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

a few days later.

Early morning, at the East Wharf of Qing'ao Island.

The thin mist had not yet dissipated, and a layer of milky white floated on the sea.

Several seagulls swept past the mast, emitting sharp cries.

Fang He stood on the stone steps of the dock, dressed in simple clothes, with an assistant manager's token hanging from his waist.

The token is made of bronze, with the character "周" engraved on the front and the six small characters "海域巡查协理" on the back.

This was personally granted by Steward Zhou three days ago, along with a monthly salary of twenty spirit stones and the right to lead a team independently.

A ten-person independent cultivator patrol team sets sail for the first time today.

Fang He's gaze swept to the other end of the dock.

A man in his forties was striding towards them.

He was burly, with a scar across his left cheek running from his brow bone to his jaw. He carried a thick-backed machete on his back, its blade chipped and mottled, yet exuding a chilling murderous aura.

Zhao Hengdao is a renowned swordsman among independent cultivators, possessing a late-stage Qi Refining cultivation level.

"Captain Fang." Zhao Hengdao stopped three steps in front of Fang He, clasped his hands in a salute, and said in a hoarse voice, "Zhao Hengdao reporting for duty."

Fang He nodded slightly: "I, Fang He, have taken note of Fellow Daoist Zhao's willingness to come."

"You're too kind, Captain." Zhao Hengdao grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Those bastards from the Dark Abyss Pavilion dared to cause trouble on Qing'ao Island. I've been wanting to meet them for a long time."

Fang He didn't respond to that.

Zhao Hengdao volunteered for the mission.

Three days ago, Fang He announced the formation of a patrol team, and Zhao Hengdao was the first to approach him, asking to serve as the deputy captain.

The reason was that he owed Fang He a favor, as Fang He had once saved his life with a fireball spell.

Fang He agreed.

The vice-captain needs ability, but even more so, he needs to obey orders.

Zhao Hengdao possessed both.

Another figure emerged from the thin mist.

A young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in the attire of a collateral branch of the Zhou family, with a family heirloom jade pendant at his waist, walked with a steady gait.

He had a handsome face and a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

Zhou Qing, a member of a collateral branch of the Zhou family, is in the late stage of Qi Refining and is responsible for liaising with the Zhou family.

"Assistant Manager Fang." Zhou Qing cupped his hands in a respectful manner, but his eyes held a scrutinizing gaze. "Zhou Qing is here to assist in the patrol."

Fang He noticed his form of address.

Assistant Manager Fang, not Captain Fang.

This is the Zhou family's stance.

While acknowledging Fang He's identity, it's also important to remind him that the Zhou family ultimately has members in this team.

"Please go ahead, Fellow Daoist Zhou," Fang He said calmly. "We can discuss the details on the ship."

Zhou Qing nodded and stepped aside.

A third person emerged from around the corner of the dock.

The man, in his early thirties, carried a medicine basket on his back; he was thin and had a glint in his eye.

When their eyes met, he immediately put on a smile.

"Captain Fang, Liu Cheng is here." He strode closer, lowering his voice, "I heard we're going to the Northeast Reef Area today? There are plenty of medicinal herbs there, like purple-veined seaweed and sea spirit grass..."

"We'll talk about it once we're on board," Fang He interrupted him.

Liu Cheng is a rogue cultivator in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, who makes a living by collecting medicinal herbs.

Fang He didn't have a deep impression of him, only remembering the shrewdness and greed in his eyes.

[Sharpened Spiritual Senses] were quietly activated. Fang He sensed that Liu Cheng's aura was somewhat restless and his heartbeat was too fast, indicating that he was having distracting thoughts.

He didn't say anything, he just made a note of it.

Seven more people arrived in succession.

Three rogue cultivators with naval combat experience, two Zhou family outer guards, one mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator skilled in water escape techniques, and one young Qi Refining Level 3 newcomer.

Ten people gathered.

Fang He glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "State your names."

Ten people signed up in turn, and Fang He wrote them down one by one.

After the roll call was completed, Fang He took out the assistant manager's token from his sleeve and held it high above his head.

"Today we set sail. I, Fang He, will be the captain, and you will be the team members."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"The sea is dangerous, and there are only three rules: obey orders, stay with the team in case of danger, and share the spoils of war. Anyone who violates these rules will be expelled from the patrol team and never be re-enlisted."

After he finished speaking, the dock fell silent.

Zhao Hengdao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly.

Liu Cheng's eyes flickered, and he nodded in agreement.

The others responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Fang He put away the token and turned to walk towards the end of the dock.

A gray-blue merchant ship was anchored there.

The ship appears ordinary, but there are hidden formations circulating beneath its hull.

Captain Chen's ship was borrowed by Qian He himself three days ago.

"Boarding."

Ten people boarded the boat one by one.

Captain Chen stepped out of the cabin and nodded to Fang He: "Captain Fang, the route is ready, target: the northeast reef area."

