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

Early morning, the third day after the war.

A faint smell of blood lingered in the air above the port, and the sea breeze carried a salty, fishy odor.

Fang He sat cross-legged in the healing tent, his eyes closed, with spiritual energy flowing around him.

[Sea Beast Resilience] was running silently, and the +15% physical strength effect made his left arm injury heal much faster than ordinary people.

The bruises from being whipped by the octopus's tentacles have mostly faded, leaving only faint traces.

His mental strength has also recovered to about 70-80%.

Although the exertion that day was enormous, after two days of recuperation, the stinging sensation in my mind was gone.

Footsteps could be heard outside the tent.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, Commander Zhou has summoned those who have rendered meritorious service to his residence for a meeting. Please come with me."

Fang He opened his eyes, got up, straightened his blue Taoist robe, and followed the person who came out of the tent.

The port was in a state of chaos.

The spiritual patterns on the defensive formation were dim in many places, several wooden buildings had collapsed, and the rogue cultivators were cleaning up the remains of the sea beasts.

The air was filled with the smell of burning, the smell of fire magic mixed with the flesh and blood of sea beasts.

The atmosphere in the main hall of the Zhou residence was solemn.

Zhou Tieshan sat in the main seat, with Zhao Hengdao, Zhou Xiaolan, Qian Zhenshi, and others standing on either side.

Fang He stepped into the hall, and Zhou Tieshan glanced at him and nodded slightly.

"sit."

Fang He sat down at the end of the table and looked around.

Everyone's faces showed signs of post-battle fatigue, but their eyes were alert.

Zhou Tieshan spoke, his voice low and deep.

"The sea monster tide has receded for three days, and the battle damage has been tallied. I have gathered you all here today to reward those who have contributed, and also to brief you on the current situation."

He unfolded a scroll of bamboo slips.

"In this battle, Zhao Hengdao killed over a hundred sea beasts, and deserves the greatest credit."

Zhao Hengdao cupped his hands, his expression calm.

"Miss Zhou's ice magic controlled the field, freezing countless sea beasts; her contribution is indispensable."

Zhou Xiaolan nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

"Fang He deserves the greatest credit for turning the tide of the battle and killing the Hundred-Clawed Octopus."

Everyone in the hall turned their gazes to Fang He, their expressions varying.

There was surprise, agreement, and a hint of jealousy.

Fang He remained unmoved; he was already used to these gazes.

Zhou Tieshan put down the bamboo slips and his gaze fell on Fang He.

"Fang He, obey my command."

Fang He stood up.

"You made a great contribution in turning the tide of the battle. You are hereby appointed as the patrol captain, with a monthly salary of thirty spirit stones, and you are authorized to independently form a patrol team of ten people."

Fang He's heart stirred slightly.

A monthly salary of thirty spirit stones, a staff of ten, and independent authority.

This represents a significant leap in status, from being a pharmacy owner to becoming a partner in the Zhou family business.

The previous owner rented spirit fields, paying five spirit stones per month for a total income of eight spirit stones, and was always struggling to make ends meet.

Now, the monthly salary of thirty spirit stones is five times that amount.

More importantly, it's about identity.

Being a patrol captain signifies officially joining the Zhou family system and no longer being a marginal, independent cultivator.

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting, his voice steady.

"I will certainly live up to Commander Zhou's trust. With the Dark Abyss Pavilion still intact, the sea monster tide could return at any time. This position is both a responsibility and an incentive."

A hint of admiration flashed in Zhou Tieshan's eyes.

Zhao Hengdao patted Fang He on the shoulder with a smile.

"Captain Fang, please take care of me in the future."

Fang He smiled in response.

"Brother Zhao is joking. I will need to rely on you in the future."

Zhou Xiaolan looked at Fang He, her usually aloof demeanor now softening in her cool and detached eyes.

"Well deserved."

Her voice was not loud, and her four words were brief but carried great weight.

Fang He nodded slightly in response.

Zhou Tieshan raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, his expression turning serious.

"The battle achievements have been described; now let's talk about the battle losses."

"Three rogue cultivators have died in battle, and twelve have been wounded. More than half of the port facilities have been destroyed, and the defensive formations require extensive repair. Spirit stones are exhausted, and the warehouse is running low."

The atmosphere in the hall was somber.

The names of the three fallen rogue cultivators were read out one by one; all of them were faces that Fang He recognized.

In the world of cultivation, life and death are commonplace.

But those vibrant lives, who were fighting side by side just three days ago, are now gone, leaving a lingering sense of unease.

"The situation is even more serious with the Dark Abyss Pavilion."

Zhou Tieshan's voice was low and deep.

"Although the beast-driving formation has been disrupted, it has not been destroyed. The Dark Abyss Pavilion envoys may return at any time, and the sea beast tide may come again at any time."

He surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"All cultivators must remain vigilant and not be complacent."

As Fang He listened, the [Divine Sense Warning] flashed slightly.

That familiar fluctuation of spiritual energy, the aura of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, still lurks somewhere.

The threat is far from over.

Fang He had already made up her mind.

We must take the initiative.

---

After the post-battle inventory was completed, Fang He did not return to the pharmacy to rest.

He went straight to the port, stood on the edge of the dock, and looked at the sea that was stained red with blood.

[Divine Sense Warning] A faint fluctuation of spiritual energy kept coming, like an invisible thread, pulling his perception to extend northeastward.

Fang He leaped into the sea.

