In a storage space ten zhang long, four zhang wide, and three zhang high, rows of redwood shelves were neatly arranged.
On the shelves, items resembling books were categorized and piled up.
Li Fan, with a thought, took one of them.
After observing it in his hand for a moment, Li Fan realized that these so-called “books” were alive.
Although they remained still, Li Fan keenly sensed the unique aura of a living being from them.
Li Fan instantly understood that while they were inside the storage ring, they were in a dormant state similar to death. But once they left the storage ring and came into contact with the outside world, they regained their vitality.
Opening the "book," rays of light shot out from the pages and gathered in the air.
In the light, there were dense characters and illustrations.
It was written in the common script of the Xuanhuang Realm. Li Fan carefully examined it and discovered that it contained information about the exotic beast "Dark Ancient Mantis". From its body structure, living habits, the value of each part of its body, to the methods of breeding and reproduction—everything was detailed. It was an all-encompassing encyclopedia.
This time, it was information about the exotic beast Ink Spirit Fish.
Li Fan switched to another book and found that it also recorded information about different exotic beasts.
“In our world, there is a type of exotic beast called 'Bookworms'. They feed on words and images. Through special means, they can be made into books, which allow them to reproduce the texts and images they have consumed, achieving large-scale data storage,” Qing explained to Li Fan.
“This storage ring contains the empire’s millennia of research on exotic beasts. It includes all the information about the exotic beasts in our world—except for a few rare species, whose data will be supplemented during the final transaction.”
Li Fan nodded slowly and carefully examined a few more books before solemnly putting the storage ring away.
“Having data alone isn’t enough; it must be matched with physical entities. This is the second part of the empire’s transaction.” Qing took out a red square wooden box and handed it to Li Fan.
Slightly sensing it with his spiritual sense, Li Fan understood the function of the wooden box.
It appeared no bigger than the size of a palm, but inside it was divided into countless separate spaces.
In each space, there were ten exotic beasts of the same kind.
They seemed to be frozen, all motionless.
Li Fan could tell that these exotic beasts still retained their life signs.
Aside from the adult beasts, Li Fan also found many sleeping juveniles in the spaces.
There were embryos, eggs, or tiny young creatures.
“This is the Sealed Life Treasure Box, containing the exotic beasts corresponding to the data in the first storage ring.”
A trace of pride flashed across Qing's face. “With these two storage rings, as long as you find the right environment, large-scale cultivation of exotic beasts can be achieved again.”
“With enough resources invested, it wouldn’t be difficult to recreate the empire’s current grand scene.”
Li Fan stored the Sealed Life Treasure Box away, saying with satisfaction, “With the contents of these two storage rings, I can report back to the organization. However…”
Li Fan’s tone shifted. “Although these items are indeed valuable, they don’t contribute much to actual combat strength. Our Federation Of all Worlds still hopes you can provide some technical support that would be useful in the ongoing battle against the Xuanhuang Realm.”
“For example, the beast-like armor that this young brother demonstrated earlier.”
Li Fan pointed at Li Chenfeng, his eyes intense as he looked at Qing.
Qing smiled and said, “I figured that’s what you were after with such a generous exchange.”
“This just so happens to be the third part of our transaction, and the final portion for now.”
Qing extended her right hand, and a blood-red, pulsating round bead instantly floated above her palm.
“This is the Beast Soul Bead. Even an ordinary mortal, as long as they can withstand the beast soul sealed within, can absorb it and summon the Beast God Armor, unleashing combat power equivalent to that of the exotic beast.”
Qing handed over another storage ring.
This one, however, bore no special patterns—it was just an ordinary ring.
“This ring contains a thousand Beast Soul Beads. Five hundred of them contain exotic beasts with strength equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. Another four hundred and ninety Beads house beasts with Golden Core-level strength.”
“As for the remaining nine, they seal the souls of Scarlet Mystic Whales, beasts comparable to Nascent Soul cultivators.”
“And the last one…”
Qing hesitated for a moment before continuing, “It was made from the essence of the Nine-Headed Divine Bird.”