This meant that Xia Li was already capable of acting while in the state of void and darkness.Even something as simple as blinking—he was blinking while still remaining within that void-like state.
So what was the greatest function of the Void State?
Enhanced perception? A change in form?
No.
Its true purpose was to absorb natural energy.
Recently, Xia Li had been focusing on controlling the changes in his chakra form while in the Void State, while also trying to combine Lightning Release massage with that state.
He had originally thought that once he completed this step, he would be able to advance further within the Void State. What he never expected was that the two had no direct causal relationship at all—and could actually be carried out simultaneously.
Maintaining a hollow, dark state while in motion meant that one could absorb natural energy while acting.
You had to know that, according to Xia Li's memories, Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku had an extremely short duration—so short that it seemed even briefer than the time limit of the Giants of Light back on Earth. If that limitation could be overcome, there would be far more room for activity.
If Xia Li could truly master this method, wouldn't that mean Sage Mode could be sustained indefinitely… or even become self-sustaining?
Could things go even further?
After all, even the Great Toad Sage could cultivate using natural energy without chakra at all. So did Sage Mode really require chakra in the first place?
Xia Li pondered this for a while, then stopped thinking about it.
Right now, he should first focus on figuring out how to maintain the Void State while moving. Once his chakra reserves were sufficient, he could then learn standard Sage Mode step by step.
As for the Great Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage—those were matters to consider only after ordinary Sage Mode had been mastered, or even perfected.
This path still had to be walked one step at a time.
Chapter Seventy
An Unavoidable Flaw?
When Xia Li opened his eyes, his expression changed drastically. He immediately said,"Lord Fukasaku, today's training ends here. I need to leave early—something's happened at home."
"All right."Although Fukasaku was somewhat confused—he didn't understand how Xia Li knew something had happened, or why he looked so flustered—he still nodded in agreement.
Xia Li let out a sigh of relief and activated the Reverse Summoning Technique.
Not long after Xia Li left, Shima Sage arrived carrying a large bowl filled with plump insects. Seeing Fukasaku, she looked around and couldn't help asking,"Where did little Xia Li go? The secret medicine may replenish the body's energy, but it's definitely not as delicious as food."
"He said his family had already left ahead of him," Fukasaku replied. By now, he had more or less guessed what was going on—Xia Li probably sensed Shima was coming and hurried away.
Fukasaku found it a bit amusing. Was it really that scary? These were obviously delicious. Just toss in a bug, take a bite—so tender and juicy that it was hard to stop eating!
"Let's go, then," Shima Sage said disappointedly. Then she accidentally noticed the remaining fruit nearby and asked, "Dad, what's with those fruits?"
Fukasaku looked over, thought for a moment, and replied, "I think little Xia Li had Zhong bring those over."
Shima Sage's expression instantly darkened."That's outrageous! I went to so much trouble picking out insects, and he won't even eat them? I spent so long selecting them! So that's why he left early—he was avoiding me!"
Fukasaku gave a bitter smile. Even if he thought the same, now was definitely not the time to provoke his wife further.
Shima Sage stormed off angrily.
And then, the next day…
Xia Li looked at the bowl of insects in front of him with a bitter smile, then glanced at the furious-looking Shima Sage.
"Little Xia Li, this was specially prepared for you. I spent several hours making this meal today."
Although Shima Sage didn't say it outright, her behavior made it clear—if Xia Li refused again, she would definitely get angry.
Xia Li stared at the insects and felt grateful he hadn't already thrown up, let alone eaten them.
Shima Sage's face grew darker as Xia Li remained silent.
"Xia Li, this really is delicious," Fukasaku said, trying to set an example. He swallowed an insect whole and showed a satisfied expression.
Xia Li sighed and said to Shima Sage,"Lady Shima, I think your cooking skills must be excellent. Just look at how much Lord Fukasaku enjoys it."
Hearing this, Shima Sage's expression finally softened a little."Then hurry up and eat. It's very tasty."
