Within the storage space—thirty meters long, twelve meters wide, and nine meters high—stood row upon row of redwood shelves.
The shelves were meticulously organized, stacked high with objects that resembled books.
With a thought, Li Fan drew one out.
He held it in his hand and studied it for a moment, then discovered that this so-called "book" was actually alive.
Though it lay perfectly still, Li Fan keenly sensed the unmistakable aura of a living creature emanating from it.
He understood immediately. While inside the storage ring, they existed in a death-like slumber. But once removed from the ring and exposed to the outside world, they regained their vitality.
He opened the "book," and beams of light shot from its pages, converging in the air above.
The luminous projection was filled with dense clusters of tiny characters and illustrations, written in the common script of the Xuanhuang World.
Li Fan examined them closely. They contained comprehensive information on the exotic beast known as the Dark Ancient Mantis—its physical structure and living habits, the specific value of each part of its body, and even methods for breeding and raising it. Everything was there, a veritable all-encompassing encyclopedia.
Li Fan turned a page. The light shifted and reformed.
This time, it displayed various details about an exotic beast known as the Ink Divine Fish.
He picked up another book and found it contained information on a different exotic beast entirely.
"In our world," Qing explained, "there exists an exotic beast called the Bookworm. It feeds on words and images. Through special means, they can be processed into books, allowing the text and pictures they once consumed to be reproduced, enabling the large-scale storage of data.
"This storage ring contains a summary of the Empire research on exotic beasts, compiled over thousands of years. It can be said to hold information on every exotic beast within our world. Of course, data on a few rare species will be supplemented at the final transaction."
Li Fan nodded slowly. He examined several more books before solemnly storing the ring away.
"Information alone is useless without physical specimens to complement it. This is the Empire's second offering." Qing produced a red, square wooden box and handed it to Li Fan.
With a slight extension of his divine sense, Li Fan grasped the box's function.
Though it appeared no larger than a palm, its interior was partitioned into countless separate spaces. Within each space resided ten exotic beast specimens of the same type, all in a state of perfect stillness, as if frozen in ice.
Li Fan could naturally tell that these beasts still retained vital signs.
Alongside the adult exotic beasts, he also discovered a great number of slumbering juveniles within the spaces. There were embryos, eggs, and even tiny larvae.
"This is the Life-Sealing Treasure Box. It contains the exotic beasts corresponding to the data in the first storage ring."
A trace of pride crossed Qing's face. "With these two storage rings, one only needs to find a suitable environment to restart large-scale cultivation of these exotic beasts.
"With sufficient resources invested, recreating the Empire's present-day prosperity would not be difficult."
Li Fan stored the Life-Sealing Treasure Box away and said with satisfaction, "The contents of these two storage rings are more than enough for me to deliver a satisfactory report to the Coalition. However..."
His tone shifted. "What you've provided, while undoubtedly valuable, isn't particularly useful for enhancing actual combat strength. Our Myriad Worlds Coalition hopes you can offer technical support that would be of tangible aid in the conflict with the Xuanhuang World.
"For example, that armor resembling beast transformation that this young brother demonstrated earlier." Li Fan pointed at Li Chenfeng, his gaze intense as he looked at Qing.
Qing gave an enchanting smile. "I knew your generosity this time meant you had your eyes on that.
"As it happens, that is the third item of our transaction, and the final one for now."
She extended her right hand. A blood-red, pulsating spherical pearl materialized upon it.
"This is a Beast Soul Pearl. Even an ordinary mortal can absorb it, equip the Divine Beast Armor, and unleash combat power equivalent to that of the exotic beast sealed within... provided they can handle the beast’s soul, of course."
Qing handed over another storage ring.
This one bore no special carvings. It was just an ordinary ring.
"This contains one thousand Beast Soul Pearls. Five hundred of them seal exotic beasts with combat power equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Another four hundred and ninety seal beasts equivalent to the Golden Core realm.
"As for the remainder, nine seal the souls of Crimson Xuan Whales, whose strength matches that of Nascent Soul cultivators."
"And the final one..."
Qing hesitated before continuing. "Was crafted by the Empire using the extracted essence of the nine-headed divine bird.
"In theory, it can activate a Divine Beast Armor equivalent to a Spirit Transformation cultivator.
"But the Nine-Headed Bird's nature is inherently ferocious.
"Even thousands of years after its death, its violent qi remains undiminished. The Empire successfully used it as material to produce several Beast Soul Pearls, yet no one has survived the refinement process. They either went mad or died.
"If the Coalition wishes to attempt it, select individuals with exceptionally strong wills.
"One more thing, the power of exotic beasts clashes with a cultivator's spiritual power. The higher one's cultivation level, the greater the resistance when refining a Beast Soul Pearl. To draw out its full power, it is best used on pure mortals," Qing added.
"Excellent!" Delight flickered across Li Fan's face.
"Our Myriad Worlds Coalition sees your sincerity. I believe further cooperation will follow once I report back.
"Heh, the methods for crafting Beast Soul Pearls, the beast-taming arts... the Coalition is very much looking forward to those," Li Fan said.
Qing's expression remained unchanged. "Before the Empire completely severs ties with the Xuanhuang World, all of that will be transferred to your Coalition as part of the final transaction," she stated solemnly.
"I can hardly wait." Li Fan stored the ring containing the thousand Beast Soul Pearls.
He then left the secret chamber and soared into the air. Looking down at the people of the Empire below, he transmitted his voice.
"Once I find a suitable location for you, I will return for the next transaction.
"I hope that beyond technology, the Empire can also provide support in terms of manpower.
"When the time comes, we will handle the reception and transfer of personnel."
"No problem," Qing agreed without hesitation.
Li Fan nodded, then shot through the air and departed.
He did not return to Myriad Immortals Island. He went directly to Embodiment Island.
"Little Junior Brother, I must ask you to guard me.”
Tian Yang had been in deep, arduous cultivation of the secret art A Single Hand Veils the Heavens, his head tilted in thought.
The moment Li Fan's words reached him, he stopped and sprang to his feet, gaze sharpening as he scanned the surroundings warily.