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

The atmosphere on Qing'ao Island has changed.

Fang He stood in the backyard of the pharmacy, gazing at the distant sea.

The once tranquil sea is now turbulent, with dark shadows darting underwater from time to time.

The air was filled with a faint salty, fishy smell, and a barely perceptible scent of blood.

It's been half a month.

Since the day the core node of the beast-driving formation was destroyed at sea, the sea area has been experiencing increasingly frequent anomalies.

News of sea monsters attacking the surrounding islands comes in every day, and occasionally the roars of beasts can be heard from afar.

"Brother Fang, all the materials for the formation have been prepared."

Su Yun'er walked over carrying a wooden box, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

The box was filled with array flags, array plates, and various materials needed for setting up the array.

Fang He withdrew her gaze and took the wooden box: "Thank you for your hard work."

"Would the Zhou family really entrust such an important task to Brother Fang?"

Su Yun'er looked at him with some worry.

Port defense is of paramount importance; if it falls, sea monsters will be able to penetrate unimpeded.

Fang He did not answer.

He simply looked in the direction of the Zhou residence, his brows slightly furrowed.

[Divine Sense Warning] A faint fluctuation suddenly appeared.

It wasn't danger, but... a sense of oppression.

Something is gathering in the sea.

Just then, a rapid bell rang out in the distance.

clang--

clang--

clang--

The three chimes echoed throughout the entire island.

Fang He's expression hardened.

This is the highest-level summons from the Zhou family; all cultivators on the island must immediately proceed to the Zhou residence for a meeting.

"They're here."

Fang He straightened his clothes and picked up the wooden box: "Wait at the pharmacy, don't go out."

"Brother Fang, be careful."

Su Yun'er said softly.

Fang He nodded and walked out of the pharmacy.

On the street, the cultivators walked in twos and threes toward the Zhou residence.

Everyone wore a solemn expression.

Fang He encountered Zhao Hengdao and Qian Zhenshi on the road; both of them had solemn expressions.

"Young friend Fang, it seems the Zhou family has also noticed the unusual activity."

Qian Zhenshi lowered his voice.

Zhao Hengdao said coldly, "The number of sea beasts in the sea area is increasing. If this continues, a beast tide will inevitably break out in one or two months at most."

Fang He did not speak.

He could sense that things were more serious than he had imagined.

The main hall of the Zhou residence was bustling with people.

Almost all the cultivators on Qing'ao Island had arrived.

There were over a hundred people, including independent cultivators, Zhou family guards, and shopkeepers.

Seven or eight late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, who are rarely seen on ordinary days, have arrived at this moment.

Fang He, Zhao Hengdao, and Qian Zhenshi stood on one side of the hall, waiting silently.

Zhou Tieshan walked onto the high platform.

Today, the commander of the Zhou family's guard was dressed in black armor, his face was cold and stern, and his gaze swept across the entire area.

"Gentlemen."

Zhou Tieshan's voice was deep and powerful, "Although the Dark Abyss Pavilion's beast-driving formation has been destroyed, the sea beast tide will still erupt. According to intelligence, it may happen within one or two months."

An uproar erupted in the hall.

"One or two months?"

"So fast? Do we have enough time to prepare?"

"Does the Zhou family have a solution?"

Zhou Tieshan raised his hand to silence the murmurs.

"This is a battle for the life or death of Qing'ao Island. The Zhou family will not face this alone; we need the strength of everyone."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "The Zhou family guards are responsible for the defense of the Zhou residence and the core area, while the independent cultivator teams are responsible for supporting the outer perimeter and the port."

"The Zhou family will provide defensive supplies and healing pills. All participants will receive cultivation resources and protection from the Zhou family after the battle, based on their contributions."

These words elicited various thoughts from the crowd.

For most independent cultivators, this is both a crisis and an opportunity.

If one can distinguish oneself in the great battle, perhaps one can truly climb the social ladder by relying on the Zhou family.

Fang He listened calmly with a composed expression.

Zhou Tieshan's gaze fell on him.

Fang He.

Fang He stepped forward: "Yes."

"Your skill in formations is quite good; I've heard of your reputation as a 'Formation Master.' The port's defensive formations are complex, and I'd like you to be in charge of setting them up. Do you have any objections?"

A murmur rippled through the hall.

Fang He, a rogue cultivator, was actually singled out and entrusted with an important task at the Zhou family's formal meeting?

Some were surprised, some were unconvinced, but others seemed thoughtful.

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting: "I accept the order."

Zhou Tieshan nodded: "Master Qian will assist from the side and report any problems immediately. The port is the main target of the sea monsters, and we cannot afford to lose it."

"Yes."

Fang He and Qian Zhenshi responded simultaneously.

Just then, a clear and melodious female voice rang out.

"I will assist Fang He."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhou Xiaolan walking out from the crowd, wearing a long blue dress and with a cold expression.

Zhou Tieshan was slightly taken aback: "Xiaolan, you..."

"The port is the main target for marine mammals, and we need manpower there."

