The gaunt monk was Renguang's master.
This monk was known as Master Taiyi. Even in Moon Country, he was a renowned expert.
Though he looked somewhat fierce and strange, in Renguang's memories, his master was actually a rather kind and optimistic old man.
Seeing his master here so suddenly, Renguang could not help but look shocked.
"Of course I didn't come here specifically to see you."
A faint smile appeared on the old monk's face as he made a joke.
"Is it because of the Red Moon?"
Though both were monks, their relationship was easygoing, like that of an ordinary father and son, without any reservations.
"That's right."
At the mention of serious business, the old monk's expression became much more solemn.
"The Red Moon's power is increasing. If this continues, the Crimson Tide may arrive before long."
The Crimson Tide the old monk spoke of—
was a periodic event in which the Red Moon's radiation erupted, giving rise to large numbers of Monsters in the forest, which then charged in groups toward human settlements.
Basically, a large-scale Crimson Tide erupted near Moon Country every few years.
Smaller Crimson Tides were even more countless.
A large Crimson Tide was immensely destructive. Even Moon Country, guarded by thick city walls and many Supernatural Beings, could not remain untouched.
Moreover, even if they successfully withstood the Crimson Tide's assault,
the Monsters born in great numbers during the Crimson Tide would still have to be exterminated afterward. Otherwise, they would accumulate in ever greater numbers, eventually leaving humanity at an irrecoverable disadvantage.
"Then you mean a relatively large Crimson Tide may break out here?"
Master Taiyi was a true Supernatural Being, and the depth of his cultivation was unfathomable.
The fact that he had personally come to oversee things this time meant that the Crimson Tide's scale would certainly not be small.
"That's right. Based on the calculations, it is very likely to be a fairly large Crimson Tide."
The old monk nodded, but a puzzled look soon appeared on his face. "Yet the signs in this forest are somewhat different from what I expected."
He said, "Logically speaking, before the Crimson Tide fully erupts, as the Red Moon's radiation intensifies, the Monsters should become increasingly active. Yet there are few signs of Great Yokai activity in this forest."
Even the old monk, who had lived for nearly a hundred years, had never encountered such a situation.
"Do you know what's going on?"
Thinking of his agreement with the Snake God, little monk Renguang shook his head without saying anything.
"Mm."
The old monk did not dwell on it and casually said, "No matter what, fewer Monsters are a good thing. But something abnormal must have a cause, so we still need to be more cautious."
The old monk muttered to himself, as if instructing Renguang and also talking to himself.
The following evening.
The Red Moon hung high overhead.
In the silent valley, wisps of rising mist were dyed a faint pink.
A massive Golden Boa lay coiled in the deep pool at the bottom of the valley, with only her head resting on the shore. Her golden pupils, which should have radiated majesty, were slightly narrowed in an expression of utter comfort.
First Template: Python Template (female) Status: Pleasure Life Level: 2 Vitality: 113.47 (maximum 200) Bond Level: 3 (current template bonus: 50%) Body Length: 104.36 meters Age: 0.2 years Template Traits: Devour (excellent), Intoxication (rare), Vigor (rare)
"Sure enough, after reaching the Second Stage of Life Level, rapid growth became much more difficult."
Su Heng looked at the numbers on the Python Template panel and fell into thought.
More than ten days of hunting and devouring vast numbers of Monsters from the primeval jungle had improved the Anaconda in every aspect, yet she was still far from reaching the limit of her Second Life Level.
There was another issue.
Among the Monsters strangled and devoured by the Anaconda were quite a few Great Yokai with exceptional gifts, possessing all sorts of rare talents.
However, Devour Talent's primary function was allowing the Anaconda to grow rapidly. Absorbing talents from prey was merely a secondary effect.
Although Su Heng had hunted quite a few Great Yokai these past days, he had not gained their innate abilities.
"That wasn't necessarily a bad thing..."
Su Heng muttered to himself.
Clearly, the Anaconda's talents lay in her unmatched strength and terrifying physical attributes.
Therefore, when strengthening her, he should deliberately choose talents related to muscle, size, vitality, rapid growth, and similar aspects to enhance the Python Template.
The Little Boa was certainly an exceptionally gifted creature.
But her potential ultimately had limits. And even if the Anaconda possessed outstanding potential in many different directions,
the True Points in Su Heng's possession were also a major concern.
The best approach was to bring out the template's most powerful specialty as much as possible, achieving the effect of overcoming ten foes with a single force.
That was the optimal solution to the current situation.
"Hiss..."
While Su Heng wracked his brains planning the Little Boa's future development,
the Little Boa, soaking in the hot spring as though being stewed into snake soup, also let out a blissful hiss.
"Full belly, plenty to drink, and a hot spring... this feels amazing!"
Judging from the voice alone, the soft and languid female voice would undoubtedly set one's heart racing.
But its owner was a Golden Serpent more than a hundred meters long. Though she was indeed quite beautiful, objectively speaking, such a fetish was still a little too early for humanity.
"Hiss hiss... This is what you humans call enjoyment, right?"
"No, this is indulgence and a lack of ambition."
Su Heng replied casually.
"Wah, but I've already been working very hard to grow!"
The Little Boa argued indignantly. "For a creature like me, eating my fill, drinking my fill, and sleeping are enough for me to keep growing. Isn't that what you want too?"
"..." Su Heng had no answer. For a moment, he even felt a little envious.
"Oh, right. I don't have a name yet."
The Little Boa suddenly said, "Can you give me a name?"
"A name? Why did you suddenly think of that?"
Su Heng was somewhat surprised. Ever since the Little Boa had unconsciously sensed some of his thoughts last time,
he had seriously tried to hide the thoughts in his subconscious, lest he lead this little fellow, who was not even half a year old, astray.
Unexpectedly, the Little Boa had still picked up all sorts of messy things.
"I heard about it from that temple," the Little Boa explained. "I could hear the people in that village whenever they prayed, though there were many things I didn't understand."
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