"Kid, put away your hostility."
"You know nothing about the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave."
"Normally, to practice the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave, you must endure the power of Sage Art that I impart, transforming your body into that of a snake."
"After all, the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave is cultivated by serpents—it's not suited for humans."
"Only by becoming snake-bodied can one withstand this natural energy, which is the essence of Sage Art."
The White Snake Sage slowly raised its massive body, its enormous snake head inching closer to Chizan Gekko.
Chizan Gekko remained silent as he listened to the White Snake Sage's explanation.
He already knew all of this, which was why he had always resisted the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave.
He was handsome and dashing—how could he give up his looks just for the power of Sage Art?
"But upon seeing you, I suddenly developed an entirely new idea."
"Kekkei Genkai is a remarkable gift from the heavens to you humans."
"And your talent is an especially terrifying one. You can make your body completely transparent, erase your presence entirely—even my Sage Art cannot perceive you. Even I have to admire that."
"Therefore, I hope you can study the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave—not by accepting my Sage energy, but by relying on your own condition to forcibly gather natural energy within your body."
"Based on my speculation, if you collect natural energy while in a transparent state, the way that energy manifests will be completely different from a snake's transformation."
"After all, your Transparent Release can even bypass my Sage Art."
At this point, a trace of astonishment flickered across Chizan Gekko's face.
Absorb natural energy while maintaining Transparent Release?
Like making a piece of glass absorb energy? How could that possibly work?
"Hmph, it wouldn't be possible if you went to Mount Myōboku. Toad's Sage Art is all about balance."
"But Ryūchi Cave isn't like that. My Sage Art thrives on extremes."
"According to my theory, since you can conceal your form and presence under Transparent Release, it means the technique alters your physical makeup."
"It has changed your body's structure. Only under such conditions could I fail to detect you—just like how I can't sense the power of Tailed Beasts."
"By maintaining Transparent Release, you can absorb natural energy in a completely different way and thereby attain the Sage Body."
"So? Brat, interested in trying?"
The White Snake Sage looked eager and excited, causing Chizan Gekko to frown slightly.
He hadn't expected this situation at all.
Sage energy was a very special kind of power. In the original story, only a handful of people had mastered it.
Aside from those with external boosts, most had to endure long periods of tuning with natural energy to gain it.
And now, a brand-new path lay before him?
"I don't understand... Just because I have a Transparent Release Kekkei Genkai, you're willing to go this far?"
Chizan Gekko still couldn't let his guard down.
After all, it was a snake he was dealing with, and snakes were notoriously cunning.
"Hehehe, kid, take out what's in your backpack."
"I can smell that herb very clearly."
That one sentence from the White Snake Sage made Chizan Gekko freeze.
A herb?
What the—how did she know?
Chizan Gekko pulled out a bundle wrapped in white gauze from his backpack.
He slowly unwrapped it, revealing a single herb before the White Snake Sage and the three Snake Princesses.
"My goodness, what is this?"
"This scent... I feel my whole serpent body ascending to a higher realm!"
In an instant, the three Snake Princesses shed their human forms, revealing their serpentine appearances.
And the thing that caused them to lose composure was none other than this single herb.
"Hehehe, as expected… it's the Seven-Leaf One-Flower..."
"And one that's been soaked in snake venom at that..."
"Brat, where did you get this herb?"
Chizan Gekko didn't know what to say for a moment. He'd found it in the Forest of Death, after a long search, and it was the only one.
The forest had been crawling with venomous snakes, but was he afraid? With Transparent Release activated, he just snatched the Seven-Leaf One-Flower and left...
Stealing a snake's treasure... only to give it to a snake... this was...
"No matter how you got it, hand it over."
"From now on, if you see any more of this herb, bring all of them to Ryūchi Cave in exchange for your opportunity to learn Sage Art."
"Of course, Ryūchi Cave won't be stingy—any serpent may become your contract summoning beast."
The White Snake Sage's body trembled slightly. A wave of natural energy dispersed from her body, lifting the Seven-Leaf One-Flower and bringing it to her massive frame.
"Seven-Leaf One-Flower... a type of Snake Herb, extremely beneficial to serpents. It contains poison and energy, allowing snakes to grow rapidly."
"For snakes cultivating Snake Sage Art, it's a heavenly treasure."
"Kid, in exchange for one flower, I grant you a great fortune."
"Not a bad deal, right?"
Chizan Gekko let out a soft sigh of relief. It was good that the snake had something to gain.
He didn't believe in free lunches.
Besides, the value of that herb was indeed significant.
After all, in battlefield conditions, Seven-Leaf One-Flowers that matured safely were incredibly rare.
And if it was truly soaked in venom, the price would skyrocket!
"Alright. So... when do we begin?"
"Hehehe, getting eager now?"
The White Snake Sage chuckled softly.
"Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, Tagitsuhime—from now on, he's your responsibility."
"Help him master natural energy. Let him choose and sign with a serpent of his liking."
"If there's nothing else, do not disturb me."
As she finished speaking, a massive burst of energy radiated from the White Snake Sage's body.
In an instant, the three Snake Princesses and Chizan Gekko were expelled from the depths of Ryūchi Cave.
...
After leaving the inner depths of Ryūchi Cave, the three Snake Princesses led Chizan Gekko to a massive cavern filled with stone-carved objects.
Stone tables, stone beds, and the like.
"Chizan, this is where the three of us train."
"Since the White Snake Sage has approved your cultivation of Sage Art, you'll train with us."
"We will teach you how to absorb natural energy."
Tagitsuhime's previous attitude had vanished, her tone now tinged with flattery.
"Uh... maybe you should go back to normal? I think that cold and aloof look suited you better..."
Seeing her obsequious expression, Chizan Gekko felt goosebumps erupt all over his skin.
His words immediately drew laughter from the other two Snake Princesses.
While Tagitsuhime's face darkened again.
...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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