He carefully stored the remaining two pills. These were the ones with the strongest spiritual fluctuations. If he had been a bit slower, they would have been eaten too.
Looking at the sleeping snake, he took out the storage ring taken from Lin Tian, which he had only dared to take out because she was asleep.
Inside were more than ten mid-grade five elements talismans, several wind talismans, one high-grade life-substitute talisman that had already been used once, and especially a heaven-grade life-substitute talisman that shocked Wang Hu. This could save him even if he were struck by the Monkey King's staff. And he estimated it could be used twice, equivalent to two extra lives.
In addition to talismans, there were many magical artifacts: a mid-grade spiritual net, a green flying sword, and a black shield, all top-tier spirit treasures. There was also a complete set of magic tools, and even a top-tier magic artifact comparable to the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant he had taken from the white dragon prince, an immortal-grade defensive treasure.
For a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like Lin Tian to possess two top-tier spirit treasures and a high-grade magic artifact set was already astonishing. Unfortunately, apart from two Transformation Pills there were no other pills in Lin Tian's storage ring, only a beast-taming ring.
Thinking back to how he had interrogated Lin Tian in the cave, Wang Hu could not help but smirk.
After preparing everything, he swallowed a Transformation Pill. He felt he needed to enter the Shanglan Kingdom quickly. Otherwise, once Guanyin Temple reacted and launched a blockade, he would be in serious trouble.
As soon as the pill entered his body, Wang Hu felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen. Spiritual energy quickly gathered into his dantian, and soon a somewhat imperfect golden core appeared. This was the fake golden core formed by the Transformation Pill, the key to maintaining his human form. Moreover, because he had to maintain human form, his strength would be limited to the Qi Refining stage while in human appearance.
Wang Hu stood up, looking down at his bronze-colored skin, his one-meter-eighty frame, strong and well built, and his fairly handsome facial features, feeling very satisfied. He took out the set of magic tools and put them on with a single thought. They perfectly adjusted to his body. After thinking for a moment, he also wore the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant, instantly transforming into the image of a handsome young nobleman. Adding a folding fan completed the look of a wealthy young master.
Wang Hu proudly flicked his flowing hair, then stored everything back into his tiger-tooth space, stuffed the little green snake into his chest, and swaggered out of the cave.
Two hours later Wang Hu arrived at a small town called Kawan Town. The town was small but prosperous, with bustling crowds on the streets. Wang Hu blended into the crowd, looking now like nothing more than a traveling scholar.
"Waiter! Bring wine and good food." He entered the only tavern in town and called out.
The food was indeed delicious, so fragrant it was deeply satisfying. A bite of beef made him feel the flavor spread through his mouth. Such ancient five-spice beef would definitely become a famous brand in modern times. The wine isn't bad either, Wang Hu nodded inwardly, appreciating the pure, undiluted liquor.
While he was eating, two scholars at the next table exchanged glances and walked over.
"May I ask if you are a candidate traveling to Yingchuan for the imperial examination?" one slightly chubby scholar asked.
Wang Hu paused briefly, then quickly reacted. "Yes, yes, I am. Wang Hu, from Wanggu Village, preparing for the exam."
"Wonderful. I am Zhang Bingshang, and this gentleman is Lin Xuanhua. We are also heading to Yingchuan for the exam. Since the road is long, why don't the three of us travel together?"
Yingchuan City was the second largest city of the Shanglan Kingdom, about three or four hundred li from Kawan Town. Some twenty li west of Yingchuan was the Shangqing River — the first stop for Wang Hu. From there he could follow the river downstream, passing through the Shanglin Kingdom and the Sailin Kingdom to reach the Qingguan Kingdom. According to the information he had obtained from Lin Tian, there was an ancient teleportation formation there connecting the continents, possibly allowing him to reach the Western Ox Continent. Otherwise, for a Foundation Establishment tiger demon like him to walk westward, no one knew how many years it would take to find the Bull Demon King.
Wang Hu thought idly, and while the others were not paying attention, swallowed a Huanling Pill and closed his eyes to cultivate against a large rock. To avoid suspicion, he had already agreed in the tavern to travel with this group of exam candidates.
Afterward a few more people joined, totaling seven or eight, and they hired two carriages and set off together. However, what frustrated Wang Hu was that these scholars would stop every time they saw a scenic view, to comment, compose poetry and exchange verses, calling it scholarly elegance. They only traveled thirty to forty li a day, sometimes less than ten li on bad roads, which made him extremely annoyed.
But he was not in a hurry. He still had more than a hundred Huanling Pills in his storage space. At the current rate of refining one per day, it would take about three months to absorb them all, after which he could reach mid Foundation Establishment. Moreover, it was still at least six or seven years before the Monkey King would be freed from the Five Elements Mountain. So there was plenty of time. Still, he needed to prioritize strengthening his power, as the journey would only become more dangerous.
By evening the group finally arrived at a relay station. After more than ten li of mountain road the tired scholars immediately became energetic again, ordering wine and dishes, lively and noisy — especially when they saw two extremely beautiful young women across the station. The scholars became even more excited, showing off their knowledge and chatting loudly.
If there was anyone unusual, it was Wang Hu, who could be summed up in one sentence: eating, drinking, and not caring about anything else. The food here was simply too good. Beggar's chicken. Saliva duck. Sweet and sour fish. Ordinary dishes made unbelievably delicious.
"This meal, let me pay for it," said the slightly chubby Zhang Bingshang.
"No, no, Brother Zhang. Let me. I already said I would treat everyone." Lin Xuanhua insisted, pointing around. "And none of you are allowed to fight over it either."
The two kept arguing, but neither actually intended to pay.
Wang Hu could not stand it anymore. He slammed the table and stood up. "Enough. Stop arguing. I'll pay."
As he spoke he pretended to yawn, and everyone turned to look at him, including the two young women nearby.
"How about I give you a suggestion, since you both want to pay? Why not split it? Wouldn't it be better if you both pay? Right, Brother Zhang? Brother Lin?" Wang Hu walked over and put his arms around their shoulders, smiling as he looked at their stiff expressions. "Waiter, check, please. Also bring a beggar's chicken, a saliva duck, and a jar of drunken beauty wine to my room for a midnight snack."
Wang Hu turned back and looked at the two men, who looked as if they had swallowed a fly, and said affectionately, "Thank you both for your hospitality today. I'll take my leave first. I'm a bit full and need to rest."
Watching Wang Hu stagger away, everyone looked strange. Shameless people were common, but someone this shameless was rare — and he had even ordered midnight snacks.