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

Three days later, night fell.

Five figures, aboard a small boat, silently made their way towards the northeastern sea area under the cover of night.

Fang He stood at the bow of the boat, his blue Taoist robe fluttering in the sea breeze.

Behind him were Zhao Hengdao, Zhou Qing, and two elite rogue cultivators, Qian Shan and Sun He.

All five were dressed in dark short-sleeved shirts, concealing their presence and blending into the night.

"Captain Fang, Black Reef Island is just ahead."

Zhou Qing lowered his voice and pointed to the distant horizon.

Fang He stared intently at it.

In the darkness of night, the outline of an island was faintly visible.

Black fog churned on the island, shrouded in an eerie dark red light, and the jagged rocks gleamed with a chilling light under the moonlight.

The entire sea area was filled with a faint fishy stench, the smell of sea monster blood mixed with some kind of putrid odor.

[Divine Sense Warning] A slight tremor.

Fang He closed his eyes and extended his divine sense toward the island.

The fluctuations of spiritual energy appeared in my perception like a spider web, layer upon layer, densely covering the island.

"Three layers of alert."

Fang He opened her eyes, her voice extremely low.

"The outermost layer is a spirit wave sensing array, which detects fluctuations in spiritual energy. The middle layer is a chain-restriction array, which will sound an alarm when triggered. The innermost layer is a shadow strangulation array, an offensive restriction."

Zhao Hengdao gripped his long sword tightly, the blade gleaming coldly in the night.

"Can it be broken?"

Fang He nodded.

"Stay close to me and don't touch any of the spirit runes."

The small boat quietly approached the edge of the island.

Fang He was the first to leap onto the reef, moving as silently as a cat.

[Watery and Affinity] made him feel as if he were walking on flat ground on the slippery rocks.

Four people followed closely behind, while the five of them crouched low and stealthily made their way into the island.

After walking several dozen feet, Fang He raised his hand to signal to stop.

On the rock face ahead, spiritual patterns appeared and disappeared, intertwining into a complex network of formations.

Spiritual energy flowed slowly between the patterns, like a sleeping venomous snake.

Fang He took out the array plate and activated the [Array Mastery] skill at full power.

The direction of the spirit patterns, the distribution of the nodes, and the flow path of energy were analyzed one by one in my mind.

The way these spirit runes are depicted is exactly the same as the beast-driving arrays discovered before, sharing the same origin and lineage.

"As expected of the Dark Abyss Pavilion."

Fang He confirmed this in his mind, but his hands continued moving.

[Formation Countermeasure] is activated quietly.

A faint wisp of spiritual energy emanated from his fingertips, coiling around the array nodes like a wisp of silk, and being manipulated in reverse.

A moment later, the outermost spiritual wave sensing array experienced a brief "blind spot".

"Walk."

The five people filed in and passed through the outer security perimeter.

The middle layer of restrictions is more densely packed.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Fang He's forehead. The [Array Countermeasure] had consumed a lot of energy, and he needed to accurately calculate the timing of shielding each node.

"Take this step, follow my footsteps, even the slightest deviation could trigger an alarm."

The four were alarmed, but did as instructed.

Fang He led the way, ensuring that every step was taken safely.

The five people moved like tightrope walkers, weaving through the gaps in the restrictions.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the outer and middle layers of defenses were completely breached.

"Good tactic."

Zhao Hengdao sighed in admiration.

He didn't understand formations, but he could see the danger lurking in these layers of restrictions.

Fang He was able to break the formation silently, which shows his profound mastery of formations.

Fang He did not respond, his gaze fixed solemnly ahead.

The inner layer is a Shadow Strangulation Array, an offensive restriction that, once triggered, will result in death.

He took a deep breath, expanding his [Divine Sense Warning] to its limit, taking in every detail of the inner array.

The strangulation array is triggered by both biological aura and spiritual energy fluctuations.

Fang He pondered for a moment, then took out a concealment talisman and affixed it to his body.

"The concealment talisman can only hide your aura for three breaths. Stay close to me and be quick."

The four nodded and also affixed their breath-concealing talismans.

Fang He activated the talisman, his figure suddenly rising up, like a wisp of green smoke passing through the gaps in the strangulation array.

Zhao Hengdao, Zhou Qing, and the others followed closely behind, and all passed through within five breaths.

The five men lay crouching behind the dark red rocks, panting heavily.

"That was close."

Qian Shan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Just now, a spiritual rune grazed the hem of his clothes, missing him by only half an inch.

Fang He remained silent, his gaze fixed on the island.

The sight before them caused everyone's pupils to contract.

The island was barren, covered with dark red rocks, and the ground was engraved with strange array patterns that intertwined into a vast network.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and the distinctive stench of sea creatures.

