Dividing the Spoils, Discovering the Shrine

The wooden shelves were arranged in three rows, placed in the center of the loft’s first floor, making them visible at a single glance.

On the first shelf sat ancient treasures and magical artifacts of varying radiance, sixteen pieces in total.

The second shelf held rare materials of different shapes and colors—some fist-sized lumps that seemed to be iron, others blood-red, crystalline stones that gleamed like gems.

The third shelf contained the fewest items: only a handful of bottles no larger than a few inches, likely holding pills.

Han Li swept his gaze over the treasures, his expression flat, revealing neither joy nor displeasure.

The others maintained composed faces as well, and no one rashly stepped forward to handle the items. But where their eyes lingered, they were already appraising function and value.

When the division began, whoever had already read the room would gain the first advantage.

After a moment, Nan Longhou stepped forward to inspect each treasure on behalf of the group, and the others began discussing the origins and uses of the items with seeming cordiality. What calculations truly ran through their minds, only they knew.

Han Li, meanwhile, glanced around the room. Aside from the shelves, the only other objects were a meditation cushion and a small green plant placed by the window.

His heart stirred, and he was about to walk over when a figure blurred—the white-robed elder had already reached the cushion.

With a lift of his hand, the elder drew the cushion into his grip and examined it from every angle.

Han Li’s brow furrowed slightly, but he turned and walked to the plant by the window, studying it closely.

“What’s this? Fellow Daoist Han has an interest in this ‘Yin-Congealing Grass’?” came a soft, pleasant female voice from behind. “Though this herb rarely appears in the world, it is the finest catalyst for Yin-type pills, able to boost their potency by a full three-tenths.”

Han Li blinked and turned slowly. It was Yan Ruyan, standing gracefully behind him.

“The Yin-Congealing Grass differs from other spirit herbs. Its Yin-cold potency is strongest only at a hundred years of age. This one has sat here for who knows how long—it is virtually useless now.” Han Li’s tone was flat. He swept his gaze across the room and saw Wang Chan whispering excitedly to his second uncle, Wang Tiangu, paying no attention to this corner.

“I had no idea Fellow Daoist Han was versed in alchemy as well as formations. I am truly impressed.” Yan Ruyan smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling as she spoke in a charming voice.

Seeing how eager she was to engage him, Han Li’s wariness rose sharply. He replied without ceremony:

“Alchemy? A minor skill. But tell me, Fellow Daoist Yan—are you not aware of the relationship between your husband and myself? To speak with me so freely, do you not fear his anger?”

“Of course I am aware. But it is precisely because of that that I presumed to try and resolve the enmity between you.” Yan Ruyan’s smile faded, and a bitter expression crossed her lips.

“Resolve? Your demonic sect and our Heavenly Dao Alliance are inherently hostile. What is there to resolve?” Han Li raised an eyebrow, a trace of mockery flickering across his face.

At the sound of those words, Yan Ruyan gave a wry smile. She opened her lips as if to say more, but before she could, Nan Longhou called out from across the room:

“Everyone, come over. Let us first divide the treasures on this floor, then proceed to the second.”

Hearing this, Han Li immediately turned away from Yan Ruyan and walked over.

The stunning young woman watched him go, her expression shifting between uncertainty and resolve, then followed gracefully.

Wang Chan saw Yan Ruyan approaching from behind Han Li, and his eyes flashed with a trace of suspicion, but after a deep look at her, he chose to remain silent, his mind inscrutable.

Wang Tiangu also witnessed the scene, but his expression remained unchanged, as if he had noticed nothing at all.

“All right,” Nan Longhou said. “We have finished the count. There are six ancient treasures and ten magical artifacts here. The materials and pills have also been divided into eight portions according to value. Naturally, everyone wants the ancient treasures most, since they require no refinement to unleash their full power. However, these magical artifacts are no ordinary items—they were left behind by enemies of Cangkun Shangren, and their power is considerable. Even if one can only wield seventy percent of their might and they require some time to refine, they are still well worth the investment. So whether you wish to take an ancient treasure or a magical artifact is up to you. Fellow Daoists Wang Chan and Yan, you may only claim one share between you.” Nan Longhou had gathered all the items onto a single shelf and addressed the group calmly.

