For the next several days, Apophis woke up each morning to observe the giant crocodile and the fox spirit practicing in the swamp. After watching them, it would catch small fish to eat before returning to its den.
Once back, Apophis continued to recall scientific knowledge. Initially, it could recall a maximum of six times a day, but now it had increased to seven. However, the green screen still only showed an increase of four points each day.
This routine made it reminiscent of its days preparing for important exams—busy yet fulfilling.
One day, as Apophis arrived at the giant rock, it continued its study of the giant crocodile and the fox spirit's training.
"Wait a minute! Their absorption rhythm is the same!"
After observing for so many days, Apophis suddenly understood why it had felt a connection between the two creatures' actions of absorbing sunlight. It was the frequency, or rhythm, of their absorption, as if they were following a certain cadence.
The more Apophis observed, the more convinced it became. It quickly coiled its body, facing the rising sun, and began to mimic their movements with the same rhythm.
"Inhale... inhale... exhale... exhale... inhale..."
This time, as it followed the rhythm, Apophis felt a gentle energy slowly being drawn into its body. This energy started from its mouth and gradually spread throughout its body, enveloping it in an indescribable sense of pleasure.
After some time, Apophis suddenly felt the energy in its mouth become intense and uncomfortable, prompting it to stop the practice.
It then noticed that the giant crocodile and the fox spirit had already finished their training and were looking over at it.
"Well done, little python!" A deep voice echoed in its mind, and Apophis was surprised to find it could understand their language!
Startled, Apophis quickly looked around and realized the voice belonged to the giant crocodile. It immediately lifted its body and nodded in acknowledgment.
However, after that remark, the giant crocodile seemed uninterested and resumed basking in the sun on the rock.
Though Apophis had many questions, it was still just a snake and couldn't speak, so it sighed and dove back into the swamp to catch a few small fish to satisfy its hunger.
After finishing its meal, it swam back toward its den.
As Apophis neared its cave, a sudden splash startled it. A pair of furry feet had stepped into the creek, causing part of the cave entrance to collapse.
Apophis was taken aback and quickly coiled up, looking toward the source of the splash—the fox spirit!
"Ha ha! Don't worry, little python, I'm just playing a joke!" The voice that echoed in its mind was peculiar but sounded like that of a middle-aged man.
"My name is Finn, and I know you can understand me!" It continued, clearly aware that Apophis wouldn't be able to respond.
"Today, I see your understanding is quite good, so I'll do you a favor. Remember to return this favor to the old man in the future, little python."
Apophis was troubled by the fact that there was no one in the swamp it could consult. Ignoring the earlier destruction of its den, it nodded eagerly in agreement.
Finn then explained the method of absorption again. It turned out this was the most common technique in demon cultivation, and the key was to follow that rhythm.
In addition, Finn provided some important notes about the training process, which saved Apophis from many detours.
"I spent seven or eight years mastering this absorption technique. I can't believe you, little python, are only two or three years old and have already gained some insight. No wonder the old crocodile wanted to give you a nudge."
Apophis realized that Finn was likely referring to the giant crocodile.
Apophis had more questions but could only produce hissing sounds, which Finn didn't understand. The fox spirit lost interest in the conversation, waved its hand, and said, "This is boring. I wonder when you'll refine your spirit bone and be able to speak. The old man is leaving."
With that, Finn dashed into the forest and quickly disappeared from view.
Apophis understood that the fox spirit had probably come over to deliver a friendly gesture after the crocodile praised it. However, the way Finn had collapsed its cave indicated that the fox spirit still looked down on it.
After all, the strength of spirits was categorized by their years of training, and Finn had clearly been practicing for a long time, making him an elder.
"Refining the spirit bone?" Apophis suddenly recalled Finn's earlier words.
In many stories from its previous life, it was said that animals had a spirit bone in their mouths, which prevented them from speaking human language. Only by refining this bone could they gain the ability to talk.
Apophis sighed, realizing how far it still had to go—it might have to remain mute for hundreds of years.
It looked around its cave, now filled with water and no longer habitable. However, that didn't matter too much; there were plenty of caves nearby. Apophis casually found a higher ground and burrowed into another cave. After a while, two gray rabbits burst out from a nearby entrance.
Having claimed this cave, Apophis didn't bother with the others and brought up the green screen.
[Host: Apophis]
[Race: Python]
[Status: Partially Demonic (9/100)]
[Lifespan: 3/50]
[Length: 6 meters]
[Race Skill: Constriction Power Lv1]
[Scientific Knowledge: 7/20]
[Power Enhancement: 7/10]
[Technique: Demonic Absorption Technique (Beginner)]
[Potential Points: 0]From the current data, Apophis realized its status had shifted to "Partially Demonic," indicating it had yet to become a full demon, remaining a half-demon with a progress rate of only nine percent.
However, its lifespan had unexpectedly increased to fifty! Apophis couldn't help but marvel at this; having just grasped the demonic absorption technique, it had gained thirty years of lifespan—what a wonderful outcome! Its length and strength had also increased.
Just as Apophis was pondering this, an intense itch surged through its body, a deep-seated discomfort it couldn't ignore. It rubbed against the cave walls, trying to alleviate the itch caused by the stones against its scales.
It understood that this was an important growth moment in a snake's life—shedding its skin.
Apophis had never anticipated that shedding skin would be such a painful experience. As it wriggled and rubbed against the walls of the cave, it inadvertently enlarged the space.
After what felt like an eternity, Apophis finally collapsed onto the ground, soaking wet and covered in mucus, its body feeling longer and significantly larger. It looked down to find a long strip of shed skin.
Apophis gazed at its new body, which now gleamed a brilliant emerald green, resembling a beautiful piece of jade.
Not only that, but its body, which was once as thick as an adult's arm, had now grown to the thickness of an adult's calf.
It had truly become an adult python!
YOU ARE READING
Rhythm of the Monster
FantasyIn the vast depths of a mysterious swamp, there exists an ancient world teeming with both ferocious beasts and hidden creatures known as monsters. Within this realm of peril and opportunity, a seemingly ordinary python named Apophis is undergoing an...