"I used to worry about my dharma power hitting its peak, but those days are over. This new cultivation method doesn't just nourish the soul; it bolsters my dharma power and divine body as well. It's truly a top-tier art. Best of all, the power of the stars exists in every world. No matter where I go next, I can continue my training."
*Host:* Uchiha Qiuxia (Li Qiuxia)
*Dharma Eye:* Three-Tomoe Rinne-Sharingan (3,000/10,000)
*Dojutsu:* Life and Death, Devour, Kotoamatsukami, Eight Trigrams, Six Paths of Reincarnation Abilities, Eye of Space-Time
*Realm:* Earth Master (9,999/10,000)
*Cultivation Method:* Scripture of the Stars (1,000/100,000)
*Skills:* The Talisman of Heaven, Art of the Pantheon, Godhood Mask, Feng Hou Qi Men, Universal Star Array, Divine Light Art (Sun, Moon, Star), Divine Sword Demon-Slaying Art, Three Purities Demon-Subduing Sword, Five Thunder Palm...
*Worlds:* Naruto World, Zombie World (35/30)
*Ability:* Deduction
*Source Points:* 500
Perhaps due to the massive consumption of Source Points, Qiuxia's data had shifted once more. The "Bloodline" category beneath the host's name had vanished. The Sharingan and Wood Release, which were once listed under Kekkei Genkai,
had transformed; the Kekkei Genkai was now classified as a Dharma Eye, and Wood Release had disappeared from the display entirely. Of course, if Qiuxia wished to use it, the power was still at his fingertips.
Beyond that, a new cultivation method had appeared: the Scripture of the Stars. This manual was a fusion of the Star Visualization Method, the Maoshan Qi Refining Technique, the Sage's Theft, various other recorded arts, and Qiuxia's own imaginative leaps.
Although its exact grade hadn't been tested, it was undeniably a peak-level art. If it were released into the Maoshan World, people would surely bash each other's heads in just for a glimpse of it.
As powerful as the manual was, the cost to deduce it had been staggering. Qiuxia had gained a massive amount of Source Points by exposing Obito Uchiha and his conspiracies, gouging out Kakashi's eye, and the subsequent chain of events nearly ten thousand points in total. Yet, deducing this single manual had drained nearly every drop.
According to his data, he had been in seclusion for half a month. Judging by the influence he exerted on the world, a mere five hundred points remaining meant that a vast sum had been deducted over those fifteen days. The consumption required for this manual was truly severe.
"I've already spent over thirty days in the Naruto World, yet I haven't returned yet. It's the same pattern as when I first crossed into the Zombie World. What exactly is the rule here? Does closed-door cultivation extend the stay? I was training at night before, and I still crossed over suddenly."
"Is the difference intentionality? Perhaps one is a conscious act and the other unintentional. When I go back to the Zombie World, I'll have to see if I can stay awake or enter seclusion on the final day to solve this mystery. But for now... I'm going to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal."
Even though Qiuxia hadn't touched a single morsel of food during his half-month seclusion, he hadn't suffered for it. The Scripture of the Stars he practiced could convert starlight into pure nourishment. If he truly wanted to, he could practice Bigu and never eat again. But Qiuxia had no interest in that. If one stopped eating, what was the point of having a mouth? Just for talking?
Extended Inedia might help one's cultivation, but it caused a person to lose their human sentiments, dragging them further toward a non-human state. Besides, if he stopped eating, he'd miss out on far too many delicacies.
After tidying up the house, washing up, and changing into a fresh set of clothes, Qiuxia stepped out of his courtyard. Just as before, he gave a casual nod to the acquaintances he passed.
Leaving the Uchiha Clan compound behind, Qiuxia headed straight for the ramen shop. Unlike his usual visits, he noticed two very familiar figures sitting inside. Qiuxia gave them a brief glance but didn't pay them any mind. He scanned the menu and called out to Teuchi, who was busy kneading dough.
"Old Man Teuchi, give me a bowl of Pacific Saury Ramen."
Hearing his voice, Ayame pulled back the curtain and looked at him. "Oh, it's Qiuxia! You haven't been around for half a month."
Qiuxia smiled. "I was tied up with some business. As soon as I finished, I came straight here!"
Ayame rolled her eyes playfully. "You're just a kid, what kind of business could you possibly have? One Pacific Saury Ramen, coming up. Wait just a moment, I'll make it for you right now."
While Ayame went to prepare the noodles, Qiuxia found a seat and began spinning his chopsticks to pass the time. On the other side of the counter, Jiraiya and Kakashi had been discussing something, but they went silent the moment Qiuxia walked in. Jiraiya leaned in toward the boy.
"Hey kid, shouldn't you be in school right now? Is it really okay for you to skip class so blatantly just to come out and eat ramen?"
Qiuxia replied indifferently, "I'm not a student at the Ninja Academy. I can eat whenever I want."
"Why didn't you join the Academy? Aren't ninja cool? You can use ninjutsu and run on walls."
Qiuxia cast a blank look at Jiraiya. "Everyone's aptitude is different. Hard work doesn't always guarantee success. Those with poor talent will remain Genin their entire lives no matter how hard they try. They're stuck with tasks below B-rank and are constantly at risk from sudden, lethal variables."
"If someone's talent is low, why bother being a ninja? Just to be cannon fodder?"
Jiraiya and Kakashi both frowned at his words. "That's a wrong way to look at it," Jiraiya countered. "You have to understand that even a Genin can demonstrate the Will of Fire and do what they can for the sake of Konoha."
"The Will of Fire? If the Will of Fire was actually useful, why was it the Fourth Hokage who died when the Nine-Tails attacked, and not the Third Hokage? I don't believe in any Will of Fire. It's nothing more than a trick used to fool people."
"How can you say that? Back then, the Fourth was..."
"Say what? If the Will of Fire meant anything, the moment the Third realized he couldn't handle the Nine-Tails, he should have immediately used that life-sacrificing seal the Fourth used, instead of waiting for the Fourth to do it. At the end of the day, it was just a fear of death."
"You!" Qiuxia's words left Jiraiya fuming, but he found himself at a loss for words. He couldn't exactly step forward and beat the kid up. Even if he was a brat, if he hit him and made him cry, the whole village would know that the great Sannin Jiraiya was a child-beater.
Seeing Jiraiya silenced, Qiuxia didn't push him further. He went back to playing with his chopsticks, waiting for his food. The service at Ichiraku Ramen was fast; it wasn't long before Jiraiya and Kakashi's bowls were served, followed closely by Qiuxia's Pacific Saury Ramen.
Qiuxia snapped his chopsticks apart and began devouring the noodles with gusto. Jiraiya and Kakashi ate as well, but their hearts weren't in it after that conversation. A normal person eating so distractedly might have ended up with noodles in their nose, but as ninja, they could have eaten with their eyes closed without making a mess.
The bowl of Pacific Saury Ramen was finished in no time. Qiuxia pulled out the silver for the meal and placed it on the table. "Ayame, the money is on the table. I'm heading out!"
"Alright! Come again soon!"
"I will!"
As soon as Qiuxia left, Jiraiya and Kakashi settled their bill and followed him out. They wanted to see exactly who this child was was he an orphan, a civilian, or a ninja from a specific clan? Though they could have asked Ayame, her information might not be complete. From the looks of it, she and Qiuxia were just a typical shopkeeper and regular customer; she likely didn't know much about his background.
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