After a period of time, the Black Snake, Sun Yuying, woke feeling refreshed and recuperated after her ordeal with the Hornet.
Sun Yuying's emotions were significantly dulled since she was reborn as a Snake. Her feelings felt far more basic, and she lacked the capacity to ruminate deeply about her past life.
It meant that instead of even feeling curious about the game-like system that appeared, the greedy Black Snake was already flicking her tongue in search of more of that delicious Spiritual Energy.
Sun Yuying, are you now some foodie? The Black Snake thought distantly as she was already slithering towards her next meal.
Instinct and immediate environmental stimuli primarily drove the Black Snake, and at that moment, she craved the contentment and fullness that consuming things rich in Spiritual Energy provided.
The Black Snake navigated her way through the forest floor. She pushed her body from the rugged rocks and sticks, continuously moving towards her target.
The Forest was dense and filled with life, her senses constantly bombarded with new sensations.
Sun Yuying was naturally good at avoiding the dangers of the forest. Her species had adapted many such mechanisms to avoid confrontation with threats and actively utilised these to the fullest.
Her instincts drove her to use the dense foliage as cover; her dark colouration made her hard to spot, and the Black Snake was able to traverse smoothly as she latched onto the familiar scent of an Azure Spirit Flower.
Shortly, the Black Snake spotted another of the familiar glowing blue flowers. It stood out among the greenery, though Sun Yuying hissed in anger as she observed another of those Large Forest Hornets hovering protectively nearby.
The Black Snake did not want to engage in such a confrontation with the Hornet again when she recalled the ferocity of its venom.
Approaching silently, Sun Yuying used her surroundings as a cover as she slowly crept within striking distance of the Large Forest Hornet.
Eyeing the Hornet with predatory intent, she stilled and waited for the right moment to pounce.
The Hornet busily fixated on the Azure Spirit Flower, leaving the Black Snake the perfect opportunity.
Suddenly, in one smooth leap, Sun Yuying came flying towards the Large Forest Hornet, who, despite reacting absurdly fast, was unable to evade as the Black Snake clamped her mouth around the thick carapace of the insect. The Hornet wings buzzed chaotically as it tried to escape futilely. Its movements soon went silent as sickening crunches sounded as she swallowed the insect in a few mouthfuls.
You have consumed Large Forest Hornet, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
The familiar text once again reappeared, though the Black Snake was more addicted to the warmth and energising sensations of the Spiritual Energy coursing through her body.
Sun Yuying, you can get used to this feeling. It feels like a day at the sauna.
The Black Snake knew she could not linger here, though, turning her gaze to the prize the Large Forest Hornet protected, she approached the Azure Spirit Flower and unhesitatingly chomped it down too.
You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
Sun Yuying did not fully understand the implications of acquiring units of Spiritual Energy, yet she knew it both tasted good and enhanced her in numerous ways.
It encouraged her to explore the forest further.
Stolen novel; please report.
Undamaged in comparison to her last altercation with a Hornet, she soon came across another, which was similarly near an Azure Spirit Flower, which seemed like a magnet for attracting these Hornets.
She dispatched this one similarly to the previous and was able to strike it down quickly.
You have consumed Large Forest Hornet, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
Its demise left the flower unguarded.
You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
The Black Snake began to feel the apparent changes in the Spiritual Energy at that time. For one, it definitely accelerated her growth, as her perspective on the Hornets began to change; she felt noticeably larger and stronger, and despite being barely a day old, it felt more like weeks or even a month.
Her thoughts began to flow faster, and though it was nothing compared to her time as a human, it was an improvement.
Sun Yuying felt a sense of greed at the changes.
I need more.
Soon, she caught the scent of another Azure Spirit Flower, and upon smoothly dispatching the Large Forest Hornet that protected it, she learnt the dangers of getting distracted in the forest.
You have consumed Large Forest Hornet, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.
Busily chomping on the Azure Spirit Flower, the Black Snake barely reacted in time as her sense of danger triggered, as a big reptilian head lunged at her from the dense foliage.
Sun Yuying twisted her head out of the way of the powerful jaws of the dark green Monitor Lizard as it clamped down on her serpentine form. Instantly, it began thrashing her around, its superior physical strength utilised as she struggled to regain her composure.
Disoriented and desperate, the Black Snake was forced to rely on a gambit, hastily trying to bite into the Monitor Lizard to inject her venom.
Sun Yuying soon found its thick, bony scales hard to penetrate, as she was unable to sink her fangs into the Monitor Lizard's firm flesh.
The Black Snake saw her death at that moment.
Are you honestly going to die again, Sun Yuying?
Though at that time, from a stroke of fortune, Sun Yuying felt a final burst of energy, as with all the strength she could muster, she found her fangs penetrating a softer part of the Monitor Lizard’s flesh.
This is my chance!
Hurriedly, she injected every ounce of venom she could, and despite its natural resistances, the Monitor Lizard shuddered as she felt its hold weaken.
I got you now!
However, the Monitor Lizard at that time was still mighty and thrashed her about even more violently than before.
The Black Snake could do little but hold on and hope her venom took effect before she succumbed to the Monitor Lizard.
Nonetheless, the Black Snake did everything she could to survive, trying her best to manoeuvre and protect her vulnerable head as the Monitor Lizard used its superior physical strength to throw her around.
Despite this, the Monitor Lizard soon became exhausted and fell prey to the effects of its venom, leaving it badly injured yet alive.
At that time, Sun Yuying promised herself that she had learned her lesson and would always maintain vigilance over her surroundings.
Though as she stared at the Monitor Lizard that must have been almost twice her length, and was far more bulky, the scent of it was intoxicating; it was stronger than both the Azure Spirit Flower and the Hornet.
Perhaps I will risk it again; I couldn't leave such a hard-fought kill, could I?
Expanding her mouth impossibly wide for her size, Sun Yuying learnt the meaning of stuffing herself to the point of bursting, as she slowly devoured the entirety of the Monitor Lizard.
Feeling bloated, she was surprised by how quickly she digested the Monitor Lizard, as her bloated, stuffed serpentine form rapidly shrank as she digested her meal.
I know this is way beyond what should be possible normal for a Snake!
You have consumed Juvenile Forest Monitor Lizard, gaining +5 Spiritual Energy.
Juvenile? That was a newborn like herself? It must have been over three feet in length, Sun Yuying theorised, for she estimated that she had grown almost half a foot since hatching from the egg.
She knew it must be the miraculous Spiritual Energy, which seemed to actively enhance the growth of everything in the forest.
The Black Snake began to grow curious about its surroundings, yet it was tired and bloated after that confrontation with the Monitor Lizard.
Once again, it made its way to find secure debris and a natural hiding place that would camouflage and keep her body well hidden, as she coiled up protectively, closed her eyes and quickly entered a slumber once more.
