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Chapter 114: Cultivating Senjutsu
Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime stood before her.
Konan's eyes showed surprise.
Although she had long heard about the three snake princesses from Alex, seeing them for the first time was still unbelievable.
If she didn't know their true nature, she would have thought they were three human girls.
They were too similar; indistinguishable.
"Congratulations on passing the Ryuchi Cave trials," Tagitsuhime said, looking at Konan. "Anyone who passes the trials and arrives at Ryuchi Cave has the qualifications to learn Senjutsu."
She turned around. "Follow me. The White Snake Sage is waiting for you."
Konan carefully followed behind the three, secretly on guard.
After all, they were insidious poisonous snakes with treacherous minds; she needed to be cautious.
Fortunately, the journey was peaceful, and the three snake princesses didn't cause trouble.
Only Tagorihime would turn her head occasionally to glare at her viciously.
Konan arrived smoothly before the White Snake Sage, with the three snake princesses standing respectfully to the side.
"You've come." The White Snake Sage opened its massive snake eyes, gleaming with light as it looked at Konan.
"Sharingan, Ice Release, large chakra reserves. You are more outstanding than the last trial-taker."
Alex breathed a sigh of relief.
He shrank into Konan's chest, using the full power of the Chimera to hide the other bloodlines, preventing this thousand-year-old monster from spotting them.
Otherwise, complications might arise.
Although the two revealed bloodlines were rare, they weren't unheard of, so they wouldn't arouse suspicion.
"Your fate should have ended not long ago, yet you are intact to this day..." The White Snake Sage sat up.
The giant snake head rose. "Strange, truly strange. Why is this..."
It had thought close observation would reveal something, but unexpectedly, it still found nothing, unable to see what caused the change in fate.
Someone outside of fate, perhaps...
The White Snake Sage could only explain it this way.
Human fate wasn't immutable; the stronger one became, the easier it was to change fate, making it unreadable.
Regardless, this was a good subject for observation, and also...
Hehehe...
The White Snake Sage's schemes whirred in its mind as it spoke in a deep voice:
"Everyone who comes to Ryuchi Cave comes for Senjutsu. However, those who ultimately learn it are one in ten thousand. But not long ago, someone came here and successfully learned Senjutsu. Are you ready?"
Someone learned it not long ago?
Alex immediately thought of Kabuto Yakushi.
It could only be him.
Konan nodded. "Please teach me Senjutsu, White Snake Sage."
"Good!"
As the word fell, the White Snake Sage's head shot out with a swish, biting Konan's neck like lightning.
So fast!
Konan was startled. This old snake was even faster than the Fourth Raikage.
She couldn't see it clearly, couldn't react.
"Do not resist," the White Snake Sage's buzzing voice rang in her ears.
"Cancel your secret technique and return to your normal physical state. This old one will inject Natural Energy into you via venom. Only in this way can you sense Natural Energy and learn Senjutsu."
The scene was horrifying.
A massive, pale snake head as thick as a water tank was biting Konan's left neck.
Fangs glinting with cold light pierced deeply into her flesh.
Exhale...
Konan took a deep breath, cancelled her paper form, and returned to her normal flesh body.
Instantly, a sharp pain shot through her neck.
A stream of cold liquid was continuously injected into her body through the fangs.
Seeing this, the three snake princesses nearby exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
In the past, when trial-takers came for Senjutsu, one of the three of them would help inject Natural Energy.
Now, for some reason, the Ancestor was doing it personally.
Hmm? This old fellow...
Alex went on high alert, secretly using Dark Medical Ninjutsu and the Chimera Technique to analyze this foreign energy.
Aside from the violent Natural Energy and venom, there was an indescribable substance, or perhaps spiritual will.
Hmph! As expected, those not of our kind are sure to have different hearts.
This old fellow clearly had bad intentions, leaving behind some hidden trap.
Alex hurriedly mobilized his chakra, secretly using the Soul Sealing Technique to wrap around this strange spiritual force.
He didn't seal it completely, only ensuring it wouldn't activate or attract the White Snake Sage's attention.
This thing was very quiet now; as long as it didn't activate, Konan would hardly notice it.
But once triggered, it would immediately take control of Konan's body, turning her into something like a puppet.
Perhaps others who came to Ryuchi Cave to learn Senjutsu were also implanted with hidden traps to varying degrees.
Kabuto Yakushi was no exception, only he couldn't discover it.
Indeed, why would an alien monster be so kind as to help humans master powerful Senjutsu forces?
Weren't they worried humans would turn around and enslave them?
But with a hidden trap planted, they naturally didn't fear backlash from these humans.
Injection complete, the White Snake Sage's head retracted like a spring.
Closing its eyes: "Take her to the Quiet Room to sense Natural Energy."
"Yes!" Tagitsuhime looked at Konan. "Follow me."
Konan glanced at the seemingly sleeping White Snake Sage, turned, and followed Tagitsuhime.
"The Quiet Room is specially prepared for you humans. The concentration of Natural Energy inside is extremely high, facilitating your perception of Natural Energy."
She opened a stone door. "Go in. The Natural Energy the Ancestor injected into you will erupt in three minutes. Focus your mind and comprehend it."
Konan nodded and walked into the Quiet Room.
Although she couldn't sense Natural Energy yet, she could clearly feel the difference inside the stone room.
It was indescribable.
Bang!
The stone door closed, leaving the inside in darkness.
Konan was prepared; she took out daily necessities from a storage scroll.
Sitting on a soft cushion, she closed her eyes and waited for the energy injected by the White Snake Sage to erupt.
Three minutes passed.
In an instant, Konan frowned tightly, sweat beading on her forehead.
Energy was running wild inside her body, extremely violent and hard to control.
She immediately mobilized her chakra to suppress and control it.
Using this, she sensed the characteristics of this strange energy.
Time ticked by.
Konan's body trembled, her face slightly pale.
The violence and danger of Natural Energy far exceeded her imagination.
The chakra used for suppression was consumed rapidly.
She was currently in the perception stage. Only by controlling this Natural Energy could she proceed to the next step of fusion.
Worthy of being Senjutsu; mastering it was extremely difficult.
Countless people failed at this very first hurdle.
Konan, however, was not among them.
Whenever Natural Energy leaked or went out of control, Alex would input chakra in time to suppress that portion of Natural Energy.
With his assistance, Konan's pressure was greatly reduced, and the Natural Energy in her body was gradually suppressed and tamed.
Then, following the "1:1:1" ratio.
One part Natural Energy, one part Spiritual Energy, one part Physical Energy—she began to fuse Senjutsu Chakra.
Alex also assisted silently from the side.
Konan's complexion gradually returned to normal, and her aura stabilized.
Total silence reigned in the stone room.
Outside the stone door, the three snake princesses gathered.
Tagorihime said irritably, "It's been three days. Why is there still no movement inside?"
Tagitsuhime glanced at her. "What movement do you expect from practicing Senjutsu? No movement is the best movement. It's just bad news for you."
Ichikishimahime shook her loli head. "You're still thinking about eating her... Since she went in, it's been very quiet. Unlike others cultivating Senjutsu who scream and shout, causing a ruckus."
"Clearly, her aptitude for Senjutsu is extremely high, and her cultivation is going very smoothly. Mastering Senjutsu is a foregone conclusion. Just give up on that idea."
Click!
Just then, the stone door was pushed open.
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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