This Storage Ring was genuinely a fine item. Consort Dan flicked it with her slender finger, Jiang Chen caught it in one hand, and tucked it away without the slightest ceremony.
In his previous life, he'd handled these things all the time. A crude beginner-level Storage Ring like this was no challenge for him whatsoever.
He fiddled with it for a moment, gave it a once-over. The storage space wasn't especially large, but it was more than sufficient.
"You shameless brat, you just pocket it without batting an eye, and not a single thank you?" Consort Dan was mildly surprised to see Jiang Chen figuring out the Storage Ring on his own, handling it with such ease.
Jiang Chen grinned. "You said it yourself — this is payment. If it's payment and not a gift, why would I need to thank you?"
"Are all men this shameless?" Consort Dan was at a loss for words.
"I can't speak for other men, but I certainly have my dignity. Sister Consort Dan, I've heard that in the past, you went to the Labyrinth Autumn Hunt entirely on your own. What made you decide to form a team this time?"
Consort Dan shot him a look. "Are you trying to say you're irresistibly charming?"
"Heh heh, well, am I wrong?" Jiang Chen said cheerfully.
"Stop flattering yourself. In my eyes, all men are the same. Anyway, I don't have time to banter with you. Since we're going to be working together, there are things I don't want to hide from you."
"Getting to the real topic now?" Jiang Chen still wore his carefree expression.
"Jiang Chen, would it kill you to be serious for once?" Consort Dan's beautiful brows arched upward. "I have only one goal in participating in this Labyrinth Autumn Hunt — to capture a Spirit Beast cub from the Spirit Realm."
"A Spirit Beast cub?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is there something special about that?"
"Yes, it's very important." The expression on Consort Dan's jade-like face turned grave. "The last two times, I failed. This time, I must succeed."
"Why?"
A Spirit Beast cub was certainly precious, but it wasn't the kind of thing that demanded absolute success, was it? Besides, while a Spirit Beast cub was valuable, it wasn't as though you could only find one inside the Labyrinth.
Consort Dan fixed her clear eyes on him. "Jiang Chen, what I'm about to tell you must never leave your lips. Do you understand?"
"Then maybe you shouldn't tell me."
"Jiang Chen!" Consort Dan glared, slightly exasperated. "Can't you show a shred of a man's sense of responsibility?"
Jiang Chen chuckled. "I know what should be said and what shouldn't. Do you really think I have no discretion? Why feel the need to emphasize it?"
"Fine." Consort Dan's crimson lips moved slightly. "I take it back. You probably think this Spirit Beast cub could be obtained outside just as easily, so why bother going into the Labyrinth at all — completely unnecessary, right?"
"Am I wrong to think so?" Jiang Chen genuinely believed that.
"If it were just for keeping as a pet, there'd be no difference. But this Spirit Beast cub is special — my master plans to use it for research."
"Research?" Jiang Chen was puzzled. What was there to research about Spirit Beasts?
"Yes, research. And he's already made some progress. It's just that the matter is of great importance, so he's never made it public."
"What exactly is going on? Can't you just tell me all at once?"
"The research has shown that Spirit Beast cubs from the outside world — even ones born as Spirit Grade beasts — will basically remain at the Spirit Grade when they mature. Their potential for evolution is limited. Their strength may increase somewhat, but their bloodlines don't undergo much evolution. The beasts obtained from the Labyrinth, however, are entirely different. Their strength increases rapidly, and their bloodlines actually evolve on their own!"
"So that Fengjiao must have been obtained from the Labyrinth as well, then? Did you go in thirty years ago? Or was it your master who entered?"
Consort Dan's porcelain-white cheeks darkened slightly. "Jiang Chen, do I look that old? Thirty years ago, I wasn't even born yet! My master was already a Spirit King thirty years ago. How could he possibly enter? In the Labyrinth Autumn Hunt, anyone above the minor Spirit Realm is barred from entry."
The Spirit Realm had nine tiers. Tiers one through three were known as the minor Spirit Realm.
Tiers four through six were the Earth Spirit Realm.
Tiers seven through nine were the Heavenly Spirit Realm.
Those who surpassed the ninth tier stood at the peak of the Heavenly Spirit Realm — they were Spirit Kings. Essentially at the pinnacle of the Spirit Realm, one foot perpetually poised to step into the next major realm.
"The Labyrinth Autumn Hunt actually rejects anyone above the minor Spirit Realm?" Jiang Chen found himself intrigued. Such a peculiar space was quite rare.
If that was the case, the Labyrinth was truly anything but ordinary.