Cracks across the energy cocoon continued spreading.
CRACK… CRACK…
Finally, the cocoon shattered completely.
A wave of dense spiritual energy spread through the forest.
From within the broken shell of light, a new creature emerged.
Aethryon.
But he was no longer the same Aethryon as before.
His massive body slowly revealed itself, covered in silver-white scales that gleamed like polished armor under the forest light. Each scale reflected the sunlight like metal.
His neck was long and powerful. The bone spikes behind his head rose like a crown of blades. His eyes were sharper now more ancient, more predatory.
But the most striking feature was the bright green core embedded in his chest.
Venomous energy flowed outward from that core like glowing veins beneath his scales.
Aethryon slowly raised his head.
He could feel his new body.
Heavy.
Powerful.
And far more deadly.
He was no longer the small swamp hunter he once was.
The creature standing in the forest now was a massive python measuring 5.3 meters in length.
Aethryon slammed his tail against the ground.
The earth trembled slightly.
Then the familiar system notification appeared in his mind.
[System Status Panel]
[Name]: Aethryon Drakoryx
[Title]: None
[Race]: Sacred White Datura Python (Mutated)
[Cultivation]: 223 Year Spirit Beast
[Size]: 5.3 meters
[Combat Power]: Equivalent to a ~600-Year Spirit Beast
(Approximately Level 32–34 Spirit Elder)
[Elements]:
1)Poison -> Corrosion [14,3/100]
2)Fire
[Abilities]
1) Advanced Poison Breath
Aethryon can release concentrated venomous energy that corrodes both the body and spirit energy of enemies.
2) Venomous Tail Strike
The spikes along his tail release powerful toxins. Enemies struck will quickly become paralyzed.
3) Hardened Scales (Passive)
His silver-white scales act as natural armor, resisting ordinary attacks.
4) Large Stomach (Passive)
An enhanced digestive system allows Aethryon to rapidly convert large prey into energy.
5) Venom Hunger (Passive)
Absorbs toxins from consumed poisonous creatures, constantly strengthening his venom.
6)Crimson Flame Body (Mutation Trait)
Aethryon's body contains both poison and fire energy. His attacks produce a toxic flame effect.
[New Evolution Ability]
1) Venom Core Heart
The core in Aethryon's chest concentrates his venom energy, continuously generating poison and allowing faster recovery during combat.
[New Abilities]
1) Tyrant Constriction
Using his massive python muscles, Aethryon can crush enemies and break bones even overwhelming spiritual defenses.
2) Venom Domain (Low-Level)
Creates a poisonous aura around Aethryon. Enemies within the area become weakened, slowed, and gradually poisoned.
3) Predator Instinct
Allows Aethryon to sense the spiritual energy of nearby creatures, making it much easier to detect hidden prey.
[System Points]: 223.1
Aethryon stared at the panel for several seconds.
Beep…
[Congratulations to the Host for completing the first evolution.]
[Second Evolution Stage Unlocked.]
[Five evolution paths detected.]
[Would you like to view them?]
Aethryon didn't hesitate for even a moment.
"…Yes."
The system panel immediately changed.
Five different evolution paths appeared before his eyes.
But this time…
the requirements looked far more insane.
[Evolution Path 1]
Sacred White Venom Tyrant Python
An extremely enhanced form of the White Datura bloodline focused on overwhelming physical strength and venom.
Traits:
[Massive physical strength]
[Venom potency increased several times]
[Scales approach half-dragon durability]
Evolution Requirements:
1)Minimum 8,000-Year Spirit Beast
2)Consume 50 Spirit Beasts above 1,000 years
3)Obtain 3 Spirit Cores from 5,000-Year Spirit Beasts
4)System Points Required: 25,000
[Evolution Path 2]
Crimson Venom Dragon Serpent
A half-draconic lineage born from the fusion of poison and fire elements.
Traits:
[Venomous flame breath]
[Venom Domain evolves into an advanced form]
• Awakening of dormant dragon blood
Evolution Requirements:
1)Minimum 9,000-Year Spirit Beast]
2)Consume 100 poisonous Spirit Beasts
3)Obtain 1 Dragon-blood Spirit Core
4)System Points Required: 30,000
[Evolution Path 3]
Abyss Devouring World Serpent
An ancient serpent lineage that focuses on pure destruction and devouring power.
Traits:
[Devoured prey is instantly converted into energy]
[Large Stomach ability evolves further]
[Massive body growth potential]
Evolution Requirements:
1)Minimum 10,000-Year Spirit Beast
2)Consume 500 Spirit Beasts
3)Obtain 1 heart of a 10,000-Year Spirit Beast
4)System Points Required: 40,000
[Evolution Path 4]
Emerald Venom Emperor Serpent
An emperor-level serpent that has achieved near-perfect control over poison.
Traits:
[Can generate a Poison Domain]
[Toxic aura spreads for kilometers]
[Venom approaches divine toxicity]
Evolution Requirements:
1)Minimum 12,000-Year Spirit Beast
2)Consume 1,000 poisonous creatures
3)Obtain 5 venom cores from 5,000-Year Spirit Beasts
4)System Points Required: 60,000
[Evolution Path 5]
Apocalypse Sacred Dragon Serpent
One of the most terrifying serpent evolutions, approaching the level of true dragons.
Traits:
[Dragon-like body strength]
[Catastrophic fusion of venom and flame energy]
[Massive body and overwhelming pressure]
Evolution Requirements:
1)Minimum 15,000-Year Spirit Beast
2)Obtain 1 True Dragon Heart
3)Obtain 10 cores from 10,000-Year Spirit Beasts
4)System Points Required: 100,000
The panel did not close.
Aethryon stared at the screen for a few seconds.
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"…I'm only a 200-year-old snake."
He tapped his tail against the ground.
"…Is the system joking?"
The system, as usual…
gave no response at all.
Not even a beep.
Aethryon stared at the floating panel for several seconds, waiting for some kind of explanation, correction, or at least a tiny hint that this was some sort of mistake.
Nothing happened.
The panel simply remained there, displaying those ridiculous requirements as if everything was perfectly normal.
Aethryon slowly exhaled.
"…Of course."
He tilted his head slightly while staring at the evolution paths again.
Eight thousand years.
Ten thousand years.
Fifteen thousand years.
Dragon hearts.
Ten thousand spirit beast cores.
And tens of thousands of system points.
Aethryon closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he sighed deeply.
"I really wish you could talk."
His tail slowly dragged across the ground as he continued staring at the system panel.
"Because if you could talk, I would very happily list every single curse word I know."
He lifted his head slightly.
"Listen carefully, you mysterious floating interface."
His eyes narrowed.
"I am a 223-year-old spirit beast."
He paused dramatically.
"Two hundred."
"Twenty."
"Three."
His tail slapped lightly against the ground.
"And you are showing me evolution requirements that start at eight thousand years?"
Aethryon stared at the panel again.
"…What exactly am I supposed to do?"
Another pause.
"…Skip the next seven thousand years somehow?"
He continued muttering to himself.
"Ten thousand-year spirit beast heart… dragon blood core… one hundred thousand system points…"
Aethryon slowly shook his head.
"…At this rate I might evolve again sometime around the next geological era."
The system remained silent.
Aethryon looked at the panel one last time.
Then he sighed again.
"…You know what?"
He flicked his tongue into the air and began slithering forward.
"I'll just pretend I never saw this."