On the high platform, the White Snake Sage did not transform into the image of an old crone but instead met Kei in its true form.
A massive white snake head was wrapped in a black turban.
The turban had two protruding sharp horns—whether they were actual dragon horns that had grown or simply an illusion created by the wrapping was unclear.
Its golden snake pupils were no different from those of an ordinary snake, yet they lacked the usual aggression and menace.
Long, ash-brown hair cascaded down its back. It should have been an eerie sight, yet somehow, it exuded an aura of serenity and gentleness.
[Name: White Snake Sage]
[Traits: Golden Flesh Immortal Garment (Red), Viper Transcending into a Dragon (Purple), Tail-Biting Bind (Blue), Coiling Snake Listening (Blue), Rattling Tail (Green), Snake Senses (Green), Beast Heart (White), Eccentric (White), Swallowing the Elephant (Gray)]
[Golden Flesh Immortal Garment (Red):
Through refined training, by pushing the Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode to their absolute limits, one gains perfect mastery over them. The transformation of skin and flesh results in extreme durability—resistance to water, immunity to blades, and enhanced regeneration. Natural energy control, resistance to jutsu, and affinity with natural energy are significantly improved.
Additionally, while in Sage Mode:
Body recovery, reflexes, and physical strength are greatly enhanced. The power, speed, and effectiveness of jutsu are dramatically increased. Every time the user heals from an injury, their defense, recovery, perception, strength, and speed improve.]
The moment Kei saw [Golden Flesh Immortal Garment], he immediately thought of the other two sage regions.
The Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode seemed to focus primarily on the skin and muscles. But what about the bones, chakra path, internal organs, and even the mind?
Surely, not all techniques only specialized in body enhancement, right?
The potential of these techniques seemed even greater than he had imagined!
Suppressing the burning curiosity in his heart, he quickly scanned through the remaining traits.
[Viper Transcending into a Dragon] and [Tail-Biting Bind] were interconnected.
A viper is a dangerous venomous snake—aggressive and deadly in both myth and reality. In the process of evolving from an ordinary snake into a dragon, the White Snake Sage's body and strength improved drastically, making it a terrifying entity with an increasingly brutal temperament.
Meanwhile, [Tail-Biting Bind] referred to a unique training method used by the White Snake Sage. However, it also carried a drawback.
The Ouroboros, a snake biting its own tail, was a symbol of infinity, eternal cycles, and immortality. But in this case, it came with a debilitating curse, trapping the snakes in Ryūchi Cave, restricting its movement—a blue-tier debuff.
Kei could already tell—if the White Snake Sage ever freed itself from this restriction, these two traits would likely merge and evolve, completing its transformation into a dragon!
[Coiling Snake Listening] allowed the user to perceive all movements and sounds within Ryūchi Cave. [Rattling Tail] was a trait that used sound to confuse, deceive, or attack enemies. [Snake Senses] granted innate snake-like abilities, such as a transparent membrane protecting the eyes and infrared perception.
As for [Beast Heart] and [Eccentric]...
The first meant the creature followed the pure law of the jungle.
And the latter indicated a solitary, temperamental nature, making it difficult to interact with.
The final trait, [Swallowing the Elephant], was particularly disturbing—it involved raising prey, nurturing it to become stronger and more delicious, and then devouring it.
She really isn't a good person! Kei's wariness skyrocketed. He kept a safe distance of several meters from the White Snake Sage, ensuring he had enough space to either counterattack or retreat instantly using [Zero-Frame Start].
"Young one, have you also come in search of the Sage Mode?" The White Snake Sage's golden eyes glowed dimly as it flicked its tail gently, speaking in a kind and appreciative tone.
But Kei knew better. That appreciation was nothing more than the excitement of a predator eyeing a perfect meal.
"Yes. I'd like to know how one cultivates the Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode." He gave a slight nod, keeping his expression neutral.
"The Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode is different from other paths. I will inject energy into your body. If you succeed, you will be able to sense and use natural energy. But if you fail, you will be consumed—becoming our meal." The White Snake Sage slightly parted its lips, revealing two razor-sharp fangs. The meaning behind its words couldn't be clearer.
"There's no other way?"
