"Ah, what a shame!"
Seeing his Genjutsu broken, Qian gave a soft sigh.
Then he turned his gaze toward the passage leading to the temple.
The next instant, the passage widened and rose higher, revealing a temple deep within.
Inside that temple was a giant snake with a golden orb atop its head.
It wore a golden headscarf, with green gemstones hanging around its neck. Its entire body was snow-white, marked by yellow ring patterns, and its form had fused together with the temple.
It was none other than the main target of his trip—the White Snake Sage.
At that moment, the White Snake Sage held a huge pipe in her mouth. As she exhaled clouds of smoke, she revealed a trace of languor.
However, that was only a facade. With his Rinnegan, Qian keenly detected the hint of gravity hidden beneath her languor.
Clearly, even the White Snake Sage, who had lived for a thousand years, was extremely wary of him as he was now.
A stifling atmosphere gradually took shape within the passage.
Little by little, even Tagitsuhime could no longer bear it. She suddenly changed back into her true snake form and shrank into a side passage.
Yet neither Qian nor the White Snake Sage paid her any mind.
Time passed, minute by minute, second by second.
Only after a long while did the White Snake Sage speak in an unhurried tone. "Impressive. You are called Uchiha Qian, yes?
"In all the years this old woman has lived, you are one of the few who could develop the Sharingan to this degree.
"Can you tell me how you did it?"
Tell you? On what grounds?
Qian sneered inwardly.
Besides, was she really curious about that?
The corner of his vision swept over the surrounding rock walls.
Faintly,