The wooden shelves were divided into three rows, set up in the center of the pavilion's first floor so that everything was clearly visible at a glance.
The first row was filled with ancient treasures and magical artifacts of varying luster — a total of sixteen pieces.
The second row held rare materials of different shapes and colors: some were fist-sized chunks resembling iron, while others were blood-red and crystalline, like precious stones.
The third row held the fewest items — only several small bottles, each a few inches tall. From the look of them, they contained various pills.
Han Li's gaze swept over these treasures without lingering, his expression revealing nothing of joy, anger, or sorrow.
Though the others maintained their composure on the surface and no one rashly stepped forward to handle the treasures, their eyes had already begun appraising each item's utility and value. If they could get a better read on things now, they would have an edge when the spoils were divided.
After a moment, Marquis Nanlong stepped forward and examined each treasure on behalf of the group, while the others discussed the origins and uses of the items in a seemingly friendly manner. As for the scheming already stirring in their hearts — only they themselves knew.
At this point, Han Li began looking around, glancing past the display shelves at the rest of the room. Apart from a meditation cushion and a pot of verdant small grass set by the pavilion window, there was nothing else of note.
A thought struck Han Li, and he was about to step forward when a figure flickered — the white-robed elder had moved in a flash, reaching the meditation cushion first.
With a wave of his hand, he drew the cushion into his grasp and turned it over, examining it from every angle.
After furrowing his brow briefly, Han Li walked over to the small grass by the window and studied it carefully.
"Oh? Is Senior Han interested in this Yin Condensing Grass as well? Though it rarely appears in the world, it is the finest primer for refining yin-cold-type pills, capable of boosting a pill's potency by a full thirty percent."
Han Li had only looked a few times when a gentle, melodious female voice came from behind him.
A strange gleam flickered through his eyes as Han Li slowly turned around. It was Yan Ruyan, standing gracefully behind him.
"Yin Condensing Grass is different from other spirit herbs. Its yin-cold medicinal properties peak only during its hundred-year period. This particular grass has been here for who knows how many years — it's completely useless now," Han Li said blandly. His gaze then drifted slightly, spotting Wang Chan following behind Wang Tiangu, excitedly whispering something to his second uncle while paying no attention to what was happening over here.
"I didn't expect that besides being skilled in formations, Senior Han also dabbles in alchemy. Ruyan is truly impressed!" Yan Ruyan pressed her lips together in a smile, her bright eyes shimmering as she spoke in a charming tone.
Seeing this woman so eager to strike up conversation, Han Li's wariness surged. He immediately replied without courtesy: "Alchemy? A mere parlor trick. But does Fellow Daoist Yan not know of the relationship between myself and your husband? To speak with me so freely — are you not afraid of angering him?"
"How could I not know? But it is precisely because of that which I presumed to try mediating this grudge between you and my husband," Yan Ruyan said, her smile vanishing, a trace of helplessness at the corners of her lips.
"Mediating? Your Demonic Sect and our Heavenly Dao Alliance are already enemies by nature. There is nothing to mediate." Han Li raised an eyebrow, a flash of mockery crossing his face.
Yan Ruyan showed a bitter smile at Han Li's words. She parted her lips, about to say something more, when Marquis Nanlong suddenly called out from the distance: "All of you, come over here. Let's first divide the treasures on this floor, and then everyone can head up to the second floor."
Hearing this, Han Li immediately paid no more attention to Yan Ruyan and walked over on his own.
The beautiful young woman Yan Ruyan watched him go, her expression shifting several times before she too glided gracefully after him.
When Wang Chan saw Yan Ruyan following behind Han Li, a hint of doubt naturally surfaced in his eyes. But after giving her a long, searching look, his deep cunning kept him from saying a word.
As for Wang Tiangu, he had also noticed the scene but his expression remained unchanged — he simply pretended not to see.
"Right, we've done the inventory. There are six ancient treasures and ten magical artifacts here. The materials and pills have also been divided into eight portions according to their value. Naturally, what everyone wants most are the ancient treasures — they can be used at full power without any refinement. However, these magical artifacts are no ordinary items. They were all left behind after Sovereign Qiongkun slew his powerful enemies, and their might is far from ordinary. Even if you can only unleash seventy percent of their power and need some time to refine them, they are absolutely worth it. So whether you want an ancient treasure or a magical artifact comes down to personal preference. Fellow Daoist Wang Chan and Fellow Daoist Yan — the two of you may only claim one portion." Marquis Nanlong had gathered all the items onto a single shelf and addressed everyone calmly.
"I'm already well advanced in years. I don't have the time to spend refining magical artifacts — I'll just take one ancient treasure!" The old woman wasted no time in playing the age card to claim priority.
Hearing this, the others' expressions remained unchanged, but all silently sneered inwardly.
But just then, Wang Tiangu suddenly addressed Marquis Nanlong with a deeply meaningful tone: "Fellow Daoist Nanlong and Fellow Daoist Yun — you're not going to pick your treasures first? The second floor might not have what you two are looking for."
"Brother Wang, what exactly do you mean by that?" Marquis Nanlong's face changed dramatically at these words, but then his expression darkened and he said coldly...