"Lady Shima, our species are different. Insects simply aren't part of the human diet, and our taste structures are different too. It's not that I don't want to eat them—I physically can't."
Shima Sage's face darkened again."Little Jiraiya could eat them. Why can't you?"
Xia Li was instantly left speechless.
"So you just don't want to eat them. What's so good about those things you call fruit?"Shima Sage wanted to get angry, but seeing that Xia Li was only seven years old—and incredibly cute—she held herself back.
"Enough," Fukasaku finally intervened."If little Xia Li doesn't want to eat, don't force him. He's right—we're different species. Our food may not suit them."
Shima Sage snorted coldly. Though she didn't force Xia Li anymore, she clearly wasn't happy. Turning around, she left. It was obvious she wouldn't be doing Xia Li any favors for a while.
"Thank you," Xia Li said gratefully to Fukasaku.
"No need to thank me. But don't you want to try it? It really is delicious," Fukasaku asked.
"That's really impossible for us. It's a physiological issue. Lord Fukasaku must have something he absolutely can't eat too, right? Even if he did, it wouldn't benefit his body."
"Oh, that makes sense," Fukasaku said, clearly thinking of something he disliked.
"So bugs are like that to me…" Xia Li muttered helplessly.If forced to choose, he'd rather eat cilantro. At least that was just a matter of preference—not survival.
"I'll talk to the old lady later. Let's continue today's training," Fukasaku said.
Indeed, the reason Xia Li had been stopped by Shima Sage that day was because his training hadn't finished yet—she had blocked the door and refused to let him leave.
On the third day, Shima Sage appeared again.
Xia Li wore a mix of resignation and determination. If this didn't work, he'd give up—after all, this was their territory.
Compared to dignity, the secret medicine was far more important.
However, just as Xia Li walked over with a fierce expression, ready to accept his fate, he realized that the bowl this time didn't contain insects.
Instead… it was sliced fruit.
It didn't look amazing, but it was infinitely better than bugs.
"Hmph. Can you eat this?" Shima Sage stared at Xia Li.If he dared refuse again—even though he was an adorable child—she would definitely get angry.
Xia Li looked at her carefully.She really was formidable… clearly just trying to prove her skills.
This time, Xia Li said nothing. He picked up the bowl, took the chopsticks, and started eating.
He had to admit—Mount Myōboku's fruit not only looked good, but tasted far better than anything outside.
Seeing Xia Li finally eating, even if it wasn't her specialty, Shima Sage's expression softened.
"Mmm, this tastes great. As expected, Lady Shima's craftsmanship is amazing. Even though this is your first time making human food, it's still delicious! If this were sold outside, people would fight over it!"
Xia Li wasn't exaggerating—fruit like this couldn't be found anywhere else.
Shima Sage's eyes lit up."That's right! My skills are famous far and wide—but those outside don't get to enjoy them!"
Fukasaku, curious, took a piece from Xia Li's bowl and ate it. He shook his head."I still think insects taste better."
"Go away," Shima Sage snapped."Don't compare yourself to little Xia Li. Your tastes are different."
Then she smiled at Xia Li."I'll bring you my signature dishes tomorrow. They'll definitely be better than today."
Fukasaku simply smiled. He was glad to see this—he didn't want tension between his wife and Xia Li.
After all, once Xia Li mastered Sage Mode, he might even need their help with the Two Great Sage Arts. Maintaining a good relationship was very important.
Xia Li thought for a moment and said,"If it's troublesome, then I—"
Before he could finish, he noticed Shima Sage's expression changing and immediately corrected himself,"Please prepare it for me. I think it's delicious. It'd be even better if I could keep eating it in the future!"
Shima Sage smiled and left.
Xia Li finally let out a long sigh of relief.
At least… he probably wouldn't have to eat bugs anymore.
Honestly, that was more exhausting than training.
Chapter Seventy-One
Three Years
Over the next few days, Shima Sage brought different kinds of fruit every day, mixing them together in new combinations.
Not only did the presentation improve each time, but the flavor grew better as well. The blended tastes showed clear progress. Even though the fruit itself was already excellent, she still managed to elevate it further.
