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

One month later, in the morning.

Qing'ao Island, the Zhou family's council hall.

Fang He stood in the hall and gave Zhou Tieshan a detailed report on the trip to Tiegu Island.

"...Although there are differences within the Meng family, Elder Meng Yuan and Fang have reached a tacit understanding, and the alliance between Meng and Zhou has been preliminarily finalized."

Fang He's voice was steady and his reasoning was clear. "As for the remnants of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, Qin Wujiu used the Tracing Shadow Array to locate the traitor. Although that person committed suicide by poisoning himself, it has been confirmed that he was related to the Vice Sect Master's faction."

Zhou Tieshan sat upright in the main seat, listening with a solemn expression.

"The illegitimate son of an inner sect elder of the Qingyuan Sect..." Zhou Tieshan pondered. "The vice sect leader sent someone to search for ancient ruins... This information is too important."

Inspector Fang, you did a great job.

"Commander Zhou."

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting, "There is one more urgent matter."

Qin Wujiu warned that the Shi family on Qing Shi Island might have problems.

"The Shi family?"

Zhou Tieshan frowned deeply. "Weren't they severely injured by the sea monster and their strength greatly diminished?"

"That's precisely where the doubt lies."

Fang He said in a deep voice, "I have sent people to investigate secretly these past few days and have discovered several anomalies."

He took out a brief investigation report and presented it with both hands.

Zhou Tieshan took it and glanced at the paper.

"First."

Fang He continued, "Although the Shi family suffered heavy casualties from the sea beast attack, most of the core clan members, including Shi Lie's sons and members of the elders' council, survived."

Most of those who died were independent cultivators and hired guards from the outer perimeter.

Zhou Tieshan's gaze sharpened: "You mean..."

"second."

Fang He spoke calmly and deliberately, "Shi Lie has been frequently in contact with unfamiliar cultivators recently."

According to reports from their informants, those cultivators were elusive, never entering the Shi family's main gate, but instead using a secret passage in the back mountain at night.

"Third, the Shi family is secretly rebuilding their settlement, and the amount of spirit stones, materials, and manpower required far exceeds their financial resources."

The Shi family's original savings were insufficient to support such a large-scale reconstruction.

Zhou Tieshan's face darkened: "Someone is secretly funding the Shi family."

"good."

Fang He nodded, "Moreover, I suspect that the one who funded the Shi family was the Dark Abyss Pavilion."

The council chamber fell silent for a moment.

Zhou Tieshan stood up, paced around the hall for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "If the Shi family really colludes with the Dark Abyss Pavilion, then the Zhou family has a knife stuck in its back."

Qingshi Island is located southeast of Qing'ao Island. If they launch an attack from there...

"The consequences would be unimaginable."

Fang He continued.

This premonition confirmed his judgment; the matter concerning the Shi family was no false alarm.

"We must find out the truth."

Zhou Tieshan stopped, his gaze sharp. "But we mustn't alert them."

If the Shi family truly harbors ulterior motives, hastily sending troops will only force them to act prematurely.

Fang He nodded: "That is exactly what I meant."

It is recommended to send someone in disguise to infiltrate and find out the truth before making a decision.

"it is good."

Zhou Tieshan pondered for a moment and said, "You are in full charge of this matter. Just let me know what kind of manpower you need."

"Thank you for your trust, Commander Zhou."

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting, "I need someone familiar with the terrain of Qing Shi Island who is also not easily recognized to lead the team."

"What about Zhou Qing? He's been on several missions with you and trusts you."

"Zhou Qing is fine, but we still need someone who can keep things under control."

Fang He pondered for a moment and said, "If there are Dark Abyss Pavilion cultivators stationed on Green Stone Island, those who infiltrate must have the ability to protect themselves."

"Late stage of Qi Refining..."

After a moment's thought, Zhou Tieshan suddenly said, "Let Xiaolan go."

Fang He was taken aback: "Young Miss?"

"Xiaolan is at the peak of the late stage of Qi Refining, and her strength is sufficient."

Moreover, since she was a woman, it would be less likely to arouse suspicion if she disguised herself as a traveling merchant.

Zhou Tieshan paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, "Besides, she's been..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Fang He understood.

Since the Black Reef Island clearing operation, Zhou Xiaolan's attitude towards Fang He has changed significantly.

Fang He wasn't unaware of that look in his eyes, but he deliberately kept his distance.

"Commander Zhou, there may be danger on this trip to Qing Shi Island..."

