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

The morning mist over Black Reef Island had not yet dissipated.

Fang He stepped across the pebbly beach, the sea breeze making the wound on her left shoulder ache slightly. Although most of the chilling power from Zhao Xuanting's palm strike had been forced out, her meridians were still somewhat congested.

"Sir, over here."

Zhao Hengdao waved ahead, followed by two Zhou family cultivators, both of whom were injured.

Fang He nodded, and the [Divine Sense Warning] quietly activated.

The sea of ​​consciousness was calm, with only the whistling sound of the wind blowing through the cracks in the rocks.

There is no immediate danger.

"Based on the areas assigned yesterday, each person is responsible for searching one section of the ruins."

Fang He gave the order in a deep voice.

"Focus on searching for secret rooms, hidden compartments, and any places where things might be hidden. If you find anything unusual, warn others immediately and do not move anything."

"Yes, ma'am."

The crowd dispersed.

Fang He walked alone towards the altar at the center of the island. The black crystal had been extinguished by the sea in yesterday's battle, leaving only ruins. A faint aura of evil lingered among the charred rubble.

He crouched down and brushed his fingertips across a blue stone.

It's not danger, but... something unusual.

Fang He squinted, his divine sense sweeping over the ruins of the altar.

Three breaths later, he stopped below the altar base.

There was a stone slab there, its pattern slightly different from the other stone slabs.

Fang He took out his sword and pried open the stone slab.

A narrow slit was revealed, extending downwards, from which a faint, chilling aura seeped out.

Chamber of Secrets.

Fang He did not rush in. Instead, he took out a lighting talisman from his pocket, activated it, and threw it inside.

The light from the talisman illuminated the space below, which was about ten feet square, with array patterns carved on all four walls.

The second-tier restriction formation was badly damaged, clearly affected by yesterday's battle.

However, it still retains some of its power, and recklessly entering may trigger a backlash.

Fang He sat cross-legged, made hand seals, and began to decipher the mystery.

After an incense stick had burned, the array's restrictions dissipated.

He leaped into the secret chamber.

The interior was simply furnished with a stone table, a few wooden boxes, and some miscellaneous items piled up in the corner.

Fang He opened the first wooden box, and her pupils contracted sharply.

A whole box full of account books.

He randomly picked up a book and opened it.

"Qingyuan Sect Treasury Transfer Records..."

The ledgers were filled with detailed records of resource flows. The amount of pills, talismans, and spirit stones that Zhao Xuanting had extracted from the Qingyuan Sect's treasury over the past five years was astonishing.

All these resources flowed to the same place: the Dark Abyss Pavilion.

Fang He continued searching.

The second wooden box contained a roster.

The list of Dark Abyss Pavilion members numbered over thirty. Among them, seven or eight names made Fang He frown; those were former peripheral disciples of the Qingyuan Sect who had appeared in the market on Qing'ao Island.

The third wooden box was the smallest, but when Fang He opened it, his heart skipped a beat.

Secret message.

There were more than a dozen letters, all sealed with wax, with a coiled black snake printed on the envelope.

The symbol of the sub-patriarchal faction.

Fang He opened the first package.

"Brother Xuanting, how is the sea beast control experiment progressing? The sect leader's faction has recently become aware of it, and we need to speed things up..."

The signature was a vague code name, but the wording and tone clearly indicated that it was the deputy sect leader himself.

Fang He flipped through the letters one by one, his expression growing more and more solemn with each reading.

The Dark Abyss Pavilion's interactions with the Vice Sect Master's faction are far closer than one might imagine.

Zhao Xuanting submits an experimental report to the deputy sect leader every month, reporting on the progress of the sea beast control.

The deputy sect leader provided resource support and even hinted that "if necessary, the peripheral islands could be sacrificed in exchange for experimental data."

The most shocking discovery was an experimental record hidden at the bottom of a box.

"Sea Beast Control Experiment Phase Seventeen... Test Subject: Second-Tier Bloodthirsty Shark... Success Rate: 30%... Consequence of Failure: Rampage and Loss of Control..."

Fang He gripped the notebook tightly, his knuckles turning white.

The deputy overlord's faction is experimenting on creatures in the peripheral seas.

The sea beasts that ravaged Qing'ao Island, and the innocent cultivators who perished, were all victims of this experiment.

"Sir, what have you discovered?"

Zhao Hengdao's voice came from above.

Fang He took a deep breath and put all the account books, rosters, and secret letters into his storage bag.

"Let's talk about it when we get up here."

He leaped out of the secret room, his expression calm and composed.

"Gather everyone and return to Qing'ao Island."

---

The atmosphere in the Zhou family's council hall was heavy.

Zhou Yuanhai sat in the main seat, flanked by the First Elder Zhou Yuanshan, the Second Elder Zhou Yuanhe, and other key figures such as Zhou Tieshan.

Fang He stood in the hall and took out the evidence from the storage bag one by one.

Account books, rosters, and secret letters filled the table.

Zhou Yuanshan picked up an account book, flipped through a few pages, and his expression changed drastically.

