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

One month later, on Qing'ao Island.

Inside Fang He's pharmacy, morning light streamed through the windows.

He sat behind the counter, an account book spread out in front of him, taking stock of his own resources.

"Three hundred and fifty spirit stones, one Spirit Gathering Pill, and various healing pills..."

Fang He muttered to himself, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

Three hundred and fifty spirit stones—this was all his savings from the past three years.

From initially renting spiritual fields to barely make a living, to now owning a pharmacy and accumulating this fortune, every step has been taken with utmost care.

He closed his eyes and focused his mind, the golden finger panel appearing in his mind.

The seven green entries represent all the information he has accumulated over the past three years.

Fang He examined these entries, pondering in his mind.

The transition from the seventh to the eighth level of Qi cultivation is a hurdle; the seventh level represents "rough understanding," while the eighth level represents "subtle understanding."

The finesse of one's spiritual energy circulation will determine how far one can go in the future.

He might even be able to rival a master of formations like Qin Wujiu.

Fang He took a deep breath and suppressed her distracting thoughts.

Before making a breakthrough, one must maintain a calm mindset, without excessive expectations or the slightest fear.

"Young Master, are you really going into seclusion to break through to a higher level?"

Su Yun'er walked in carrying tea, her eyes filled with worry.

She gently placed the teacup on the counter, hesitating to speak.

"Speak your mind." Fang He looked up at her.

Su Yun'er bit her lip: "Young Master, the seventh to eighth level of Qi Refining... I heard Master Wu Dan say before his death that this is the most difficult hurdle in the later stage of Qi Refining."

Many monks get stuck at this stage, unable to make any progress for years.

Are you...are you sure?"

"I'm not 100% sure," Fang He said frankly, "but I'm at least 70% sure."

"Seventy percent..." Su Yun'er lowered her head, "That leaves a thirty percent risk."

"The path to immortality is never smooth sailing." Fang He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Three years ago, I was at the second level of Qi Refining, and now I am at the seventh level of Qi Refining."

Every step is a gamble; if you win, you move forward; if you lose…

He paused, then didn't continue.

What happens if you lose the bet? Will your cultivation level drop? Will your meridians be damaged? Or will you suffer a qi deviation?

Fang He had considered all these possibilities, but he was even more aware that not making a breakthrough meant stagnation.

The crisis on Qing Shi Island, the conspiracy of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, the internal strife of the Qing Yuan Sect... Without strength, he couldn't even protect himself, let alone those around him.

"Young Master," Su Yun'er raised her head, her gaze firm, "Yun'er doesn't understand cultivation, but Yun'er knows that Young Master never does anything without certainty."

During this period of seclusion, Yun'er will pray for the young master every day.

Fang He looked at her, feeling a warmth in her heart.

Su Yun'er has been with him for over a year. From being a timid assistant at the pharmacy at the beginning, she has grown a lot to being able to manage the pharmacy on her own.

"Hmm." Fang He put away the ledger. "The seventh to eighth level of Qi Refining is the watershed between the later stages of Qi Refining."

This seclusion will last at least half a month; I'll leave the pharmacy to you.

"Don't worry, young master," Su Yun'er said solemnly, "Yun'er will definitely take good care of the pharmacy."

The daily accounts will be meticulously recorded, and a report will be submitted to you one by one after you emerge from seclusion.

"You don't need to report everything. You can make your own decisions." Fang He stood up, straightened his robes, and said, "I'm going to find Master Qian to ask for some advice on breakthroughs."

"Please wait, young master."

Su Yun'er saw him to the door and watched his figure disappear around the street corner before turning back to the pharmacy.

She stood behind the counter, looking at the open ledger, and sighed softly.

---

Qian Zhenshi's residence was located on the outskirts of the Zhou family's territory; it was a simple stone house filled with array formations.

As soon as Fang He arrived at the door, the stone door opened automatically.

Master Qian sat cross-legged in the center of the formation, opened his eyes and looked at him: "You've come at the right time. I knew you should be here."

"Elder Qian," Fang He bowed respectfully, "this junior is preparing to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining and has come to seek your guidance."

"Breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Refining?" Master Qian stroked his beard, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. "You've improved too fast, kid."

Three years ago he was only at the third level of Qi Refining, and now he's aiming for the eighth level?

"I was lucky enough to get some opportunities."

Fang He took out the jade bottle containing the Spirit Gathering Pill: "This Spirit Gathering Pill was given to me by Deacon Ye Shuanghua. Elder Qian, do you know the best way to use it for a breakthrough?"

Qian Zhenshi took the jade bottle, uncorked it, and sniffed it, his pupils shrinking slightly.

"A high-grade second-tier pill!" He returned the jade bottle to Fang He with a solemn expression. "What a grand gesture... This Spirit Gathering Profound Pill is extremely potent; taking it directly might damage your meridians."

He pondered for a moment and then instructed: "In the three days before the breakthrough, first adjust your state and make your meridians be in the best unobstructed state."

On the day of the breakthrough, take half of the Spirit Gathering Pill first, and then take the other half after the medicinal power has dissipated.

