Ryūchi Cave.
In the dark and profound main cavern, the White Snake Sage still coiled atop the high platform, exhaling purple smoke.
Regarding Yao's return.
The White Snake Sage was not surprised, her amber eyes half-open.
"It seems you have finished dealing with your worldly trifles!"
The White Snake Sage's voice rang directly in Yao's mind.
"Yes, White Snake Sage. I would like to formally begin training in Sage Mode!" Yao bowed slightly.
"Hmm..."
The White Snake Sage pondered for a moment. "I am old, and teaching personally is time-consuming and laborious. However, the inheritance of senjutsu in Ryūchi Cave has its own rules."
The White Snake Sage raised her head slightly and emitted a strange hiss.
Soon.
Three slender and enchanting figures glided into the main cavern like ghosts from different passages, arriving below the high platform.
They were three fair-skinned, beautiful women: Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime.
(Images: Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, Tagitsuhime)
They were the high-ranking members of Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage's trusted confidantes.
The three beauties looked at Yao, their scarlet forked tongues flickering slightly, their eyes revealing glints of greed and craving.
To them, Yao's young body, containing powerful life force and pure chakra, was undoubtedly an excellent supplement, exuding an alluring scent.
"White Snake Sage!"
The three women bowed in unison, but their gazes still drifted toward Yao from time to time.
"This contractor wishes to practice the senjutsu of my Ryūchi Cave!"
The White Snake Sage's voice was flat and waveless. "The task of teaching him will be handed over to the three of you!"
"Do your best, do not be negligent, and do not overstep the rules!"
The last sentence carried a faint warning; the White Snake Sage clearly knew the nature of her three subordinates.
The three women immediately retracted their overly exposed greed and responded respectfully, "We will obey the White Snake Sage's command!"
The White Snake Sage said no more and entered a semi-dormant state again.
The three snake beauties looked at Yao, charming smiles appearing on their faces.
"Well then, little brother... no, Lord Contractor!"
Ichikishimahime covered her mouth and giggled, her voice sweet and cloying. "Training in Sage Mode is very dangerous, you know!"
"Come with us; we will teach you properly~"
"I will be troubling the three of you!"
Following the three graceful snake beauties, Yao headed toward the deeper regions of Ryūchi Cave, formally beginning his journey of Sage Mode training.
...
Cultivating Sage Mode was indeed extremely difficult and dangerous.
Violent natural energy could backlash against the user with the slightest carelessness, easily causing petrification or snake transformation.
However.
Under the guidance of the three snake princesses, Yao took only a week to overcome the numerous hurdles of sensing, guiding, and balancing natural energy.
He successfully merged natural energy with his own chakra in perfect proportion, stably entering Sage Mode.
The next steps were even simpler: directly create a hundred shadow clones and let them familiarize themselves with Sage Mode.
Another week passed.
Yao's control over Sage Mode became increasingly proficient and intuitive.
The speed of entering Sage Mode became faster, and the duration of maintaining it grew longer.
His proficiency made even the three snake princesses click their tongues in amazement.
Deep within Ryūchi Cave, in a stone cavern rich in natural energy.
Yao stood quietly, eyes slightly closed, and shouted in a low voice:
"Sage Mode!"
Hum!
Yao's eyes changed; his pupils turned into vertical snake slits, and patterns resembling eyeshadow extended from the corners of his eyes.
Two translucent, jade-white dragon horns grew from both sides of his forehead.
At the same time.
His short black hair faded in color at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning into a pure snow-white.
His aura transformed completely!
He lost some of the mundane air of humanity and gained a bit of the ancient, mysterious, and majestic presence belonging to a creation of nature.
Yao opened his eyes, those vertical pupils calmly scanning the surroundings.
In this moment, the world appeared completely different in Yao's "eyes."
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He could clearly "see" the natural energy flowing in the air.
He could "hear" the pulsing of chakra deep within the earth beneath his feet.
He could "smell" the life aura radiating from distant water sources.
Every blade of grass, every tree, every insect within a radius of several kilometers.
Even the trajectories of energy flowing within the cracks of rocks were as clear as the palm of his hand.
This was a sense of all-encompassing control far surpassing ordinary sensory ninjutsu.
Next was the senjutsu chakra!
Yao could feel it.
The power of senjutsu chakra was several times that of ordinary chakra.
One could imagine.
Using senjutsu chakra to activate ninjutsu would result in a leap in both power and range.
Taijutsu also experienced a qualitative leap; Yao could feel unprecedented power surging through his body.
The strength, toughness, and explosive power of his muscles and bones... all received comprehensive enhancement. It wasn't just a multiplication of strength and speed.
More importantly, his neural reaction speed, physical coordination, and microscopic level of control over his power had all reached a brand-new realm.
The current him.
Relying solely on Taijutsu, was enough to rival a Jōnin specialized in Taijutsu.
Finally, Genjutsu resistance!
Senjutsu chakra had a terrifying stabilizing and strengthening effect on the mind.
This gave him a naturally terrifying resistance to Genjutsu.
"Perfect Sage Mode!"
The three snake beauties looked at Yao, who had completed the Sage Mode transformation, and exchanged glances. Each saw the amazement in the others' eyes.
Tagorihime spoke first. Her voice still carried that enchanting quality, but there was a touch more sincere recognition in it:
"Young man, your control over natural energy is already far superior to ours. Our task here can be considered successfully completed!"
Ichikishimahime nodded as well, pursing her lips in a smile. "Little brother's speed of improvement is simply terrifying!"
"You have perfectly mastered the essence of Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu."
"The rest is simply a matter of applying it flexibly in actual combat."
Tagitsuhime added, "We have fulfilled the teaching duties assigned by the White Snake Sage. How far you can go in the future depends on yourself."
Yao deactivated Sage Mode, returning to his normal appearance. He bowed slightly to the three snake princesses, his attitude sincere:
"Thank you three for your careful guidance these past days. I am endlessly grateful!"
Although these three snake beauties had ill intentions at first, their teaching was extremely serious and responsible.
For this alone.
Yao was grateful to them!
"You're welcome!"
"It was all the White Snake Sage's instructions! If you want to thank someone, thank the White Snake Sage!"
The three snake beauties waved their hands.
Yao nodded, a seemingly easygoing smile on his face, and made a small request:
"Since the training has come to an end, I wonder if I could establish a closer 'partnership' with the three of you?"
"Could I summon you to assist me in battle when needed?"
Yao's idea was simple: these three snake princesses possessed considerable strength, and as summons, they would undoubtedly be excellent choices.
However, upon hearing this, the three snake princesses shook their heads simultaneously.
Tagorihime politely declined, "We three sisters are actually not adept at frontal combat."
"Our abilities lie more in Genjutsu, support, and the precise manipulation of natural energy."
"On the battlefield, we might not necessarily be of help. It's better to forget it!"
Ichikishimahime chimed in, a glint of cunning and instigation flashing in her eyes:
"Although we cannot become your combat partners, we do know of an excellent candidate."
"It absolutely fits your every imagination of a 'powerful summon,' perhaps even... exceeding your imagination!"
"Oh?"
Yao raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
The three snake princesses spoke in unison, uttering a name: "Garaga!"