Boom!
Inside Ryūchi Cave, a small figure with a White Snake coiled around her neck, her hands shimmering with bright lightning, was relentlessly pursuing a giant crimson serpent.
Boom! Boom!
After two more Thunder Roar Cannon blasts, Shin Ya, despite its massive size, was sent flying over ten meters like a kite with a severed string, vomiting a large mouthful of blood.
"Still howling? Are you convinced yet?"
Shin Ya, who had been about to let out another wail, immediately closed its mouth.
It was now feeling some regret. Why had it wanted to seek out White Snake in the first place, that one who was more skilled in physical transformation Sage Jutsu for healing eyes?
Why had its tone been so aggressive back then?
If it hadn't been, would it have needed to fight White Snake?
If it hadn't fought White Snake, it might have avoided those two humans and one snake, those three brats.
These three brats each had their own unique skills, bringing unexpected surprises to the serpent!
Especially that human female brat, her Sealing Jutsu left it utterly helpless.
However, fortunately, even though it didn't know how she learned about its Reverse Scale, how could it not have defenses in such a crucial spot?
Although it was injured, those three brats and White Snake were done for.
But who can tell me! Why, after just about a month, that human female child not only didn't turn to stone, but also learned the Sage Jutsu of our Ryūchi Cave?
Now, this is great. It couldn't handle her Sealing Jutsu before, and now it's outmatched in raw power too.
"Speak! Who was it that just said, if you beat me without using Sealing Jutsu, you would obediently reveal the secrets of the Petrification Sage Jutsu?"
Before Tian Yin's eyes, the purple eye shadow began to gradually fade, a sign that Sage Mode was about to end.
Three minutes.
That was the current limit for Tian Yin to maintain Sage Mode on her own.
Given her young age, this was actually quite normal.
However, this was precisely the moment Shin Ya wouldn't let slip by.
Instantly, a thick mist of poisonous gas erupted from Shin Ya's body, enveloping the area.
This was Shin Ya's last resort; it was truly desperate now.
However... within the poisonous mist, Tian Yin's forehead sprouted a pair of small, underdeveloped horns, faint scales shimmered across her skin, and the purple eye shadow before her eyes reappeared.
She had actually re-entered Sage Mode! And this form was different from before!
Earlier, while chasing it, Tian Yin had looked entirely human except for her eyes. Now, she was closer to a serpent!
"Don't forget my existence, you wretched big snake! Hurry up and restore Mother and Tian Yin's companions to normal, and then obediently become a follower! Hmph!"
Sage Art: Dual Life Technique.
As long as Bai Su remained within Tian Yin, the replenishment of Natural Energy for Sage Mode would never be an issue.
Compared to the previous humanoid state, this serpent-like form provided the greatest boost to physical strength.
As she spoke, Tian Yin's hands grabbed Shin Ya's tail, then effortlessly lifted its massive body high and began spinning it in a circle.
The entire Ryūchi Cave, despite having no Wind Release user, was now filled with raging winds, making many watching serpents tremble in fear.
Over this past month, Tian Yin had not been idle.
Since signing the contract, she had been left with one sentence by the White Snake Sage:
"Whoever you fancy, go and subdue them yourself."
Signing the contract merely granted her the right to summon.
But who she could summon, she had to win over with her own strength.
So, Tian Yin began wandering around Ryūchi Cave while learning and adapting to Sage Jutsu.
From time to time, she would inquire about powerful beings, followed by some... "friendly" exchanges.
"I submit! I submit! Let me go! I'll help, alright?"
Finally, Shin Ya couldn't take it anymore.
Its massive body shakily rose from the ground, and when it looked back at this human female, it couldn't help but tremble slightly.
It was just too brutal! She had nearly beaten it to death just now!
Being tossed around like a spinning top in its huge body—who could withstand that?
Tian Yin extended her hand, palm open, and wiggled her fingers a few times as a prompt.
Shin Ya, without hesitation, spat out a portion of its Chakra onto her palm.
Thus, through the Ryūchi Cave contract, a connection was established between them. Whenever Tian Yin needed to summon, Shin Ya would sense it immediately.
"Let's get along well from now on, Shin Ya."
Tian Yin smiled, but Shin Ya couldn't manage a smile in return.
Scenes of past betrayal by humans kept replaying in its mind. Would history repeat itself?
"Well, I can probably guess what you're thinking. Words are often useless. Let's leave the future to the future. For now, can you tell me if you can directly undo the Petrification Sage Jutsu?"
Shin Ya, having accepted its defeat, wasn't one to be a sore loser like most humans.
It nodded, confirming it could indeed directly undo the petrification. However, it was severely injured by Tian Yin and had almost exhausted its power; it needed time to recover.
Tian Yin expressed understanding, then took out the sealing scroll containing White Snake. With a cry of "Release!" the petrified form appeared.
"I already said, I can't undo it now. What..."
