The Black Snake continued her hunt for the Trokrast Gecko, which resembled a super-large predatory Tokay Gecko. Despite the danger the Gecko posed, she was confident in her ability to take it down uneventfully, as her poison and ambush capabilities gave her a great advantage.

  Sneaking up on another of the Trokrast Geckos, her adaptive camouflage trait from the Death Chameleon made her virtually impossible to spot. Her black scales have turned purplish as she imitates the surrounding vegetation.

  In this region of the forest, there was a heavy mixture of green and purple vegetation, and Sun Yuying found that the Death Chameleon's camouflage was far stronger than that of a typical chameleon.

  No wonder this trait is peak mortal, it feels like I am practically cheating.

  The Trokrast Gecko approached her unassumingly as she awaited it to come within striking distance.

  Sun Yuying was a patient hunter; she followed her instincts as she leapt towards the Gecko in one fluid motion.

  The Trokrast Gecko felt a flare of pain as it saw a purplish blur emerge from the vegetation. The attack was so sudden and explosive that it failed to react.

  Sun Yuying hurriedly released; she had already injected a good dose of her venom, the Gecko was practically dead, yet she did not want to risk it biting her with its powerful jaws.

  The Trokeast Gecko has a very robust build. Though Sun Yuying was capable of constrictive movement, as a Common krait, she was an elapid Snake that relied on her poison, even as she outgrew and became stronger and larger than her species should have allowed; this did not change her fundamental nature.

  The Black Snake risked such movements with the Monitor Lizards, yet did not want to chance it with the Gecko's fierce bite.

  Sun Yuying remained evasive as the Gecko slowed from her poison; its breathing grew weaker by the moment, and she watched as its initial surge of aggression towards her began to wilt, and it collapsed and became still.

  My poison has gotten much stronger. It was already lethal enough, yet now I cannot imagine what it would be like if it became peak mortal.

  The Black Snake began to devour the second Trokrast Gecko.

  You have consumed Trokrast Gecko, gaining +18 Spiritual Energy.

  Compatible trait detected. Current progress: 2/5 in assimilating the trait Robust Jaws from Trokrast Gecko.

  Sun Yuying was surprised when the system notifications did not end there.

  Complete all three or one of the three options: 1/3. Acquire surplus Spiritual Energy 250/250. Youhave reached peak saturation and can no longer store further Spiritual Energy until you evolve. Excess Spiritual Energy can now be diverted to a trait to force an enhancement in rank.

  The Black Snake found herself delighted at the sight of her completing her first advanced evolution options. Yet, now she discovered that future Spiritual Energy can be diverted to a trait.

  After some thought, she decided to do Tough Skin, the weakest of her traits; she had a feeling this would be less effective compared to natural treasures such as the Wicked Tossian Fruit, and decided to focus on the weakest of her traits, despite venemous being the one she values the most, she felt it would take a momentual amount of diverted Spirtual Energy to enhance.

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  The Black Snake felt she might evolve by then, making Tough Skin the most likely to be improved since it was the lowest in grade.

  Encouraged after meeting the first advanced evolution requirement, the Black Snake was even more determined to take down the Trokrast Gecko. With a viable strategy, she swiftly moved through the forest and took down another two.

  You have consumed Trokrast Gecko, gaining +18 Spiritual Energy.

  Your trait, Tough Skin, has slightly strengthened from Spiritual Energy nourishment.

  Compatible trait detected. Current progress: 3/5 in assimilating the trait Robust Jaws from Trokrast Gecko.

  You have consumed Trokrast Gecko, gaining +18 Spiritual Energy.

  Your trait, Tough Skin, has slightly strengthened from Spiritual Energy nourishment.

  Compatible trait detected. Current progress: 4/5 in assimilating the trait Robust Jaws from Trokrast Gecko.

  The Black Snake felt deeply satisfied that she had taken down another Trokrast Gecko; the third and final trait was in sight.

  She was curious about how the trait would be applied; like most traits, she retained the advantageous nature of her serpentine body, whilst supernaturally acquiring a trait that should not be compatible with her slender form.

  Sun Yuying was about to hunt her final Trokrast Gecko, flicking her tongue as she did so, when she caught sight of something that dramatically changed her train of thought.

  A snake? Is that a King Cobra?

  The Black Snake remained still as a large, imposing snake slithered near her. It was olive-green in colour, with a distinctive oval-shaped head, the unmistakable prominent black-edged scales, and round golden eyes, which immediately identified it as a King Cobra.

  It must have been almost twenty feet long, and Sun Yuying felt the limitations of species.

  It is stronger than I, despite having less Spiritual Energy; it seems not all are born equal, perhaps an advanced evolution allows the opportunity to change this.

  The Black Snake found herself full of desire as she stared at the King Cobra, yet a thought emerged in her.

  I have not really seen many snakes in this forest. That seems rather odd.

  Sun Yuying saw that the King Cobra seemed to be moving towards something as if it had been called, and decided to follow curiously.

  She slithered silently and soon found that the King Cobra was not the only Snake heading towards somewhere.

  The Black Snake saw more and more of her species. Anacondas, Mambas, Bushmasters, Vipers, and a variety of small, medium, and large snakes appeared, and Sun Yuying found herself wondering about the snakes' subdued nature.

  Some of these snakes actively preyed on each other, yet ignored each other as the Black Snake found herself at a large clearing, with a gigantic stone cave in front of her.

  What is going on? It is like the forest snakes have gathered here.

  Sun Yuying found herself curious at the sight and wondered why, until she felt it, a spiritual pressure like nothing she had ever felt before.

  Emerging from the stone cave, a colossal Snake appeared.

  If the Black Snake had to describe it, it was as if the prehistoric Snake Titanoboa had come to life; it was colossal, seeming to reach around over forty-five feet and was the thickest, most robust Snake she ever seen, and must have weighed tonnes.

  The colossal Snake she decided to call the Titanoboa had a gigantic skull, numerous pronounced gold glowing patterns, golden eyes, and a distinct horn in the centre of its head.

  Its scales gleamed and were bright brown, and as its eyes fixed on the numerous snakes around her, she felt the urge to obey.

  The Black Snake's superior intelligence and unique advantages allowed her to shake off this influence swiftly, yet she found that the other snakes seemed subdued by it.

  Is this a Snake Kingdom of sorts?

  The Black Snake felt strangeness at it, yet felt another greedy feeling, similar to what she felt now about the King Cobra, but much stronger.

  I bet that Titanoboa has a Spirit Core, and it must be outrageous.

  A thought of madness emerged.

  Could I find a way to acquire it?

  The Black Snake stared at the colossal Snake that would cower most. As one of the ruling Spiritual Beasts of the forest, it had never been challenged in decades, yet now, a scheming Black Snake desired its Spirit Core and would do anything to acquire it.