While Bai Xiaofei was adjusting to his skyrocketing power, two stealthy figures quietly crept toward the nearby golden orbs. Taking advantage of the duo's distraction, they began frantically stuffing the "gold" into their maws.
But before they could celebrate, Ren's cold gaze landed on them.
So these are the ball-playing aliens? Seeing them in reality... they really are hideous.
Ren critiqued them internally as he drew a laser pistol from his hip. Without a hint of hesitation, he sent them to the afterlife.
Zap-zap!
Two crimson laser beams streaked through the air, and the two extraterrestrials expired on the spot.
The sudden action gave Bai Xiaofei a start. He spun around, saw the three bizarre biological remains, and asked in confusion, "What are those things?"
"Aliens," Ren said calmly, wiping the barrel of his laser gun. He felt a wave of satisfaction; these things were truly practical. While he could have used raw physical force to blitz them, as a prepared transmigrator, why waste stamina when a gun could settle it?
"Let's go. There's more good stuff on this floor. We're taking it."
"Oh, okay."
Xiaofei followed in Ren's footsteps, feeling little sympathy for the fallen scavengers. "Ren, how come it feels like you know this place like the back of your hand?"
"I've already mapped out most of this underground cavern using infrasound. Once we grab that item, we can leave this floor and find Tiancai and Long You."
Following the tunnel, the two arrived in a massive cavern where dozens of golden orbs were wedged atop cone-shaped rock formations. Xiaofei stared, slack-jawed.
"This top-tier stuff is mass-produced?!"
Ren didn't answer. His gaze swept the room until a giant golden beetle came into view. This beetle possessed a human face; the moment it locked eyes with Ren, it charged!
Ren let out a cold sneer. "Seeking death!"
His body vanished, reappearing instantly with a layer of pure white armor covering his hands. When he struck the golden beetle, he sliced through it like butter. Then, a vine erupted from Ren's body, piercing the beetle and rapidly draining its life force.
This vine was a manifestation of the Gourmet's ability, which Ren had just acquired.
Next, Ren controlled a wooden branch to pluck several shimmering golden orbs. He handed them to Xiaofei. "Eat up. These contain over ten times the energy of the previous ones. After this, your physical strength should reach the peak of the Heaven-level."
"Nani?!"
The two sat on the ground and began feasting once again. Ren carefully focused on the internal changes of his body. Detecting a tangible increase in his baseline strength, he couldn't help but smile.
Super-God level... it's a lock!
These golden orbs weren't even the highest-tier items in the Gate of Hell. Further in, there was the bathwater of the Celestial Matriarch, special meteorite essences, and the Poem Immortal Sword—a Super-God level technique! Ren was confident that by the time he left the Gate, he would break through to that legendary rank.
I wonder where Tiancai is?
As he ate, Ren thought about his good brother Mu Tiancai. He had no idea where the genius had been dropped.
Soon, Ren felt his physical strength reach a plateau where it would no longer increase. Xiaofei felt the same and reluctantly set down the remaining gold. However, he didn't let it go to waste, stuffing the leftovers into his backpack.
"Move out!" Ren commanded.
The golden orbs were the primary treasure of this tunnel. Now that they had them, he had no intention of lingering. With his physical body reinforced twice over, Xiaofei was now a top-tier "soldier" even within the Gate.
With the help of infrasound, they quickly found the path to the upper level. As they emerged from a tunnel, a massive vat of noodles appeared before them.
"Holy crap? The people in here eat noodles too?" Xiaofei was stunned.
"This substance contains a massive amount of life energy. Let me see if I can absorb it." Ren was intrigued.
This noodle vat was famous in the original lore; a character named Three-Page Man had touched it and instantly turned into noodles himself, becoming part of the soup. But Ren wasn't willing to pass up such concentrated life force.
Red blood vessels extended from his palm—the Gourmet's ability. Since the Gourmet was the original owner of this "soup," Ren reasoned he wouldn't be assimilated. He cautiously reached toward the liquid.
Under intense tension, the vessels dipped into the broth. The expected "noodle-ification" didn't happen; instead, a powerful surge of life force rushed through the vessels into his body!
However, his joy was short-lived. He realized this energy was strictly for healing and didn't actually increase his base power. After absorbing a bit more and confirming it wouldn't make him stronger, a disappointed Ren led Xiaofei away.
"Wait! There should be more loot here!"
Ren remembered the Gourmet originally wore a Level 2 Civilization combat suit. He couldn't leave that behind. After a bit of "home demolition" and searching, they finally found a supply room.
Beyond the Level 2 armor, there were slightly weaker items like Level 1 Civilization blades. On Earth, these would be considered god-tier weapons.
"We're rich!"
The two shared a villainous grin as they geared up. Ren donned the green Level 2 armor and gripped a black spear. Xiaofei put on a black Level 1 suit and took up a massive blade. Armed to the teeth, their sense of security skyrocketed.
Next, Ren planned to find the "Nana" insect entity. He remembered she had possessed the body of a female angel and would lead them to various benefits, even helping Xiaofei reach the God-level physically. Ren planned to follow her and double-dip on those rewards.
Time to test my acting skills.
Just as they were about to set off, an explosion echoed in the distance. A dark shadow soared into the sky, circled a few times, and then flew rapidly toward them.
"Enemy attack!" Xiaofei gripped his blade, eyes shining with excitement. He had just gotten new gear and was itching for a test run.
Ren held him back. "That's an ally."
The black dot drew closer, and Xiaofei recognized the face. "Holy crap? The Corpse King?!"
Accustomed to Xiaofei's excitable nature, Ren showed no emotion. As Long You landed, Ren noted, "You look a bit disheveled, Mr. Long."
Long You's body was splattered with blood—it was unclear if it was his or his victims'. He didn't respond, instead eyeing Ren's new armor. "Where did you get that equipment?"
"In the cave. There are some less advanced sets left. If you want them, go grab them now."
Without a word, Long You strode into the cave and picked out a suit he liked. When he emerged, he glanced at the noodle vat with a trace of hunger. But his instincts warned him the substance was dangerous, and he decided not to touch it.