Chapter 696: Division

The wooden shelves were arranged in three rows, placed centrally on the first floor of the pavilion, clearly visible at a glance.

The first row held sixteen ancient treasures and magic treasures, each glowing with unique radiance.

The second row contained rare materials of varying shapes and colors—some fist-sized chunks resembling iron, others blood-red and translucent, like gemstones.

The third row held the fewest items: only a few small vials, each no more than a few inches tall. Judging by appearance, they contained pills.

Han Li swept his gaze over these treasures, expressionless, revealing no trace of joy, anger, sorrow, or delight.

Though others maintained calm expressions and did not dare approach the treasures, their eyes already assessed the functions and value of each item.

In a few moments, when the division began, whoever acted first would gain the advantage.

After a brief pause, Lord Lord Nanlong stepped forward to inspect each treasure on behalf of all, while others feigned amiable discussion about the origins and uses of the items. Their true intentions, however, remained known only to themselves.

At this moment, Han Li glanced around, scanning the areas beyond the shelves—apart from a cushion and a small potted green grass placed by the pavilion's window, there was nothing else.

Han Li's heart stirred; he was about to step forward when a shadow flashed—the white-robed elder suddenly appeared beside the cushion.

He raised his hand, drawing the cushion into his grasp, turning it over and examining it closely.

Han Li frowned, then walked to the small grass by the window and studied it carefully.

"So, Elder Han is also interested in this 'Yin Ning Grass'? Though rare, it is the finest herb for crafting cold-natured pills, enhancing their medicinal properties by a full three-tenths."

Han Li had barely glanced at it when a soft, melodious female voice came from behind.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Han Li slowly turned—and there stood Yan Yan Ru Yan, poised gracefully.

"Yin Ning Grass differs from other spiritual herbs—its cold-natured potency peaks only at the hundred-year mark. This one has sat here for who knows how long; it's utterly useless now," Han Li said coolly, then glanced slightly and saw Wang Chan whispering excitedly to his uncle Wang Wang Tiangu, completely oblivious to this spot.

"I never expected Elder Han, besides his mastery of arrays, would also dabble in pill refinement. I truly admire you!" Yan Yan Ru Yan smiled, lips parted, eyes sparkling.

Seeing this woman so eager to converse, Han Li's guard rose sharply. He replied bluntly:

"Pill refinement? A trivial skill. But does Lady Yan not know my relationship with your husband? How dare you speak to me so freely—do you not fear his anger?"

"I know full well," Yan Yan Ru Yan replied, her smile fading, a trace of helplessness curling at her lips. "Precisely because I know, I dare to try and reconcile the feud between you and my husband."

"Reconcile? Your demonic sect and my Heavenly Dao Alliance have always been enemies. What is there to reconcile?" Han Li raised an eyebrow, a mocking glint flashing across his face.

Hearing this, Yan Yan Ru Yan offered a bitter smile, lips parting as if to speak again—when Lord Lord Nanlong suddenly called out:

"All of you, come here. Let's divide the treasures on this floor first, then proceed to the second floor."

At once, Han Li turned away from Yan Yan Ru Yan and walked over.

Seeing this, the stunningly beautiful woman hesitated, her expression shifting several times, before gracefully following.

When Wang Chan saw Yan Yan Ru Yan following Han Li, his eyes betrayed a flicker of suspicion—but after a long, calculating glance, he said nothing.

Wang Wang Tiangu also witnessed this, yet his expression remained unchanged, as if he saw nothing at all.

"We've counted: six ancient treasures, ten magic treasures. The materials and pills have been divided into eight portions based on value. Naturally, everyone wants the ancient treasures—they can be used immediately without cultivation. But these magic treasures are no ordinary items; they were left behind by Qiankun the Elder after slaying powerful foes. Even if you can only unleash seven-tenths of their power, and must spend time refining them, they're still well worth it. So choose: ancient treasure or magic treasure—each of you decide for yourselves. Wang Chan and Lady Yan, you may each take only one item." Lord Lord Nanlong had gathered everything onto one shelf, speaking calmly to all.

