"Hiss... Hiss!"
As Lu Chen woke up, the black Jiao serpent cheerfully turned its head and rubbed against the palm of his hand.
"These past few days you’ve consumed ten demon pills, I was afraid you’d get indigestion, so I hid them. Don’t overthink it!"
Lu Chen said, touching his nose.
"Hiss!"
The black Jiao serpent nodded.
Actually, no matter how many demon pills it ate, there wouldn’t be any negative effects.
This was one of the advantages bestowed by its pseudo-dragon bloodline.
However, it couldn’t explain this to Lu Chen and could only obediently listen to him.
Lu Chen let out a slight sigh of relief and asked, "Were you acting as my protector?"
The black Jiao continued to nod, which pleased Lu Chen. This was indeed a good thing.
The only flaw of the Heaven-Breaking Spiritual Method was that he would be completely unaware of his surroundings during cultivation.
The size of the black Jiao was manageable for now, but if it grew bigger after being fed, it would be much more useful!
"Well done," Lu Chen said as he patted its head, "Next, continue hiding in the bundle, but you can’t eat any more demon pills, understand?"
He didn’t know the situation outside Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, so he had to proceed with caution.
Yet, while saying this to the black Jiao, it reminded him that shortcuts could also lead out of the mountains.
The foothills of Ten Thousand Demon Mountain were too conspicuous—it was there that he had been discovered.
He had no plans to linger in the town any longer.
Not to mention, it would be somewhat embarrassing if the young medicine apprentice from the Zhao family spotted him.
"Let’s go!"
After retrieving his bundle and letting the black Jiao inside, Lu Chen blasted the cave entrance open and strode towards the shortcut.
It went smoothly; after leaving the town, Lu Chen headed east.
Heavenly Book Academy was in that direction. However, it was a great distance away, and he’d pass through several cities along the way.
Upon reaching the first city, Lu Chen rented a carriage, which was much easier than traveling on foot.
To save time, Lu Chen drove the carriage during the day while rehearsing the techniques of the Heavenly Inquiry Spear in his mind, enabling him to combine its eighteen methods at will to deal with various situations.
At night, the carriage driver took over, and Lu Chen would cultivate the Heaven-Breaking Spiritual Method while the black Jiao serpent kept watch at the carriage curtain.
They did this because there were fewer travelers at night, and it was unlikely to encounter any trouble.
After more than a month, they finally passed the last city.
The Imperial City!
"Thank you for your efforts!"
Lu Chen disembarked from the carriage and was extremely polite to the driver.
The driver, a middle-aged robust man, responded to Lu Chen’s words with courtesy, "You jest, young master. Not only did you let me drive at night, but you also paid well. I’d carry you on my back to this Imperial City if need be!"
Lu Chen chuckled; the man was rather amusing. He casually asked, "You seem familiar with the road to the Imperial City; have you been here before?"
"Of course," the man replied with a simple smile, "I’ve spent half my life earning my living this way. Not just the Imperial City, I’ve traversed the entire empire! Young master, if you have any questions, just ask. I’ll tell you everything I know!"
After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen said, "Do you know how to get to Heavenly Book Academy?"
"Heavenly Book Academy?"
The man was surprised and asked, "Young master, are you heading to Heavenly Book Academy? To find someone or for some business?"
Lu Chen replied, perplexed, "Why, is there no third option, like joining Heavenly Book Academy?"
"Young master," the man shook his head, "it’s not the time for the academy to recruit new members. Though Heavenly Book Academy can make exceptions for admissions, their requirements are very high!"
Lu Chen wasn’t interested in these requirements—he had an introduction letter from Zhao. He smiled and said, "I was just asking in passing. Didn’t think you’d know so much about Heavenly Book Academy."
"People go to Heavenly Book Academy every day; I’m quite familiar with it. If you let me, I could take you there—it’s on the way, and I won’t charge you!"
Lu Chen replied with a grin, "That won’t be necessary. I’d like to look around this Imperial City first!"
The man stroked his chin and said, "The Imperial City is indeed more prosperous than other cities; one can buy many good things here. But young master, if you’re in the Imperial City, make sure to be wary of the people from Polar Treasure Meeting!"
Lu Chen was surprised. A common carriage driver was warning him to beware of the Polar Treasure Meeting?
"That Polar Treasure Meeting... what’s their deal?"
"Young master might not know," the man glanced around and lowered his voice, "Polar Treasure Meeting has a great influence in the Imperial City, and moreover, their claws are spread throughout the entire empire! They take pleasure in treasure hunting and will stop at nothing for a treasure..."
Lu Chen countered, "Do I look like I have treasures on me?"
The driver scratched his head and said, "Young master, if you don’t have treasures, why would you go to Heavenly Book Academy? I thought you were going to sell treasures at the academy!"
Lu Chen came to realize that the man had misunderstood.
He had heard about Polar Treasure Meeting from Zhao before but had no idea that their influence was so vast!
"I don’t have any treasures to sell. If I did, why wouldn’t I just take your carriage straight to Heavenly Book Academy? Besides, you’re offering a free ride!"
Lu Chen laughed, then proceeded toward the entrance of the Imperial City!