Inside a storage space ten zhang long, four zhang wide, and three zhang high, rows of mahogany shelves were laid out.
The shelves were stacked with items resembling books, categorized into neat divisions.
With a thought, Li Fan retrieved one of them.
Holding it in his hands and examining it for a moment, Li Fan discovered that this so-called "book" was actually alive.
Although it was motionless, Li Fan keenly sensed the aura unique to living creatures upon it.
Li Fan understood at once: inside the storage ring, they existed in a dormant state akin to death, but once removed from the ring and placed in contact with the outside world, their vitality revived.
Opening the "book," beams of light shot out from the pages, converging in the air above.
The projection was filled with dense, tiny characters and illustrations.
They were written in the common script of the Xuanhuang Realm. Reading closely, Li Fan found that it documented information regarding the exotic beast known as the Dark Ancient Mantis. From its physiological structure and living habits to the specific value of each body part, as well as methods to breed and rear it—everything was covered, making it an all-encompassing encyclopedia.
Li Fan turned another page, and the light shifted, reconverging.
This time, various details concerning the exotic beast Ink Spirit Fish appeared.
Li Fan switched to another book and found that it likewise recorded information on different exotic beasts.
"In our world, there is an exotic beast called the Bookworm, which feeds on text and images. Crafted into books through special techniques, they can reproduce the writing and pictures they once consumed, thereby achieving large-scale data storage," Qing explained to Li Fan.
"Contained within this storage ring is the Empire's compilation of several thousand years of research on exotic beasts. It can be said to include information on nearly every exotic beast in our world—save, of course, for a handful whose records will be completed at the final moment of our transaction."
Li Fan nodded slowly. After browsing through several more, he solemnly stowed the storage ring away.
"Data alone is useless without physical specimens to accompany it. That is the second part of the Empire's trade." Qing took out a square red wooden box and handed it to Li Fan.
With a slight sweep of his divine sense, Li Fan understood how the wooden box was used.
Though it appeared only palm-sized, its interior was divided into countless distinct spaces.
Within each space lay ten exotic beasts of the same species.
As if frozen in ice, they were entirely still.
Li Fan could naturally tell that these beasts still retained their vital signs.
In addition to adult specimens, Li Fan discovered numerous dormant juveniles in the spaces—embryos, eggs, or tiny hatchlings.
"This is the Life-Sealing Treasure Box, containing the exotic beasts corresponding to the records in the first storage ring."
A hint of pride appeared on Qing's face. "With these two storage rings, so long as a suitable environment is found, large-scale breeding of exotic beasts can be achieved once more.
"If sufficient resources are invested, recreating the present grandeur of the Empire will not be difficult at all."
Li Fan stowed away the Life-Sealing Treasure Box and said with satisfaction, "With the contents of these two storage rings, I can report back to my organization. However..."
Li Fan shifted the tone of his words. "While the things you've provided are indeed of great value, they aren't of much use for improving immediate combat strength. We of the Myriad Realms Association still hope you can provide technical support that will be of tangible assistance in the fight against the Xuanhuang Realm.
"For instance, that beast-like armor this young brother displayed earlier."
Li Fan pointed at Li Chenfeng, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked at Qing.
Qing smiled charmingly. "I knew that being so generous this time meant your sights were set on this.
"It just so happens to be the third and, for now, the final portion of our trade."
Qing extended her right hand, and a round, blood-red bead pulsing continuously materialized above her palm.
"This is a Beast Soul Bead. Even an ordinary mortal, so long as they can endure the soul of the exotic beast sealed within, can absorb it, summon the Beast God Armor, and unleash combat power equivalent to that of the beast."
Qing produced another storage ring.
This time, no special design was carved upon it; it was just an ordinary ring.
"Inside are one thousand Beast Soul Beads. Five hundred of them contain sealed exotic beasts equivalent to the combat power of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. Another four hundred and ninety hold beasts equivalent to Golden Core combat power.
"Of the remainder, nine contain the souls of Crimson Profound Whales, whose strength rivals Nascent Soul cultivators.
"As for the final bead..."
Qing hesitated a moment before saying, "It was crafted by the Empire by extracting the essence soul of a Nine-Headed Divine Bird.
"Theoretically, it can manifest Beast God Armor equivalent to a Soul Formation cultivator. However, the Nine-Headed Bird is ferocious by nature. Even after..."
"Even thousands of years after death, its malice has yet to dissipate. Although the Empire succeeded in using it as raw material to craft a few Beast Soul Beads, so far no one has survived the refining process. They have either gone mad or died.
"If the Association wishes to try, it would be best to select someone of indomitable will.
"By the way, the power of exotic beasts conflicts with a cultivator's spiritual energy. The higher one's cultivation, the greater the resistance encountered when trying to refine a Beast Soul Bead. If you wish to draw out its full power, it is best used on a pure mortal," Qing added.
"Very good!" A glimmer of delight showed on Li Fan's face.
"We of the Myriad Realms Association have seen your sincerity! I believe that after I return and report, deeper cooperation will soon follow.
"Heh heh. The methods for crafting Beast Soul Beads and techniques for beast taming—the organization is very much looking forward to those," Li Fan said.
Qing's expression remained steady as she said in a deep voice, "When the transaction is finally completed, before the Empire fully breaks free from the Xuanhuang Realm, all of those will be handed over to your Association."
"I can hardly wait for that day to come!" Li Fan put away the storage ring containing the one thousand Beast Soul Beads.
He left the secret chamber and took to the air.
"Once I have found a suitable foothold for you, I will return to trade again.
"Beyond technology, I hope the Empire can also provide some manpower support.
"When the time comes, we will handle the reception and relocation of personnel,"
Li Fan said via voice transmission, looking down at the Empire's people below.
"No problem," Qing readily agreed.
Li Fan nodded and shot through the air.
Instead of returning to Wanxian Island, he went straight to Shenhua Island.
"Junior Brother, please protect me while I cultivate."
Tianyang, his head tilted as he arduously cultivated the secret art Covering the Sky with One Hand, immediately ceased his cultivation upon hearing Li Fan's words.
He rose abruptly, warily surveying his surroundings.
Chapter 467