"I'm an old woman with little time left. I have no need to refine magic treasures—just one ancient treasure will do!" The old woman didn't hesitate, seizing the chance to leverage her age.

Hearing this, others kept their faces neutral, but each secretly sneered inwardly.

Yet at that moment, Wang Wang Tiangu suddenly asked Lord Lord Nanlong with deep implication:

"Lord Lord Nanlong, you and Lord Yun aren't choosing first? There may be nothing on the second floor you desire."

"What do you mean, Brother Wang?" Lord Lord Nanlong's face darkened instantly, his tone icy.

The white-robed elder also fixed Wang Wang Tiangu with a hostile glare.

"Nothing. I merely think it would be a pity if you two didn't choose now," Wang Wang Tiangu replied, as if oblivious, smiling lightly.

"Hmph! There's nothing here worth me or Lord Yun choosing first. Whether Elder Han wishes to use this privilege is entirely his own affair," Lord Lord Nanlong said coldly, clearly irritated.

"I won't use this privilege now either. Let's wait until the second floor," Han Li said casually, stroking his chin.

"Then let's divide these treasures equally. Those who want ancient treasures forfeit their right to choose magic treasures afterward. What do you all say?" Wang Wang Tiangu declared bluntly.

"This method is fair. I agree."

"Agreed!"

Others, finding it equitable, quickly assented.

Han Li naturally had no interest in magic treasures. In the end, the white-robed elder and the Yu cultivator both relinquished their claims to ancient treasures, selecting two magic treasures they favored, along with their share of materials and pills.

As for the ancient treasures, Han Li and the others each took one simultaneously.

Han Li received a bamboo-tube-like ancient treasure—its power and abilities unknown. He cared little, stowing it away, along with his share of materials and pills.

After each person took one magic treasure, the division of the first floor was complete.

As for the cushion, Han Li noticed it had been carelessly tossed to the ground by the white-robed elder, never glanced at again.

Clearly, it was no valuable item.

Several others approached the Yin Ning Grass, examined it, recognized its origin, and lost all interest.

Seeing this, Han Li inwardly sighed. No one here was a fool—these Nascent Soul elders had checked every single item in the pavilion.

After all, beyond the obvious treasures, the pavilion might conceal something hidden.

After searching thoroughly, the Nascent Soul elders found no unexpected gains, and the group turned toward the second floor.

Upon entering the second floor, Han Li, like the others, froze in surprise.

As soon as they stepped in, the scent of sandalwood filled the air. Looking up, they saw in the corner opposite the staircase a shrine holding a golden statue of a three-headed, six-armed, single-horned demon god—fierce, lifelike, and terrifying.

Before the shrine stood a small crimson brazier, emitting wisps of white mist—the source of the sandalwood fragrance.

That Qiankun the Elder would worship a demon god stunned Lord Lord Nanlong and the others.

But when Han Li saw the statue's form, his heart pounded violently.

The statue's appearance matched exactly the demonic beast depicted on the copper fragment he had long suspected to be a piece of the Fan Sheng Zhen Pian—the same furious eyes, the same six arms raised toward heaven.

Without time to ponder further, Han Li shifted his gaze from the shrine and quickly scanned the rest of the second floor.

Several zhang away to the left of the shrine stood an ordinary desk and wooden chair, piled with inkstone, brush, bamboo slips, and other items.

Opposite the shrine, on the other side, lay a blue-hued jade bed. Even from afar, its chilling aura was palpable—clearly carved from some form of cold jade.

At one end of the bed, three jade boxes of varying sizes sat side by side, strikingly prominent.

Clearly, this second floor was Qiankun the Elder's private chamber.

A shadow flashed—the white-robed elder suddenly appeared before the cold jade bed, reaching for one of the jade boxes.

"Wait!" As the voice rang out, another figure appeared beside the bed, flicking a streak of black light straight toward the elder's wrist.

"What do you mean? Do you wish to spar with me?" The Yun elder retracted his hand, dodging the attack, glaring furiously at the attacker.

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