Fang He hesitated.

"It's precisely because there's danger that we need her to go."

Zhou Tieshan said solemnly, "Xiaolan is a direct descendant of the Zhou family and will inherit the family business in the future."

If you can't even take this small risk, how can you convince the public?

Fang He was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I understand."

After leaving the council hall, Fang He returned to the pharmacy.

Su Yun'er was arranging medicinal herbs when she saw Fang He return. She said softly, "Young Master, Miss Zhou came by earlier and said that if you return, please go to the martial arts arena."

Fang He paused for a moment, then nodded: "Understood."

He turned and walked towards the training ground, pondering how to explain the mission to Zhou Xiaolan.

On the training ground, Zhou Xiaolan is practicing her sword.

She was dressed in white, her sword flashing like snow, each strike carrying a sharp, chilling aura.

Fang He stood outside the field, waiting quietly.

After finishing her swordplay, Zhou Xiaolan sheathed her sword and turned around. Seeing Fang He, a hint of joy flashed in her eyes: "Inspector Fang is back?"

"Just got back."

Fang He cupped his hands in greeting, "Young Miss's swordsmanship has improved again."

Stop flattering me.

Zhou Xiaolan gave a light snort, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "I heard you displayed your prowess on Ironbone Island, even suppressing the young master of the Meng family?"

"It's just a verbal dispute; don't take it seriously."

Fang He shook her head, then said seriously, "Miss, there is something I need to discuss with you."

He recounted the suspicious points about Qing Shi Island and the infiltration plan in detail.

After hearing this, Zhou Xiaolan frowned: "If the Shi family is really colluding with the Dark Abyss Pavilion, then the Zhou family is in danger."

"That's exactly right."

Fang He said in a deep voice, "Commander Zhou suggested that the young lady lead the team to infiltrate and disguise themselves as itinerant merchants selling medicinal herbs."

What does the young lady think?

Zhou Xiaolan replied without hesitation, "I'll go."

Her gaze was firm: "I am familiar with Qing Shi Island. I went there a few times with my father when I was a child."

Besides, I'm a woman, so I'm less likely to arouse suspicion.

"This trip may be dangerous."

Fang He reminded him.

"Danger?"

Zhou Xiaolan chuckled lightly, "I've been through the Black Reef Island cleanup operation, what's a little infiltration to me?"

She paused, looking directly at Fang He: "Besides, you saved me once, so this time... consider it repaying your favor."

Fang He was taken aback.

After the battle on Black Reef Island that day, he did indeed shield Zhou Xiaolan from a sneak attack.

But that was just an instinctive reaction on the battlefield; he never thought of asking her for anything in return.

"You flatter me, Miss..."

"I'm telling the truth."

Zhou Xiaolan interrupted him, her tone serious, "Fang He, I know you're deliberately keeping your distance from me."

But the Zhou family needs you now, and I also…”

She didn't continue, looked away, and lowered her voice: "In short, I will complete this mission."

Fang He was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

Zhou Qing will accompany you, along with two other elite members of the Zhou family, both of whom are unfamiliar faces.

"When do we depart?"

"Three days later."

Fang He said, "During this time, I will prepare a batch of medicinal herbs as cover, and at the same time, I will formulate a detailed infiltration route."

"clear."

After leaving the training ground, Fang He returned to the pharmacy and entered the secret room.

He took out paper and pen and began to write a letter to Meng Yuan.

Before leaving, Qin Wujiu designated Meng Yuan as an intelligence relay, which was the first step in establishing an intelligence cooperation channel.

In the letter, Fang He briefly explained the Qing Shi Island investigation plan and asked Qin Wujiu if he had any more information about the Shi family.

He specifically used a set of agreed-upon codes to prevent the letters from being intercepted.

After finishing writing, Fang He put the letter into a specially made sealed envelope and handed it to a trusted aide: "Send it to Ironbone Island and personally deliver it to Elder Meng Yuan."

"Yes."

After his trusted confidant left, Fang He sat alone in the secret room, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Greenstone Island...Shi Family...Dark Abyss Pavilion...

These clues intertwine to form an invisible web.

Fang He had a premonition that a larger conspiracy than he had imagined was hidden behind this network.

And he had already stepped onto the edge of this net.

"bring it on."

Fang He muttered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes, "Let me see what you're plotting."

Outside the window, the setting sun dyed the sea a blood red.

Three days later, Zhou Xiaolan will set foot on Qingshi Island.