Shimoku didn't mind the Old Lord's previous secrecy.
After all, what the Old Lord said was the truth.
Back then, he himself had been too young and far too weak in power.
Insisting on practicing this incomplete Sage Art would've only brought him trouble.
Now, however, his strength had fully matured—he stood nearly at the pinnacle of the Ninja World.
Many things naturally came smoothly after reaching such a level.
Status and value always rose or fell according to one's power.
A fresh-faced rookie compared to a terrifying genius who'd fully matured—
The difference was obvious without needing to say aloud.
If he had not advanced further in strength by now,
then surely the Old Lord wouldn't have shared such painful and well-guarded truths...
Nor would he have honestly disclosed the treasured Sage Art of the Panda Clan...
It was a harsh reality, yet perfectly normal.
Of course, Shimoku genuinely liked Mooncake's clan as well.
After all, back when he hadn't even exchanged for and activated his Mangekyō,
Mooncake—who had quite the sharp tongue—and the entire Panda Clan still cared for him greatly, supporting him tirelessly.
"Here, take a look."
"This is our clan's precious inherited Sage Art."
The old man shifted his rear slightly, pulling out a scroll from beneath the zafu cushion and handing it to Shimoku.
Shimoku accepted the scroll, glancing at it briefly.
But something felt off:
[*Holography?*]
"Cough... cough cough—"
"I grabbed the wrong one, wrong one!"
"It should be this scroll."
The old lord coughed loudly, six furry hand-like paws clenching together. A vast amount of sage energy surged outward.
Instantly, that scroll was yanked right back.
Then, with a warm and gentle smile, he pulled out another ancient-looking scroll and handed it over to Shimoku.
Shimoku sobered up again, studying the scroll's title with care.
Hmm…
Why wasn't there any cover name?
Just five pitch-black palm prints?
This was the ancestral Sage Art of the [Maku Zhutai]?
Filled with curiosity and excitement, Shimoku rolled open the scroll, ready to uncover its true content.
But the next moment,
he froze again.
Because every single inscription inside the scroll were pitch-black palm prints!
Randomly scattered, messy and chaotic, completely devoid of order.
Who could possibly understand this?!!
The hell I am a panda!!!
...
With an awkward frown, Shimoku could only helplessly shrug his hands.
He informed the old master that he couldn't decipher what looked like ghost-written chicken scratchings all over the scroll.
"Oh right! I forgot."
"Forgot that you can't read these writings, little Shimoku."
"Back then, our ancestors were pressed for time; thus, their recorded inheritance appears somewhat sloppy..."
"Not only humans, even many of our own kind can't understand it either."
The old master smiled gently, explaining calmly.
In response, Shimoku curled his lips.
Deeply suspicious.
What nonsense about being short on time?
For pandas—who somehow believe they can squeeze 48 hours of sleep into a 24-hour day, and still find room for 12 hours of eating—
getting their ancestors to diligently invent a writing system was pure fantasy.
Honestly, it was already a miracle they'd bothered to stamp out a few palm prints instead of just smearing ink all over the place.
This inheritance scroll was probably written during the time one of our panda elders spent going to the bathroom!
As for whether descendants can understand it or not?
Who cares? Not my problem!
Don't interrupt this great master's nap!
"No problem, no problem. If you really want to hear it, little Shimoku, I can tell you verbally."
"Just don't try to cultivate it."
"This inheritance is indeed incomplete. Even our clan finds it extremely dangerous to practice."
"In the past few centuries, every non-clan ninja who has attempted to cultivate this Sage Art has failed without exception..."
The Old Lord earnestly warned.
He truly didn't want to see...
Such a promising young contractor harmed by this incomplete Sage Art.
"Alright! I'm just curious and will listen, but won't recklessly cultivate it."
Shimoku sincerely promised.
He wasn't stupid.
While Sage Arts are indeed valuable and significantly boost combat power,
They weren't worth any price.
After all, Shimoku wouldn't risk being turned to stone just to practice an incomplete Sage Art.
...
