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

Two weeks later, on Qing'ao Island.

Zhou Xiaolan's condition has stabilized and she is resting.

However, the news that the Shi family of Qingshi Island had defected to the Dark Abyss Pavilion had completely shaken the Zhou family's upper echelons.

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

"How dare the Shi family do this!" Zhou Yuanhai slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "Do they even know what a heinous crime it is to collude with the Dark Abyss Pavilion?"

"Clan leader, now is not the time to be angry," Zhou Tieshan said in a deep voice. "The scale of the underground stronghold on Qing Shi Island is far beyond our imagination. That large-scale ceremony... is probably related to the core plot of the deputy sect leader's faction."

The Zhou family alone cannot cope with this.

Fang He stood in the hall, his gaze calm: "Uncle Zhou is right."

We need allies.

"An ally?" Zhou Yuanhai frowned. "You mean...?"

"The Qingyuan Sect's main faction," Fang He stated bluntly, "is cultivating the Dark Abyss Pavilion's influence on the outlying islands by the deputy sect leaders, and the main faction will never sit idly by."

We have evidence against Zhao Xuanting and intelligence about Qing Shi Island; these are our bargaining chips in negotiations with the sect leader's faction.

Zhou Tieshan and Zhou Yuanhai exchanged a glance and finally nodded: "Alright, I will personally write a letter to contact the sect leader."

---

Three days later.

A flying boat from the Qingyuan Sect landed at the Qing'ao Island dock.

A figure stepped off the airship, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

It was a woman, dressed in a long blue dress, with a cold and aloof demeanor.

She looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with beautiful features, yet possessing a sharp and piercing aura.

With each step, a faint spiritual pressure emanated, causing the cultivators with lower cultivation levels around them to involuntarily lower their heads.

Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!

Fang He stood in the welcoming crowd, her gaze slightly narrowed.

He could feel the pressure that far exceeded that of the Qi Refining stage, like an invisible mountain that made it difficult for him to breathe.

"Ye Shuanghua, an inner sect deacon of the Qingyuan Sect, has come on the orders of the sect leader." The woman's voice was cold as she glanced at the crowd before finally settling on Fang He. "Who is Fang He?"

Fang He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Junior Fang He greets Steward Ye."

Ye Shuanghua scrutinized him, her gaze sharp as a knife: "Seventh level of Qi Refining... so it was you who discovered Zhao Xuanting's identity and rescued the Zhou family's eldest daughter from Qing Shi Island?"

"It is indeed I, the junior."

"Interesting." Ye Shuanghua's lips curled up slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Lead the way, I want to see what kind of intelligence your Zhou family has."

---

Inside the council hall, Ye Shuanghua sat in the main seat, with Zhou Tieshan and Zhou Yuanhai sitting on either side, while Fang He stood in the center to give a report.

"...In conclusion, there are at least three Qi Refining Level 9 cultivators stationed at the underground stronghold on Qing Shi Island, and Shi Meng is just one of them." Fang He presented the information he had compiled one by one. "More importantly, that large-scale ritual seems to be related to some kind of summoning. When the blood-red pillar of light shot into the sky, the spiritual energy within a radius of ten miles was drawn in."

Ye Shuanghua listened, tapping her fingers lightly on the table, her gaze deep.

"The sect leader's faction already knows about Zhao Xuanting's matter," she said calmly. "The sect leader was aware that the deputy sect leader's faction was cultivating its influence on the outlying islands."

But the situation on Qing Shi Island... is more serious than expected.

She looked at Fang He: "When you saved Zhou Xiaolan, did you see clearly the core formation of that ritual?"

"I have observed it," Fang He replied. "It is a complex summoning array, using blood sacrifice as a catalyst, seemingly to summon some kind of high-level being."

The formation's structure... bears similarities to the formation Zhao Xuanting set up on Black Reef Island.

A hint of surprise flashed in Ye Shuanghua's eyes: "You can understand that level of formation?"

"I know a little bit about it."

Ye Shuanghua was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Well said, 'You know a little bit'."

"To be able to analyze summoning arrays at the seventh level of Qi Refining, you've certainly impressed me."

She stood up, walked up to Fang He, and looked down at him, scrutinizing him: "Fang He, I'll be frank."

The main faction wants to eliminate the influence of the deputy main faction on the outlying islands, and the Zhou family can be used as our pawn.

And you…”

She paused, a hint of amusement in her eyes: "I can give you the opportunity to become the core of this game."

---

Fang He remained unmoved after Ye Shuanghua brought up the "chess piece" analogy.

"Deacon Ye," he said calmly, "I dare to ask to speak with you alone."

Ye Shuanghua raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhou Tieshan.

Zhou Tieshan understood and stood up, saying, "Deacon Ye, Fang He is the most capable young man in my Zhou family, and his opinion can represent the Zhou family."

We'll take our leave now, but please feel free to contact us if needed.

The Zhou family's senior members left the hall, leaving only Fang He and Ye Shuanghua.

"Speak, what do you want to talk about?" Ye Shuanghua sat down again, her tone indifferent.

Fang He looked directly into her eyes: "Deacon Ye said that the Zhou family is a pawn, but I dare not agree."

The Zhou family and the sect leader's faction should have a cooperative relationship.

"A cooperative relationship?" Ye Shuanghua chuckled. "A small family that doesn't even have a Foundation Establishment cultivator dares to talk about cooperation with the Qingyuan Sect?"

