Black Snake had good luck. On the fourth day after returning to the mountain, a thunderstorm rolled in.
He happily treated himself to a round of lightning strikes.
His lightning reserves were replenished, and he greedily drank in the rain's vapor all night, until a cool, refreshing sensation seeped through every gap in his scales. His body felt so light he could almost float. Raising his head to watch the boundless sea of clouds churn and surge, he longed to plunge into it.
Whenever it rained, especially when it poured, his yearning to fly truly burned hotter by the day.
The next morning, thick fog shrouded the mountains.
After breathing deeply for a long while, he finally purged the fishy odor he had picked up while spending time in the River, leaving only the crisp scent of rain and mist.
After that, Black Snake resumed his former rigorous cultivation.
Whenever there was mist in the morning, he raised his head and breathed it in and out, refining the pure spiritual energy within it.
When there was no mist, he quieted his mind and looked inward, driving his spiritual energy and vital blood through repeated tempering, painstakingly shaping his limbs and long tail.
Day after day, without interruption.
During this time, the mountain grew somewhat livelier than usual, with little animals moving to the rear slopes one after another.
They all stayed on the northern slope, seldom appearing near the Azure Cloud Monastery on the southern slope.
Weasels, foxes with fiery red fur, wildcats, hedgehogs, and several little snakes had made this mountain territory, sheltered by the Azure Cloud Monastery and occupied by the great black snake, their refuge from the turmoil.
Black Snake specifically asked He Ning to inquire about it for him.
The Abbot already knew. All living things