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

a few days later.

Fang He sat in the study in the backyard of the pharmacy, with a sheet of white paper spread out in front of him and a wolf-hair brush in his hand.

The sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten, and the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

Su Yun'er quietly brought over a cup of hot tea, placed it on the corner of the table, and then silently withdrew.

Fang He did not look up.

His gaze fell on the white paper, which was already covered with dense writing.

He meticulously recorded every detail, categorizing them: Qian Laosi's physical features, the gray-robed cultivator's scar on his left eyebrow, the rune features of the bronze array plate, the flight path in the northeast direction...

Fang He put down his pen, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

The tea was slightly hot, with a faint bitter taste.

This is a habit he inherited from Master Wu Dan: a cup of strong tea in the morning to refresh and invigorate him.

He put down his teacup and turned his gaze back to the paper.

The entry for "[Array Formation Insights]" quietly circulated in his mind, and those fragmented pieces of information were reorganized and pieced together in his mind.

The key point of the East Third District array.

The tide will rise three days later.

Beast-driving formation.

Fang He tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

If the East Third District is only one of the key points of the formation, then it means there are other areas as well.

East Zone 1, East Zone 2, East Zone 4... and possibly not only the east, but also the west, south, and north.

This is a large-scale formation covering the entire sea area surrounding Qing'ao Island.

The Dark Abyss Pavilion's appetite was greater than he had imagined.

Fang He stood up and walked to the window.

In the morning mist, the distant sea was faintly visible.

In three days, it will be high tide.

At that time, the sea beasts, drawn by the beast-driving formation, will inevitably flock to Qing'ao Island in droves.

With the defensive capabilities of Qing'ao Island, can it withstand the attack?

Fang He already had the answer in her heart.

No.

Even if the Zhou family does everything in its power, it will inevitably suffer heavy losses in the face of the sudden tide of sea monsters.

Moreover, the Dark Abyss Pavilion would never set up just one beast-driving formation; they must have other plans.

It must be reported to the Zhou family.

Fang He made a decision.

Investigating alone is too risky, and his abilities are limited.

The Zhou family has resources, manpower, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge; a joint response is the best strategy.

However, how to report it requires careful consideration.

Should we go directly to Manager Zhou? We might not be able to get in touch.

Although he was the owner of a pharmacy, in the eyes of the Zhou family, he was nothing more than a somewhat useful rogue cultivator.

I need someone to introduce me.

A name popped into Fang He's mind.

Zhou Ming.

A member of a collateral branch of the Zhou family, with a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation level, he is shrewd and good at socializing.

The two had crossed paths while on patrol and their relationship was acceptable.

More importantly, Zhou Ming was well-informed and had some connections with the servants around Steward Zhou.

The safest option is to go through his recommendation.

Fang He gathered the papers on the table, straightened his robes, and walked out of the study.

In the front hall, Su Yun'er was wiping down the medicine cabinet.

Seeing Fang He come out, she stopped what she was doing: "Shopkeeper, are you going out?"

"Go to the Zhou residence," Fang He said calmly. "Keep an eye on the pharmacy. If there's anything urgent, come find me at the Zhou residence."

"Yes."

Su Yun'er didn't ask any more questions and continued wiping the medicine cabinet with her head down.

Fang He walked out of the pharmacy and headed towards the Zhou residence.

The Zhou Mansion is located in the center of Qing'ao Island and is the most magnificent building on the island.

The courtyard has three entrances and three exits, with blue bricks and gray tiles, flying eaves and brackets, and two majestic stone lions at the entrance.

Fang He did not go directly to the door, but went first to a teahouse that Zhou Ming frequented.

Zhou Ming was lucky; he was drinking tea by the window on the second floor.

"Fellow Daoist Fang?" Zhou Ming looked up and saw Fang He. A smile appeared on his face. "A rare guest indeed. Come, come, sit down and have some tea."

Fang He sat down opposite him without touching her teacup.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming, I have important business to discuss with Steward Zhou. It concerns the unusual activity in the Dark Abyss Pavilion and the sea. I would be grateful if you could inform me."

Zhou Ming's smile faltered slightly.

He put down his teacup and lowered his voice: "Dark Abyss Pavilion? Fellow Daoist Fang, this is no joke."

"I never joke," Fang He said calmly. "Three days ago, I witnessed it with my own eyes in the market. Qian Laosi met with the cultivators from the Dark Abyss Pavilion to exchange array plates and mentioned key information such as the array eye in the Eastern Third District and the high tide three days later."

Zhou Ming's pupils constricted slightly.

Although he was only a member of a collateral branch of the family, he had heard of the Dark Abyss Pavilion.

It was a mysterious, unaffiliated organization of cultivators, acting slyly and ruthlessly, with grudges against forces on multiple islands.

"Does Fellow Daoist Fang have any evidence?" Zhou Ming asked in a deep voice.

"Yes." Fang He took out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve. "This is the intelligence I've compiled, including Qian Laosi's physical characteristics, the appearance of the contact person, the description of the array plate, and the content of their conversation."

Zhou Ming took the paper, unfolded it, and examined it closely.

The more he looked, the more serious his expression became.

"This matter... is indeed of great importance." Zhou Ming put away the papers, stood up, and said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, please come with me. I will take you to see Steward Zhou right away."

The two left the teahouse and headed towards the Zhou residence.

At the entrance of the Zhou residence, the guards saw that it was Zhou Ming and did not stop him, but their gazes lingered on Fang He for a moment.

"This is Fellow Daoist Fang He, the owner of the pharmacy. He has important business to discuss with the manager," Zhou Ming explained.

