The Key

Deep underground, Orochimaru proceeded cautiously until he reached a narrow opening.

This was the only route to the next area. Blocking the way was a Nest. Digging a concealed tunnel through the rock would take too long, and he might alarm the nearby swarm. He could only risk breaking through.

Leaning against the dry rock wall and squeezing into a narrow crack in the strata, Orochimaru took out all kinds of bottles and jars.

He carefully smeared the contents over his entire body.

Unless absolutely necessary, Orochimaru would never put this stuff on himself. These medicines had been specially formulated to counter the swarm's scent-based detection.

They had some side effects and were highly irritating, which was bad for delicate skin.

But even after going this far, Orochimaru still wasn't reassured. He placed several more seals on himself to conceal any trace of his presence.

After making all these preparations, Orochimaru began to move stealthily.

He slipped into the narrow fissure and passed through a rugged, oppressive tunnel.

It had to be said that Orochimaru's courage was astonishingly great.

In an underground environment like this, the darkness alone was enough to make anyone suffer. The complicated maze could make a person lose their way and gradually fall into despair. Even more oppressive were the huge stones coming from all directions, clinging heavily overhead and creating the suffocating illusion that the ceiling might collapse at any moment and crush him into meat paste.

The most terrifying part was that people could scare themselves. They would always imagine ghosts and monsters lurking all around, coveting them.

Without a strong psychological adaptability, it was difficult to operate in this kind of environment for long.

Orochimaru was very tense now, cold sweat dripping one drop at a time. He knew perfectly well that there