In the distance, a massive array hub is under construction.

Dozens of Dark Abyss Pavilion members dressed in black robes were busy at work, with array plates, spirit stones, and sea beast materials piled up like mountains.

The central array covers several acres and is composed of hundreds of small array plates, with spiritual energy fluctuations surging like waves.

Fang He used his [Divine Sense Warning] to perceive the details and was shocked.

The scale of this formation's central core far exceeds expectations.

Once completed, the sea monsters within a radius of hundreds of miles will be under its control, and the sea monster tide facing Qing'ao Island will be ten times greater than before.

"What a grand gesture."

Zhao Hengdao gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Fang He signaled everyone to hide, while he cautiously peeked out to observe.

The members of the Dark Abyss Pavilion had a clear division of labor: some inscribed spirit patterns, some transported spirit stones, and some processed sea beast materials.

Several black-robed figures with profound auras stood around the central core of the formation, clearly experts in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Fang He's gaze swept over the area, then suddenly froze.

Beside the central point of the formation, a tall man in black robes was directing the operation.

He had a token hanging from his waist, which was clearly visible in the firelight.

The identity token of Qingyuan Sect!

Fang He's pupils suddenly contracted.

The token was engraved with the emblem of the Qingyuan Sect, and below it was a line of smaller characters.

Outer Gate Steward.

The Dark Abyss Pavilion is colluding with factions within the Azure Origin Sect!

This discovery struck Fang He like a thunderbolt.

The Dark Abyss Pavilion's conspiracy involves more than just controlling sea beasts; it also implicates the Azure Origin Sect!

Fang He forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart and gestured to Zhou Qing to draw a map.

Zhou Qing took out a charcoal pencil and animal hide, and carefully recorded the island's array layout, personnel distribution, and material reserves.

His fingers trembled slightly, but his movements remained precise.

Fang He scanned inch by inch with his [Divine Sense Warning] and whispered the information he sensed.

"There are three piles of spirit stones on the northeast side of the array's central point, totaling about three thousand stones. In the northwest corner is a warehouse of sea beast materials, containing over a hundred monster skeletons. There are twelve guards, three at the late stage of Qi Refining and nine at the mid stage. The leader wearing the token has the strongest aura, at least at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining."

Zhao Hengdao and the others gasped in shock.

This force far exceeded the combined combat power of the five of them.

"We have enough intelligence; it is not advisable to linger."

Fang He made a decision.

"Retreat along the original route."

The five of them retreated silently, with Fang He in front using [Array Counter] to prepare to block the warning array on their return journey.

all the best.

Having passed through the Shadow Killing Array and crossed the middle layer of restrictions, we are about to reach the outer layer of the warning zone.

At that very moment—

Click.

A soft cracking sound.

Zhou Qing stepped on a loose rock, which rolled down and triggered a backup alarm hidden in the shadows!

A sharp alarm suddenly pierced the night sky, like the howl of a vengeful ghost.

"not good!"

Fang He's heart sank.

Chaos erupted on the island as dozens of men in black robes surged in from all directions.

Torches were lit, illuminating the night sky.

The leader wearing the Qingyuan Sect token shouted sharply.

"Who dares to trespass on Black Reef Island! Leave your lives behind!"

Dozens of figures pounced like hungry wolves, with the three late-stage Qi Refining experts at the head being the fastest, closing in on the hundred-foot mark in the blink of an eye.

Fang He knew that his whereabouts had been exposed and there was no longer any need to hide.

"Retreat! Brother Zhao, cover the rear! Zhou Qing, lead the way! I'll provide support from the center!"

With a low shout, the five men rushed toward the sea.

Zhao Hengdao drew his longsword, and the blade flashed backward like a bolt of lightning.

A silver blade of light pierced the air, forcing the black-robed man at the forefront to retreat.

Fang He retreated while forming hand seals.

[Fire Control] is activated at full power, and fire-type spiritual energy gathers in the palm of the hand.

He flicked his fingers in quick succession, and several fireballs shot out, landing precisely in front of the pursuers.

Boom boom boom!

The fireball exploded, flames surged, forming a wall of fire to block the pursuers.

The enhanced fire spell power of [Fire Control] amplified the power of this chain of fireballs, and the intense heat wave kept the black-robed man from getting close.

"Chase them! We can't let them escape!"

The leader roared, and black spiritual energy surged around him.

He waved his hand to disperse the wall of fire, and his figure chased after him like a ghost.

Fang He's gaze sharpened, and he triggered the warning array along the way in reverse.

The chain of restrictions, which had been manipulated in reverse, suddenly erupted, causing countless spiritual runes to scatter and accidentally injure the Dark Abyss Pavilion guards who were pursuing them.

