The red sun had just risen, beautiful to behold, and together with the golden clouds around it, it looked like a fried egg cooked medium-well.
A faint mist filled the mountain forest in the early morning. Under the dawn light, it resembled golden curtains, while the vast mountain range in the distance was veiled by clouds and fog, hazy and indistinct.
Within a recess in the sheer cliffs deep in the mountains lay a hot spring. Steam rose dreamily from its waters, blending with the morning mist in a scene both beautiful and unreal, like a fairyland upon earth.
No birds or beasts liked to drink the hot spring water. The flowers and trees nearby were in full bloom, and purple vines hung like curtains.
The benefit of soaking in a hot spring alone was that it was quiet enough, with no one to disturb her. She could also casually eat fruit in the spring, comfortable and at ease.
A slender, smooth arm rested casually against the edge of the pool. From time to time, she picked up a fruit floating on the water and tossed it into her mouth. Without even chewing, she swallowed the flesh and spat the pit flying.
"Pfft~"
The hot spring water was warm enough to tint her fair skin a faint pink, making her vermilion lips all the more lush and enticing. Her glossy black hair was spread loosely around her, rising and falling slightly with the ripples.
Steam rose from the water's surface, and beneath it, a long white tail could vaguely be seen swaying. It was unlike an ordinary snake's tail; bone spurs covered its spine, possessing a peculiar beauty amid its ferocity.
She narrowed her eyes and continued tossing fruit into her mouth.
She accidentally ate one that had not ripened.