"All power comes with risk. Do you really think you can gain strength without any danger?"
"Besides, I can tell—you have a very special physique. At the very least, you have a 90% chance of succeeding. I have great faith in you."
"90%…" Kei's gaze shifted to the Summoning Contract Scroll clutched within the mouth of a grotesque beast statue behind the White Snake Sage.
He had already realized—this Sage had no intention of genuinely teaching him anything. Instead, it wanted to bite down on him in an instant. Was the so-called "stimulation" really just about infusing natural energy?
Thinking back to the original story—how Orochimaru's experiments led to Kabuto's grotesque Sage Mode, and how the White Rage Technique exhibited abilities identical to [Rattling Tail] and [Snake Senses]...
Was all of that really just the result of implanting Orochimaru's cells?
Orochimaru himself didn't even possess such abilities!
Besides… A 90% success rate?
That was not stable. Not stable at all!
"Are you thinking of signing the summoning contract first? There are rules in Ryūchi Cave. Unless you fail the trial or are consumed by natural energy, we won't eat you." The White Snake Sage held a smoking pipe in its mouth, releasing wisps of smoke into the air.
Even as it spoke, its snake tail lifted up and unfurled a massive summoning contract scroll, nearly as tall as a person, placing it in front of Kei.
"Quite a number of names." Kei glanced at the enormous scroll. A long list of names, now dark brown and devoid of summoning power, ran down its length.
At the very bottom, the name "Orochimaru" still gleamed in fresh, crimson ink. Without hesitation, he drew blood and signed the contract.
"There will always be those who become obsessed with power, ignoring their own limitations, endlessly chasing more and more." The White Snake Sage chuckled softly, rolling up the contract.
Then, looking at Kei with a gentle expression, it spoke again, "So, young one—what will you choose?"
"Hm~ I choose the third option! Red trait!"
"???" The White Snake Sage blinked, momentarily stunned.
Even with its vast wisdom and experience, it had absolutely no idea what the young man just said.
System, copy [Golden Flesh Immortal Garment]!
- Golden Flesh Immortal Garment (Red)]
The moment Kei spoke in his mind, a strange tingling sensation coursed through his body—just like when he had first awakened his Sage Body. A flood of memories and training experiences related to the Ryūchi Cave Sage Techniques poured into his mind.
Unconsciously, he began absorbing natural energy into his body. Spiritual energy, physical energy, and natural energy merged together.
A small amount of senjutsu chakra successfully formed within him.
Using that senjutsu chakra as a primer, his vast chakra reserves and immense spiritual power began to wildly draw in the natural energy from Ryūchi Cave.
The invisible natural energy, under his overwhelming absorption force, transformed into a swirling vortex of multicolored energy!
Senjutsu chakra surged through his entire body!
His already vital and powerful muscle fibers became even stronger and more vibrant with the senjutsu chakra flow.
His skin took on a radiant, glowing translucence, becoming smoother and more refined.
Senjutsu chakra coursed through his entire being, causing his clothing to emit a soft, sky-blue glow! Two chakra-formed, forked horns emerged from his temples. Serpentine yet dragon-like, semi-transparent chakra constructs coiled around him.
His golden hair, once mid-length, now floated weightlessly, emanating a faint bluish-white radiance.
As if by instinct, his feet slowly lifted off the ground, suspending him before the White Snake Sage's throne.
With a single hand seal, he used a water jutsu, forming a human-sized water mirror before him.
He gazed at his own reflection. A slight smirk appeared on Kei's lips.
His Sage Mode looked like a fusion of Toneri's Tenseigan Chakra Mode and Mitsuki's Sage Mode.
A pale blue facial marking, no bigger than a peanut, rested on his forehead.
But… these horns… They didn't quite resemble snake horns… And they looked a bit too cute.
He reached up and touched the forked chakra horns, feeling the raw power surging through him, before slowly descending back to the ground.
Strength, speed, vitality, perception, and durability had all increased significantly.
Senjutsu chakra was far superior to normal chakra—enhancing all jutsu. And with the additional unique sage techniques granted by [Golden Flesh Immortal Garment]…
This Trait Duplication was absolutely worth it!