Chapter 436: Internal Space of the Heavenly Thunder Stone

She seemed to sense his unusual mood. Lin Yuheng paused, then said with a wry smile, "What are you so surprised about?"

She picked up the pitted, failed Heaven-Thunder Stone and said, "This is just a failed product. Were you expecting it to be a spatial storage device?"

Jiang Fan quickly composed himself and replied, "I was just surprised that spatial storage devices could be created this way."

Lin Yuheng explained, "Spatial storage devices are generally divided into two types. One type is created by our human race's Artifact Forging Grandmasters. They harness spatial power and, using artifact forging techniques, encapsulate a sliver of space, forming the spatial storage devices you know."

"Their advantage is that the space inside is very stable. Unless the storage device suffers destructive damage or the material itself decays over time, the internal space will exist indefinitely. The disadvantage is that the internal space is often not large. A device the size of this command post would be considered a top-grade spatial storage device. My bracelet storage device is the largest of the three in the Divine Secrets Pavilion. It's four zhang in length, width, and height, only about the size of a thatched cottage. It's already considered a very rare mid-grade storage device."

Jiang Fan's throat felt dry. "So, the other type is a natural spatial storage device, like this Heaven-Thunder Stone?"

Lin Yuheng nodded. "When a lightning tribulation strikes a rare natural treasure, it smashes its interior. Because the power is so immense and overbearing, it often distorts the internal structure, thereby forming an internal space. This is how a natural spatial storage device is formed. Their advantage is that the space is often very large. After all, a single lightning strike can span hundreds of zhang, so the vastness of the space created by their crisscrossing power is considerable. According to historical records, the smallest Heaven-Thunder Stone had an internal space the size of a palace, more than ten times larger than my bracelet's space."

"The disadvantages are also obvious: they are unstable because the lightning power carves out space without any discernible rules. It's highly possible that in some parts of the space, only a thin shell of Heaven-Thunder Stone remains, which could break with a light poke. If that happens, it would cause a spatial collapse. Not only would everything inside be lost, but it could also easily harm people."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan was overcome with excitement. He couldn't wait to study the Heaven-Thunder Stone. However, after a moment's thought, he asked, "How does one open a spatial storage device?"

Lin Yuheng glanced at the time, realizing too much time had passed. The disciples waiting in line behind them were probably growing impatient. But seeing Jiang Fan's eagerness to learn, she patiently explained, "If it's a man-made spatial storage device, it will have a specific incantation from the Artifact Forging Grandmaster. Without that incantation, no one can open it. If it's a natural spatial storage device, it's even more troublesome; it requires significantly powerful soul energy to open it."

To prevent Jiang Fan from pressing for more questions, she quickly added, "Alright, if you have more questions, come find me later. I'll teach you privately. For now, you should exchange your merit points."

Jiang Fan subtly shook his head. "I don't have anything I want right now. I'll save them for next time."

Lin Yuheng nodded. "That's fine." Her eyes darted, and she suddenly lowered her voice, whispering, "Work hard to earn merit points this month. Among the next batch of resources, there will be three jade talismans, each containing a single strike from a Nascent Soul expert. Each one costs only a thousand merit points!" Even she was envious. The Deputy Pavilion Masters didn't have such talismans, nor would they be given them if they asked. Yet, the Divine Secrets Pavilion Master was distributing them as rewards to the disciples of the Nine Sects! And three at once!

Clearly, the Demon Emperor's concubine sending the Demon Emperor's blood to the front lines had enraged the Divine Secrets Pavilion Master. That's why he released these jade talismans into the battlefield! "You demons have the Demon Emperor's vital blood. We humans have Nascent Soul strike talismans. Let's see who fears whom!"

Jiang Fan's pupils constricted. He had personally witnessed the power of a Nascent Soul jade talisman. The destructive force still amazed him whenever he thought about it. And they would be available in next month's rewards. Three of them! He had to get them! He needed to secure at least one of them!

"Thank you for looking out for me, Senior Lin!" Jiang Fan cupped his hands in gratitude.