"How dare they! An outer sect steward of the Qingyuan Sect has dared to misappropriate resources from the treasury to support a private army!"

Zhou Yuanhe picked up the secret letter, read it carefully, and then gasped.

"The vice sect leader's faction...actually colluded with the Dark Abyss Pavilion..."

When it was circulated among the people, everyone's expression changed.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

"Gentlemen."

Zhou Yuanhai spoke in a deep voice, "The evidence is conclusive. The internal strife within the Qingyuan Sect has spread to the outer seas. The fate of the Zhou family must be decided today."

Elder Zhou Yuanshan spoke first: "Clan leader, I believe we should immediately report this to the Qingyuan Sect headquarters!"

He spoke rapidly, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If the Zhou family uses this as a pledge of allegiance and sides with the sect leader's faction, they will surely be promoted, and may even escape the peripheral seas and take control of the inland!"

Second Elder Zhou Yuanhe shook his head: "Elder brother, you are mistaken."

His face was grim. "The Vice Sect Master's faction has deep roots in the Qingyuan Sect. How can the death of a mere outer sect steward shake them? If we rashly report this, and are then accused of framing the Zhou family, how will we defend ourselves?"

"In my opinion, it would be better to destroy the evidence and pretend nothing happened. The Dark Abyss Pavilion has been destroyed, Zhao Xuanting is dead, and this matter should end here."

The two elders held opposing views and argued endlessly.

Zhou Yuanhai frowned and remained silent, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Tieshan.

Zhou Tieshan stood to the side, arms crossed, without saying a word.

"Tieshan, what do you think?"

Zhou Tieshan looked up and his gaze fell on Fang He.

"I'd like to hear Fang He's opinion."

There was silence in the hall.

Everyone looked at Fang He.

This rogue cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining was merely an executor until yesterday. Today, however, Zhou Tieshan has handed over the decision-making power to him.

Fang He stepped forward, her expression calm.

"I understand the concerns of the two elders."

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

"The Grand Elder advocates reporting this immediately, hoping to use this opportunity to curry favor with the sect leader's faction and secure a future for the Zhou family. This strategy may seem proactive, but it is actually dangerous."

"The Qingyuan Sect is rife with internal strife and numerous factions. The sect leader's faction and the deputy sect leader's faction have been fighting for years with no clear winner. If the sect leader's faction wins, the Zhou family will naturally rise to prominence. However, if the deputy sect leader's faction succeeds in its counterattack, the Zhou family will be the first to be purged."

Zhou Yuanshan's expression changed slightly, but he did not refute it.

Fang He turned to Zhou Yuanhe.

"The Second Elder advocated destroying the evidence in order to protect the Zhou family and avoid making enemies with any faction. This strategy seems prudent, but it is actually self-deception."

"The truth has been revealed. The evidence in the secret room has been seen by me, Zhao Hengdao and the others, and the remnants of the Dark Abyss Pavilion may well have made copies. If someone brings this up again in the future, the Zhou family will be unable to defend themselves and will only be seen as guilty and cowardly."

Zhou Yuanhe frowned and remained silent.

"So what do you think should be done?"

Zhou Yuanhai asked.

Fang He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "In my opinion, there is a third way."

"Preserve the evidence and do not report it for now. Remain calm and wait for the situation to become clearer before making a decision."

He analyzed clearly: "Since the deputy sect has been laying out its plans in the peripheral seas for many years, it will not stop just because of Zhao Xuanting's death. The sect leader's faction cannot be completely unaware either. A battle between the two factions is inevitable."

"If the Zhou family reports this now, they will become pawns. If they pretend not to hear, they will become discarded pawns. Only by remaining still and observing the situation can we have a choice when the storm comes."

Silence fell over the hall once again.

Zhou Yuanshan and Zhou Yuanhe exchanged a glance, but neither of them offered any further rebuttal.

Zhou Tieshan suddenly laughed.

"Well said."

He stepped forward and patted Fang He on the shoulder.

"Young man, you are not only brave and resourceful, but also have a keen political eye."

Zhou Tieshan turned to Zhou Yuanhai and said in a deep voice, "Clan leader, I support Fang He's plan."

Zhou Yuanhai pondered for a long time before finally nodding.

"Fine."

He looked at Fang He, "From today onwards, you will be in charge of keeping this evidence. You must closely monitor the movements of the Qingyuan Sect and report any suspicious activity immediately."

"in addition……"

Zhou Yuanhai paused for a moment, then said, "You have officially entered the core decision-making circle of the Zhou family, holding a position equivalent to a collateral elder."

Fang He was startled.

This means that he is no longer just a subordinate who carries out orders, but a key figure involved in decision-making.

"This junior obeys."

He bowed respectfully, his expression serene.

Zhou Tieshan looked at Fang He, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"Let's call it a day."

Zhou Yuanhai waved his hand, "What happened today must not be told to anyone."

The crowd dispersed.

Fang He put the evidence into his storage bag and walked out of the council chamber alone.

