“There really is a mysterious immortal village in the East Sea, otherwise who would risk the storms of the East Sea to venture out to sea!”

“My grandfather told me that this immortal village is the lowest tier of immortal cities. It’s not just an ordinary dwelling, but the most important stronghold for cultivators! Immortal cities are divided into different levels: immortal villages, immortal towns, and immortal cities. Depending on the level, the population of cultivators, the functional buildings within the city, the overall strength in alchemy, artifact forging, and so on, all differ greatly.”

“Accordingly, cultivators are generally divided into two types: one is the lord of an immortal city, and the other is a rogue cultivator.”

“The lord of an immortal city, that is, the city lord, possesses their own immortal city stronghold and territory, becoming a leader in the cultivation world. In any immortal city, the city lord is usually the most powerful cultivator.”

“Rogue cultivators don’t have their own immortal city stronghold. They may attach themselves to a city lord and become their subordinates, or they may roam freely among the various immortal cities in the cultivation world, cultivating without being under anyone’s control. Or, they might form their own trade guilds or commercial associations to seek another path!”

“The so-called immortal villages of the East Sea that the sea merchants talk about are actually the lowest level of immortal cities, village-level immortal cities built by some Qi Refining cultivators! They build city walls and other structures to defend against external threats—sea demon beasts, evil cultivator forces, and so on.”

“Even for us martial artists, if we have enough immortal fate to find these East Sea immortal villages, we’re allowed to enter. Of course, if it’s a higher-level immortal town or immortal city, it’s very difficult for ordinary martial artists like us to get in—probably only cultivators can enter.”

Charles Black said proudly. Only a true descendant of cultivators like her would have the chance to learn about such detailed matters. Otherwise, ordinary people would at most know that there are immortal villages out at sea.

“So, the East Sea immortal village really does exist! As long as we keep searching, there’s a chance to find it!”

James Carter became excited.

Although cultivators might not think much of him or be willing to take him as a disciple, at least this was a hope, a goal to strive for. He had already sold his family’s old house without hesitation and set out on the road to find the East Sea immortal village—there was only this one path ahead.

“Don’t get too happy just yet!”

Charles Black’s expression showed no trace of joy; instead, it grew somber.

“What’s wrong? Since the immortal village really exists, why aren’t you happy?”

James Carter asked in confusion.

“Before we find the immortal village in the East Sea, there’s a life-and-death problem for both of us that needs to be solved!”

Charles Black said seriously.

“What problem?”

James Carter had a bad feeling.

“My grandfather once told me that sea demon beasts often appear on the islands of the East Sea. Especially at the end of each month, as the tides rise, at night sea demon beasts will ride the waves onto the various islands of the East Sea, searching for food! One of the most important purposes of all immortal cities, towns, and villages is to defend against these sea demon beasts.”

Charles Black said worriedly.

“What? At the end of every month there’s a big tide, and sea demon beasts will rush onto the islands?!”

James Carter was shocked. He immediately thought of the young demon crab he had encountered on the beach of the island. He couldn’t even handle a juvenile sea demon beast—if more came, what would he do?

Chapter 8: Spiritwood Fence

East Sea, deserted island.

Waves crashed onto the beach one after another, surging violently, as if they were about to swallow the island whole.

Late at night, in a cave on the island, a bonfire blazed.

“How many sea demon beasts will come ashore with the big tide at the end of each month?”

“That depends on the size of the island and whether there’s abundant food. If there’s little food on a deserted island, not many sea demon beasts will come ashore, and they won’t be very strong either. This island is rather desolate—even cultivators don’t want to live here—so I guess not too many sea demon beasts will appear, but there will definitely be a few coming to look for food. For martial artists like us, even a single sea demon beast is extremely deadly.”

Charles Black’s face was grave.

James Carter deeply agreed. Sea demon beasts were as powerful as cultivators—completely out of his league as a martial artist.

“Did your grandfather ever say if there’s any way to deal with the sea demon beasts that come ashore with the big tide at the end of each month?”

James Carter sensed the seriousness of the matter from Charles Black’s solemn expression and couldn’t help but grip his Qingfeng sword tightly.

“City defenses!”

Charles Black spat out two words. “All the immortal villages in the East Sea rely on building city defenses to resist the onslaught of sea demon beasts! We can’t build a sea vessel and leave this island in a short time. If we want to survive here, we must endure the sea demon beasts brought by the big tide at the end of the month. The best way to deal with them is to rely on a sturdy camp defense.”

“How long until the end of the month? Do we have time to build defenses?”

James Carter asked gravely. He didn’t know what Charles Black was thinking, but he had to survive on this island.

“Judging by the time we set out to sea and sailed, it should be the first few days of the month now—there are just over twenty days left until the end of the month. There are only a few of us, so we have to hurry and build a strong enough defense!”