Wan Ci's first attempt had been a complete success.
A surge of exhilaration filled him, and with it, his ambition burned brighter than ever.
He had devised a plan.
Though he could not reach the Six Paths level himself, the system had already indicated that his power could approach it infinitely closely.
If he merged all the great sage arts he had access to, he could amass a repertoire of techniques so vast that even a Six Paths-level figure would be hard-pressed to contend with him.
As the saying went, skill cannot weigh one down.
If he mastered every sage art and fused them together, he would become a sage art grandmaster a living patchwork of ultimate techniques.
His arsenal would be enough to make a peak Six Paths-level opponent tremble with fear.
By that time, even a Six Paths-level being would be powerless against him.
And more importantly, Wan Ci's lifespan was extraordinarily long. Several thousand years remained before the main story even began.
He had ample time to cultivate sage arts. Over those millennia, with endless refinement and practice, his mastery would inevitably reach a terrifyingly advanced level.
A new world seemed to open before him.
He laughed, feeling unstoppable:
The sea bows to the bamboo, yet rises again; the wind sweeps the mountain shadow, yet light returns.
The Chakra Fruit had failed, that path was closed. Then he would simply pursue the path of sage arts.
"White Ape King, I have some matters to attend to. I must take my leave."
Wan Ci took his leave without hesitation.
The White Ape King scratched his head. "Very well."
Silently, Wan Ci summoned a spirit, then departed from the ape cave.
Outside, he gazed at the colossal tree in the distance, stretching skyward like Mount Futatsu, awe filling his heart.
"I wonder… has the Six Paths Sage been born yet?"
He hesitated. He wanted to verify, but after consuming the fruit, Kaguya's perception might be formidable.
If he was discovered, it would alert her to his presence.
After some thought, Wan Ci summoned a toad and cloaked it in a stealth veil.
He then directed the toad to leap toward Kaguya's residence.
Inside a rustic estate, Kaguya Otsutsuki was giving birth.
The toad crept closer under the cover of its invisibility.
"So far, so good…"
It opened its mouth, extending a hand slowly.
Wan Ci did not dare get any closer, only catching a vague glimpse of Kaguya as she labored.
Even so, he could not attempt an attack.
It was not just a matter of whether he had effective methods against Kaguya; even if an ambush succeeded, could he defeat her? That was another question entirely.
Soon, the cries of two newborns rang out.
Hagoromo and Hamura Otsutsuki had been born.
Kaguya gazed at the infants with a soft smile. "This land will be ruled by me and my children."
Wan Ci heard her mutter to herself and raised an eyebrow. He had now witnessed the birth of Hagoromo and Hamura.
Looking at the infants with tiny horns sprouting from their heads, his gaze darkened, deep in thought.
"Perhaps… if I can manipulate Hagoromo and Hamura, I could turn Kaguya into a target, and she might be sealed…"
He remained silent, leaving the scene behind quietly.
A man who held grudges, he never forgot a betrayal.
Back at Mount Myoboku, Wan Ci sought out the White-Eyebrow Toad.
He inquired about the exact location of Ryuchi Cave.
The toad pondered, then provided the coordinates.
The three great sage lands maintained contact with one another, naturally aware of each other's positions.
Wan Ci decided to go to Ryuchi Cave first.
Having studied Boruto's story, he was familiar with the three trials of Ryuchi Cave.
They were challenging, yet not insurmountable.
Thus, he chose to conquer Ryuchi Cave first.
Thick mist spread like milk, weaving through jagged rocks.
A stone manor appeared faintly in the haze, its eaves and corners blurred in the fog.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Wan Ci moved steadily through the mist, approaching the manor's gate alone.
Less than a few meters from the entrance, a sharp, slicing sound cut through the fog.
A white snake darted forward, its fangs gleaming as it lunged at Wan Ci's neck.
His sage senses tingled. He shifted lightly, slipping past the deadly bite.
"Huh?"
The white snake missed, its vertical pupils narrowing in surprise. With a flick of its long tail, it sprang forward again, jaws wide.
This time, Wan Ci did not dodge.
Instead, he reached out, his fingers like iron pincers, grasping the snake at its seven-inch pressure point. Its neck stiffened, unable to open its mouth further.
He looked down at the small snake in his palm with a gentle smile.
"Little White Snake, calm down. Your childish tricks are useless on me. I am here for your master. Lead me."
The snake thrashed violently, then shimmered in white light, transforming into the form of a twelve-year-old girl. Her twin buns framed a face full of serpentine liveliness.
Her round eyes widened. "You… you're human! Incredible! None of the previous visitors could evade my ambush, yet… your aura feels so familiar…"
Wan Ci smiled faintly.
Those previous visitors were ordinary mortals, naturally unable to withstand this snake's ambush.
As a shadow-class powerhouse, such attacks were trivial to him.
Even the Otsutsuki's attacks were within his response range.
The girl furrowed her brows slightly, retreating half a step. "You wish to see my master? What business brings you?"
Before Wan Ci could answer, the gates of Ryuchi Cave swung open with a "whoosh."
Rumble…
The heavy stone doors scraped against the ground, revealing a dark, deep interior.
"White Snake, bring him in."
A low, ethereal voice echoed from within. It carried the weight of time and authority.
"Yes, Grandmaster."
The white snake relaxed, respectfully leading Wan Ci inside.
Through the shadowy corridor, the chamber opened into a vast stone hall.
A massive black serpent coiled on a stone dais, its scales gleaming coldly in the dim light. Its head tilted slightly, surveying the newcomer.
"Grandmaster."
The white snake stepped forward, bowing.
Wan Ci bowed slightly in return, silent.
The Black Serpent Sage spoke first, hoarse but commanding: "No need for formalities. That old White-Eyebrow toad has informed me in advance. You wish to cultivate the sage arts of Ryuchi Cave, correct?"
Its vertical pupils fixed on Wan Ci, scrutinizing him.
Wan Ci smiled faintly. Indeed, having allies within made things easier.
"Exactly," he replied calmly. "Since White-Eyebrow has informed you, may I ask if you are willing to teach me?"
The Black Serpent Sage slowly nodded, exhaling steadily. "If someone is willing to inherit the Ryuchi Cave sage arts, I see no reason to refuse."
Its voice grew more solemn. "But you must understand, the sage arts of Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave are fundamentally opposed.
If you forcefully cultivate my Ryuchi Cave techniques while practicing Myoboku arts, a single mistake could lead to spiritual corruption or even death.
And then, the Myoboku toads would not let the matter rest."
Wan Ci remained untroubled.
In the past, he might have hesitated. But with his power of resurrection, such risks were negligible.
"Master need not worry."
He released his aura, revealing the interwoven fluctuations of two distinct sage arts.
"If you sense carefully, you will see that my body contains more than just the arts of Mount Myoboku."
"Oh?"
The Black Serpent Sage's pupils narrowed, surprise flashing in its vertical eyes. After a long pause, it spoke: "You… you even carry the aura of the ape clan…"
"Exactly. That is why I am confident in harmonizing with Ryuchi Cave's arts."
Wan Ci's tone was resolute. "I humbly request your teachings."
The Black Serpent Sage remained silent for a moment, eyes fixed on Wan Ci. Finally, it nodded slowly, turning to the white snake.
"White Snake, bring him to the trials. If he succeeds, the sage arts shall be granted."
Though astonished, the white snake dared not question and immediately obeyed. "Yes, Grandmaster."
The three trials followed.
No surprises occurred.
In the end, Wan Ci successfully passed all tests, formally forming a contract with Ryuchi Cave.