The Black Snake woke feeling vastly changed since she slept.
As she opened her eyes, she felt different from the typical changes she had experienced so far. The newly gained trait changed her on a fundamental level; her serpentine form felt naturally tougher, yet she somehow maintained the strengths of her previous form, with her movement remaining swift and dexterous.
Additionally, with an equally bountiful harvest of Spiritual Energy, she felt larger and stronger than ever.
Flexing and stretching her body, she felt incredibly refreshed and began to make her way out of the burrow, realising it felt far smaller than before.
At that point, Sun Yuying decided mentally to say, ‘Status.’
Name: Sun Yuying
Species: Common krait
Cultivation: Mortal
Spiritual Energy: 55/100
Traits: Venomous, Tough Skin
Age: 73 days
Seventy-three days?
The Black Snake was shocked by the number. From her perspective, it felt like a few days since she woke, yet she realised how many times she had slumbered, and it dawned on her that the rapid changes Spiritual Energy brought must have occurred during her hibernation.
Though it was still beyond normal for a Snake to grow this much in that period of time, it was a lot less freaky than the few days she assumed it was.
I should really check my status more. Why haven't I been?
It was then that Sun Yuying reflected that her bestial instincts proved stronger than her human memories, though the more Spiritual Energy units she absorbed made her brain more efficient and reflect more. Even now, her mindset differed vastly from that of the human Sun Yuying, with the Black Snake's instincts more dominant in her personality.
The Black Snake prioritised sustenance, shelter, and survival over reviewing her status, leading to her current situation.
However, she supposed that was a good thing in some ways; after all, she knew the human Sun Yuying would not do well in such an environment.
Though I suppose that makes me fortunate, no predator has stumbled upon me? Actually, didn't I wake when that large Monitor Lizard was in the vicinity? Perhaps I wake forcefully in the event of a threat nearby?
The Black Snake was unsure of the implications of this, as it soon found its mind distracted by the further intense feeling of hunger.
I should search for something to eat.
Flicking her tongue, she got a grasp of a delicious scent.
That scent is intense and strong. Though there is also danger?
Sun Yuying's mind drifted to the risk versus the reward, yet she thought it might be worth seeing what it was first.
Slithering outside the burrow, finding it far tighter than before, she found herself in the familiar terrain from before she slumbered, yet there were some differences.
Just how long have I slept? There are already newly grown Azure Spirit Flowers here.
They must have grown fairly recently, but that was the unmistakable sight of them.
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Despite the Azure Spirit Flower no longer flooding her with the same desire as before, who was she to refuse free lunch?
By now, Sun Yuying knew the flower was not rare and was common in the Forest.
The Black Snake theorised it could digest Spiritual Energy more effectively than the other Forest denizens, and, given that even she barely extracted precious Spiritual Energy from it, that explained why the Monitor Lizards would rather use it as bait than consume it directly themselves.
Despite feeling pretentious about them now that she has consumed grander delicacies, Sun Yuying scoffed the flowers down all the same.
You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
There were only three of them compared to the five she initially consumed, but having such an easy source of Spiritual Energy made the Black Snake delighted.
Now partially filled with energy, having a small but tasty snack, Sun Yuying found herself brimming with confidence as she swaggered in the Forest, slithering with all the zeal she could muster as she made her way to the source of the delicious Spiritual Energy.
Wonder how big I am now? I feel a bit bigger than the Adolescent Forest Monitor Lizard, so I'm likely almost six feet long. That is bigger than a typical adult Common Krait found on Earth.
Sun Yuying had long discarded the notion of normal when she saw the impossibly Giant Hawk and knew she would continue to grow, since she had only just barely over half the maximum units of Spiritual Energy.
I wonder what happens when it hits the maximum?
Either way, that sense of danger and intense Spiritual Energy was now close. Despite her newfound bravado, she remained cautious, utilising her camouflage effectively.
Always near the denser shrubs and thicker plantations, she was an ambush predator first and foremost; thus, she travelled sneakily.
After her latest period of growth, her poison should be remarkably potent, with even venom-resistant creatures like Monitor Lizards unable to resist her poison.
It made her eager to target something that provides more substantial Spiritual Energy and further beneficial traits.
Eventually, she stopped before she began to trail over muddy, soft soil where thick layers of decomposing vegetation lay before her.
Sun Yuying quickly realised she had arrived before a large body of water, a lake that stretched as far as the eye could see, and was filled to the brim with murky, dark water.
Sun Yuying's instincts screamed danger the moment she stared into the icy depths of the water, yet an overpowering scent of Spiritual Energy remained.
Where is that smell?
It was there that she realised, in the centre of the lake, were giant lily-like flowers that were stunningly beautiful.
Surrounding them were large floating logs of some sort.
The lily-like flowers were a vibrant pink and had an unearthly glow, constantly emanating a pixie-like dust.
The Black Snake knew right away these were the most potent Spiritual Plants she had seen so far, and they were packed to the brim with energy.
Sun Yuying's strong desire to obtain the potent spiritual plants almost made her foolishly swim towards them until she noted something alarming.
Why is it so quiet? And is it me, or is that giant log moving closer?
She then noticed that a particular log of ridiculous size had crept closer whilst she was ruminating.
The Black Snake has already begun to move away. She knew something was off about the water; her instincts screamed that something massive was nearing.
Noticing she was beginning to exit its range, a ginormous crocodilian head of massive proportions burst from the water, attempting to chomp her down in one bite.
Sun Yuying heard the loud, bone-crushing thump of the crocodile-like beast's mouth clamping shut as it narrowly missed her.
She felt terrified as she began to move swiftly, fleeing and hissing in panic. She utilised the giant trees and terrain to escape the crocodilian, which did not want to go further from the water.
Sun Yuying did not get a great look at it, yet she knew it must have been well over twenty feet, possibly more; it was too big to comprehend.
I am staying away from there until I am much, much bigger. In fact, I am avoiding water in general.
The Large Crocodillian was terrifying and so sneaky for something that big.
Sun Yuying realised she was so agitated that, when she flicked her tongue, she stumbled upon another rich source of Spiritual Energy.
What is that?
Deciding to investigate, though carefully, she came across a tantalising smell, yet as she was about to move further, she felt a blur of movement and was struck with great force.
Hissing in pain, she searched for what it was, only to find a streak of motion along the trees above.
Sun Yuying stared in that direction only to catch it again. A movement came from the trees, and then she saw it.
Perfectly camouflaged was a chameleon-like creature; she only saw it as it eyed her, ready to attack her again.
That is one big chameleon, and is it me or does it look at me as prey?
