The White Snake Sage screamed in agony, and the three Hime were greatly alarmed, rushing to check on the White Snake Sage's condition.
The White Snake Sage looked at Izumi with bloodshot eyes, staring at her in horror, unable to comprehend what the power within Izumi was that could corrode its consciousness and body.
What puzzled it even more was that this young girl absorbed its consciousness and a small part of its flesh without any adverse effects.
How was this possible? It had lived and cultivated for thousands of years; even a small part of its body contained immense energy, not to mention a portion of its spiritual power.
An ordinary person would have long since exploded, but she was completely fine.
As Izumi sat cross-legged on the ground absorbing this energy, her body also began to change; her skin started to develop snake scales, and her eyes transformed into snake eyes.
Izumi opened her eyes, which darted around as she looked at her reflection and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave? As expected, it's very effective."
Izumi looked at the White Snake Sage and asked in surprise, "White Snake Sage, what's wrong with you?"
The White Snake Sage looked at Izumi and said wearily, "It's nothing, just a bit tired from transferring too much energy to you."
Upon hearing this, Izumi said guiltily, "So, learning Sage Art requires such a great sacrifice from you! I'm truly sorry!"
The White Snake Sage suppressed its anger and said, "It's fine. I just saw that you are a promising talent, so I transferred an extra portion of energy to you. It slightly damaged my essence. Ametame-hime, please take her to learn some of our Ryūchi Cave's Sage Art techniques. I need to rest."
Ametame-hime said to Izumi, "Come, Izumi, I'll take you to learn the techniques."
"Hehe, thank you, White Snake Sage, and thank you, big sister." Izumi transformed back to her normal appearance, then happily followed Ametame-hime, disappearing with her into the darkness.
"Damn it! This little girl is not simple!" the White Snake Sage shouted furiously, "I was actually robbed of a portion of my energy by her!"
Ichikishima Hime asked, "Should we kill her?"
The White Snake Sage pondered for a moment and said, "No, since it's already like this, let's consider it the cost of befriending her. We'll owe her a favor. She's not simple, and her future achievements will surely be extraordinary. I need to rest properly."
Tagitsu Hime nodded and said, "I understand."
Izumi arrived in a room filled with many scrolls.
Izumi licked her lips with her tongue, then exclaimed in surprise, "Ryūchi Cave also uses scrolls?"
Ametame-hime smiled and explained, "These are specifically for you humans, as you frequently use scrolls."
"I see." Izumi again licked her lips with her elongated, cute little tongue.
It was then that Izumi noticed how often she was sticking out her tongue, and she was surprised to discover, "Wow, so the tongue can perceive so much information!"
Ametame-hime smiled and said, "Of course, for us snakes, the tongue is one of the most important sensory organs. After cultivating Sage Art, the tongue becomes even more sensitive."
"Oh. I see." Izumi again licked her lips with her tongue; her pink tongue licking her lips looked rather cute.
She said, "But it's a bit strange, becoming like Orochimaru, with my tongue not only getting longer but also constantly wanting to stick out. However, sticking out my tongue allows me to perceive various scents and signals in the air, which is really interesting."
After speaking, Izumi stuck out her tongue and licked her lips again.
Ametame-hime smiled and said, "Yes, there are also Sage Arts here that can make organs like the tongue and skin perceive more signals, such as heat and sound, and even emotions. By the way, most of the Sage Arts here... you can learn them, but for this portion of precious Ninjutsu, you can only learn ten types, while ordinary people can only learn five. The White Snake Sage thinks highly of you." Ametame-hime pointed to the bookshelf containing the precious scrolls as she spoke.
"Wow! Wow, I'm that amazing! Big sister, I have so many here! Can I learn a few more?" Izumi immediately tugged on Ametame-hime's sleeve, pleading.
Ametame-hime closed her eyes, stuck out her tongue, and then retracted it.
She looked at Izumi and said to her, "It's truly rare to see someone like you who can master Sage Art so quickly. No, I should say I've never seen anyone like you."
"The three of us can allow you to choose three extra to learn! This is already the maximum effort we three can make!"
Izumi hugged Ametame-hime and thanked her, "Thank you, Ametame-hime big sister! And thank you to the other two big sisters as well. Then I won't be polite!"
"Hehe, it's the first time I've seen a little one like you," Ametame-hime said, "Then you should hurry and learn."
Izumi nodded and said, "Mhm!"
Izumi looked at these Sage Arts and excitedly began to choose.
"Thirteen Sage Arts, for me, all these Ninjutsu can be learned."
Izumi spread her Chakra throughout the entire bookshelf and began to learn the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave.
White Rage Technique
This Ninjutsu aims to restrain an opponent by sealing their three senses of sight, hearing, and touch.
Intense light, sound, and vibrations combine to make the opponent suffer immensely, preventing them from even maintaining any active Jutsu. The powerful physique and recovery ability of Sage Mode can withstand this technique.
However, if the White Rage Technique is too powerful, even the user will be affected.
"This technique is good, but the next one is even better.
Inorganic Reanimation
Inorganic Reanimation is only permitted for use by those who have "completely mastered Ryūchi Cave Sage Art." It is a Ninjutsu that can imbue inanimate objects with life and control them.
"This technique can be put to good use."
"Hmm? Oh, oh, oh, a shedding technique even stronger than Orochimaru-style Substitution Technique, this one works too."
"Hmm? Lightning Release, Great Serpent Lightning, a technique that infuses Lightning Release into Sage Art Chakra for super-powerful attacks. I think I can add it to my Lightning Mode."
"Barrier Technique? Oh, Ryūchi Cave Barrier Technique? This one works too, not bad."
"Hmm? Sealing Technique? Wow! I like this one too! It seems very strong."
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, this must be the Ninjutsu for enhancing perception that Ametame-hime big sister mentioned, I'll take this one too."
"Snake Swallow Technique, which devours objects into the body to eliminate them. It can both destroy enemies and store items within the body, which is also quite interesting."
"Poison Mist, a technique that can release powerful poisonous gas."
"Oh? Genjutsu? Interesting, I can learn it."
...
Izumi learned and practiced simultaneously.
Ametame-hime watched Izumi learning and couldn't help but praise, "Her talent is truly amazing; she learned such difficult Sage Art so quickly. It's truly enviable."
After staying there for a few days, Izumi licked her lips and then said to Ametame-hime, "Thank you, big sister, I've learned all of these! I've gained a lot."
Ametame-hime asked, "So, do you want to go back? Or would you like to explore here?"
Izumi asked, "Can I find one or two more summoning animals? Preferably large ones, as they are more convenient in battle. I need to communicate with them, otherwise, it would be troublesome if they don't listen after being summoned."
Ametame-hime smiled and said, "That depends on your ability; there are a great many snakes here. If you can't subdue them, they won't listen to you when summoned, but if you subdue them or reach a consensus, then there's no problem."
Izumi said, "Then big sister, I'll go find some companions."
"Alright, after you've found them, just have them send you back."
"Mhm, then I won't bother you anymore! Bye-bye, big sister, and please say goodbye to the White Snake Sage and the other two big sisters for me!"
"Hehe, interesting, alright."
Izumi bid farewell to Ametame-hime and then began searching for summoning animals there.
"Ah? Found one." Izumi smiled and jumped into the giant lake.