quickly grabbed the gunwale and used his spiritual power to steady himself.

The crab broke free of all the vines, and with a swish of its massive body, it stirred up towering waves.

Fang He felt a tremendous force strike him, the small boat was overturned by the waves, and he fell into the cold seawater.

Seawater filled my mouth and nose, its salty, pungent taste piercing to the bone.

Fang He swam desperately, dodging the giant crab's sweeping claws.

That single blow was powerful enough to cut him in half at the waist.

He turned around with difficulty in the water, formed hand seals, and activated the vine technique again!

Water vines coiled around the crab from all directions, temporarily delaying its pursuit.

Fang He took the opportunity to swim towards the crevice of the reef, looking for a place to hide.

Enraged, the crab swung its massive claws, snapping all the water vines in two.

It locked onto Fang He's figure, and its eight limbs moved quickly as it caught up.

Fang He was forced into a crevice in a reef, his back pressed against sharp rocks, with a giant armored crab closing in on him.

The giant claws slowly opened, flashing with a cold light, and the aura of death enveloped them.

At the critical moment, Zhao Hengdao's voice rang out from the seabed: "Brother Fang, hold on!"