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

half a month later.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated at Qing'ao Island Wharf.

Fang He stood at the end of the pier, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Behind him were Zhou Tieshan, Zhou Yuanhai, and a group of key figures from the Zhou family.

Everyone's expressions were solemn, and no one uttered a sound.

A spirit boat, built according to the Qingyuan Sect's standards, broke through the waves and came.

The boat is blue and white, and the emblem of the Qingyuan Sect is carved on the bow.

That was a vehicle that only inner disciples could use, and it was more than three times faster than an ordinary sea ship.

"They're here."

Zhou Yuanhai said in a low voice, his tone tinged with nervousness.

Fang He did not respond.

The sea of ​​consciousness was calm, with only the mournful sound of the sea breeze blowing across the pier.

The spirit boat docked and the gangway was lowered.

A figure slowly walked out.

Dressed in white, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, his handsome face carried a hint of arrogance.

It was Ye Chen.

Half a year had passed, and his aura had become more solid, clearly indicating that his cultivation had improved again.

He is at the peak of the late stage of Qi Refining, just one step away from Foundation Establishment.

"Clan Chief Zhou."

Ye Chen cupped his hands in a slight gesture, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, lingering on Fang He for a moment before looking away.

There was no surprise, no hostility in his gaze, only a condescending indifference.

"Master Ye's arrival from afar brings great honor to the Zhou family."

Zhou Yuanhai stepped forward with a beaming smile, "A banquet has been prepared in the mansion, please—"

"No need."

Ye Chen interrupted him, his tone indifferent.

"I am here on orders from my sect to investigate the matter of Black Reef Island. Let's conduct this officially, no need for formalities."

Zhou Yuanhai's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal: "What the immortal master says is true, please follow me."

The Zhou Family Council Hall.

Ye Chen sat in the main seat, with Zhou Yuanhai sitting beside him, and Zhou Tieshan and Fang He on either side.

"Speak."

Ye Chen picked up his teacup and gently skimmed off the foam. "What exactly happened at Black Reef Island?"

Zhou Yuanhai delivered his prepared explanation: Half a month ago, the Zhou family raided the Dark Abyss Pavilion's stronghold and discovered that it was related to the unusual activity of sea beasts. During the battle, some account books were seized, which seemed to implicate members of the Qingyuan Sect. The Zhou family dared not act on its own and therefore reported the matter to the sect for a decision.

These words deliberately downplayed the importance of Zhao Xuanting's identity and obscured clues about the deputy sect leader's faction.

After listening, Ye Chen put down his teacup.

"That's all?"

His tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Zhou Yuanhai nodded: "That's all."

Ye Chen was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

The smile didn't reach his eyes; it carried a hint of mockery.

"Clan Chief Zhou, do you take me for a three-year-old child?"

He stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced to the window. "The Dark Abyss Pavilion has been entrenched in the edge of the sea for many years. Why didn't the Zhou family eliminate them sooner or later, but only after I, Ye, came here?"

Zhou Yuanhai's expression changed slightly: "What the Immortal Master means by that—"

"I have no interest in your explanation."

Ye Chen turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a blade. "The sect sent me here to give you a way out. Since you don't know what's good for you, I won't bother asking any more questions."

He took out a jade slip and tossed it onto the table.

"This is the sect's confirmation. The sect will investigate the matter of the Dark Abyss Pavilion itself. The Zhou family only needs to do its job and need not worry about anything else."

Fang He felt a chill run down her spine.

These words, though seemingly official, actually contain a hidden meaning.

The sect's "independent investigation" means the Zhou family is excluded. And "doing one's duty" is a warning.

Don't meddle in other people's business.

Ye Chen seemed unaware of Zhao Xuanting's situation.

Or rather, he simply doesn't care.

Fang He secretly observed Ye Chen's expression.

The latter remained calm, showing no regret or anger at Zhao Xuanting's death.

That wasn't a pretense; it was genuine indifference.

In the Qingyuan Sect, Zhao Xuanting was nothing more than a pawn that could be discarded at any time.

"Immortal Master".

Fang He spoke, his voice calm, "This junior dares to ask, how does the sect intend to handle this matter?"

Ye Chen shifted his gaze and looked Fang He up and down.

"You're Fang He?"

"It is indeed I, the junior."

Ye Chen's lips curled up slightly, his smile carrying a hint of amusement.

"I remember you. The strange activity of the sea monsters six months ago was the tip you provided."

He slowly approached, looking down at Fang He. "A mere seventh level of Qi Refining, yet you have some skills. You're quite lucky to have survived in a place like Black Reef Island."

Fang He lowered his head: "It was just luck."

"Just lucky?"

Ye Chen chuckled, "There's no room for luck in the cultivation world. The fact that you survived means you're a little smarter than those fools who died."

He leaned down and lowered his voice: "But even a smart person should know that knowing too much about some things is not a good thing."

Fang He was startled.

This is not a threat, but a warning.

He was warned not to investigate further.

"I understand."

Fang He remained calm and bowed respectfully.

Ye Chen straightened up and nodded in satisfaction.

"A smart person."

He turned and walked out of the hall. "I must hurry back to my clan for seclusion, so I will not stay any longer. Clan Chief Zhou, take care."

Zhou Yuanhai quickly got up to see him off.

At the dock, the spirit boat is ready to depart.

Before boarding the boat, Ye Chen suddenly stopped and turned to look at Fang He.

Fang He.

"Immortal Master, is there anything else you require?"

Ye Chen remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "I am about to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. I hope you will still be alive when I emerge from seclusion."

