Chapter 460: Empire's Three Treasures

Inside the storage space, ten zhang long, four zhang wide, and three zhang high, stood rows of redwood shelves.

On the shelves, items resembling books were neatly stacked and categorized.

With a thought, Li Fan took one out.

After examining it for a moment, Li Fan discovered that this so-called "book" was alive.

Although it remained motionless, Li Fan keenly perceived the unique aura of a living creature emanating from it.

Li Fan immediately understood: when these "books" were inside the storage ring, they were in a death-like dormant state. But once they left the storage ring and made contact with the outside world, they regained their vitality.

He opened the "book," and beams of light shot out from its pages, converging above him.

The light scene was filled with dense, tiny characters and illustrations.

These were the common characters of the Xuanhuang Realm. Li Fan carefully deciphered them, discovering that the content documented information about the exotic beast, the Dark Ancient Mantis. It covered everything from its body structure and habits to the specific value of each part of its body, and even methods for cultivating and breeding it. It was incredibly comprehensive, a true encyclopedia.

Li Fan turned another page, and the light transformed, re-condensing.

This time, various details about the exotic beast, the Ink Divine Fish, appeared.

Li Fan picked up another "book" and found it also contained information about different exotic beasts.

"In our world, there's an exotic beast called the 'Bookworm'," Qing explained to Li Fan. "They subsist by devouring characters and images. By using special methods to craft them into 'books,' we can reproduce the text and images they once consumed, thereby achieving large-scale data storage."

"This storage ring contains the Empire's research summary on exotic beasts spanning thousands of years," Qing continued. "It can be said to include information on all exotic beasts within our world, except for a few types whose data will be completed at the final transaction."

Li Fan nodded slowly, and after reviewing a few more "books," he solemnly put away the storage ring.

"Data alone is useless; physical entities are also required. This is the second part of the Empire's transaction," Qing said, taking out a red square wooden box and handing it to Li Fan.

With a slight touch of his divine sense, Li Fan understood how to use the wooden box before him.

Although it appeared to be palm-sized, it was divided into countless distinct spaces internally.

In each space, there were ten exotic beasts of the same type.

They were all motionless, as if frozen.

Li Fan could naturally discern that these exotic beasts still retained their vital signs.

Besides the adult exotic beasts, Li Fan also found numerous dormant younglings within the spaces.

Embryos, eggs, or tiny juveniles.

"This is the Life-Sealing Treasure Box," Qing explained. "It contains exotic beasts corresponding to the data in the first storage ring."

Qing's face showed a hint of pride: "With these two storage rings, as long as a suitable environment is found, large-scale cultivation of exotic beasts can be re-established."

"If enough resources are invested, recreating the magnificent scene of today's Empire would not be difficult," Qing added.

Li Fan put away the Life-Sealing Treasure Box and said with satisfaction, "With the contents of these two storage rings, I can report back to the organization. However..."

Li Fan's tone shifted: "While the items you've provided are indeed highly valuable, their utility for directly enhancing combat power is limited. Our Myriad Realms Alliance still hopes you can provide some technical support that would be helpful during battles against the Xuanhuang Realm."

"For instance, the beast-transformation-like armor this young man previously displayed," Li Fan clarified.

Li Fan pointed at Li Chenfeng, his gaze sharp, as he looked at Qing.

Qing smiled enchantingly and said, "I knew you were being so generous this time because you were eyeing this."

"Coincidentally, this is the third part of our transaction, and for now, the last," Qing added.

Qing extended her right hand, and a blood-red, pulsating spherical bead immediately appeared on it.

"This is a Beast Soul Orb," Qing explained. "Even an ordinary mortal, if they can withstand the exotic beast soul sealed within it, can absorb it, summon the Beast God Armor, and unleash combat power equivalent to that of the exotic beast."

Qing then handed over another storage ring.

This time, it bore no special engravings; it was just an ordinary ring.

"This one contains a thousand Beast Soul Orbs," Qing said. "Five hundred of them contain exotic beasts equivalent to Foundation Establishment cultivators in combat power. Another four hundred ninety contain exotic beasts equivalent to Golden Core combat power."

"Of the remainder, nine orbs contain the souls of Red Profound Whales, whose power is comparable to Nascent Soul cultivators."

"As for the last one..." Qing hesitated for a moment, then said, "It was crafted by the Empire using the essence and spirit of a Nine-Headed Divine Bird."

"Theoretically, it can activate a Beast God Armor equivalent to a Spirit Transformation cultivator," Qing explained. "However, the Nine-Headed Bird is inherently fierce, even after being..."

"Even thousands of years after its death, its malevolent aura persists. Although the Empire successfully used it as raw material to create several Beast Soul Orbs, no one has yet survived the refining process. They either went mad or died."

"If the Alliance wishes to attempt it, it's best to select individuals with exceptionally strong wills," Qing advised.

"Oh, and also, the power of exotic beasts conflicts with cultivators' spiritual energy," Qing added. "The higher one's cultivation level, the greater the resistance encountered when attempting to refine a Beast Soul Orb. To unleash its full power, it's best to use it on pure mortals."

"Excellent!" A hint of joy appeared on Li Fan's face.

"Our Myriad Realms Alliance sees your sincerity!" Li Fan exclaimed. "I believe that after I report back, deeper cooperation will swiftly commence."

"Heh heh, our organization is quite looking forward to the methods for creating Beast Soul Orbs and the Beast Taming Techniques," Li Fan said.

Qing's expression remained unchanged as she stated gravely, "Once the transaction is finalized, and before the Empire completely withdraws from the Xuanhuang Realm, all these will be handed over to your Alliance."

"I can't wait for that day!" Li Fan exclaimed, putting away the storage ring containing a thousand Beast Soul Orbs.

Leaving the secret chamber, he soared into the air.

"Once I find a suitable foothold for you," Li Fan's voice echoed as he looked down at the people of the Empire, "I will come back to conduct further transactions. I hope that in addition to technology, the Empire can also provide some human resources support. At that time, we will be responsible for the reception and transfer of personnel."

"No problem," Qing readily agreed.

Li Fan nodded, and immediately broke through the air, departing.

He did not return to Myriad Immortals Island, but went directly to Shenhua Island.

"Junior brother, please guard me," Li Fan requested.

Tian Yang, who had been tilting his head and diligently cultivating the Heaven-Shrouding Secret Art, upon hearing Li Fan's words, immediately stopped cultivating. He stood up abruptly, vigilantly scanning his surroundings.