The old man explained in detail, taking a full half hour
To finish recounting the scroll contents filled with paw prints.
Shimoku truly couldn't imagine how dozens of simple black paw prints could record so many details about Sage Art refinement?
It was just absurd!
However, before he could continue pondering,
The System within his mind suddenly issued a notification
Upon his comprehension of the complete 'incomplete Sage Art'.
[Ding — You have learned the Maku Zhutai Sage Art (Incomplete)]
[Would you like to complete the Maku Zhutai Sage Art?]
Shimoku's heart jumped, then swelled with joy.
Wow, the system is this powerful?
Can actually complete Sage Arts?
You're amazing!
Wait...
What's the price?
If it's too expensive, just forget it!
No need for greedy little system nonsense.
Shimoku closed his eyes and focused, diving into the System.
After all, standing before the Old Lord was practically one of the safest places in the entire Ninja World.
Old Lord Mo didn't care either,
Thinking this was just little Shimoku experiencing the wonders of the Sage Art.
As long as he didn't actually practice the Sage Art or draw in surrounding Natural Energy.
...
In moments, Shimoku discovered the cost required to complete the Sage Art.
Not too costly — only 2,500 coins.
Since most of this Sage Art was already intact, with only a small portion missing, the repair cost wasn't high.
If exchanging entirely new, at least ten thousand coins would be needed.
Shimoku didn't hesitate, immediately deciding to complete the Sage Art.
Though saving money was important,
Completing the Sage Art and repaying Maku Zhutai was equally important.
Moreover, a complete Sage Art would genuinely enhance his strength significantly, proving very useful.
[Ding — Would you like to spend 2,500 coins to complete the Maku Zhutai Sage Art?]
[Confirm]
[Ding — The Maku Zhutai Sage Art has been completed]
[Congratulations, you have obtained the complete version of the Maku Zhutai Sage Art]
As several System notifications flashed in his mind,
Shimoku instantly mastered the complete version of [Maku Zhutai Sage Art].
"This must be the complete Sage Art! It's actually suitable for living beings to cultivate now..."
"Absorbing Natural Energy and blending it with one's own chakra in precise proportions to generate Sage Chakra?"
"It comes from the planet itself, from nature. No wonder it can be used to oppose the alien-based Ten-Tails..."
"In that case, time to give it a try!"
"Just how much strength can this 'Sage Chakra' and [Sage Mode] amplify? What special abilities do they grant?"
Excitement surged through Shimoku as he anticipated the results.
Next moment,
With a single thought, he immediately began circulating the Maku Zhutai Sage Art.
He started absorbing surrounding Natural Energy and refining it into Sage Chakra.
At the same time,
Lord Old on the high platform instantly sensed something amiss.
He clearly felt Shimoku channeling the Sage Art and drawing in Natural Energy!
"Old Lord exclaimed, 'This little one, how could he be so reckless?'"
"Little Shimoku, stop quickly!"
"This is an incomplete Sage Art. Humans cannot cultivate it successfully; failure is certain!"
Lord Old became extremely anxious, urgently shouting out,
Trying to make Shimoku stop.
But the next moment, he realized -
The speed at which this kid absorbed surrounding Natural Energy was incredibly fast!
In just an instant, he had already absorbed massive amounts of Natural Energy!
At this point, stopping couldn't be done casually anymore.
Stopping it suddenly would cause the Natural Energy inside his body to spiral out of control,
Which would be far more catastrophic...
"Youngsters these days, always so hasty and lacking in patience!"
"No choice but to let him continue now."
Lord Old sighed softly, continuing to watch Shimoku closely.
Then, he extended his right hand, gripping tightly the Tora Fang Pendant around his neck.
This was also a priceless treasure passed down through their clan.
In critical moments, once activated,
It could immediately disperse all Natural Energy inside Shimoku's body, preventing energy overload that might turn him into a stone statue like the panda ones before...
Come what may,
He wouldn't let this boy meet the same fate as his own younger brother,
Turning into a petrified statue here!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>