Fang He's mind raced with thoughts.

These words, seemingly an expectation, are actually another form of warning.

Before the mighty Qingyuan Sect, Fang He was nothing but an ant. Whether an ant can survive depends on the mood of a powerful figure.

"This junior respectfully wishes the Immortal Master success in establishing his foundation."

Fang He bowed respectfully.

Ye Chen said no more and turned to board the boat.

The spirit boat cut through the waves and soon disappeared at the horizon.

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

Zhou Yuanhai examined the jade slip repeatedly, his face grim.

"Is the sect... going to suppress this matter?"

Zhou Tieshan snorted coldly: "It's more than just suppressing. Ye Chen's words were clearly a warning to us not to meddle in other people's business."

"But Zhao Xuanting is clearly an outer sect steward of the Qingyuan Sect."

"So what?"

Zhou Tieshan interrupted him, "With no one to testify to the truth and the sect denying it, what can we do?"

Silence fell over the hall.

Fang He stood to one side, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window.

Ye Chen's attitude confirmed his guess.

Within the Qingyuan Sect, the power of the deputy sect leader's faction is far greater than imagined.

The sect was not unaware of Zhao Xuanting's death, but chose to turn a blind eye.

Or perhaps, some people don't want the truth to come out.

Fang He.

Zhou Tieshan suddenly spoke up, "What do you think?"

Fang He withdrew his gaze and said in a deep voice, "Ye Chen is completely indifferent to Zhao Xuanting's matter, and this is not an act."

He paused, "There are two possibilities. First, Ye Chen was genuinely unaware, and the sect kept the news tightly under wraps. Second, Ye Chen was aware, but he didn't care. Because Zhao Xuanting was merely a pawn sent by the vice sect leader; his death was no big deal."

Zhou Yuanhai frowned: "You mean, someone within the sect is trying to cover this up?"

"It's not just one person, it's a group of people."

Fang He said calmly, "The deputy sect leader's faction has been laying out plans in the border seas for many years, and they will not back down just because of Zhao Xuanting's death. The sect sent Ye Chen not to investigate, but to appease us."

"appease?"

"Let's shut up and stop investigating."

Fang He's gaze swept over everyone. "But this also means that the sect is not a monolithic entity. If the vice sect leader's faction truly held absolute power, there would be no need to send anyone here."

A glint of light flashed in Zhou Tieshan's eyes: "You mean...?"

"The sect leader's faction and the deputy sect leader's faction are secretly vying for power."

Fang He said in a deep voice, "Ye Chen is a member of the sect leader's faction, but his attitude when he came is perfunctory, which shows that the sect leader's faction is currently at a disadvantage and is unwilling to have a direct conflict with the deputy sect leader's faction."

He walked to the table and pointed to the jade slip: "This reply is a hint sent to us by the sect leader. They are temporarily unable to clean up their own sect, but they also do not want us to hand over the evidence to the deputy sect leader's faction."

Zhou Yuanhai seemed thoughtful: "So, when they told us 'not to worry,' they actually meant for us to preserve our evidence and wait and see?"

"Exactly."

Fang He nodded. "The Zhou family now has two paths. One is to heed Ye Chen's warning, destroy the evidence, and pretend nothing happened. But this means handing their fate over to others. If the Vice Sect Master's faction retaliates in the future, the Zhou family will be the first to be purged."

"And the second one?"

"Secretly contact the sect leader's faction and become their ally."

Fang He's gaze was firm. "The sect leader's faction needs pawns in the peripheral seas, and the Zhou family needs the sect's backing. It's a win-win situation where each gets what they need."

Zhou Tieshan remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"Boy, you see things more clearly than I do."

He stood up, walked up to Fang He, and patted him heavily on the shoulder.

"Okay, we'll do it your way."

Zhou Yuanhai exchanged a glance with the two elders and slowly nodded.

"From today onwards, all evidence related to Black Reef Island will be kept in full custody by Fang He."

Zhou Yuanhai said in a deep voice, "In addition, Fang He has officially entered the core decision-making circle of the Zhou family, holding the same position as a collateral elder, and participating in all confidential matters."

Fang He bowed and said, "This junior obeys."

As night fell, Fang He returned to the pharmacy alone.

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

Su Yun'er was drying medicinal herbs in the backyard when she saw him return and quickly went to greet him.

"Young master, what about the Zhou family..."

"It's nothing."

Fang He said calmly, "Go prepare some hot water; I want to take a bath."

Su Yun'er observed his expression and saw that he looked serious. She wisely refrained from asking any further questions and turned to prepare.

Fang He sat alone on a stone bench in the courtyard and took out the cyan token from his storage bag.

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.

Ye Chen's warning still echoed in my ears.

"Knowing too much about some things is not a good thing."

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

He knew that from this day forward, the Zhou family had been drawn into the vortex of internal strife within the Qingyuan Sect.

The main faction, the deputy main faction, remnants of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, and various forces in the border seas...

This game of chess is getting more and more complicated.

But Fang He felt no fear.

Instead, he sensed an opportunity.

Turbulent times produce heroes.

The more intense the internal strife within the Qingyuan Sect, the more valuable marginal forces like the Zhou family become.

As long as you choose the right side, it will be your chance to rise to prominence.

"Young master, the water is ready."

Su Yun'er's voice came from behind.

Fang He put away the token, got up and walked towards the bathhouse.

As the steam rose, he closed his eyes, and the words Ye Chen had said when he left echoed in his mind.

"I hope you will still be alive when I emerge from seclusion."

Fang He's lips curled up slightly.