Amidst screams, several men in black robes collapsed to the ground, struck back by the formation.

"How dare you!"

The leader's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he increased his speed again.

The five people rushed to the beach, where the small boat was behind the rocks.

However, the pursuers had already formed an encirclement, and the leader personally took action, sending a black spiritual force straight towards Fang He's back.

[Divine Sense Warning] Flashing wildly!

Fang He sensed the attack trajectory in advance, and moved to the side. Black spiritual energy brushed past the hem of his clothes, leaving a three-foot-deep trench in the reef.

A full-force strike from the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining is incredibly powerful.

Fang He dared not linger in the fight, and instead condensed a ball of flames to counterattack.

The leader was forced to return to defend, and the five men seized the opportunity to leap onto the small boat.

"Walk!"

Fang He did not board the ship, but instead jumped into the sea, activating the [Water Spirit Affinity] skill at full power.

Using water as a medium, he pushed the stern of the small boat with both palms, and the powerful water-based spiritual energy propelled the boat out like an arrow, instantly taking it more than ten feet from the shore.

The pursuers' attacks landed on the sea, stirring up waves several meters high.

Fireballs, ice spikes, and wind blades intertwined, and spiritual energy surged on the sea surface, but the small boat had already sailed away under Fang He's propulsion.

"Chase!"

The leader was enraged, and several men in black robes leaped into the sea to give chase.

Fang He sneered; he was like a fish in water in the sea.

[Water Spirit Affinity] allows him to move much faster in the water than his pursuers, his body weaving like a fish, easily shaking off them.

He caught up with the small boat, climbed aboard, and the five of them fled into the depths of the night.

After escaping for several miles, Fang He looked back at Black Reef Island.

The island was brightly lit, with billowing black fog and figures in black robes moving about in the firelight.

Clearly, the Dark Abyss Pavilion is on high alert.

"Damn it!"

Zhou Qing clenched his fist, his face full of regret.

"It was my carelessness; I stepped on that rock."

Fang He shook his head.

"Don't blame yourself; hidden alarms are impossible to prevent. The intelligence has been brought back; the mission has been accomplished."

His expression was solemn as he looked at the crowd.

"And there's an even more important discovery."

"The leader of the Dark Abyss Pavilion had the Qingyuan Sect's identity token hanging from his waist."

The pupils of all four people suddenly contracted.

"Qing Yuan Sect?"

Zhao Hengdao's voice was hoarse.

"Is the Dark Abyss Pavilion backed by a faction of the Azure Origin Sect?"

Fang He nodded, his gaze dark.

"That token is genuine, engraved with the words 'Outer Sect Steward.' The Dark Abyss Pavilion is colluding with the Azure Origin Sect; this conspiracy... is far larger than we imagined."

Silence fell on the small boat.

The sea breeze howled, dark clouds obscured the moon, and the world was shrouded in darkness.

Qian Shan's arm was scratched by spiritual energy, and blood soaked through his sleeve, but he was completely unaware of it, his face full of shock.

"The Qingyuan Sect is the overlord of this region, and if there are factions within them colluding with the Dark Abyss Pavilion, then we..."

He didn't finish speaking, but everyone understood what he meant.

With the strength of the Zhou family, they can still put up a fight against the Dark Abyss Pavilion.

But if the Qingyuan Sect is involved, it would be like an ant trying to shake a tree.

Fang He clenched his fist, his gaze resolute.

"We must report back to Commander Zhou as soon as possible. No matter who the opponent is, the central array of Black Reef Island must be destroyed, otherwise Qing'ao Island will never have peace."

Zhao Hengdao said in a deep voice, "Captain Fang is right. Whether it's the Qingyuan Sect or the Dark Abyss Pavilion, if they dare to invade Qing'ao Island, I dare to chop them down."

Zhou Qing took a deep breath to suppress the shock in his heart.

"Captain Fang, what's the next step?"

Fang He gazed into the distance, where the outline of Qing'ao Island was faintly visible in the night.

"Speed ​​back to base and report overnight. The Dark Abyss Pavilion is on alert. The main force must act quickly to wipe them out, otherwise they will move their positions or activate the formation ahead of schedule, and all our previous efforts will be in vain."

The discovery on Black Reef Island completely changed the meaning of this operation.

This is no longer just a feud between the Zhou family and the Dark Abyss Pavilion, but an undercurrent involving factional struggles within sects.

As Fang He gazed at the approaching Qing'ao Island, his mind was filled with countless thoughts.

Which faction within the Qingyuan Sect was involved in the case?

What is the true identity of the Dark Abyss Pavilion?

Who is that leader?

Mysteries abound, and dangers lurk everywhere.