In a vast mountain range with no end in sight, on a large rock in a wide river, a gigantic black tiger as large as a mountain lay between two peaks. Suddenly it raised its head and let out a heaven-shaking roar.
The river water surged violently, countless currents rushing toward both banks. An invisible shockwave spread outward, centered on the black tiger, and wherever it passed mountains collapsed, ancient trees snapped, and the scene turned into ruins.
The innate divine ability of the ancient race — the tiger roar — was actually this terrifying.
Wang Hu's consciousness floated in midair, looking down at the enormous black tiger below, unable to suppress his excitement. He had not expected to awaken the tiger race's innate divine ability during a breakthrough.
In the cave, the shimmering light gradually faded, and a white-and-black striped fierce tiger slowly stood up, shaking its enormous head. This was Wang Hu.
A month had passed since he received the black tiger inheritance. He had not only obtained the black tiger clan's top cultivation method, the Seven Kills Bone-Severing Art, but also, with the massive spiritual energy in the green jade and the black tiger bloodline within it, broken through directly to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Looking at his own body, Wang Hu was extremely satisfied. His body was twice as large as before, his true form nearly three zhang long, like a small mountain. With a single thought his massive tiger body instantly shrank to the size of an ordinary tiger, and his white-and-gold interwoven fur emitted a strange metallic glow.
If this tiger skin were sold now, it would definitely fetch a fine price for how beautiful it was. If placed among other tigers, it would surely be a presence that would make countless — cough, cough — countless female tigers fall for me, Wang Hu could not help but think proudly.
Suddenly his ears twitched. Sounds came from inside the cave nearby. Wang Hu turned his head and immediately saw the little green snake in a highly alert state.
At this moment the little green snake had also broken through to an unknown Qi Refining level, clearly benefiting from part of the spiritual energy as well. But now its body was tightly coiled, staring at Wang Hu, clearly feeling significant pressure from him.
Wang Hu was somewhat puzzled, thinking that this snake had somehow advanced two levels so quickly. In fact its body had become smaller, yet it gave him a faint sense of danger despite the large gap in cultivation between them.
However, Wang Hu had no intention of fighting the little green snake to the death. He always advocated that harmony brings wealth. If they could sit and talk, why fight and kill?
"I already said this green jade originally belonged to me. Look, I'm still inside it now." Wang Hu grinned, revealing his fangs, then turned back to continue studying the green jade and the tiger tooth in his claw.
Seeing that he had no intention of killing it, the little green snake relaxed slightly, but still did not leave, only curiously watching him.
On the surface of the green jade, strands of spiritual energy continued to flow out. But once they reached half a meter away they were blocked by a layer of green light and bounced back. Wang Hu leaned closer to observe and discovered that at the center of the green jade there seemed to be a heart. And if he got close enough, he could even hear a faint heartbeat.
This discovery shocked him. Could there really be something alive inside?
But soon Wang Hu calmed down. Even if it was alive, it would still be his ancestor. What was there to fear?
He turned back and continued studying the tiger tooth. There was still a faint trace of spiritual energy lingering on it. Immediately Wang Hu discovered that this tiger tooth was actually a storage space. Inside were three items: a white bone saber, a small flag with a black tiger design, and a map.
Wang Hu fell in love with the bone saber at first sight. It was exquisitely crafted, its entire blade emitting a faint shimmering light, clearly extraordinary. Once he transformed into human form, it would be perfect as a weapon, Wang Hu thought happily.
As for the small flag with the black tiger design, no matter how he tried, it showed no reaction. Perhaps his strength was still too weak. He would be able to control it after becoming stronger. He happily put the flag away.
Then he looked at the map. It seemed to be a treasure map, but it was incomplete, missing half of it. Wang Hu immediately became interested. After all, though, he still had important tasks assigned by Monkey Brother to complete, so after looking at it for a while he withdrew his attention.
Then the fierce tiger looked again at the night pearls hanging high in the hall. These were all treasures. Naturally they could not be left behind.
In a corner below, the little green snake saw a somewhat funny scene: a fierce tiger bending its rear end, carefully removing night pearls from the wall one by one. Even those embedded in the wall were not spared.
Half an hour later, Wang Hu left the cave in satisfaction. Around his neck hung a string of jade ornaments, and he grinned with satisfaction. This harvest was enormous.
"Hey, little green snake, why aren't you leaving? You've been following me all this time. Are you intimidated by my kingly aura and planning to submit?" Wang Hu turned his head and looked at the small snake still trailing behind him, speaking somewhat proudly.
"Hiss, hiss." The little green snake rolled its eyes, very humanlike, and let out a series of hissing protests.
"You think too well of yourself. That green sleeping-tiger jade belongs to my ancestor. How could I let you keep it?" Wang Hu rolled his eyes, somewhat helpless toward this overly imaginative little snake.
"Hiss." The little green snake continued arguing. The stronger one has the right — understand?
"Moreover, there is still my ancestor's heart inside. Giving it to you is no different from cutting off my lineage. No discussion." Wang Hu ignored it, shaking his tiger head and swaying his large rear as he slowly walked forward.
In fact he could already transform into human form. But after thinking about it, he felt it was too ugly and not as good-looking as his current tiger form, so he gave it up.
The little green snake tilted its head and looked at his receding figure. Unable to sense any hostility or killing intent, it then hissed once and transformed into a green streak of light to chase after him.
"You little green snake are really persistent. How about you follow me? Wait until I cultivate, and we'll do it together," Wang Hu said.
"Hiss, hiss." The little green snake nodded repeatedly.
"Good. Get on. I'll carry you."
Wang Hu also had not expected that he would gain a little subordinate right after leaving. This green snake clearly possessed an ancient primordial bloodline. It would definitely be a great future helper.
"Little green snake, from now on we are brothers. Just follow me. As long as I have a bite to eat, I won't let you go hungry."
"Hiss." A protesting sound came from behind him.
Wang Hu froze and said in surprise, "So — you are female?"
He gave a dry laugh while his mind began wandering. In movies, snake spirits that transform into humans are all peerless beauties. If I raise her from now on, wouldn't that mean —