“I am old and have no time left to refine magical artifacts. I will take an ancient treasure!” the old woman said, shamelessly asserting her seniority.

Hearing this, the others’ expressions did not change, but inside, they sneered coldly.

Just then, Wang Tiangu spoke to Nan Longhou in a meaningful tone:

“Wouldn’t you and Fellow Daoist Yun like to pick your treasures first? The second floor might not have what you are looking for.”

“Brother Wang, what do you mean by that?” Nan Longhou’s face shifted dramatically, then darkened. “You speak too freely.”

The white-robed elder also stared at Wang Tiangu with a hostile expression.

“Nothing in particular. I just thought it a pity if the two of you did not choose now.” Wang Tiangu smiled lightly, seemingly unperturbed.

“Hmph! There is nothing here worthy of my or Fellow Daoist Yun’s first pick. And as for Fellow Daoist Han, whether he wishes to exercise that right is up to him.” Nan Longhou’s tone was cold, as if the words had displeased him greatly.

“I will not use that right for now either. Let us wait until we reach the second floor.” Han Li rubbed his chin, speaking casually.

“In that case, let us split these treasures equally. Those who wish to take an ancient treasure will forfeit their right to pick a magical artifact from the next batch. Does this arrangement suit everyone?” Wang Tiangu said without ceremony.

“That seems fair. I agree.”

“Let it be.”

The others were satisfied with the plan.

In the end, Han Li naturally did not choose a magical artifact. The white-robed elder and the cultivator surnamed You were the only ones to forgo ancient treasures, picking two magical artifacts of their preference and claiming their share of materials and pills.

As for the ancient treasures, Han Li and the others all took one at the same time.

The item that fell into Han Li’s hands was a bamboo-tube-shaped ancient treasure. He had no idea of its power or abilities, but he put it away without much thought, along with his share of materials and pills.

After each person claimed one additional magical artifact, the items on the first floor were fully divided.

As for the meditation cushion, Han Li noticed that the white-robed elder had already tossed it aside without a second glance.

Clearly, it was nothing special.

A few people also examined the Yin-Congealing Grass, but after recognizing it, they lost interest.

Watching this, Han Li could only laugh bitterly. No one here was a fool. These Nascent Soul elders would not let a single item in the loft go unchecked.

Besides the obvious treasures, there might be something hidden in this building.

After searching thoroughly, the group found no unexpected gains, so they gave up and made their way to the second floor.

The moment he stepped onto the second floor, Han Li froze, as did the others.

A wave of sandalwood incense hit them. Looking up, they saw a shrine against the far corner of the room, directly facing the stairs. Inside the shrine stood a golden statue of a demon god with three heads and six arms, a single horn, and a ferocious expression so lifelike it seemed ready to move.

Before the shrine sat a small, fiery-red furnace, from which white mist curled upward. The sandalwood scent came from that mist.

This Cangkun Shangren had actually worshipped a demon god. Nan Longhou and the others were visibly startled.

But when Han Li saw the three-headed, six-armed statue, his heart began to pound.

The statue looked exactly like the beast on the copper fragment he suspected to be the Sanctum Sacred Fragment—same furious eyes, same six arms raised to the sky.

He did not have time to think further. His gaze swept from the shrine to the other corners of the second floor.

A few zhang to the left of the shrine stood an ordinary-looking desk and a wooden chair, on which rested an inkstone, brushes, and a bundle of bamboo slips.

On the opposite side of the shrine lay a jade bed that emanated a faint blue glow. Even from this distance, one could feel the chill it gave off. It appeared to be carved from some kind of Cold Jade.

At one end of the bed, three jade boxes of different sizes were placed side by side, drawing the eye.

This second floor was clearly Cangkun Shangren’s bedchamber.

A blur of motion—the white-robed elder had already reached the Cold Jade Bed and reached for one of the jade boxes.

“Hold!” A black streak of light shot toward the elder’s hand.

The elder withdrew his wrist, dodging the strike, and glared at the attacker with fury. “What is the meaning of this? Do you wish to test me?”