Zhou Xiaolan said calmly, "I'll lead an elite squad to assist Fang He and ensure the defense is in place."

Zhou Tieshan pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright."

Fang He looked at Zhou Xiaolan, and their eyes met.

Zhou Xiaolan's gaze held a hint of complexity, but mostly it was calm.

She nodded slightly, and Fang He nodded in response.

Zhao Hengdao stood to the side, watching the interaction between the two, seemingly lost in thought.

The meeting ended quickly.

As the meeting adjourned, Zhou Xiaolan took the initiative to walk to Fang He's side and whispered, "Come with me, let's talk about the cooperation plan."

Fang He nodded, and the two walked out of the hall one after the other.

Qian Zhenshi watched their retreating figures, stroked his beard, and murmured, "Interesting."

The port is crucial for the maritime defense of Qing'ao Island.

Fang He and Zhou Xiaolan led a team of ten to the dock.

The sea breeze howled, and the salty, fishy smell hit us.

Fang He stood at the edge of the dock and closed her eyes.

[Divine Sense Warning] Activating at full power, divine sense spreads outwards like a tidal wave.

The flow of seawater, the topography of the seabed, the distribution of spiritual energy...

Everything is clearly presented in my mind.

A moment later, Fang He opened his eyes and his gaze swept across the port.

"Here, here, and there are weak points in the defense."

He pointed to three locations, "The sea beasts are enormous and incredibly strong; ordinary formations are insufficient to stop them. A triple composite formation must be set up to form an effective defense."

Zhou Xiaolan listened attentively, occasionally asking a few questions.

"A triple composite formation?"

"The outer alarm array senses the approaching sea beasts; the middle trapping array restricts the sea beasts' movements; the inner killing array coordinates with the cultivators' attacks."

Fang He explained, "The three formations work in tandem, advancing layer by layer. The outer formation provides early warning, the middle formation buys time, and the inner formation assists us in killing the sea beasts."

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Xiaolan's eyes.

This formation has a clear and rigorous approach, with each step interconnected.

Fang He's mastery of formations was even more profound than she had imagined.

"How long will the setup take?"

"Half a day."

Fang He said calmly, "With [Array Mastery] and [Spirit Rune Inscription], the speed will be much faster."

Upon hearing this, the team members exchanged bewildered glances.

Half a day?

It would take an ordinary array master at least two or three days to set up such a complex array.

Fang He actually talked for half a day?

But Zhou Xiaolan did not question it.

She simply nodded: "Let's begin."

Fang He took out the array flags and array plates and began to set them up.

[Formation Mastery] (Green) At full power, his understanding of formations instantly reached a new level.

The location of every array pattern and the direction of every spiritual energy line were crystal clear.

With the blessing of [Spirit Rune Inscription], his speed in inscribing array runes was astonishing.

With each flick of his fingers, spiritual runes appeared on the array plate.

What would take an ordinary array master half an hour to inscribe, Fang He completed in just a few breaths.

Zhou Xiaolan stood aside and witnessed it all.

She was surprised.

This rogue cultivator, whom I once looked down upon, now possesses such strength.

The array patterns were precisely drawn, and the spiritual energy flowed smoothly and freely.

Fang He's movements were fluid and smooth, without the slightest hesitation.

It was as if he wasn't setting up a complex defensive formation, but doing something extremely simple.

In less than two hours, the outer alarm array was completed.

The array flags were planted in the ground, and the spiritual runes spread underground, forming a huge sensory network.

The formation will immediately issue an alarm if any sea beast enters the area within a ten-mile radius.

"So fast."

One of the team members couldn't help but whisper.

Master Qian, who was also assisting, exclaimed upon seeing this, "Young friend Fang's skill in formations has already surpassed mine."

Fang He did not stop, and continued to set up a mid-level trapping formation.

This formation is more complex, requiring the setting up of spiritual energy nodes throughout the port to form a spiritual energy barrier.

Once the sea beast touches it, it will be bound by spiritual power and unable to move an inch.

Fang He used [Divine Sense Warning] to scan the terrain and accurately locate the position of each node.

The efficiency of the setup was so impressive that it amazed everyone present.

Zhou Xiaolan watched Fang He's focused figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She recalled the first time she met Fang He.

At that time, he was just an ordinary rogue cultivator in the early stage of Qi Refining, and was not worth mentioning in his eyes.

Now, he has grown to the point where he can stand on his own.

In less than half a day, the main body of the triple composite array was completed.

As the sun set, the array patterns shimmered on the ground, and spiritual energy flowed slowly, forming a complete defensive system.

Fang He put away the last array flag and let out a long breath.

"It's done."

Zhou Xiaolan stepped forward to inspect the formation.

Every detail was handled perfectly, the spiritual energy flowed smoothly, and the power of the formation far exceeded expectations.

She looked at Fang He and said softly, "You have indeed changed."

Fang He smiled calmly: "People always have to grow. Hasn't Miss Zhou changed too?"

Zhou Xiaolan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

Yes, people always have to grow up.