Time flew, and more than half a year passed in a flash. Ye Feng had grown quite a bit taller and now looked like an eight- or nine-year-old child. He was more than half a head taller than Obito Uchiha, which had left Obito dejected for a long time.
Whenever Ye Feng had time during this period, he visited Orochimaru to check on his progress with natural energy. In fact, a month and a half after Ye Feng returned from his last mission, Orochimaru had already become able to sense natural energy. What he sensed was still very faint, however, and he still needed Ye Feng to draw it toward him. Gradually, he no longer needed Ye Feng's guidance and could absorb natural energy himself. His body's rejection of natural energy also grew weaker and weaker. Perhaps in another half a year, Orochimaru would be able to cultivate on his own.
In his other free time, Ye Feng would chat with Might Duy and occasionally spar with him. His group of young friends did not leave him alone either, dragging him along as their cook for picnics and outings. This comfortable life made Ye Feng somewhat reluctant to leave, but he had not forgotten his goal. He even hoped that one day he could return to Earth for a visit.
During this time, Ye Feng had not neglected his genjutsu or true qi cultivation either. By now, he could use genjutsu with ease, and whenever he made progress, he would seek out Minato Namikaze to test it.
At first, things went well. Minato broke his genjutsu immediately and pointed out some of its shortcomings. Later, however, even Minato needed a long time to dispel it. In battle, that much time would have left Minato dead.
Eventually, even Minato could no