The second Juvenile Monitor Lizard swiftly closed in; fortunately, the strong Spiritual Energy from the Purelight Spirit Flower aided the recovery of her venom.

  Sun Yuying knew that the first Juvenile Monitor Lizard was no longer a threat, with her venom coursing through it, yet she no longer had the element of surprise, which favoured the Juvenile Monitor Lizards.

  Though I do have one advantage, I suspect it is the system doing, yet I seem to process Spiritual Energy far more efficiently than the other denizens of the Forest. None of them dares to consume it so straightforwardly like I do, especially with threats around.

  The Black Snake stopped her mind from trailing off; she needed to deal with Juvenile Monitor Lizards first.

  It was then that she heard the rustling of branches as the second Juvenile Monitor Lizard returned, enraged as it eyed the weakened, sluggish movements of the first Lizard she had attacked.

  After some thought, the Black Snake decided to take the initiative and not back down.

  The Monitor Lizard, despite being angered, was cautious. It knew she had severely weakened the other Juvenile Monitor Lizard, and began to approach her, puffing up its chest to make itself look even bigger.

  Despite this, the Black Snake remained unintimidated; she knew the Juvenile Monitor Lizard was larger and physically stronger, yet her venom would incapacitate it if she could sink her fangs into its flesh.

  At that time, the other Juvenile Monitor Lizard collapsed to the ground, seeming to lose all strength, startling the remaining Monitor Lizard.

  Sun Yuying took that opportunity to pounce on the remaining Monitor Lizard in a blur of motion.

  The remaining Juvenile Monitor Lizard hastily swung its claw at her, yet the Black Snake was able to outmanoeuvre it and began to coil herself around its body.

  With swiftness, she sank her fangs into its flesh, injecting venom. However, despite her sudden recovery, she was unable to inject as much venom as she had into the first lizard, allowing the Juvenile Monitor Lizard to thrash with more force.

  Sun Yuying protected her head from the Juvenile Monitor Lizard's wild movements. After enduring an uncomfortable period of its erratic, powerful movements, she noticed that the lizard began to slow down like the first.

  I have to persist a bit longer, and victory will be mine.

  Sun Yuying was confident; the Juvenile Monitor Lizard was weakening at a rapid rate and was reaching its limit.

  Shortly, it lay defeated and exhausted, succumbing to the effects of her potent venom, just like its compatriot.

  Feeling the breathing of the lizard slow, she knew the confrontation was as good as won.

  Slithering away from its body, she approached the first lizard that fell and began to consume it.

  You have consumed Juvenile Forest Monitor Lizard, gaining +5 Spiritual Energy.

  The Black Snake felt bloated once again, whilst maintaining a vigilant eye on her surroundings, she waited until she fully digested the Lizard, which came alarmingly fast.

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  Sun Yuying knew she consumed her meals far more quickly than a typical Snake, and soon enough, she moved on to the second.

  You have consumed Juvenile Forest Monitor Lizard, gaining +5 Spiritual Energy.

  The Black Snake felt even more bloated than the first; the consumption of the second Lizard had doubled her previous Spiritual Energy reserves, and she felt an immediate difference. Feeling a deep desire to sleep, she decided to find a safe place.

  Looking around, Sun Yuying found a hollow wooden log near the area, presumably it was where the two Juvenile Monitor lizards slept.

  Finding it spacious and secure enough, she nestled within, protectively coiling herself before drifting off.

  The Black Snake woke once again, finding her body feeling light and agile, yet feeling stronger, larger and denser.

  She shredded her scales once more, finding new ones underneath as her body size underwent rapid changes, and she was now a similar size to the Juvenile Monitor Lizards, which must have been over three feet.

  This growth is not normal. The human Sun Yuying was no expert on Snakes, yet a few days-old Snake growing this fast was abnormal by any standard.

  At this time, she caught the scent of something familiar, yet stronger.

  Another Monitor Lizard?

  The Black Snake began making her way out of the burrow quickly, driven by excitement. After all, she was close to achieving her new trait, yet when she went to stick her head out of the burrow, she was greeted by a much larger Monitor Lizard.

  It must have been almost twice the size of the other Monitor Lizards she had seen.

  The Monitor Lizard eyed her with a ferocious gleam in its eyes as it stepped towards her menacingly.

  That one seems awfully intelligent.

  Sun Yuying began to prepare herself for a tough fight, yet it was then her instincts screamed at her to retreat.

  Something big was approaching.

  With panic, the Black Snake slithered back into the burrow as the large seven-foot Monitor Lizard came barreling towards her.

  Sun Yuying thought her instincts were signalling towards the large Monitor Lizard, yet it turned out to be something far more dangerous.

  The large Monitor Lizard snuck its head towards the burrow, coming towards her, yet just as it was about to attempt to use its powerful limbs to claw at her, a loud squawk sounded and the swift movement of wings emerged.

  Before she knew it, the large Monitor Lizard had a look of panic and fear, and the Black Snake witnessed an impossible, large, ferocious Hawk with dark green feathers swoop in and sink its talons into the lizard, which hissed and screeched futilely as the Hawk's twenty-foot wingspan enveloped it.

  Sun Yuying made brief eye contact with the Hawk's deep green eyes before its iron-like beak snapped the neck of the large Monitor Lizard with one swift motion.

  The alteration was mere moments, and the large Monitor Lizard did not even have the chance to fight back.

  Before she could blink, the giant bird was already swooping away, lifting the carcass of the Lizard effortlessly with it as it flew off.

  Sun Yuying felt a chill run down her spine from the sight. She had never seen such a large bird in her life. The Black Snake knew the dangers of the Forest were not to be underestimated, and getting bigger may make her the target of the more dangerous beasts in this place.

  Either way, she had to continue to push forward. The only way to ensure her survival was to grow until she was the Apex Predator of the forest. Then she will not be threatened; her instincts were pleased at the thought of this, to grow strong enough that she will never be prey.

  Despite possessing the memories of her first life as a human, she felt more like an intelligent Snake with memories implanted.

  The mystery of it all was something that could leave her floundering endlessly.

  Thus, she continued to move, her stomach rumbling once again. She had a feeling that her ravenous hunger might be a ploy of the system to push her to progress.

  Though perhaps it was the cost of growing so swiftly, either way, she caught the scent of strong spiritual energy and decided to make a move.

  She was only a few Juvenile Monitor Lizards from acquiring a new trait, and she was determined to get it.

  Slithering towards it, the Black Snake headed towards it with eagerness. The sight of that Giant Hawk made her determined to do so, one day she will conquer it.