One quiet morning, the stillness of Crown Island was abruptly shattered by the shrill sounds of alarms echoing across the landscape. Lu Fan quickly recognized the urgency; a beast had entered the island, the first such occurrence since he'd taken up residence here. His mind raced, assessing the situation. Crown Island, named for its unique shape—a vast, round expanse surrounded by mountain peaks like a crown—was isolated and well-protected. The mountains acted as natural barriers, making it difficult for any large creature to venture into the interior. Additionally, the island was surrounded by submerged mountain ranges that further deterred larger beasts from approaching.
Despite these natural defenses, the alarm had been triggered. Lu Fan sensed that this was an opportunity to ensure the island's safety. If a beast had made it past the island's protective barriers, it was likely a formidable creature, and there could be more to come. His duty as the sole cultivator on Crown Island became clear: it was time to investigate and potentially cleanse the area of any threats.
Moving swiftly but cautiously, Lu Fan scanned the surroundings, his senses attuned to detect any disturbances. After several hours of tracking, he finally found the source of the commotion: an injured turtle. He had been expecting an aggressive predator or a powerful beast, but instead, he found himself facing a creature that appeared more vulnerable than dangerous. The turtle, its shell cracked and its limbs bruised, had clearly endured a difficult journey. Its eyes were filled with a mix of fear and fatigue.
Observing the turtle's injuries, Lu Fan concluded that it had likely been pursued by a stronger, more aggressive beast, fleeing to the relative safety of Crown Island to escape. The turtle's arrival was not an act of aggression but rather a desperate attempt at survival. Lu Fan's earlier concerns about a fierce intruder faded as he knelt beside the creature. It was just a lost, wounded animal seeking refuge.
Reaching into his supplies, Lu Fan produced a few healing pills, gently administering them to the turtle. He then offered it some spiritual water, which the creature drank eagerly. The turtle's breathing steadied, and a subtle glow of vitality returned to its weary body. Lu Fan took a step back, allowing the turtle some space to recover, then continued his search across the island to ensure that no other creatures had slipped past the defenses.
After a thorough inspection, he confirmed that the turtle was indeed the only beast to have entered the island. This reassured him, as there was a reason Crown Island was considered one of the safer places for the few thousand inhabitants it sheltered. Its natural fortifications, coupled with his vigilant watch, meant that even a low-level cultivator could protect the island's people effectively. However, this incident left him thinking. If a beast could find a way through, perhaps there were other vulnerabilities he hadn't yet noticed.