The sea breeze swept over us, carrying a salty, fishy smell.

He looked up at the sky; dark clouds were gathering, and a downpour was brewing.

---

As night fell, Fang He returned to the pharmacy.

Pushing open the back door, the familiar aroma of herbs wafted out.

Fang He leaned wearily against the door frame, his whole body aching.

The wound on my left shoulder started bleeding again, and the cuts on my back from the rocks stung painfully.

He looked down at himself; his clothes were tattered and stained with blood, making him look like a refugee who had just escaped from the battlefield.

"Young master?"

Su Yun'er's voice came from the backyard.

She was carrying a basin of hot water when she saw Fang He's appearance and stopped in her tracks.

Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"How could you...?"

She opened her mouth, but before she could finish speaking, she turned and ran into the kitchen.

Fang He smiled wryly and slowly moved to the stone bench in the courtyard to sit down.

Before long, Su Yun'er returned, carrying several jade bottles.

She placed the hot water at Fang He's feet, squatted down, and began to undress him.

"I'll do it myself."

Fang He reached out to stop him.

Su Yun'er raised her head and glared at him.

That glance carried stubbornness, heartache, and an unyielding determination that brooked no refusal.

Fang He froze, her hand hanging in mid-air.

Su Yun'er lowered her head and continued to untie his belt.

The movements were gentle, yet exceptionally firm.

As the robes were removed, Fang He's body was revealed to be crisscrossed with wounds.

New wounds piled on top of old wounds, a gruesome and terrifying sight.

Su Yun'er's hands trembled slightly.

She took out a clean cloth, dipped it in hot water, and gently wiped the wound on Fang He's back.

"Does it hurt?"

Her voice was very soft.

Fang He shook her head: "I'm used to it."

Su Yun'er didn't say anything, but she wiped even more gently.

She took out the ointment and applied it to the wound. The cool medicinal properties penetrated, and the pain eased slightly.

"Young master."

Su Yun'er suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Could you... possibly suffer less injury?"

She kept her head down, and Fang He couldn't see her expression, but there was a hint of sob in her voice.

Fang He was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I will try my best."

Su Yun'er didn't say anything more, but continued to treat his wounds.

The moonlight spilled into the backyard, casting long shadows of the two people.

Fang He soaked in the medicinal bath, closing his eyes to rest.

The warm water enveloped my body, and my fatigue gradually dissipated.

Su Yun'er sat to the side, preparing the pills he would need for tomorrow.

With practiced ease, she packed the Qi-restoring pills, hemostatic powder, and detoxifying pills into individual packets.

"I added calming herbs to tonight's herbal medicine."

Su Yun'er said softly, "Young Master, get some sleep."

Fang He opened her eyes and looked at Su Yun'er's lowered eyebrows.

Her delicate face looked exceptionally beautiful in the moonlight, her eyelashes fluttering slightly like butterfly wings.

Fang He felt a warmth in her heart.

This pharmacy, this backyard, this familiar scent of herbs, and this woman who silently takes care of him.

It was a rare warmth in his cold world of cultivation.

"Thanks for your hard work."

He said softly.

Su Yun'er looked up, met his gaze, and then quickly lowered her head again.

"Of course."

She packed her things, got up, and left.

"Young master, please get some rest."

The courtyard gate closed gently.

Fang He sat alone in the medicinal bath, taking out several fragments of array formations from his storage bag.

This was discovered in a secret chamber; it's a record of the Dark Abyss Pavilion's array formations.

He spread the fragments on the stone table, and the [Divine Sense Warning] slowly activated, scanning the structure of each fragment.

A moment later, he took out his entry panel.

[Array Resonance (White)]

【Comprehension of Formation (Green)】

The two entries glowed faintly on the panel.

Fang He had an idea and tried to combine the two.

[Should the following entries be combined: Formation Resonance + Formation Insight?]

[WARNING: The fusion process is irreversible. Please confirm.]

Fang He confirmed.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the two entries slowly approached each other, their light intertwining.

【Successful integration】

[Acquired Attribute: Formation Affinity (Green)]

[Effect: Increases formation comprehension speed by 25%]

Fang He felt a cool sensation flow into his mind, and his understanding of the formation seemed to become more thorough.

Those originally obscure array patterns now appear much clearer.

He laid the groundwork for higher-level formation entries in the future.

Fang He put away the fragments and put on clean robes.

The moonlight in the courtyard was like water, quiet and peaceful.

He sat alone on the stone bench and took out the cyan token from his pocket.

Zhao Xuanting's token.

Under the moonlight, the black snake mark on the back of the token was faintly visible, its coiled posture sinister and terrifying.

Fang He fiddled with the token, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon in the distance.

The contents of the "Sea Beast Control Experiment" report in the sealed room still lingered in my mind.

What exactly is the deputy sect leader plotting?

Those failed marine mammal experiments, those marginal islands sacrificed...

How will the Qingyuan Sect headquarters react after receiving news from Black Reef Island?

"Use stillness to control movement..."

Fang He muttered to himself.

Can it really work?