During the first year of Ryun's focused seclusion for cultivation.
After being saturated day and night by natural energy, Ryun's body began to fully adapt to the presence of natural energy. His Sage Mode could now be sustained indefinitely, and he maintained his Dragon-Human form throughout this period.
In this form, the intangible power of the dragon vein seemed to find a tangible vessel. Even if Ryun did not consciously absorb it, this natural energy autonomously seeped into his body, slowly and quietly transforming it.
Ryun's appearance began to resemble a dragon more, but his physical strength also grew significantly stronger.
He was aware of this change, but he did not stop absorbing the dragon vein's energy. Instead, following his body's instinct, he completely shifted from his human form to his Jiao Dragon form.
After transforming into a dragon, Ryun could feel that the surrounding energy was more 'fond' of his body. His cultivation speed noticeably increased.
"Master... Master, it is time to eat."
The tool, the Queen of Loulan, regularly brought food to Ryun. Initially, she came every three days, but the interval gradually lengthened. Ryun's need for food was not very strong, but the amount he consumed each time significantly increased.
Looking at the ferocious black dragon coiled on the dragon vein pool, the Queen of Loulan, even under the control of the Sharingan, could not help but feel fear and terror.
The black dragon slowly rose from the churning spirit liquid. Then, with a powerful movement, it flew over to the Queen of Loulan like a swimming dragon.
Glancing at the plentiful food laid out nearby, the black dragon opened its mouth and sucked. A large amount of food was swept up like a whirlwind and swallowed whole into its stomach.
"From now on, come once every ten days. However, double the amount of food," Ryun's voice sounded.
After swallowing dozens of pounds of food, he did not feel full.
"Yes," Queen Sara quickly nodded in agreement.
"Leave now."
After saying this, Ryun jumped back into the spirit liquid pool.
As time passed, starting from the second year of secluded cultivation, the black dragon's body size grew larger and larger. Its scales, horns, claws, and head became more distinct. Most importantly, the Dragon Pearl began to slowly transform under the long-term washing of natural energy.
"I cannot let the body and Dragon Pearl grow uncontrollably."
The Dragon Pearl absorbed even more natural energy. Initially, it would grow larger as the body grew. Later, Ryun deliberately suppressed the body's growth and devoted much effort to compressing the Dragon Pearl.
In the third year of secluded cultivation, the black dragon's body size shrank as the Dragon Pearl was compressed. Soon, its body length was fixed at nine feet nine inches. The Dragon Pearl inside its body, originally the size of a fist, was compressed to the size of a walnut.
As the Dragon Pearl contracted, its original bright gold color quietly changed to a purple-gold.
"The cultivation of the Sage Art is nearly complete. The next focus of cultivation should be at the cellular level."
Ryun intended to use the life force within the dragon vein energy to activate the vitality of every cell in his body, aiming to reach a level similar to that of the First Hokage.
Even many years after his death, Hashirama Senju's cells still possessed extraordinary vitality, which led many ambitious individuals in the ninja world to research and compete for them.
After initially awakening his Sage Body, Ryun naturally looked down upon those long-dead Hashirama cells. He wanted the best cells, ones that were his own, awakened immortal cells.
The human body contains far too many cells. Activating the vitality of all these cells is a massive undertaking. This is why Ryun believed achieving full mastery of the Sage Body would require at least ten to twenty years.
Ryun searched for the dragon vein and transformed into a dragon form, all to accelerate the growth of his Sage Body and shorten the time accumulation needed for its full mastery.
Time passed quickly, and soon another two years flew by.
"That bastard Ryun, what has he been doing hiding in Loulan all these years? What kind of seclusion lasts five years? Does he want to become an immortal?
He said he would marry me after returning from Loulan... In recent months, he hasn't even sent a single letter home. This heartless big jerk... No, I need to go see what that guy is up to."
Kushina ultimately could not suppress her longing. Anxiously and impatiently, she went to the Hokage Building.
"What? You want to leave the village to go to the ancient land of Loulan to find Ryun?"
When he heard Kushina's request, the Fourth Hokage, Sakumo Hatake, was immediately startled.
"Please, Kushina, you know the other four great nations have always wanted to capture you to use against Ryun. Leaving the village now is far too dangerous... I cannot allow it."
With only two years left until the ten-year deadline, the situation in the entire ninja world had noticeably tightened. The great nations were all preparing their militaries, waiting for the deadline to arrive to start fighting immediately...
If Kushina left the village now and was discovered, or even captured, by the enemy, then Konoha would truly be offending both sides... He, the Fourth Hokage, could not bear the risk and responsibility of potentially leading the village to ruin.
"But... he hasn't written any letters back in the last few months. I'm very worried about his condition. Please, Hokage-sama, make an exception. Let me go see him."
As Kushina spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.
She was like a little bird trapped in a giant cage. Apart from Konoha, she could go nowhere. This was the misfortune and sorrow of being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"I'm sorry, Kushina... I cannot let you go find him. The risk is simply too great... However, I can send someone to Loulan to find him. We can have him return himself."
Sakumo Hatake patiently tried to comfort her.
"But..."
Just as Kushina was about to retort, the Hokage's Assistant, Hiruzen Sarutobi, interrupted her.
"Kushina, listen to the Hokage. Don't be unreasonable... You are Ryun's woman now, not just the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki anymore. Don't make things difficult for us."
"Besides, what kind of person is that boy Ryun? In the ninja world, I am certain no one can threaten him. Perhaps the only one who can threaten him is you."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Kushina opened her mouth but could not say anything.
"Someone, notify the Minato team. Tell them I have a mission for them," Sakumo Hatake called out to the outside.
"Yes, sir!"
"I'll have Minato, the 'Second Fastest Shinobi in the World,' go catch him for you. Ryun will be back within three days. Can you feel at ease now?"
Sakumo Hatake looked at the pitiful Kushina and joked lightheartedly.
"Uh... alright," Kushina sniffled, then walked out of the Hokage Building looking dejected.
Deep underground in the ancient land of Loulan.
A black Jiao Dragon lay motionless at the bottom of the dragon vein. This state had persisted for several months. During this time, it had not come up for air even once, nor had it eaten anything.
Meanwhile, Queen Sara of Loulan, due to the release of the Sharingan's mental restraints, regained her normal consciousness.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━