Although the small temple wasn't large, it was sufficient for shelter.
After tidying up the main hall a bit, they kindled a fire.
The warmth of the flames quickly dispelled the chill inside the hall.
Though in the wild, Zui'Er, like a magician, produced a pot, and performed simple processing on the dry rations carried along.
After devouring the hot meat pie and drinking a couple of sips of warmed-up wine, the body was instantly warmed up.
After eating, Zui'Er and Meng Shiwen retired early to sleep.
Despite the long journey, even Meng Shiwen, with martial arts skills, felt a hint of exhaustion and quickly fell into deep sleep.
Zhao Ya moved the fire to the entrance of the hall, keeping vigil while inventorying the recent gains.
While in Wuxiang City, the multitude of affairs left little room for leisure, but now with time at hand, he naturally wanted to make a proper inventory.
He took out the bulging deer hide pouch and began to remove the items one by one, soon filling the ground.
There were things from Huo Tianxiao, Zhan Feng, and other Village Chiefs of Cyan Bamboo Ridge, as well as items from the Golden Silkworm Gu Master and Ghost Snake Gu Master of the Refining World Sect.
Once laid out, the differences were apparent.
The bulk from Huo Tianxiao and Zhan Feng consisted of gold notes and dried meat, resources for cultivation.
The collection from the Golden Silkworm Gu Master mostly involved various jars and bottles.
There was no need to ask; most were filled with poison.
Cautiously, Zhao Ya stepped outside the temple to a sheltered spot, carefully opening the bottles, discerning the types and effects of the poisons within.
Currently, Zhao Ya's proficiency in the Poison Dao wasn't quite at the realm of divinity, but distinguishing these was well within his capability.
Especially with his innate immunity to hundred poisons, Zhao Ya was at an enormous advantage.
Quickly, he identified the poisons one by one.
The majority were instant-kill through contact, providing Zhao Ya with a clearer understanding of the Refining World Sect's level of skill in poison usage.
In some aspects, it was stunning, though generally mundane.
Unlike general understandings of poisons.
The higher-grade poisons were often less immediately toxic.
The true distinction of high-grade poisons was often their concealment and persistence.
Concealment, as the name suggests, refers to colorlessness and odorlessness, hard to detect.
Otherwise, if the poison's scent wafts miles away, who would easily fall for it?
Difficulty to manage signifies relentless affliction post-exposure, often deemed incurable, even threatening Fifth Realm martial artists.
Such is the characteristic of high-grade poisons.
Those fast-acting, instant-kill poisons receive lower evaluations.
These poisons generally affect average or low-level martial artists, but fail against Fourth Realm martial artists.
The rapid onset often leads to quick exposure, making them inferior.
Among them, there were also poisons with astonishing effect.
For instance, in one green vial, there lay a brand-new poison.
Its potency resembled a plague, with the capability of spreading.
Zhao Ya understood that this was likely the culprit responsible for claiming half of Wuxiang City's populace.
As a precaution, Zhao Ya took out a candle, melting it and carefully covering the entire vial with wax, sealing it separately within a pouch to prevent any possible leakage.
Aside from those, there were items from Huo Tianxiao and Zhan Feng.
Zhao Ya thoroughly examined these as well, albeit disappointed somewhat.
Aside from tens of thousands of gold notes and some exotic beast dried meat, there was nothing extraordinary.
No secret manuals or the like were found.
With a slight sigh, Zhao Ya realized this was indeed the norm.
Once a certain realm is reached, martial arts typically crystallize, and manuals become less significant; hence, few carry them.
The event with the Sixth Village Chief Ma Ling from Cyan Bamboo Ridge and acquiring the Golden Body Technique was purely coincidental.
At that time, Ma Ling had only recently obtained the Golden Body Technique and hadn't started practicing it, which is why he carried it.
Zhao Ya sorted the gold notes and dried meat meticulously, then carefully retrieved another small pouch.
This contained items from Fu Tingyuan.
Zhao Ya was full of anticipation for these.
Fu Tingyuan was probably the first independent Fifth Realm martial artist Zhao Ya had defeated.
Moreover, he was Cyan Bamboo Ridge's Great Village Chief.
Thus, whatever he carried must be of great value.
Upon opening the pouch, Zhao Ya was astonished.
Besides some gold notes, what drew the most attention was a fragrant pouch.
The workmanship of this pouch was ordinary, yet it was carried by Fu Tingyuan and well-preserved, indicating its cherished value.
Zhao Ya repeatedly examined the pouch but found nothing unusual.
Could it just be an ordinary fragrant pouch?
Furrowing his brows, Zhao Ya felt there was more to it.
Suddenly.
He thought of something, took the pouch, held it up, closely examining it against the flame.
Indeed.
Illuminated by the firelight, he noticed the embroidery on the pouch appeared somewhat raised.