"Heh heh, it wasn't an order."
Orochimaru walked over from beside the shrine and stopped in front of Qingyu.
"I brought you to sign a summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave."
"Consider it guidance."
Orochimaru chuckled.
Qingyu was somewhat surprised upon hearing this.
Ryūchi Cave, one of the Three Great Sacred Lands, was home to some of the strongest snakes in the ninja world.
If he could form a contract with Ryūchi Cave, it meant he would be able to summon beings far more powerful than ordinary ninja snakes.
After all, even ordinary snake summons would become stronger than other summoned beasts after living for a long time in an environment rich in natural energy.
The snakes there could even take human form.
Like the three Snake Princesses beneath the White Snake Sage, each of them could transform into a human.
More importantly, this meant Qingyu would be qualified to come into contact with Ryūchi Cave's "Senjutsu."
Although he had already learned Senjutsu in Shikkotsu Forest, that was the Katsuyu Sage's Senjutsu.
Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu was an entirely different system, with completely different traits and abilities.
If he could master both kinds of "Senjutsu" at once—
Could he take the strengths of both and compensate for their weaknesses, creating a human "Senjutsu"?
It was somewhat fanciful, but with the boost from his traits, things impossible for others might not necessarily be impossible for him.
Qingyu suppressed the anticipation in his heart and nodded at Orochimaru.
"Thank you, Teacher Orochimaru. I'll study well."
"Heh heh—"
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly.
"Qingyu-kun, your learning speed has always satisfied me. If Nawaki had possessed even a fraction of your talent back then, perhaps he wouldn't have died."
Orochimaru spoke calmly.
Qingyu could hear a trace of sorrow in Orochimaru's tone.
After all, Nawaki