Do not take too much, otherwise the medicine may be too strong and harm your health.

"During the breakthrough process, you must always keep your mind clear."

The biggest difference between the eighth and seventh levels of Qi Refining lies in the precision of the circulation of spiritual energy.

The seventh level is "basic understanding", and the eighth level is "detailed understanding".

What you need to do is make the spiritual energy flow more smoothly and seamlessly through your meridians.

Fang He carefully wrote down: "Thank you for your guidance, Professor Qian."

"Furthermore," Master Qian said solemnly, "it's common for one's realm to be unstable after a breakthrough. One should stabilize it for at least seven days before engaging in combat."

Otherwise, the backlash of spiritual energy could cause a drop in cultivation level or even damage to the meridians.

"I'll remember that."

---

After leaving Qian Zhenshi's residence, Fang He arrived at the Zhou family's residence.

Zhou Tieshan was already waiting in the council hall. When he saw him enter, he stood up and said, "The secret room is ready. Follow me."

The two walked through several corridors and arrived deep inside the Zhou family's residence.

A heavily guarded stone chamber appeared before them, its door covered with defensive formations, and its spiritual energy far surpassed that of the outside world.

"This is the best secluded training place in the Zhou family." Zhou Tieshan patted Fang He on the shoulder. "Focus on your breakthrough. Uncle Zhou and I will take care of things outside."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou."

"By the way," Zhou Tieshan smiled meaningfully, "Xiaolan heard that you were going into seclusion, so she specially prepared some things."

Go and see her.

Fang He nodded and walked towards Zhou Xiaolan's courtyard.

---

The air in Zhou Xiaolan's courtyard was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

A month later, her injuries had mostly healed, and her complexion had returned to a rosy hue, though she would occasionally cough lightly.

"Fang He?" Seeing Fang He enter, her eyes lit up with joy, and she quickly went to greet her. "I heard you're going into seclusion?"

"Yes, it's today." Fang He nodded. "Uncle Zhou said you prepared something for me?"

Zhou Xiaolan blushed slightly, turned around and took out an exquisite wooden box from inside the house: "This is the 'Spirit-Nourishing Ginseng' and 'Pulse-Nourishing Pill' that I asked someone to buy from the market. Taking them after breaking through will help stabilize your realm."

Fang He accepted the wooden box, her heart warmed: "Thank you, Miss Zhou, for your trouble."

"Call me Xiaolan," Zhou Xiaolan said softly, looking up at him. "You're always so polite."

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

Zhou Xiaolan's lips curled up slightly, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze: "That's more like it."

She paused, her expression turning serious: "Fang He, I know you're focused on developing your strength, but you mustn't be impatient when it comes to breakthroughs."

Master Qian should have already told you that after breaking through, you need to stabilize your realm and not rush into action.

"I see."

"Regarding Qing Shi Island..." Zhou Xiaolan bit her lip. "I'll have Father and Ye Zhi keep an eye on things beforehand, and we'll act together once you've successfully broken through."

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

He could sense that Zhou Xiaolan's feelings for him had deepened and were no longer just those of a simple comrade-in-arms.

But he knew in his heart that now was not the time to talk about feelings.

The crisis on Qing Shi Island, the conspiracy of the Dark Abyss Pavilion, the internal strife of the Qing Yuan Sect... there are too many things waiting for him to face.

"Xiaolan," Fang He said softly, "once I successfully break through, we'll resolve the matter of Qing Shi Island together."

Zhou Xiaolan's eyes lit up, and she nodded emphatically: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

---

After leaving Zhou Xiaolan's courtyard, Fang He headed towards the secluded meditation room.

On the way, a messenger from the Zhou family hurried over: "Inspector Fang, there's a secret letter for you!"

Fang He took the letter and saw that there was no signature on the envelope, only a strange symbol—it was the secret mark he had agreed upon with Qin Wujiu.

He opened the envelope, quickly glanced at the contents, and his brows gradually furrowed.

Fang He gripped the letter tightly, his gaze grave.

Twenty days... while it would take him at least half a month to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining, plus seven days to stabilize his realm, the time was just right.

Fang He took a deep breath, burned the letter, and strode towards the secluded chamber.

---

The secret chamber is located underground in the Zhou family's residence. The stone door is thick and heavy, and it is covered with defensive formations.

Fang He sat cross-legged on the futon and placed the Spirit Gathering Pill, Spirit Supplementing Ginseng, and Meridian Nourishing Pill in front of him.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate the [Zhou Tian Tong Tai] energy to adjust his state.

The spiritual energy flowed slowly through the meridians, like a gentle stream, nourishing every inch of flesh and blood.

Fang He could feel that his condition was gradually reaching its peak.

"Let's begin."

He took out half of the Spirit Gathering Pill and swallowed it.

As soon as the pill entered his stomach, a warm yet domineering spiritual power exploded within his body, surging and turbulent like a river bursting its banks.

Fang He quickly circulated his cultivation technique, guiding the spiritual energy to flow through his meridians, while simultaneously using the [Dantian Nourishment] technique to solidify his foundation and regulate the spiritual energy throughout his body.

The breakthrough has officially begun.