Lin Yuheng rolled her eyes at him. "If you understood my painstaking efforts, you wouldn't have insisted on those useless Void Lotus petals." As she spoke, she pulled something from her sleeve. A small jade box sealed with several layers of talismans was produced and tossed to Jiang Fan. "Take this Vitality Pill. Originally, if you had exchanged for two, along with this one I'm giving you, you would have had a ninety percent chance of breaking through to Core Formation. But you, young man, didn't listen. With just this one, there's only a thirty percent chance. Whether you succeed or not depends on your luck."

Jiang Fan was deeply moved. Lin Yuheng had truly gone above and beyond for him. This Vitality Pill was almost useless to him, but the sentiment it contained was more valuable than anything. He bowed respectfully, solemnly accepted it, and then said after a thought: "Senior Lin, before you leave Sunset City, please come to the Wutong Courtyard on Pomegranate Street. This junior also has something I wish to give to Senior Lin."

Lin Yuheng smiled. "Alright. I'll stop by if I have time." This trip wasn't in vain. She had successfully deepened her relationship with Jiang Fan. As for him giving her something... as a distinguished Divine Secrets Pavilion Commissioner, why would she care about a small gift from a disciple?

Jiang Fan left the command post. Everyone was impatiently queuing, waiting to exchange their own resources. Therefore, no one paid him any mind. This was even better.

Jiang Fan quickly returned to Liu Qingxian's small courtyard. He immediately took out the Heaven-Thunder Stone. With an excited heart, he channeled his soul power onto the Heaven-Thunder Stone. The moment he touched it, Jiang Fan suddenly felt a powerful suction force. His consciousness was involuntarily drawn into a dilapidated space. It was pitch black all around, impossible to see anything. He had an idea. The next moment, several luminous pearls that should have been in his possession appeared out of thin air in this space. This was clearly the effect of a spatial storage device! Jiang Fan was pleasantly surprised. It really was a spatial storage device.

Under the illumination of the luminous pearls, a space resembling the interior of some kind of spirit fruit came into view. The dark barriers surrounding it, judging by their marks, were once the flesh of the spirit fruit. But under the destructive power of the overwhelming lightning, they had become charred, hard spatial walls. Looking around, the space was as vast as the Azure Cloud Sect's Sect Master Hall, two hundred zhang in length, width, and height—it was incredibly huge. Furthermore, for some reason, faint streaks of lightning power occasionally flickered on the spatial walls. Jiang Fan wondered, "Could it be that these lightning powers are trapped within the space and can't escape?" What perfect timing. He was cultivating the second form of the 'Three Purity Lightning Shadow' and was worried about where to find a large amount of lightning power. Wasn't this like getting a pillow when you're sleepy?

He examined the space, ensuring it was safe. With a thought, he moved his spiritual artifact, the Violet Sword, clam meat, Spring Revival Pills, Spirit Replenishing Pills, Three-Step Drunkenness, the guqin, and other items, all inside. When his consciousness returned to his body, a long-lost sense of lightness washed over him. "This feels so good!" Free from all the large and small burdens, various artifacts, and materials, he felt greatly relieved. It had to be said, spatial storage devices were incredibly practical. On his person, he only kept the Sorrowful Frost Sword, the Seven-Colored Profound Ice, the Void Lotus petals, and various auxiliary materials.

"Finally, I can start refining the Pure Void Pills." He immediately adjusted his state, just as he was about to begin refining the pills.

Suddenly, he heard a commotion outside the courtyard. "What are you doing? How dare you trespass into my courtyard?" It was Liu Qingxian's voice, filled with alarm and anger.

Jin Zhongming's menacing voice replied, "We've inspected everyone's swords! Only Jiang Fan's hasn't been checked! We'll know if it's him once we see it!" Immediately after, the Giant Sect Master Kong Yuanba's cold snort could be heard. "This concerns the truth behind the murder of our Giant Sect's Grand Elder. Everyone must submit to an inspection."

Liu Qingxian grew anxious. Being frequently with Jiang Fan, she knew he carried a very mysterious sword. It was always wrapped in cloth strips. Once, she had inadvertently caught a glimpse of it through a narrow slit in the cloth. The color... It was purple! Regardless of whether Jiang Fan was the real culprit, the color of the sword alone would put Jiang Fan in immense trouble. But how could she stop the imposing Giant Sect? Just as she was about to grit her teeth, draw her sword, and confront them, Jiang Fan's voice came from inside the courtyard: "Senior Sister, let them come in and search."