https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-183-The-Seven-Ninja-Swordsmen-of-the-Mist-Village-67-/12559235/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-185-The-Fog-Ninja-s-Assassination-17-/12559237/
Chapter 184: Mastering Immortal Techniques 77
Chapter 184: Mastering Immortal Techniques 77
Ryuuchi Cave.
Deep within its depths, Feng Ye sat cross-legged, absorbing the natural energy permeating the cave. It had been ten days since he began cultivating Immortal Arts, or fifty days by his accelerated time.
Mastering the Sage Mode was no easy feat, especially with his limited chakra reserves, barely reaching the level of a Kage. It took him over twenty days to sense the presence of natural energy, and even then, it was only possible due to the abundant concentration within the cave.
Feng Ye's body suddenly began to transform; his clothes tore as his body swelled, revealing stone-like scales where his skin used to be.
But then, he opened his eyes, and the transformation halted, his body swiftly returning to normal. "It's still difficult to control... no, maintaining the balance is the hard part," he muttered.
The transformation had been a result of uncontrolled natural energy, leading to serpentification. Like the sage arts of Mount Myoboku, the sage training of Ryuuchi Cave was equally perilous. If one lost control of the natural energy, they would turn into a stone giant serpent, forever fused with nature.
Thus, the sage arts of Ryuuchi Cave were just as challenging as those of Mount Myoboku. First was the trial of the Three Snake Sages, a unique test for each individual. Rin, with her Three-Tails, had easily passed. But for a regular ninja like Feng Ye, the challenge was formidable.
The first hurdle involved absorbing chakra. Without Kage-level chakra, one couldn't even open the stone door, let alone face the Three Snake Sages.
Even if one managed to pass their trial, they would only receive instruction on entering Sage Mode from the White Snake Sage, the founder of Ryuuchi Cave. It was then up to the individual to train and master it.
Feng Ye had no intention of seeking the Three Snake Sages' assistance. He would focus on earning their recognition first. Without it, he would have to train alone, a daunting task for a regular ninja without the ability to turn back time. Any mistake could be fatal, and the numerous giant serpent statues in the vicinity were a stark reminder of that.
Mount Myoboku was similar in that regard. Naruto had benefited from his connections; it was unusual for someone like the Great Frog Sage, Jiraiya, to personally teach and spar with a student. Most were left to train alone, and those who failed often ended up as stone statues, littering the grounds.
Feng Ye saw no point in forcing the Three Snake Sages to help him train. With his time-reversal ability, he could handle any loss of control without their intervention.
"Aside from the different circulation paths, the three great sage arts likely vary in the ratio of chakra to natural energy required," Feng Ye mused before resuming his training.
He had no intention of fully mastering the Sage Mode of Ryuuchi Cave. His goal was to attain a certain level of proficiency, as his true objective was to cultivate the body of a sage.
Feng Ye looked down at the puddle below and saw that his face showed signs of serpentification and had long shadows, similar to Orochimaru's state.
"This is the initial sage transformation..."
Feng Ye stood up and felt that his body seemed softer than before and could make some flexible moves beyond human limits.
"Having a softer body won't do."
Feng Ye twisted his body and quipped, "The sage arts of Mount Myoboku harden the body, while the sage arts of Ryuuchi Cave soften it. Although hardening is much better than softening...well, the perfect sage body should be in a normal state."
"As I expected, to achieve the body of a sage, one needs to balance the practice of the two types of sage arts from Ryuuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku... I estimate that the sage arts of Shikkotsu Forest will be needed as a neutralizing agent."
After pondering for a few seconds, Feng Ye checked for other changes in his body.
In this preliminary sage transformation, or shallow sage mode state, Feng Ye felt that his perception had become countless times more active than before.
It wasn't an enhancement of his auditory or visual senses.
But rather, it was a heightened perception of life.
At this moment, his perception covered almost half of Ryuuchi Cave. He could sense the numerous giant snakes living in the depths of the cave, as well as the presence of the White Snake Sage and the Three Snake Sages. He could also perceive the distinct fluctuations in their bodies, setting them apart from the other giant snakes.
"Did I succeed?"
"As expected, there is power in my body that even I cannot see through."
As Feng Ye underwent his initial sage transformation, the White Snake Sage also exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced in Feng Ye's direction.
As the White Snake Sage, its level of sage arts was naturally the highest in that place, allowing it to cover the entire Ryuuchi Cave and perceive anything that happened within, including Feng Ye's achievement in sage arts.
"That human is indeed a monster..."
Shikokuhime also opened her eyes and looked in Feng Ye's direction. Recalling how Feng Ye's chakra had burst her, she shuddered involuntarily.
In the past few hundred years, there had been virtually no one who cultivated the Sage Mode without their personal guidance and assistance! While it seemed that anyone who passed the test could learn the sage arts, in reality, the sage arts were tightly controlled by the Three Snake Sages, and only those they truly recognized could master the Ryuuchi Cave's sage arts.
And Feng Ye...
He had cultivated the sage arts of Ryuuchi Cave all by himself, without any help from the three of them! This was the first time such a thing had happened since their birth, in all these centuries!
"A monster," the three Snake Sages—Mizuchi, Idachi, and Futatsuhime—each muttered to themselves.
They had agreed not to guide Feng Ye, thinking that if he lost control while cultivating Sage Mode, they could then toy with him as they pleased. But now, to their surprise, Feng Ye had cultivated the sage arts on his own without any of their help!
"My perception abilities are indeed strong. Any signs of life within a kilometer cannot escape my perception, and the detection of chakra-bearing beings is even more precise..."
Feng Ye revealed a satisfied expression.
(End of Chapter)
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