"Just because we know detailed information about the Qing Shi Island stronghold," Fang He said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "and because I can analyze the summoning array at the seventh level of Qi Refining."

Just because…

He paused, then said, "Because I dare to negotiate with Deacon Ye alone."

Ye Shuanghua's gaze sharpened, then her smile deepened: "Good courage."

"You're the first Qi Refining stage cultivator to dare speak to me like that."

She stood up and walked around Fang He, as if examining an interesting object: "Fang He, I've investigated your background."

Three years ago, you were a low-level rogue cultivator; now you're the Zhou family's external affairs inspector, at the seventh level of Qi Refining, with considerable skill in formations… Your growth rate is highly unusual.

Fang He felt a chill run down his spine, but remained outwardly calm: "This junior was just lucky and had some good fortune."

"Opportunity?" Ye Shuanghua sneered. "The cultivation world is never short of opportunities, but only one in a hundred can turn those opportunities into strength."

You are ambitious, capable, and even more...

She leaned closer to Fang He and whispered, "There's a secret."

Fang He remained silent.

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in your secrets." Ye Shuanghua took a step back. "What the sect needs are capable people, not obedient dogs."

"As long as you contribute to the purge of the deputy sect leader's faction, I will keep your secret."

She sat down again, her tone becoming more formal: "Tell me, what do you want?"

Fang He knew that the real negotiations had begun.

"This junior needs the resources to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining." He stated frankly, "Spirit Gathering Pills, Barrier Breaking Pills, high-grade spirit stones... anything that can help this junior break through, this junior needs."

A hint of surprise flashed in Ye Shuanghua's eyes: "You're quite direct."

Reaching the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining normally takes at least one to two years. You want to speed things up?

"The ceremony on Qing Shi Island won't wait for us for a year or two," Fang He replied. "After my breakthrough, I am willing to help the sect clear out the Qing Shi Island stronghold."

Ye Shuanghua scrutinized him for a long time, then suddenly took out a jade bottle from her bosom and tossed it to Fang He.

"The Spirit Gathering Mystic Pill, a high-grade second-tier pill," she said calmly. "It's enough to allow you to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining within half a month."

Fang He took the jade bottle, his heart trembling.

A second-grade superior pill is worth at least three hundred spirit stones, and it's priceless!

"Deacon Ye, this..."

"Don't rush to thank me," Ye Shuanghua interrupted him. "This pill wasn't given away for free."

After the breakthrough, you will need to assist the sect leader in clearing out Qing Shi Island.

and……"

Her gaze sharpened: "I want you to be the eyes and ears of the Supremacy on the outlying islands."

"You must report to me everything concerning the Zhou family, the movements of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, and even the slightest clues left by the Vice Sect Master."

Fang He gripped the jade bottle tightly, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Deal."

"Very good." Ye Shuanghua stood up. "In half a month, I will bring the sect leader's elite troops back to Qing'ao Island."

By then, I hope you will have successfully broken through.

She walked to the door and suddenly turned back: "Fang He, you are the most ambitious rogue cultivator I have ever met."

I hope you won't let me down.

After saying that, she drifted away.

---

After Ye Shuanghua left, Zhou Tieshan went into the side hall.

"How did the talks go?" he asked.

"The cooperation has been reached." Fang He showed the jade bottle in his hand. "The sect leader's faction will support the Zhou family on the condition that they assist in clearing Qing Shi Island."

Zhou Tieshan looked at the jade bottle, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "This is... a second-tier pill?"

"The Spirit Gathering Pill will help me break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining." Fang He put away the jade bottle. "Uncle Zhou, I need to go into seclusion for half a month."

During this period, I entrust the Zhou family's defenses to you.

Zhou Tieshan patted him on the shoulder: "Go ahead and break through with peace of mind."

As for Xiaolan… she would be very happy if she knew that you had secured the support of the sect leader's faction for her.”

Fang He nodded and turned to walk towards Zhou Xiaolan's residence.

---

In Zhou Xiaolan's courtyard, she was leaning against a couch, flipping through an ancient book.

His injuries had mostly healed, but his face was still somewhat pale.

"Fang He?" Seeing Fang He enter, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes. "I heard the Qingyuan Sect sent people?"

"Yes, Ye Shuanghua, an inner sect deacon of the sect." Fang He sat down beside her couch. "The Zhou family has reached a cooperation agreement with the sect. The sect will get involved in the matter of Qing Shi Island."

Zhou Xiaolan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great... that way you won't have to face those dangers alone."

She paused, then looked at Fang He: "You seem to have something on your mind?"

Fang He remained silent for a moment, but decided to tell her: "Deacon Ye gave me a Spirit Gathering Pill, which helped me break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining."

"Breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Refining?" A complex expression flashed in Zhou Xiaolan's eyes, a mixture of relief, envy, and an indescribable emotion. "You... are going to become stronger again."

"I need strength," Fang He said calmly. "The crisis on Qing Shi Island is just the beginning."

Zhou Xiaolan nodded gently, then suddenly reached out and grasped Fang He's hand: "Fang He, whatever you do, I will support you."

Fang He looked at her, her clear eyes filled with sincerity.

He gently squeezed her hand back, then stood up: "You get some rest, I need to start preparing for my breakthrough."

Stepping out of the courtyard, Fang He looked up at the sky.

Half a month later, he will break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

At that time, the Goldfinger panel may undergo new changes.

He recalled the scene when he broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, and the cheat code unlocked the entry fusion function.

So, will there be any new surprises this time when you break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining?