Taking Stock of the Spoils

Taking Stock of the Spoils

Far from the woods, Bi Fan eagerly found a secluded spot and prepared to see whether there were any treasures inside the Cosmic Bags.

The two Cosmic Bags were nearly identical, and Bi Fan couldn't tell which belonged to whom, so he picked one at random.

Since its previous owner was dead, refining the Cosmic Bag went very smoothly.

Once he had refined it, Bi Fan could inspect its contents with his mind.

The Cosmic Bag's space wasn't large, only about two cubic meters. Inside were several Magic Tools, some talismans, more than ten porcelain bottles, three books, and quite a few spirit medicines and forging materials.

Aside from the spirit medicines, Bi Fan couldn't tell whether any of the items were valuable.

He picked up the books first and started reading: Strange Tales of Tianyu Continent, Identification of Spiritual Pills and Magic Treasures, and Qingyang Willow Catkin Sword Art.

There was also some gold and silver, odds and ends, and food inside the Cosmic Bag, but none of it caught Bi Fan's eye.

Seeing the three books, Bi Fan had already guessed that one of the two men must have been a Core Disciple of the Qingyang Sect.

Bi Fan calmed himself and began studying Identification of Spiritual Pills and Magic Treasures carefully.

In the past, Bi Fan had a poor memory. He could never remember knowledge about spirit medicines; only after years of studying them alongside the actual items had he managed to commit it to memory.

But now, Bi Fan had somehow gained the ability to remember anything after seeing it just once. This surprised him, too.

Identification of Spiritual Pills and Magic Treasures mainly recorded the pills, Magic Tools, and Magic Treasures used in the Mortal Embryo Realm and Mortal Transformation Realm. It gave detailed descriptions of items used in both realms and explained how to identify them.

Bi Fan was so engrossed that he spent a full three hours reading. Only then did he close Identification of Spiritual Pills and Magic Treasures and stand up.

Although he had read it only once, Bi Fan had already imprinted the book's contents in his mind.

Bi Fan took out the porcelain bottles, ready to put his new knowledge to the test.

He opened one bottle. A faint fragrance wafted out. Bi Fan sniffed it, then tipped out a pill and examined it carefully.

"Viscera Solidifying Pill," Bi Fan exclaimed.

The Viscera Solidifying Pill was used by Viscera Realm cultivators. Those at the peak of the Inner Breath Realm could also take it, as it helped them break through a bottleneck.

Bi Fan counted them. There were thirteen Viscera Solidifying Pills, which surprised him all over again.

He put the pills back in the bottle and stored it in his Heavenly Origin Ring.

He opened another bottle and identified its contents in the same way: six Spiritual Wisdom Pills.

Spiritual Wisdom Pills were specifically for the Spiritual Wisdom Realm. When taken by cultivators at the peak of the Valiance Realm, they helped them break through to the next realm.

Bi Fan was overjoyed and quickly identified all the remaining pills.

Recovery Pills, Healing Pills, Inner Breath Pills, Viscera Solidifying Pills, Valiance Pills, Spiritual Wisdom Pills, Great Strength Pills, Nine Transformations Pills, Spirit Nurturing Pills, Marrow Washing Pills, and Bone Replacing Pills—that was the full collection.

The Healing Pills treated injuries, while the Recovery Pills restored inner breath. The Inner Breath, Viscera Solidifying, Valiance, Spiritual Wisdom, Great Strength, Nine Transformations, Spirit Nurturing, Marrow Washing, and Bone Replacing Pills were for cultivation in their corresponding realms.

The Spirit Nurturing, Marrow Washing, and Bone Replacing Pills were especially precious. All three were spirit pills used in the Mortal Transformation Realm.

There was only one of each, but even so, Bi Fan was thrilled.

After storing all the pills in his Heavenly Origin Ring, Bi Fan took out the Magic Tools and Magic Treasures to examine them and try them out.

There were five Magic Tools and one Magic Treasure in the Cosmic Bag.

The Magic Treasure was a bell called the Soul Capturing Bell. When shaken, it produced a soul-rending sound that disrupted an enemy's mind.

However, the Soul Capturing Bell was clearly damaged and couldn't be used for the time being. Otherwise, its owner wouldn't have died with such a treasure in hand.

Bi Fan transferred everything from the Cosmic Bag into his Heavenly Origin Ring, then began refining the other Cosmic Bag.

There were plenty of treasures in this one, too: nine Magic Tools, but no Magic Treasures. Magic Treasures were still very precious; usually, only Core Disciples owned one.

There were several pills for different realms, with the Bone Replacing Pill being the highest-grade pill among them.

There were also three books: Strange Tales of Tianyu Continent, Misty Dance, and Carefree Art.

Misty Dance and Carefree Art were cultivation arts from Carefree Immortal Realm, an extremely powerful sect from ancient times. They were very precious. The saber-wielding man had stumbled upon them by chance, but before he had a chance to cultivate them, word had gotten out.

The sword-wielding expert belonged to the Qingyang Sect. When he learned that the saber-wielding man had obtained many treasures, he attacked him to seize them. They fought several times and ultimately died together, leaving everything to Bi Fan.

Of course, Bi Fan knew nothing about this. He simply transferred the items in the Cosmic Bag to his Heavenly Origin Ring.

When he moved the pile of forging materials, he found an ancient bronze-colored token underneath. It was the size of his palm, and the two characters "Misty" were engraved on it. Its bearing was grand and its mood far-reaching.

Bi Fan took a couple more looks, then tossed it into his Heavenly Origin Ring.

Finally, Bi Fan took out the sword and saber and examined them.

The sword was a low-grade Magic Treasure, the Clear Light Sword. The saber was unexpectedly a mid-grade Magic Treasure, the Mountain Splitting Saber.

The Clear Light Sword belonged to the Qingyang Sect, so he definitely couldn't use it openly. He didn't know which sect the Mountain Splitting Saber's previous owner had belonged to, so it was best to avoid using it, too.

Besides, with Bi Fan's current strength, using Magic Treasures would be a waste. He wouldn't be able to draw out much of their power.

The fourteen Magic Tools he had obtained, on the other hand, were much more suitable for Bi Fan at this stage.

Magic Tools were commonplace. No one would ask questions if Bi Fan took one out and used it.

Bi Fan chose a high-grade Magic Tool, the Flowing Light Sword, and a low-grade defensive Magic Tool, the Silver Thread Robe.

The Silver Thread Robe was too striking, so Bi Fan wore it underneath his clothes. He kept the Flowing Light Sword in the Cosmic Bag, ready to draw it at any moment.

Magic Tools didn't need to be refined; they could be used after a simple ritual.

After taking stock of his gains, Bi Fan was in high spirits and hurried down the mountain.

Night fell, and Bi Fan finally reached Qingyang Town, sparing himself a night in the wilderness.

Qingyang Town stood where Qingyang Mountain met the outside world. It was a hub for the movement of goods and was very prosperous.

Many traveling merchants passed through Qingyang Town, and thirteen inns of various sizes provided them with lodging.

Bi Fan picked an inn at random and checked in. After freshening up, he left his room and went to the dining hall for a meal.

It was the peak dining hour, and there wasn't a single empty seat in the hall.

Bi Fan didn't want to find somewhere else to eat; that would waste too much time.

He glanced around and spotted a table where a young man was dining alone, so he walked over.

"Big brother, may I sit here?" Bi Fan asked, cupping his hands.

The young man looked no older than fifteen or sixteen. His features were refined, and he carried himself with a natural elegance.

Bi Fan studied him closely. Though he couldn't make out the man's strength, he knew it was far greater than his own.

"Please," the man replied coolly.

Bi Fan didn't mind. He just needed a place to sit and eat. Once he was done, he still had plenty of things to read.