"Thank you for your trouble, Captain Chen." Fang He stepped onto the deck, stood at the bow, and said, "Let's set sail."

With sails hoisted, the merchant ship slowly sailed away from the port.

In the thin mist, the outline of Qing'ao Island gradually fades into the distance.

---

As the ship sailed at sea, Fang He always stood at the bow.

[Skilled in Water] He moved silently, sensing the subtle changes in the ocean currents.

The tide flows eastward with a steady current, making it suitable for full-speed navigation.

With his keen spiritual senses, he could see all the fluctuations of spiritual energy within a three-mile radius.

Two miles to the left front, a chaotic aura emanates.

A school of red-toothed fish, numbering about thirty.

"Turn 15 degrees to the left and go around," Fang He said.

The helmsman immediately adjusted the course.

Zhao Hengdao walked to Fang He's side and whispered, "Captain Fang knows this sea area better than the old fishermen."

Fang He looked straight ahead: "One must master the skills to save one's life."

Zhao Hengdao chuckled and said no more.

Zhou Qing observed from a distance, her scrutinizing gaze lessening somewhat.

After the boat had traveled ten miles, Fang He raised his hand again: "Stop the boat."

The merchant ship slowly came to a stop.

Fang He closed his eyes and focused his mind, fully activating his [Sharp Spiritual Senses].

To the right front, ten feet underwater, a heavy aura is moving.

Ironback turtles, at least three.

"There is a group of ironback turtles ahead, detour."

Captain Chen frowned: "Taking a detour will take half an hour."

"Half an hour is better than losing your life," Fang He said calmly. "Turn thirty degrees to the right."

The course was adjusted again.

The two detours added nearly an hour to the journey, but none of the ten people on board were injured.

Zhao Hengdao looked at Fang He with more approval in his eyes.

Zhou Qing remained silent, simply noting down the team's style of operation.

---

As the sun rose higher, the thin mist dissipated.

A deserted island came into view.

The island is covered with vines and scattered with rocks, and there is a small bay on the west side.

Fang He stood at the bow of the ship, his keen spiritual sense sweeping across the entire island.

Three auras of sea creatures were scattered on the east, south, and north sides of the island.

The western bay has the weakest atmosphere, making it a good place to visit and rest briefly.

"We'll dock and rest on the island for 15 minutes."

The merchant ship slowly sailed into the bay and anchored.

The ten people disembarked one by one.

Fang He divided the defenses into groups: "Zhao Hengdao will lead three men to guard the east bank, Zhou Qing will lead two men to guard the west bank. Liu Cheng and two others will come with me to scout the island."

The group accepted the order and dispersed.

Fang He instructed, "There may be medicinal herbs on the island, but no one is allowed to leave the group without permission. If anything unusual is detected, alert the authorities immediately."

Liu Cheng nodded repeatedly, but his eyes unconsciously drifted toward the center of the island.

The vines there are the densest, and sunlight can hardly penetrate, making it the perfect place for rare medicinal herbs to grow.

Fang He saw it all but said nothing.

The exploration begins.

Fang He led Liu Cheng and two other team members along the path in the center of the island.

The vines grew denser and denser, and the air was filled with the damp, fishy smell of the sea.

Upon reaching the center of the island, Fang He paused slightly.

[Insights into the Formation] A gentle thumping.

He crouched down and parted the vines and fallen leaves at his feet.

A bronze fragment lies half-buried in the soil, its surface engraved with intricate runes.

Although the runes were damaged, they bore some resemblance to the array plate that Qian Laosi had handed over.

Abandoned nodes of the Beast Driving Formation.

Fang He's pupils constricted slightly.

The Dark Abyss Pavilion's activities cover a wider area than one might imagine.

This deserted island is fifty miles away from Qing'ao Island, yet there are still remnants of the formation.

"Captain, what did you find?" Liu Cheng came over, but his gaze went past Fang He and looked at the crevice in the reef not far away.

There was a purple-veined seaweed there, its leaves a deep purple, swaying gently in the tide.

The market price is five spirit stones per plant.

Liu Cheng swallowed hard.

Fang He put away the bronze fragments and said in a deep voice, "They are fragments of an array. Take them back to the Zhou family. Continue the investigation."

He turned and walked to the east, seemingly unaware of Liu Cheng's unusual behavior.

---

Fifteen minutes later, Fang He led his team back to the bay.

Zhao Hengdao and Zhou Qing have completed their security arrangements, and everything is normal.

"Fall back, prepare to return," Fang He ordered.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a sharp shout suddenly came from the east bank—

"Who goes there!"

Then came a scream!

"Liu Cheng!"

Fang He's expression changed drastically.

Liu Cheng has disappeared.

"Damn it!" Fang He cursed under his breath, his figure shooting out at lightning speed. "Zhao Hengdao, hold the bay! Zhou Qing, bring your men and follow me!"

He activated his [Water Proficiency] skill and darted towards the east of the island like an arrow.

Liu Cheng left the team without permission.

---

East of the island, a rocky area.

