196: Chapter 196 Iron Rock Island and the Herb Garden Mission

By the evening of the second day, the spirit boat finally arrived at Tieyan Island.

This island was smaller than Golden Rainbow Island, but its terrain was treacherous, surrounded by cliffs on three sides, with only one natural harbor for entry and exit. The concentration of Spiritual Qi on the island was not low, reaching at least a second-rank mid-grade level, clearly due to the presence of a large-scale Spirit Gathering Formation.

Cultivators guarded the harbor. After verifying the conscription orders of Clan Leader and Lin Cangchen, they allowed them onto the island.

“New Fellow Daoists, please come this way to register first,” a young Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivator led the way.

The registration office was inside a Stone Palace in the center of the island. The person in charge of registration was a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment old man surnamed Zhou, who appeared quite amiable.

“Lin Yaozong, Lin Cangchen... from Qianliu City?” Old Zhou checked the information. “Was the journey smooth?”

“We encountered some Yao Beasts, but they were all dealt with,” Clan Leader replied succinctly.

“It is good that you arrived safely,” Old Zhou nodded. “The sea has been restless lately, with frequent Yao Race activity. You two go to the ‘Tingtao Courtyard’ to rest first. Assemble here tomorrow at the hour of Chen; True Person Chi Yan will arrange your specific tasks.”

“True Person Chi Yan?” Lin Cangchen’s heart stirred.

“He is the Golden Core stationed at our Tieyan Island, with an Early Golden Core Stage cultivation, primarily practicing fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques,” Old Zhou explained. “The Immortal Master usually stays in seclusion at the island's center, but he comes out once a month to inspect and arrange major tasks. Tomorrow happens to be the meeting day.”

The two took note, received their temporary residence tokens, and headed to the Tingtao Courtyard.

The courtyard was not large but clean and tidy, and every room had a simple soundproofing Formation. Lin Cangchen chose the eastern wing. The first thing he did after closing the door was take out that [Slight Flood Dragon Bloodline Card].

“Use.”

A warm current, stronger than before, surged through his entire body. His bones, muscles, and Meridians were all slowly strengthening, and his affinity for water-attribute Spiritual Qi also significantly improved. Most importantly, he faintly felt a trace of vague 'pressure' within his body—not a cultivation pressure, but a suppressive force at the Bloodline level.

Half an hour later, the transformation was complete.

Lin Cangchen clenched his fist; his strength had increased by about ten percent again. He tried to trigger his Bloodline aura, and the water vapor in the room immediately became active, as if cheering in joy.

“Now, facing a second rank low grade Flood Dragon, the suppression effect should be even more obvious,” he was very satisfied.

At the hour of Chen the next day, the two arrived at the Stone Palace on time.

Inside the hall, more than twenty Foundation Establishment Cultivators were already waiting, with cultivations ranging from Early Stage to Late Stage Foundation Establishment. Lin Cangchen scanned the room and saw a few familiar faces—Zheng Hai was there, as well as several neighbors he had met before in Qianliu City.

Zheng Hai nodded to them as a greeting.

About a cup of tea's time later, footsteps were heard from behind the hall. A middle-aged Cultivator in red robes walked out, his expression majestic, with faint phantom flames swirling around him—it was indeed True Person Chi Yan.

Although the Golden Core pressure was not intentionally released, everyone in the hall instinctively straightened their backs.

“Everyone is here,” True Person Chi Yan’s voice was resonant. “I will keep it short. Although the Yao Race's offensive has slowed, small-scale harassment continues. The Tieyan Island defense line is long, and I need everyone to perform their duties.”

His gaze swept over the crowd: “Zheng Hai, take ten people to patrol the ‘Black Reef Archipelago’ for one month.”

“Yes!”

“Zhou Mingxuan, take five people to guard ‘Nanli Island’; the spirit mines there need reinforced protection.”

“As you command.”

After arranging seven or eight tasks in a row, it was finally Clan Leader and Lin Cangchen's turn.

“Lin Yaozong, Lin Cangchen.” True Person Chi Yan looked at the two. “You two are new arrivals; adapt first. There is a second rank low grade Spirit Medicine garden on ‘Qingluo Island’ that needs a guard rotation. The previous guard, Fellow Daoist Wu, has finished his term. You two take ten Qi Refining Cultivators there to take over for a period of two months.”

Lin Cangchen knew of Qingluo Island; it was marked on the sea chart, about five hundred miles from Tieyan Island, which was not far. The Spirit Medicine garden mission was relatively safe—as long as they didn't encounter a large-scale Yao Beast attack.

His mind whirled, and he stepped forward half a pace, cupping his hands. “Immortal Master, this Junior has a request.”

“Speak.”

“This Junior is slightly proficient in Formations, having reached the second rank low grade. Since Qingluo Island is an important site for Spirit Medicine, the defensive Formations must be vital. This Junior wishes to apply for an auxiliary mission to ‘strengthen the Spirit Medicine garden's defenses,’ using the guarding period to set up several more defensive Formations for the island to ensure the safety of the Spirit Medicine.”

True Person Chi Yan raised an eyebrow. “A second rank low grade Formation Master? Quite good for one so young.”

He looked at Old Zhou, who whispered, “Qingluo Island currently only has one set of second rank low grade ‘Greenwood Spirit Protection Array,’ which is indeed a bit thin. If a Formation Master can strengthen the defenses, it would be a good thing.”

“Granted.” True Person Chi Yan was very decisive. “Go to the storehouse to collect whatever Materials you need. Just complete it within two months—but do not slack on your guarding duties.”

