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"Some demonic beasts can leap a hundred meters in a single bound, capable of dragging down cultivators even as they shuttle through the clouds, bringing disaster from the skies."

"Actually, the islands aren't much safer—you must always stay vigilant, as some powerful demonic beasts like to sneak onto the islands to hunt human cultivators. If you're unlucky enough to be cornered in a cave, it's a dead end."

"The most terrifying thing is when a Demon King slaughters on an island. Some fierce creatures specifically target islands populated with cultivators. Once it happens, it results in a massacre. Unless there is a Nascent Soul True Monarch present, you should never gather in large numbers on an island."

"But if you don't stick together, the risk increases, which is really troublesome."

Jin Suanpan said with a wry smile, "Most cultivators who adventure in the Sea of Monster Fragrance have some issues with their mental state. For the sake of resources, they live in constant fear, unable to sleep peacefully."

"Is the Sea of Monster Fragrance so dangerous?" Upon hearing this, Yang Ji couldn't help but think of his Golden Finger.

He then said, "If I could offer them an island where they can sleep peacefully without fearing the attack of demonic beasts, would they be willing to spend Demon Companion Herbs for such an opportunity?"

"There are indeed such places—they are islands under the protection of Canglan Sect, Nanyuan Sect, and Changqing Sect. Each of these islands has a Nascent Soul True Monarch residing there, greatly ensuring the safety of everyone."

"But the condition is that you have to give a Demon Companion Herb to enter the island. Some cultivators, for the sake of safety, have to comply, and the three major sects have made a fortune from it."

"Only the three major sects have the capability to do such a thing, since they have enough Nascent Soul True Monarchs to take turns. Other powers and families with only one elderly ancestor would not dare to take such a risk," Jin Suanpan said.

Yang Ji thought to himself, "In that case, if I could use the ability of Golden Finger to seek fortune and avoid disaster to provide a safe island, couldn't I take a slice of the pie?"

But he knew that now was not the time, first because his strength was too low, and second because he had no backing. Possession implied guilt.

"Where do we go now?" Yang Ji asked, coming back to his senses.

"You just find an island to settle on around the edge of this region; the periphery is relatively safer. You will be responsible for alchemy, and I will take care of finding other cultivators to trade with."

"Also, take this jade talisman. With it, I can sense your position within a certain range."

As he spoke, Jin Suanpan handed over a palm-sized jade talisman.

Yang Ji took it and nodded his head.

"Then I am off!" With a smile, Jin Suanpan soared into the sky, turning into a streak of light and entered the clouds above, flying towards the depths of the Sea of Monster Fragrance.

After Yang Ji withdrew his gaze, he also left the large ship and flew towards the front.

After flying about ten or so li, he saw some islands and reefs scattered across the sea surface.

Like the Spratly Islands, some of these were very small, not even a mile in length, with reefs rising less than ten meters above the sea surface. Waves surged over them; they were just good enough to land on but not suitable for habitation.

Others were slightly larger, stretching for dozens of li, with reefs rising ten meters above the sea surface and were habitable.

Unfortunately, they were defenseless on all sides and battered by strong sea winds, which made the living conditions poor.

Yet on such islands and reefs, Yang Ji still saw other cultivators coming and going.

He flew another ten or so li, and the islands and reefs grew increasingly numerous, eventually revealing the presence of a small island, with mountains across it and lush forests, indicating better feng shui and suitability for living.

Yang Ji looked for a while, then immediately flew down to the appealing small island, hoping to find a cave to settle in.

But as soon as he landed, a Divine Rainbow flew towards him, clearly noticing his descent.

The newcomer was a middle-aged cultivator at the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining, with a square face and ordinary appearance. He immediately asked, "Fellow Daoist, are you here to take a rest or to reside?"

Yang Ji's eyes shifted subtly as he inquired, "What's the difference?"

"If you're just resting, you can't stay for more than three days, and the fee is 500 Spirit Stones. For residency, it's cheaper, 30,000 Spirit Stones a year," the middle-aged cultivator explained.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ji's brows furrowed slightly, as he finally understood why there were cultivators living on some small islands—it turned out that these desirable islands had people charging protection fees.