It became fresher and more refined, clearly showing how much importance Shima Sage placed on her craft.
This made Xia Li believe Fukasaku's words—perhaps Shima Sage truly was a master chef. It was just that Xia Li wasn't a toad and couldn't appreciate her highest-level insect cuisine.
That was Xia Li's issue, not hers.
After spending time together, Xia Li realized that Shima Sage was actually quite easy to get along with. Her words were sharp, but her heart was soft—classic tough-on-the-outside, kind-on-the-inside.
As long as Xia Li praised her cooking after every meal, she'd be in a great mood and gradually stopped mentioning insects altogether.
At Mount Myōboku, Xia Li's ninjutsu training was no less intense than his physical conditioning. Even now, the Substitution Technique required only two hand seals—and given his speed, he could cast it in half a second without seals at all.
There were still issues combining the Void State with Lightning Massage, mainly because it was difficult to move while in that state. Even when he succeeded, the most he could do was blink.
These were goals for future improvement.
As for Flying Thunder God and sealing techniques, his progress was steady. Xia Li had already begun breaking down the final simplified version of the Flying Thunder God seal. Before long, he'd be able to create his own personal mark.
Of course, he couldn't just carve it onto a kunai like the Fourth Hokage—this had to be done slowly.
The remaining change was that Jiraiya had upgraded his library access. Xia Li could now not only read books, but also officially learn ninjutsu.
The highest level available was B-rank. A-rank techniques were still classified, and S-rank was out of the question. As for secret and forbidden techniques, those were completely inaccessible.
But this was already excellent—this was the advantage of having background.
Who was Xia Li?
A student of one of the Sannin.An early disciple of the Fourth Hokage.A direct disciple of the Third Hokage.
He learned quickly, but the amount he needed to learn kept increasing. With clear goals ahead, Xia Li felt both anxious and excited.
Konoha—Xia Li's hometown.
Dragging his exhausted body, Xia Li walked outside. His purpose was simple: to meet his shadow clone.
He no longer attended afternoon training. The Third Hokage had already instructed Iruka, and Xia Li's reputation as the "Great Demon King" was still effective, so no one bothered him.
Technically, Xia Li could release his shadow clone by himself, but he chose not to. During school days, he would hand off tasks with his clone, while his real body continued walking Ino home as usual.
The reason was simple—Xia Li felt uncomfortable using shadow clones.
Once a shadow clone was created, its thinking was no longer fully under his control. It followed the mental state Xia Li had at the moment of creation.
Even though he could receive all its memories afterward, Xia Li still felt a strange sensation—as if he were being influenced by his past self.
Because of that, after using a clone to accompany himself once, he never did it again. Shadow clones were only used for basic learning and daily interactions. Important matters should always be handled by the original body.
The only kind of clone Xia Li could truly accept was one fully controlled by the original—sharing perception and thought in real time.
Such a clone might be less practical than shadow clones in many situations, but in some cases, it was far superior.
"Xia Li, why do you look so tired?" Ino asked curiously.In her view, Xia Li didn't even participate in afternoon training anymore.
But it couldn't be that his body was weak—after all, Xia Li was the grade's demon king… no, the second-year demon king!
"I'm just a little tired," Xia Li admitted helplessly. After daily training, his body was basically pushed to the limit. Even Lightning Massage could only help a little.
Ino looked at him, her expression suddenly changing."Xia Li… are you sick?"
Thinking about it, Xia Li had suddenly stopped afternoon training. She'd been confused at the time. Could it really be because of his health?
Seeing the worry on Ino's face, Xia Li couldn't help reaching out and gently pinching her soft, chubby cheek—the kind he'd wanted to do for a long time.
At this age, such simple contact felt especially precious. Xia Li released her and said calmly,"Let's just keep things like this for now. If we don't cherish the beauty of youth, it'll disappear before we know it."
What are you thinking? My body isn't that fragile.
Ino's face flushed red, but she didn't stop him. Instead, she asked softly,"What happened?"
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