Orochimaru held nothing back as he revealed his thoughts and plans to Xu Ming.
After the vital signs of the three giant snakes, which had received his transplanted heart, stabilized, he conceived a bold new idea. Rather than continuing to cultivate all three snakes, he decided to focus solely on the one involved in the Xuexiang experiment.
As his heart absorbed the essence of the Orochi, it was altered by natural energy, mutating into a tumor-like structure that stored blood. Orochimaru then extracted the blood from this tumor, surgically removed it, and implanted it back into his own heart, sealing it beneath his skin.
Since the tissue was originally his own, his body did not reject it. The tumor, now enriched with natural energy, instinctively took root within his body and began to parasitize his flesh.
"If I can use my flesh and blood to parasitize other creatures, why not allow the mutated tissue to parasitize me in return?"
"Wouldn't this effectively give me a new organ capable of storing and harnessing natural energy?"
It was with this rationale that Orochimaru implanted the tumor back into his heart.
He unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his chest. Xu Ming observed a small, dark-red marking resembling a heart imprinted on Orochimaru's skin. Surrounding it was a Five Elements Seal, used to suppress the flow of natural energy within the tumor.
"I chose a simple Five Elements Seal because I don't need to completely suppress the energy," Orochimaru explained. "As long as it remains stable and doesn't leak out, it's sufficient.
"When I need to use it, I can briefly release the seal, allowing a small amount of natural energy to enter my body. This energy will be consumed as it assimilates with my own chakra. The result is that my mental energy alone counterbalances my physical energy."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement as he continued, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"If I can't achieve the perfect balance of 1:1:1 between spiritual energy, physical energy, and natural energy, then why not abandon the rule altogether?"
"With this method, I remove natural energy from the equation altogether!"
"This is the inspiration I gained from the Jinchūriki sealing techniques," Orochimaru declared. "By using sealing methods, I created an internal battlefield within my own body—this tumor is my personal version of a Tailed Beast!"
Sweat glistened on his forehead as he spoke, his breath heavy with excitement. Expounding on his theories and breakthroughs gave him a unique kind of exhilaration.
Xu Ming remained silent for a long moment before exhaling deeply, his admiration evident.
"This idea is genius—so wild yet so precise."
Orochimaru had completely bypassed the traditional limitations of natural energy cultivation. He had skillfully circumvented his body's inherent weaknesses and seamlessly integrated the knowledge of past generations with his own insights.
Xu Ming could not help but reflect on Uzumaki Mito's previous warning—excessive expectations from those around you can sometimes crush a person.
Had his presence put too much pressure on Orochimaru?
Otherwise, why would Orochimaru take such a risky step on his own? Even though the procedure had a high probability of success, he could have waited for Xu Ming's return to perform it under safer conditions.
Yet Orochimaru had chosen to act alone.
This was more than just scientific ambition—it was a deep-seated determination to prove himself.
"You should move forward for your own sake, not for me," Xu Ming said seriously. "If there comes a day when I no longer set expectations for you, and no one else does either, will you still keep going?"
"Of course, I will!" Orochimaru replied without hesitation. His eyes burned with conviction. "But, Xu Ming—you are the goal I want to surpass!"
Xu Ming chuckled. "A goal, huh? What if our paths diverge?"
Orochimaru blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Xu Ming shook his head, amused. "It happens all the time. Every child in the Ninja Academy learns the same fundamentals. But one day, they graduate, follow different teachers, and pursue different paths."
Orochimaru frowned, contemplating the idea. But he quickly dismissed the thought—That's something for the future. I'll deal with it when the time comes.
"Xu Ming, you still haven't given me your opinion on my method of controlling natural energy. What do you think?" Orochimaru asked eagerly. "How does it compare to the Sage Mode of the Three Great Holy Lands?"
Xu Ming thought for a moment before responding.
"This isn't actually Sage Mode," he said slowly. "It's something more fundamental—this is Sage Transformation."
"Sage Transformation?" Orochimaru echoed in surprise. It was a term he had never encountered before.
"Don't ask me where I got this information," Xu Ming warned. "Just know that it's true."
Seeing Orochimaru nod, he continued.
"Sage Mode is a practice that imitates the path of the immortals. Sage Transformation, on the other hand, imitates the gods."
"The difference lies in how natural energy is utilized. Sage Mode relies on the will of the immortals—it absorbs natural energy that has already been tamed.
"For example, on Mount Myōboku, the oil used in training contains traces of natural energy. When a practitioner applies it to their body, they must maintain balance. If they fail, they turn into stone. Those who succeed still retain some amphibian-like features."
Orochimaru listened attentively, his golden eyes filled with curiosity. This was knowledge beyond anything recorded in the archives of the Senju clan or even the teachings of his own master.
"That toad-like transformation is merely a surface-level effect," Xu Ming continued. "The true difference is that Sage Mode practitioners can only ever strive to resemble the immortals they imitate. But Sage Transformation allows one to become a new immortal altogether."
Orochimaru's eyes widened, his expression frozen in shock.
"To... become a new immortal?"
For centuries, ninjas had revered immortals as beings beyond human limitations. Those fortunate enough to enter sacred lands to study natural energy had always held deep respect for their celestial mentors.
But now, Xu Ming was suggesting something entirely different—an idea that shattered the foundations of what Orochimaru had always believed.
For the first time in a long while, Orochimaru felt truly excited.
The road ahead was far greater than he had ever imagined.