The guard nodded and made way.

Zhou Ming led Fang He through the front yard to a study.

"The steward is currently handling some business. Fellow Daoist Fang, please wait a moment while I go in to inform him."

Zhou Ming pushed open the door and entered, then came out a moment later, beckoning to Fang He: "Fellow Daoist Fang, please."

Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Manager Zhou sat behind a rosewood desk, his face showing a calm demeanor despite being in his forties.

A nautical chart hangs on the wall behind the desk, marking the distribution of the sea area surrounding Qing'ao Island.

"Fang He, I heard you have something important to report?" Steward Zhou put down his brush and looked at Fang He.

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting: "Junior Fang He greets Steward Zhou."

"No need for formalities." Steward Zhou waved his hand. "Zhou Ming said you've discovered clues about the Dark Abyss Pavilion. Tell me in detail."

Fang He straightened up and recounted what he had seen and heard in the market three days ago.

From his chance encounter with Qian Laosi to his tracking of the gray-robed cultivator and his discovery of the Beast-Driving Array, every detail was presented clearly and without omission.

"That array plate is made of bronze, about the size of a palm, and its surface is engraved with complex runes," Fang He continued. "The runes flow with a guiding energy, which is different from all the arrays I have learned. I judge that this is the core array eye of the Beast Driving Array."

Manager Zhou frowned slightly: "Why are you so sure it's the Dark Abyss Pavilion? Do you have any proof?"

"The gray-robed cultivator referred to Qian Laosi as the Pavilion Master's order, and Qian Laosi mentioned the array eye of the Eastern Third District, implying that there are other areas as well," Fang He said in a deep voice. "Combined with the recent abnormalities of the sea beasts, I deduce that the Dark Abyss Pavilion intends to use the Beast Driving Array to trigger a sea beast tide, thereby weakening the Zhou family's power."

Manager Zhou remained silent for a moment, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

He stood up, walked to the nautical chart on the wall, and his gaze fell on the northeast direction.

"The tide will come in three days..." Steward Zhou murmured. "Time is of the essence."

He turned to Fang He and said, "Your observations are very detailed, and your analysis makes sense. However, this matter is of great importance, and I need to confirm it."

"Please do as you please, manager." Fang He's expression remained unchanged.

Manager Zhou nodded and called out towards the door, "Someone, go and invite Zhou Tieshan."

A moment later, a burly middle-aged man entered the study.

This man was over thirty years old, with a resolute face, eyes like lightning, and a powerful aura, clearly at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

It was Zhou Tieshan, the commander-in-chief of the Zhou family's guard.

"Manager." Zhou Tieshan bowed respectfully, his gaze sweeping over Fang He as he nodded slightly.

"Tieshan, Fang He has discovered some clues about the Dark Abyss Pavilion. Listen to what he has to say." Manager Zhou gestured for Fang He to repeat the information.

Fang He reiterated the intelligence in detail once again.

After listening, Zhou Tieshan frowned: "Beast-driving formation... if it's true, it's indeed troublesome."

"Did you notice anything unusual during your recent patrols?" Steward Zhou asked.

"Yes," Zhou Tieshan said in a deep voice, "In the past half month, the activity of sea monsters in the northeast direction has increased significantly, and their behavior patterns are unnatural, as if they are being pulled by some force. I originally thought it was due to seasonal changes, but now it seems..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already clear.

Manager Zhou nodded, his gaze towards Fang He now showing more approval.

"Fang He, your observations are meticulous and your analysis is reasonable. This matter is of great importance. I will establish a secret investigation team to thoroughly investigate the Dark Abyss Pavilion's conspiracy."

He paused, then continued, "Zhou Tieshan will be in charge, and you will assist in the investigation."

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting: "This junior obeys."

Steward Zhou took a token from the drawer and handed it to Fang He.

The token is made of bronze, with the character "周" (Zhou) engraved on the front and the characters "客卿" (Guest Minister) engraved on the back.

"This is the Zhou family's guest elder token. With this token, you can mobilize the Zhou family's external personnel and, if necessary, some resources," Steward Zhou instructed. "But remember, this matter is confidential and must not be divulged."

Fang He accepted the token and put it into his sleeve: "This junior understands."

Zhou Tieshan stepped forward and extended his hand to Fang He: "Fellow Daoist Fang, I have long heard of your outstanding performance in the patrol team. I hope that in this cooperation, we can work together to thwart the Dark Abyss Pavilion's conspiracy."

Fang He shook hands with him: "Captain Zhou, you're too kind. I will do my best."

After returning to his desk, Steward Zhou sat down again: "Within three days, we must find the other key points of the formation. Keep an eye on Qian Laosi, but don't alert him."

"Yes," Fang He and Zhou Tieshan replied in unison.

"Go ahead," Manager Zhou waved his hand.

The two left the study.

As they left the Zhou residence, Zhou Tieshan stopped. "Fellow Daoist Fang, come find me at the dock at midnight tonight. Let's go check out the East Third District first."

"Okay." Fang He nodded.

Zhou Tieshan turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing around the street corner.

Fang He stood at the entrance of the Zhou residence, looking calmly at the guest token in his hand.

My identity has changed.

From a self-taught pharmacy owner to a partner recognized by the Zhou family.

This step came faster than he had anticipated.

But Fang He felt no pride, only solemnity.

Three-day deadline.

The beast-taming array of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, the crisis of the Zhou family, the fate of Qing'ao Island...

Everything hinges on these three days.

Fang He put away the token and headed towards the pharmacy.

He needs time to prepare.