Seeing Yang Ji's reluctant expression, the middle-aged cultivator's face grew stern, and he said, "This is the territory of the Wind Cliff Assembly. If you want to live here, you must follow our rules. After all, the more people there are, the higher the risk of attracting demonic beasts. By living here, you're under our protection."

"Farewell!" The moment Yang Ji finished speaking, he soared into the sky. He had quite a few Spirit Stones on him, but he couldn't stand this mild but coercive feeling.

Demonic Beasts? With the Golden Finger, he feared no attack from Demonic Beasts.

He flew for over a dozen more miles.

Every island he came across, he touched down, only to face the same situation as before—all the good islands had been claimed.

One was the most outrageous, where barely after he landed for mere thirty breaths, he was forcefully charged thirty Spirit Stones—practically extortion.

If the person demanding hadn't been a Foundation Establishment expert, he really wanted to draw his sword and strike him down.

Yang Ji was now standing above the vast sea, feeling rather depressed and indignant, he murmured, "Seven Gangs and Eighteen Assemblies? A group that doesn't even have a late-stage Golden Core among them, I'll take you all down eventually and make you search for Demon Companion Herb for me!"

Frowning, he flew away.

Because, for now, he was not someone they could afford to provoke.

Having wandered around, in the end, he settled on a small island reef.

The reef was not more than a mile long, but thankfully the rocks rising above the sea were more than twenty zhang high, standing tall like a huge stone column in the sea, withstanding the winds and waves with proud defiance.

Yang Ji flew over and, with several clangs of his sword, carved out a cave on the side near the top that could house three people.

With stone walls as the barrier, and the stone ceiling as an awning, including a movable large stone door, he had settled in the foul demonic sea area.

Alone atop a single stone pillar, he was the Island Master.

Now that his residence was sorted, Yang Ji wandered around idly.

As his gaze swept over, various information about the seafloor began to surface, and after checking around, he found it was safe.

Come nightfall, Jin Suanpan arrived holding a Jade Talisman, and upon seeing his residence, he couldn't help but chuckle silently, then carved out another stone room on the opposite side.

Inside the stone cave, right now Yang Ji was looking at the three hundred-year-old Demon Companion Herbs that Jin Suanpan had brought back, and the day's frustration finally vanished.

"Having Jin Suanpan run around outside is not too bad," Yang Ji thought to himself, then began Alchemy.

Two of the Demon Companion Herbs were refined into Temptating Demon Pills, and one was turned into a Demon Essence Pill.

He practiced cultivation at night, and by day, he handed over the Temptating Demon Pills to Jin Suanpan, who then cheerfully flew out again.

Days like these repeated in cycles, and in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

The Demon Companion Herbs brought back by Jin Suanpan grew increasingly plentiful, yet he was always thinking of "skimming the top," "utter delight," "striking it rich," "truly my little lucky star."

Yang Ji knew this guy must be hiding quite a lot on the side every time he brought back some herbs.

Nevertheless, he turned a blind eye, since the returned herbs already satisfied his cultivation needs, and he was happy to let these days continue.

If he went to look for Demon Companion Herbs himself, it would inevitably waste some unnecessary time.

At this point, he was concentrating on breaking through the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining. It was a critical few years where no mishaps could occur.

He was quite enjoying these leisurely days, practicing cultivation on one hand and reflecting on the Sword Dao on the other—it was quite comfortable.

It was until a year later, on a day when the sun shone high, that this island pillar welcomed an unexpected guest.

"Does the Alchemist behind Jin Suanpan live here?" In the sky, a young man of extraordinary spirit and handsome face pointed at the pillar, speaking with surprise.

"Yes, young master, you are not mistaken, Jin Suanpan also resides here," said an elder standing by the young man, with profound brows and eyes, spiritual energy buoyant beneath his feet creating an aura of his own—it was a Foundation Establishment expert.

"I've heard he's quite skilled in Alchemy. I would like to have a match with him," the young man glanced at the Temptating Demon Pill in his hand and said with a proud smile.

(Thanks to Long Shen Da 200 coins reward, thanks to Supporting Character Liuhe Divine King 1666 coins reward. Thanks to 123 Wen Wubin's monthly ticket and Wishing on Cultivation's monthly ticket. Thanks to everyone for the recommendation votes.)