As the early spring rain gently nourished the teeming life of a vibrant rainforest, deep within the dense vegetation, a pale, white egg began to crack open. A bluish-black head poked through, revealing a small glossy black snake.

  The Black Snake surveyed her surroundings, a forest. She recalled that in her last life, she was Sun Yuying, and she couldn’t remember exactly how she had died; all she could recall were disjumbled flashes of being involved in some car crash.

  She felt oddly cold reflecting on her death, emotionless even, as if she was watching a vivid movie that did not involve her.

  Driven by hunger, she had no time for further contemplation, only a deep craving for sustenance. Whether it was due to the unusual circumstances surrounding her reincarnation, she felt increasingly distant from her past life memories; it was as if she was looking at it through the cold eyes of the snake she had become.

  Survival was essential, regardless of her past. Despite her memories of being a human, she felt no discomfort in her movements; her instincts as a snake were unambiguous.

  Navigating through the dense foliage, she slithered slowly, keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. Her tongue flickered rapidly, allowing her to detect the fresh scent of something tantalising.

  It was then that she came to the sudden realisation. Despite her senses being alarmingly different to a human, she had swiftly adapted to the snake she had just inhabited as if she had always been one.

  Thinking of it, my eyesight is absolutely terrible. And why am I not questioning anything?

  Sun Yuying felt as if she should reflect more; however, the scent was just too intoxicating and overpowering.

  The Black Snake could no longer resist.

  Despite the urgency to make her way to the scent, Sun Yuying was small, and gripped the ground to pull her body in a slow, deliberate crawl.

  Moving with all the determination she could muster, the Black Snake crept silently, aware that she had to be cautious of the dangers of the forest.

  Despite being a newborn, the Black Snake felt strong; each breath of the energising air seemed to invigorate her, pushing her on as her small body steadily wiggled towards its destination.

  It was there that Sun Yuying found it. An odd flower that seemed to radiate power. It was beautifully glowing, a bright luminescent blue that gently lit the surroundings. Her small, beady black eyes fixated on it with sheer desire.

  The Black Snake found it strange; she knew from her previous life as a human that all Snakes are strictly carnivorous, with specialised bodies adapted strictly to a meat-eating diet.

  Despite this, she hungered for the glowing flower; every fibre of her being shivered in anticipation at the thought of acquiring it.

  Sun Yuying found herself following the instincts of the Black Snake. Despite the logical memories of her human self dictating that a Snake should not consume a plant, a primal urge filled her body to do so, overriding these thoughts.

  The Black Snake made its way to the flower; it felt no indication of approaching threats, with the absence of tremors indicating it was alone in the nearby vicinity for now.

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  Concerned about something in the forest snatching her prize, the Black Snake greedily chomped down on the flower in one big gulp the moment it was in reach.

  Despite the flower being tiny, the moment she swallowed it, the Black Snake felt bloated as a burst of warm energy filled her body to the brim.

  I can’t believe you just ate an unknown flower without a second thought, Sun Yuying. You are insane.

  Suddenly, she changed; her body grew slightly, and she felt a noticeable, if minimal, qualitative improvement in a multitude of aspects.

  The Black Snake's eyes abruptly flickered as a row of blue text appeared in her vision.

  You have consumed Azure Spirit Flower, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.

  What is that?

  The Black Snake's mind drifted as it referenced the memories of Sun Yuying. Is this a system of some thought?

  As a Snake, she had no vocal records; thus, unable to use speech, she had no choice but to say the words mentally, ‘Status.’

  Name: Sun Yuying

  Species: Common krait

  Cultivation: Mortal

  Spiritual Energy: 1/100

  Traits: Venomous

  Age: 0 days

  The system was relatively simple, showing her current status. She recognised the species name from Earth and knew that a Common krait had exceedingly potent venom, even in newborns.

  Though the terms cultivation? Spiritual energy? Now, that did not sound like Earth; it made her suspect the origins of this place.

  Despite this, the Black Snake remained calm. Her memories of Earth grew more distant as time passed; the only thing that remained firmly in her mind was the name Sun Yuying, her name from her previous life.

  Abruptly, her body tensed as she was sensitive to a sudden movement approaching her. Turning her head, she caught sight of a gigantic insect.

  The biggest hornet she had ever seen quickly came towards her menacingly, hurriedly coiling her body. She hissed as the large insect buzzed around her, its sharp stinger pointed directly at her as it hovered aggressively.

  Sun Yuying did not know accurately how big she was, but a Common krait was a medium-sized snake and was typically around a foot long when newborn. If so, the Hornet was not much smaller than her and was likely just under a foot in length.

  The large hornet looked furious at her, and the Black Snake realised it was likely something to do with her consuming the Azure Spirit Flower.

  That did not mean she would back down; the scent coming from the Hornet was just as tantalising as the Spirit Flower, and she knew it must contain a similar amount of spiritual energy.

  The Black Snake readied herself for a strike and abruptly sprang at the wasp to deliver a killing blow. However, despite being a giant and robust insect, the hornet remained alarmingly fast, narrowly evading as Sun Yuying began thrashing in severe pain as the hornet delivered numerous painful stings in moments.

  An agonising burning sensation quickly travelled through her body, as she realised the Hornet was not only larger than a typical member of its species, but its venom was even more potent too.

  At that moment, Sun Yuying felt that the nourishing residue energy of the Azure Spirit Flower was what saved her, as the Hornet became overly committed to its attacks and its resistance to damage proved far less than hers as she caught a significant portion of its body with her maw when it was too slow to withdraw and, with a few forceful chomps, swallowed the insect whole.

  Despite dealing with the Hornet, Black Snake felt the venomous stings of the insect continue to ravage her; yet, at that time, the familiar, nourishing, and warm feeling of spiritual energy partly subdued the rampaging, hostile venom.

  You have consumed Large Forest Hornet, gaining +1 Spiritual Energy.

  The Black Snake felt relieved, though tired, despite the abruptness of the fight; the short confrontation with the Hornet had been tense.

  It was there that she decided to find somewhere to rest. When she woke, she would try to find more of that delicious spiritual energy.

  Quickly locating a suitable spot, she hid herself securely under a well-hidden patch of debris on the forest floor, nestling in a curled coil, and tucked her head safely. She found herself drifting off.