“This Junior understands, thank you, Immortal Master!”

With the mission confirmed, the two went to the storehouse to collect Formation Materials: basic Materials for three sets of second rank low grade Formation Plates, as well as various Spirit Stones, Formation Flags, and other consumables. They also selected ten Qi Refining Cultivators—all young people in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining who seemed fairly sharp.

Early on the third morning, the group boarded a small transport spirit boat provided by Tieyan Island and headed for Qingluo Island.

The five-hundred-mile journey took only half a day.

Qingluo Island lived up to its name; the island was lush with vegetation, and green radish vines could be seen everywhere. The Spirit Medicine garden was located on the south side of the island, established upon a second rank low grade Spiritual Vein, covering about a hundred acres. Dozens of common Spirit Medicines were planted in the garden, with three acres dedicated to cultivating “Green Jade Ginseng,” an auxiliary ingredient for refining foundation establishment pills.

The original guard, Fellow Daoist Wu, was an Early Stage Foundation Establishment old man. Seeing his replacements, he was very enthusiastic: “I have finally looked forward to your arrival! I've been guarding this place for half a year, and I've been bored to death.”

The handover went smoothly. Fellow Daoist Wu introduced the situation of the Spirit Medicine garden: daily maintenance was handled by five full-time Spirit Plant Farmers (all in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining), and defense mainly relied on that “Greenwood Spirit Protection Array,” which could withstand attacks from Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators but was a bit strained against the Middle Stage.

“Have there been many Yao Race harassments lately?” Clan Leader asked.

“There have been a few minor skirmishes, all First-tier demonic beasts wandering in by mistake and being blocked by the Formation,” Fellow Daoist Wu said. “But there's no guarantee a powerful one won't show up one day. You are right to strengthen the defenses.”

Once the handover was complete, Fellow Daoist Wu left on the boat, looking as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Clan Leader arranged the ten Qi Refining Cultivators: six were responsible for daily patrols and sentry duty; two assisted the Spirit Plant Farmers in tending the spirit fields; and two tidied up the living quarters in preparation for the long-term stay.

Lin Cangchen, meanwhile, began to survey the terrain.

The Greenwood Spirit Protection Array was set up in the core area of the Spirit Medicine garden, covering about thirty acres. The effect was good, but the range was a bit small, and it only had defensive functions.

“I need to set up an early warning Formation with a large range covering the whole island,” he pondered as he looked around. “One enemy-trapping Formation, in case a Yao Beast breaks in, to trap it and stall for time. And another Concealment Formation to hide the Spirit Medicine garden's aura at critical moments.”

With a clear plan, he began to work.

First was the early warning Formation. Lin Cangchen chose the [Water Vapor Induction Array]. This was a common maritime warning Formation in the Shattered Star Sea, which detected intruders by sensing changes in water vapor formed by seawater evaporation. Its advantages were its large range and low consumption, while its disadvantage was insufficient precision, making it unable to distinguish between a Yao Beast and heavy wind or waves.

He buried Formation Flags around the island and placed the core Formation Plate near the living quarters. After three days, the Formation took shape—once activated, it could cover the entire island and the surrounding five miles of sea, sensing any spiritual power fluctuations exceeding the first-rank middle-grade.

“With this, at least we won't be caught off guard,” Lin Cangchen was very satisfied.

Next was the enemy-trapping Formation. He chose an improved version of the [Water Element Spirit-Entangling Array], combining insights gained from his System cards. The trapping effect was thirty percent stronger than the original. This Formation was set up on the periphery of the Spirit Medicine garden; once triggered, it would form countless water-current tentacles to entangle the enemy, capable of trapping an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Yao Beast for at least ten breaths.

Finally, there was the Concealment Formation. Lin Cangchen used his best technique, the [Sea Mist Concealment Array] (improved version), focusing on covering the Spirit Medicine garden area. Once activated, the Spirit Medicine garden would appear shrouded in a light sea mist from the outside, providing not only visual concealment but also significantly weakening spiritual power fluctuations.

“Three sets of Formations, plus the original Greenwood Spirit Protection Array, should be enough,” Lin Cangchen looked at his results. “Even if a second-rank mid-grade Yao Beast comes, we can hold it off for a while.”

After finishing the Formations, he also added a simple defensive Formation to the living quarters—though crude, it was no problem for blocking First-tier demonic beasts.

By the time he finished these tasks, half a month had passed.

During this time, Clan Leader led the Qi Refining Cultivators in patrols and training, keeping everything in perfect order. The five Spirit Plant Farmers in the Spirit Medicine garden were very respectful toward this new “Lord Formation Master”—they could see that these new Formations were much stronger than the original one.

This evening, Lin Cangchen sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, checking Family news through the bloodline network.

In the exchange area, Lin Lingtu posted that another wave of demonic Cultivator probes had been repelled at the Black Python County border; Lin Cangxue shared a new Alchemy technique; Lin Lingyan reported that the Shattered Star Sea shop had begun trial sales of the Family’s self-brewed “bitong brew,” and sales were good...

As he was watching, Clan Leader walked over. “Are the Formations all set up?”

“Yes, all three sets are done,” Lin Cangchen smiled. “Now this island, I wouldn't say it's impregnable, but it's at least three times safer than before.”

“That is good,” Clan Leader also smiled. “But we cannot relax. The two-month guarding period has only just begun.”

“I know.” Lin Cangchen looked out at the sea. “I hope the Yao Race doesn't come looking for trouble.”

Though he said this, he knew in his heart—on this Shattered Star Sea front line, peaceful days were always short-lived.

He only hoped that the trouble would come a bit later.