3 Months Later…
For the past three months, Aethryon had been hunting Spirit Beasts almost nonstop. His days had become a simple routine: hunt, eat, rest a little… then hunt again.
He was no longer as cautious as he used to be. In the beginning, he avoided even the smallest risks, but now he had far more confidence in himself. This change was clearly reflected in the speed of his hunting.
Of course, he wasn't stupid either. Whenever he encountered a Spirit Beast that looked far stronger than him, he wisely chose to perform a "strategic retreat."
In other words…
he ran away very fast.
Still, after these three months, Aethryon's strength had clearly increased.
Aethryon gave the familiar command in his mind.
"Open System Panel."
A transparent screen instantly appeared before him.
[Status Panel]
[Name: Aethryon Drakoryx]
[Title: None]
[Race: Datura Snake]
[Cultivation: 39-Year Spirit Beast]
[Combat Power: ~55-Year Spirit Level (Approximately Level 12 Spirit Master)]
[Element: Poison]
[Abilities: Weak Poison Breath, Low-Level Concealment, Poisonous Tail, Hardened Skin (Passive), Large Stomach]
[Divine Concept: None]
[Evolution]
[System Shop]
[System Points: 6]
Aethryon stared at that line for a few seconds. He was no longer a tiny snake hunting ordinary animals. His strength was now approaching the level of a newly awakened Spirit Master.
This wasn't the only improvement Aethryon had experienced. As his cultivation increased, his body had also begun to change. He was no longer as small as before. His scales appeared thicker and darker, while his muscles had become more defined.
The most noticeable change, however, was his size.
Aethryon had now reached a length of forty centimeters. He was no longer just a tiny snake, but a predator that needed to be taken seriously in the outer region of the Beginner Forest.
Aethryon let out a quiet sigh.
"Who am I even trying to fool…"
The truth was, he was still a small snake. The only difference was that before, he looked more like a worm, while now he actually looked like a snake.
Of course…
a small snake.
At that moment, Aethryon suddenly heard human voices nearby.
"Brother Lu, I think this place is good enough for a second Spirit Ring. If we go any deeper, it might become too dangerous."
Another voice quickly objected.
"Don't be cowards. For my first Spirit Ring, I want at least a 60-year Iron-Biting Rat. Besides, both of you are Level 18 Spirit Masters, and I'm a Level 20 Spirit Master. Surely a small rat won't cause us any trouble."
Aethryon quickly slipped into the grass and hid himself, silently observing them.
There were three of them. They looked to be around 18 to 20 years old. All three wore similar dark blue outfits, which made Aethryon guess that they were probably from the same academy.
One of them was quite fat, while the other two were rather thin. The young man who was a Level 20 Spirit Master stood out slightly from the others. His clothes looked more refined, and his attitude was far more confident.
Aethryon quickly came to a conclusion.
This person's financial status was probably much better than the other two.
"Brother Lu, when you obtain the Spirit Ring from the Iron-Biting Rat, you'll give us the 5 gold coins you promised, right?"
The boy who spoke sounded a little uneasy. The other thin youth beside him also became more attentive, as if he wanted to hear the answer clearly.
The fat boy simply smiled. Shrugging confidently, he replied,
"Of course. A deal is a deal."
Hidden within the grass, Aethryon listened to the conversation and thought to himself:
"He's not going to pay."
The small snake came to that conclusion almost instantly.
It wasn't like he knew humans that well… but for some reason, the smile on the fat boy's face didn't look very trustworthy.
Aethryon lightly flicked his tail.
"Definitely not going to pay."
But Aethryon didn't really care about that. The only thing that mattered to him was one simple fact.
Three delicious cows had walked here on their own.
Especially the fat one.
Aethryon narrowed his eyes as he carefully observed him.
"That one… looks well fed."
The small snake made a very serious internal analysis.
"Definitely high nutritional value."
Aethryon decided to secretly observe them. For now, he wouldn't rush to attack. He would wait for the perfect moment.
So he quietly followed them from the grass.
After about an hour of walking, the three of them finally stopped.
The fat boy called "Brother Lu" suddenly pointed forward with excitement.
"There it is!"
In the direction he pointed, there really was an Iron-Biting Rat.
The gray-furred rat standing among the grass looked quite large.
Hidden within the grass, Aethryon silently watched the situation unfold.
He made a brief internal evaluation.
"So today's menu is… rat and three cows."
But Aethryon wasn't going to make a move just yet.
After all, why waste his energy when the menu was about to tenderize itself?
The small snake patiently waited within the grass. His plan was actually quite simple.
First, the rat and the three humans would fight, get tired, and maybe even injure each other a little.
Then…
Aethryon would appear.
He came to a very reasonable conclusion in his mind.
"Food always tastes better when it's already prepared."
The three youths wasted no time and immediately summoned their Martial Souls.
Along with them, their Spirit Rings appeared. Each of them had one spirit ring, and all of them were the same color.
White.
That meant they were only ten-year spirit rings.
The fat boy, Brother Lu, raised his hand first. Behind him, a heavy and thick martial soul appeared.
Iron Boar.
A large boar silhouette covered in a metallic gray aura formed behind him. It looked focused on defense and endurance.
The thin youth on the right lifted his hand next, and a long, slender martial soul formed behind him.
Shadow Spear.
A dark energy spear appeared in the air, clearly suited for speed and piercing attacks.
Finally, the other thin youth summoned his martial soul. Behind him appeared the silhouette of a wide-winged bird.
Wind Sparrow.
This martial soul seemed focused on agility and speed.
The three youths moved forward, ready to face the Iron-Biting Rat.
Hidden within the grass, Aethryon carefully observed the scene.
He made a quick internal assessment.
"Interesting… the menu is not only large, but also diverse."