Huǐ Yuān slithered up the rough bark of a towering tree, his tiny body coiling tightly around a branch as he caught his breath. The forest below was alive with sounds—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the occasional distant growl of a predator. From his perch, he could see the vast expanse of the forest, its canopy stretching endlessly in every direction.
*Safe. For now.*
He glanced down at his body, still shimmering with faint green scales. The warmth he had felt after killing the boar lingered, a strange but comforting sensation that seemed to flow through his veins. He didn't fully understand what it was, but he knew it was connected to the energy he had absorbed.
*If I can control this power, maybe I can survive here.*
Huǐ Yuān closed his eyes, focusing on the warmth. He imagined it surging through his body, forming into something tangible—a fireball, a bolt of lightning, anything that could help him defend himself. He concentrated harder, his tiny body trembling with effort, but nothing happened.
Frustrated, he tried again, this time imagining the energy flowing into his fangs, enhancing his venom. Still, nothing.
*What am I doing wrong?*
Then, an idea struck him. Instead of trying to force the energy into something external, he let it flow naturally through his body. The warmth responded immediately, spreading through his scales and muscles like a gentle wave. He felt his body grow slightly heavier, his coils a little thicker, his fangs sharper.
*It's working!*
But the warmth faded quickly, leaving him feeling hollow and weak. His stomach growled, a sharp reminder that he hadn't eaten since hatching. The energy he had used had consumed whatever reserves he had, and now he was ravenous.
*I need food. Fast.*
Huǐ Yuān scanned the forest below, his tongue flicking out to taste the air. The scent of birds filled his nostrils, but he hesitated. Even a small bird could tear him apart with its beak and talons. His venom might kill it, but not before it inflicted serious damage.
Still, his hunger gnawed at him, a primal urge that overrode his caution. He spotted a sparrow perched on a nearby branch, its head bobbing as it pecked at something.
*If I can ambush it…*
Huǐ Yuān waited, his body perfectly still. The sparrow hopped closer, unaware of the predator lurking just above. When it was within striking distance, he lunged, his fangs sinking into its wing. The bird let out a shrill cry, flapping wildly, but Huǐ Yuān held on, his venom quickly taking effect.
The sparrow went limp, and Huǐ Yuān felt the familiar warmth flood his body. But as he tried to swallow his prey, he realized his mistake.
*I'm too small.*
Snakes couldn't tear their prey like other animals. They had to swallow it whole, and the sparrow was far too large for his tiny jaws. Frustrated, he released the bird and slithered away, his hunger growing more intense.
As he moved through the undergrowth, he spotted a frog hopping lazily near a puddle. It was smaller than the bird, but still a challenge. Huǐ Yuān's instincts took over. He coiled himself into a tight spring, waiting for the perfect moment.
When the frog turned its back, he struck, his fangs piercing its skin. The warmth returned, weaker this time, but enough to ease his hunger slightly. He swallowed the frog whole, feeling a small surge of energy as it settled in his stomach.
*The weaker the prey, the less energy I get. But at least I can hunt smaller things without risking my life.*
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in shadows, Huǐ Yuān retreated to the safety of his tree. He coiled himself tightly around a branch, his body still tingling with the remnants of the warmth.
*I'll survive. One hunt at a time.*