Apophis

Apophis had no idea how long it had been asleep, but on this day, it finally awoke. Its body still ached, but the pain had lessened considerably compared to that fateful day. It inspected itself, noticing that the wounds had started to scab over, though many of its scales had fallen off. Crawling now caused excruciating pain as its body rubbed against those damaged areas.

Enduring the pain, Apophis slowly slithered out of the crevice and instinctively headed back to the spot where the wolf and rabbit had died. The rabbit's body was long gone, with only a few tufts of fur left behind. The wolf's corpse, on the other hand, had been ravaged, its flesh and bones torn apart. Nearby, the carcass of a wild boar lay sprawled on the ground, clearly having been poisoned after feeding on the wolf’s body.

"The power of strangulation, combined with my venom, is truly formidable!" Apophis marveled. Even with indirect poisoning, a large animal like the wild boar had succumbed to death, showcasing the incredible potency of its abilities.

The sky was just beginning to brighten. Apophis was in no mood to return to the marsh, so it climbed onto a large rock, found a spot, and began cultivating using the "Demonic Qi Absorption Technique." Once the sun had fully risen, Apophis ventured into the nearby grasslands, hunted a few small mice, and returned to its crevice to review its 17 points of scientific knowledge. Ever since its last molting, Apophis could feel that it had become significantly stronger, confident that it could easily defeat the wolf if it encountered another one.

Days passed uneventfully for over two weeks. By then, Apophis' wounds had fully healed, and its shed scales had started to regrow. Each day, after reviewing its scientific knowledge, Apophis would explore the surrounding area, familiarizing itself with the terrain. Although the marsh wasn’t far, from atop the large rock, Apophis could spot a small river winding through the land. In the far distance, faint wisps of smoke curled into the sky, indicating a human settlement.

"Humans… It’s been so long since I’ve seen them," Apophis mused, staring into the distance. "I wonder what stage of development humanity is at in this world." Though it was curious, Apophis knew it was far too weak to risk venturing near humans. Such an act might very well lead to its death.

Over these past few days, Apophis had adapted to life in the grasslands, fully embracing the laws of the jungle. It had narrowly avoided an attack by a weasel. Fortunately, with its large size and potent abilities, Apophis managed to intimidate the creature. The weasel, smart enough to understand that a venomous bite could spell certain death in these grasslands, eventually abandoned its attack.

As Apophis prepared to return to the marsh, it suddenly heard human voices nearby. Instinctively, it recoiled, hiding behind the large rock. With its green scales blending into the dappled light and foliage, it was almost impossible to spot.

"Ethan, do you think we could get at least eighty silver coins if we give this Red Leaf Herb to the Black Wind Gang?" A young man in blue cotton clothes asked as he spoke to the middle-aged man beside him.

Ethan Carter frowned and shook his head. "Liam, you idiot! The Black Wind Gang can't be trusted. This is a hundred-year-old Red Leaf Herb! I've heard from the herbalists that consuming one can add thirty years of cultivation. Even a beginner cultivator could immediately become a mid-level expert after taking it."

Liam sighed, "Too bad it’s not a thousand-year-old herb. I’ve heard those can turn someone into a saint instantly."

Ethan scoffed, "You believe that nonsense? Even if it were a thousand-year-old herb, we wouldn’t stand a chance of getting it. It’d already be claimed by one of the great demons in the deep mountains."

“So, what do we do then?" Liam asked impatiently. “I risked my life to lure that snake away from the herb. We agreed to split the profits evenly.”

“Calm down!” Ethan shot him an annoyed glance. Then, after a brief pause, he added, “I’m planning to take this herb to Black Armor City. There are plenty of cultivators there who will pay top coin for it. If we’re lucky, we might make a fortune. I could finally give my daughter a proper dowry.”

“That’s a great idea!” Liam said, his face lighting up. “Once we sell it, I’ll move to the city too, buy a big house, marry a few pretty wives, and have lots of daughters.”

Liam grinned, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "How about you let me take another look at that Red Leaf Herb? Maybe if I smell it, I’ll get stronger!”

Ethan rolled his eyes. “Fine, but don’t damage it! Even a slight tear in the leaves will lower its value.”

“I promise, just a whiff!” Liam chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head.

As Ethan reached for the pouch where the herb was stored, Liam suddenly drew a short, sharp dagger from his belt and lunged at him. Ethan was quick-witted, sensing the danger just in time to dodge to the side. The blade, aimed for his chest, instead grazed his shoulder.

Though injured, Ethan was no easy target. Without looking back, he swiftly pulled a hidden throwing dart from his pouch and flung it backward. It was clear Ethan hadn’t been entirely trustworthy either.