Shin Ya, having just started to complain, wondering if Tian Yin was ignoring its words, saw a swirling ball of energy gathering in her small hands.
"This is my current understanding. Is this... the essence of your Petrification Jutsu?"
From waking up after receiving Natural Energy from the White Snake Sage's venom, Tian Yin took about three days.
In the month after signing the contract, Tian Yin had been training and learning Sage Jutsu under the White Snake Sage's three trusted aides—the three Snake Princesses.
And this was one of the results.
It was just that before confirming with Shin Ya, Tian Yin didn't dare to apply it recklessly.
Shin Ya's single eye began to tremble. This Jutsu was its own creation, based on the property of turning to stone from absorbing too much Natural Energy.
To think this human before it had deduced it in just one month!
Truly terrifying!
Didn't this signify that this human had basically grasped the foundational principles of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Jutsu?
Using Natural Energy as a medium, harmonizing physical energy and spiritual energy.
All Sage Jutsu of Ryūchi Cave are extensions based on this foundation, ultimately producing infinite wondrous variations, shedding the mortal body to transform into a dragon.
Recalling the changes in Tian Yin's appearance earlier, the more Shin Ya thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!
No wonder the White Snake Sage gave this human the contract scroll—this was a rare treatment even for those who passed the trials.
And so, under Shin Ya's confirmation and supervision, Tian Yin undid White Snake's petrification.
Bai Su immediately pounced over, crying and complaining to White Snake about her experiences during this time, including how she passed Ryūchi Cave's trials and obtained residency rights.
Alright, now that everything was explained, Tian Yin could focus on considering another matter.
When should she release Kimimaro?
The essence of this question was: how much longer could Tian Yin stay here?
If possible, she really wanted to settle down here. Stay for a year or half, truly solidify her strength to the next level, and then consider leaving the mountain.
After all, the food here was much better than the insect cuisine of Mount Myōboku from the anime. It's just that eating meat every meal could easily lead to indigestion.
But this was a minor issue. At worst, Tian Yin could use Wood Release to create some.
The main thing was... No, such methods wouldn't work on Orochimaru. Although by then, her raw strength might be enough to fight him.
But Orochimaru's forte wasn't combat. Focusing solely on combat ability would be missing the point.
"Indeed, it's better to stick with the original plan. As for Sage Jutsu, she can now use the Reverse Summoning Technique to come here anytime."
In the end, she still wanted to return to Konoha.
After all, she should try to reclaim her hometown if possible. If not, she could consider it later.
Given the current situation, dealing with Orochimaru was still preferable to navigating around Danzo on her own.
Besides, the preparations Tian Yin had made over these years were almost complete.
"Two more months. Stay here for two more months. Unless she encounters a bottleneck, once she activates Sage Mode, she might not necessarily win, but at least he won't be able to defeat her quickly."
Having made her decision, Tian Yin looked at White Snake, who had finished talking and was now before her.
She saw White Snake's skin begin to ripple, its body shrinking, finally transforming into the appearance of a woman around thirty years old.
"One of the applications of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Jutsu—physical transformation and shape-shifting."
Having thoroughly grasped the basics over this month, Tian Yin naturally recognized the essence of this move.
By the way, the Grass Shadow who had initially sealed Bai Su within himself. After being injured by Tian Yin's Thunder Roar Cannon, his rapid healing was actually an extension of this Sage Jutsu.
"Thank you, child of man. Please take good care of Bai Su from now on. This child is a bit too... naive and innocent."
"Indeed."
"Bai Su and I are already friends. Don't worry."
Tian Yin's affirmative answer made Bai Su, who was beside her, turn her serpent head away, her body wriggling slightly.
White Snake, now in human form, sighed helplessly. Then, following her indication, she allowed Tian Yin to receive a small portion of her Chakra.
Thus, in the future, Tian Yin would also be able to summon her. This was the only large serpent during this period who had willingly formed a connection with Tian Yin.
Bai Su didn't count.
Although, due to passing the trials, her strength had improved quite a bit this month—otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to assist Tian Yin with the Dual Life Technique.
But she couldn't be considered a large serpent yet. Bai Su still had a long way to go.
"Um... Tian Yin."
White Snake seemed to have a request. See, this is the wisdom of living long.
"Just call me Tian Yin. It's not very convenient for me to go to your other kin right now, but I've already taught this technique to Bai Su?"
She was referring to the other petrified serpents. Tian Yin had no reason not to save them.
Moreover, Tian Yin never intended to use this to coerce White Snake from the start. For convenience's sake, she had simply taught it to Bai Su to handle.
White Snake breathed a sigh of relief, then asked Tian Yin if she still needed her daughter now?
Upon learning that a contract connection had already been established, White Snake, after bidding farewell, departed with Bai Su to save her kin.
"Alright, I'll go back to training. Tagorihime is settled. Next is Ichikishima Hime. Who would have thought learning Sage Jutsu would follow this order?"
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