With the activation of the "Water Spirit Affinity" skill, the water around the body automatically parted, and the person submerged into the sea like a swimming fish.

The seawater was icy cold and carried a faint smell of blood.

Fang He slid down more than ten zhang and stopped above a coral reef.

He closed his eyes and combined [Divine Sense Warning] with [Water Spirit Affinity].

Spiritual energy perception spreads in all directions through water.

Every movement of the seawater became an extension of his perception.

Gradually, he detected a familiar spiritual energy frequency.

Those are the residual energy traces of the Dark Abyss Pavilion's Beast-Driving Array!

Fang He felt a chill run down her spine and followed the trail.

He darted through the sea like a fish, following the energy trails all the way northeast.

The energy of the beast-driving formation spread like invisible threads in the seawater, all ultimately pointing in the same direction.

The resilience of the sea creature supported his body, and the long hours underwater did not tire him.

With his Qi Refining Level 7 cultivation combined with the enhancement from the inscription, he moved with ease in the sea.

Two hours later.

Fang He arrived at a reef area.

The seawater here has an eerie dark red color, and the seabed rocks are covered with array patterns.

Branch nodes of the Beast Driving Formation.

Fang He analyzes the array structure.

The direction of the spirit patterns, the distribution of the nodes, and the flow path of energy were clearly presented in my mind.

This is a branch of a large formation, where energy gathers and is transmitted to more distant places.

Fang He carefully avoided the array nodes and continued to pursue in the northeast direction.

The energy traces are becoming increasingly dense, and the direction is becoming clearer.

Half an hour later, Fang He surfaced.

He took out the simple nautical chart given to him by Captain Chen and checked the bearings.

Guided by the energy flow, the target location was Black Reef Island, marked on the nautical chart.

A deserted island located in a remote sea area.

Fang He put away the nautical chart and returned to the port.

---

Captain Chen's merchant ship was docked at the pier, where it was being repaired for war damage.

Fang He boarded the ship and found Captain Chen, who was directing the repair work.

"Captain Chen, I have a question for you."

Captain Chen turned around and saw Fang He, so he quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Captain Fang, you're too kind. Please go ahead."

Fang He unfolded the nautical chart and pointed to a mark in the northeast direction.

"Captain Chen, do you know any details about Black Reef Island?"

Captain Chen's expression changed slightly.

"Black Reef Island?"

He lowered his voice.

"That place...twenty years ago, fishermen landed on the island, but none of them survived. The island is shrouded in black fog year-round, and the reefs are as sharp as knives, making it difficult for ships to approach. Since then, no one has dared to go there."

Fang He pressed for an answer.

Do you know the exact location?

Captain Chen pointed to the nautical chart.

"To the northeast, about a half-day's journey. The island is small, but full of reefs, making it difficult for large ships to approach; only small boats can get close."

Fear flashed in his eyes.

"Captain Fang, that place is really eerie, what are you going there for?"

Fang He put away the nautical chart, his expression calm.

"Some clues need to be confirmed. Thank you, Captain Chen."

He turned and left, leaving Captain Chen standing there, looking bewildered.

---

In a side hall of the Zhou residence, Zhou Tieshan convened a meeting of his elite troops.

Fang He will give a detailed report of the discovery, showing the nautical chart markings, energy flow analysis, and Captain Chen's testimony.

"Commander Zhou, all clues point to Black Reef Island in the northeast. Captain Chen has confirmed that the island is extremely dangerous and is the ideal hiding place for the Dark Abyss Pavilion."

Zhou Tieshan looked solemn, his gaze shifting between Fang He and the nautical chart.

Zhou Xiaolan spoke.

"If Black Reef Island is a stronghold of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, it must be wiped out as soon as possible. Otherwise, the Beast Driving Formation may be activated again at any time."

Zhao Hengdao slammed his sword on the table.

"Fight! I've had my eye on those bastards for a long time."

Zhou Tieshan pondered for a moment before making a decision.

"Form a cleanup squad and launch a surprise attack on Black Reef Island."

He looked at Fang He.

"Fang He, you will be the vanguard captain and responsible for breaking the formation on the island."

Fang He bowed and accepted the order.

"Yes, ma'am."

Zhou Xiaolan volunteered for the mission.

"I went to the expedition with the team."

She looked at Fang He, and their eyes met.

"This time, let's take down the Dark Abyss Pavilion's stronghold together."

Fang He nodded.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

A twelve-person cleanup squad was thus formed.

---

As night fell, Fang He returned to the pharmacy.

Su Yun'er has prepared healing pills, dry food, and water, and is packing her belongings.

She moved swiftly and calmly, but Fang He noticed that her fingertips were trembling slightly.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, and I might not be back for several days."

Fang He spoke.

Su Yun'er stopped what she was doing and handed over the neatly packed package.

"The pills are divided into three portions: one for healing, one for recovery, and one for detoxification, with ten pills of each. There are enough dry rations for five days, and three jugs of clean water."

She paused, then looked up at Fang He.

"careful."

Two words, short but containing a thousand meanings.

Fang He took the package and patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll be back."

Su Yun'er lowered her head and continued tidying up.

"I'll guard the pharmacy, you can go without worry."

Fang He turned around and went back into the room to check the equipment.

The array plates, carving knives, talismans, pills, and spirit stones were all inventoried one by one.

Tomorrow's battle is fraught with danger and unknown; we must be fully prepared.