As Apophis's strength grew, its range of activity in the forest expanded. Becoming more familiar with its surroundings, it also sensed that this forest hid many unknown secrets.
One day, while exploring a new area, Apophis stumbled upon a mysterious ruin hidden deep within a valley. The ruin was concealed by dense vegetation and would have been impossible to find if not for Apophis accidentally approaching from a particular angle. The entrance to the ruin was sealed shut, covered in strange runes and carvings, exuding an ancient and enigmatic aura.
Curiosity filled Apophis’s heart as it circled the ruin several times, trying to find a way in. On one side of the ruin, it discovered a large stone that seemed to be pushable. Apophis gathered all its strength and slowly pushed the stone aside. With a heavy grinding sound, the entrance creaked open, releasing a wave of stale air.
Cautiously, Apophis entered the ruin. Inside, it was dimly lit, and a mysterious mist filled the air. Relying on its sharp senses, Apophis slowly ventured forward. A narrow passageway stretched out before it, the walls glowing faintly as if powered by some kind of hidden energy. At the end of the passage, a spacious hall emerged. On the floor of the hall was a massive star chart, with twinkling dots of light, as though telling an ancient story.
In the center of the hall stood a stone pedestal, upon which lay a book emitting a faint glow. Apophis approached the pedestal and felt the powerful energy waves radiating from the book. Hesitating for a moment, it finally reached out with its paw and gently touched the book.
Instantly, a torrent of information surged into Apophis’s mind. The book was a secret manual on the cultivation of monster clans, containing advanced techniques and profound insights into cultivation. It also revealed the history and secrets of the forest. Long ago, this forest had been home to a powerful monster tribe that possessed unique cultivation methods and immense strength. However, with the passage of time, the tribe suffered a great calamity and fell into decline, leaving behind this ruin as their legacy.
Ecstatic, Apophis immersed itself in the knowledge within the manual, beginning to grasp its mysteries. According to the manual, there was a special cultivation method that could accelerate the process of transformation into a monster and enhance the purity and power of one's essence. Apophis decided to follow the method described in the manual.
Finding a quiet corner in the hall, it coiled its body and began circulating its Essence of the Abyss according to the manual’s mantras and methods. As it practiced, the energy fluctuations around Apophis grew stronger, and the mysterious mist around it began to flow into its body. Its transformation into a monster accelerated at an astonishing rate, with the digits on its status screen leaping forward.
[Status: Monster Transformation in progress (85/100)]
[Skills: Constricting Force Lv2 (Upgradeable)]
[Strength Enhancement Lv2: 17/40]
[Cultivation Method: Abyssal Essence Absorption (Common, Upgradeable)]
After an unknown amount of time, Apophis awoke from its cultivation. It felt a significant leap in its strength—not only had its transformation progress neared completion, but its Constricting Force had grown even more powerful. Excited, it stood up, eager to continue exploring the ruin.
On the other side of the hall, Apophis found a stone door leading underground. The door was also covered in runes, but these seemed even more intricate and mysterious. Studying the runes for a while, Apophis realized they were a puzzle, requiring specific sequences to unlock the door.
Relying on its intelligence and sensitivity to the runes, Apophis managed to solve the puzzle after numerous attempts. The stone door slowly opened, revealing a staircase leading downwards. Apophis cautiously descended the stairs, entering a more mysterious space.
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In this underground chamber, various strange artifacts were placed around. Some of these artifacts radiated powerful energy waves, while others seemed to serve special functions. At the far end of the chamber, there was a large pool, filled with a glowing liquid that emitted a soft luminescence. Apophis approached the pool and felt the dense vitality and energy within the liquid.
Hesitating briefly, it dipped part of its body into the pool. Instantly, a refreshing sensation spread throughout its body, rapidly healing its wounds and dispelling its fatigue. Apophis realized that this was a rare spiritual liquid, highly beneficial for its cultivation and recovery.
Soaking in the pool for some time, Apophis absorbed all the energy it could from the liquid. Its monster transformation had now reached a critical point, and it felt on the verge of a significant breakthrough.
Leaving the pool, it returned to the hall and found a spacious area where it could undergo the breakthrough. Concentrating, Apophis channeled all the Abyssal essence within it, surging towards the final barrier of its transformation. As the essence swirled within, Apophis’s body underwent intense changes—its scales hardened, shimmering with a powerful light, and a dominating aura emanated from its form.
Just as the breakthrough was about to complete, an unexpected ripple of energy echoed through the ruin. Apophis looked up in alarm, noticing a strange portal materializing in one corner of the hall. The portal emitted a strange, flickering glow. Slowly, a peculiar creature stepped through the portal.
The creature was deer-like, with two wings extending from its sides, and its fur shone with a radiant, multicolored glow. Its eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom. As soon as it appeared, the energies within the hall seemed to gravitate towards it.
Apophis was astonished—never before had it seen such a unique creature. The being exuded a powerful aura that far surpassed Apophis’s current strength.
The mysterious creature gazed at Apophis, a curious glint in its eye. It slowly spoke in a deep, melodic voice. Though Apophis couldn’t understand its language, it felt no malice from the creature.
The creature circled around Apophis, then extended a claw, pointing towards the portal, as if inviting Apophis to follow.
Apophis hesitated for a moment. It didn’t know what lay beyond the portal, but curiosity and the desire for greater power compelled it to take the risk. It nodded and followed the mysterious creature through the portal.
In a flash of light, Apophis found itself in a new world. The air here was thick with spiritual energy, and the mountains and rivers shimmered with mysterious light. In the distance stood a towering mountain, atop which a grand palace shone brightly, as if it were the center of this world.
The mysterious creature led Apophis towards the mountain. Along the way, Apophis saw many strange and wondrous beings—massive birds with feathers like flames, tree-like beings whose roots danced in the water like living tendrils, and glowing sprites that fluttered among flowers, sprinkling stardust.
Finally, they reached the palace at the mountain's peak. The palace doors slowly opened, and an old man stepped out. He was dressed in long robes, his hair white as snow, but his eyes sparkled with endless wisdom and power.
As the old man emerged from the palace, though his expression was kind, his movements exuded a quirky unpredictability. Apophis wanted to speak, but before it could, the old man let out a loud sneeze and irritably waved his hand.
“Ugh, this blasted weather gets more and more damp,” the old man muttered, casting a sidelong glance at Apophis. “And what are you supposed to be? Oh, right, a snake monster, how unusual. You actually made it here.”
Apophis wasn’t sure how to respond, so it remained alert. The old man squinted and gestured for Apophis to follow. “Not coming in? What, afraid I’ll eat you? Haha, I don’t have the time.”
Though the old man’s tone was somewhat irritable, there was no malice in his words. Cautiously, Apophis followed him inside the palace. As soon as it crossed the threshold, the old man stopped abruptly, turning to glare at it.
“Listen, young snake monster, you didn’t come here for small talk.” The old man stroked his beard, and his expression suddenly turned serious. “I’m not some kindly old man. If you mess around here, heh, even nine lives won’t be enough for you.”
Apophis quickly lowered its head in respect, and the old man’s expression softened again. He casually waved his hand, and from his sleeve, he pulled out an ancient scroll, tossing it onto the floor.
“You want power?” the old man sneered. “Every monster says that, but how many actually understand what it means? Remember, it’s not just strength, but wisdom! Now, tell me, how did you get here? Don’t waste my time, get to the point!”