Liu Cheng was lying in a pool of blood, his left leg a bloody mess, and an iron-backed turtle was approaching.

Another iron-backed tortoise was entangled by Zhao Hengdao's men, but it was clear that it wouldn't last long.

"Purple-veined seaweed... I only picked one stalk..." Liu Cheng clutched his wound, his face deathly pale. "How could this be..."

He had secretly left the group to pick the purple-veined seaweed while Fang He was examining the fragments of the formation.

Unexpectedly, two ironback turtles were hiding among the rocks.

One bites his left leg, while the other comes to finish him off.

At the critical moment, a figure rushed over.

"Zhou Qing and his men escort Liu Cheng in his retreat! Zhao Hengdao, retreat!"

Fang He's voice was cold and sharp as ice.

He formed hand seals, activating the [Vine Technique] with his left hand and conjuring the [Fireball Technique] with his right.

Vines burst forth from the crevices of the reef, wrapping around the limbs of the iron-backed turtle that was closing in on Liu Cheng.

Three fireballs were launched in a triangular formation.

The first two were used to distract the Ironback Tortoise, and the third hit it right in the eye!

boom!

A burst of flames erupted, and the ironback turtle retreated in pain, its head charred black.

Fang He seized the opportunity to manipulate the tides with his water elemental power, and a surge of seawater crashed into the turtle's belly, flipping it over.

Zhao Hengdao had arrived, his thick-backed cleaver raised high.

"cut!"

The blade flashed, and the turtle's head was severed.

Seeing that things were not going well, the other ironback turtle let out a low growl and dived into the water to escape.

Fang He breathed a sigh of relief after confirming with his keen spiritual sense that there was no longer any threat underwater.

"Load it onto the boat, quick!"

When Liu Cheng was carried onto the merchant ship, he had already fainted from the pain.

Fang He used her internal fire to treat his wounds simply, stopping the bleeding, setting the bone, and applying medicine.

My leg was saved, but it will take at least three months to recover.

---

On the return journey, no one spoke.

The sound of the waves and Liu Cheng's occasional groans were heavy and oppressive.

Fang He stood at the stern of the boat, gazing at the deserted island receding into the distance, her heart heavy.

If he hadn't reacted quickly, Liu Cheng would have been swallowed by the turtle.

The assistant manager's token, the monthly salary of twenty spirit stones, the right to lead a team independently... these are not rewards, but money to buy one's life.

They weren't just buying his life, but also theirs.

The captain is not someone who commands authority, but someone who bears the heavy responsibility of being accountable for the lives of his team members.

Zhao Hengdao walked to his side, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Captain Fang, if it weren't for you today, that idiot Liu Cheng would already be dead."

Fang He didn't speak.

"I, Zhao Hengdao, rarely submit to anyone in my life," Zhao Hengdao said in a low voice, "but I acknowledge you as my captain."

Fang He turned to look at him and said calmly, "When we get back, establish some rules."

"What are the rules?"

"Ironclad rules for inspection."

---

The merchant ship docked at dusk.

Fang He handed Liu Cheng over to the clinic at the dock and then summoned all the team members.

Ten people stood on the open ground of the dock, the setting sun casting a blood-red hue over them.

Fang He's gaze swept over everyone, and he spoke in a deep voice:

"The disaster that befell Liu Cheng today stemmed from greed and disobedience."

"From now on, the patrol team has three ironclad rules:"

"First, orders must be obeyed; those who disobey will be expelled."

"Second, we shall advance and retreat together in times of danger; those who flee without authorization shall be executed without mercy."

"Third, all spoils of war shall be turned over to the public; those who hoard them shall have one arm cut off."

The voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a knife.

Zhao Hengdao was the first to respond, clasping his hands in a fist and shouting, "With Captain Fang's words, I, Zhao Hengdao, entrust my life to you."

The others responded in unison, "We will obey the captain's orders!"

Zhou Qing looked at Fang He, the scrutiny in his eyes completely disappearing, replaced by approval.

Fang He nodded and turned to leave.

He still has one more thing to do.

---

By the time I returned to the pharmacy, it was already night.

Su Yun'er greeted her: "Manager, today's inspection..."

"Someone is injured," Fang He said briefly, then took something out of his sleeve.

Those were materials collected from sea creatures on a deserted island.

A fragment of a steelback tortoise shell.

It was left behind by the Ironback Turtle when it escaped.

Fang He sat cross-legged, placed his fingertips on the nail, and closed his eyes to concentrate.

The panel appears.

[Retrievable historical traces detected]

[Item: Fragment of an iron-backed tortoise shell]

[Historical Imprint: Marine Mammal Perception (White), an ironback turtle's instinctive connection to its own kind]

【Whether to extract? 】

Fang He had a sudden thought: Extract.

Extraction successful

[Acquired stat: Sea Beast Perception (White)]

[Action Effect: Increases the perception range of sea monsters by 30%, allowing you to sense the approximate number and location of surrounding sea monsters.]

Fang He opened her eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips.