Orochimaru's breakthrough greatly encouraged everyone, but it also exposed the difficulty of reaching the Saint realm. How to maximize the efficacy of the Saint's blood and benefit more people has become a new challenge.
Tsubasa once again extracted a portion of his own flesh and blood, along with that of Saint Ōtsutsuki Sōichi, and handed it over to the Shinobi World's top research team— Orochimaru, Tsunade, Tenpi, and Kabuto Yakushi, who had joined the core circle.
Tenpi stared at the two clumps of flesh and blood before him, which, even after separating from their original bodies, still radiated a faint glow and terrifying energy. He adjusted his glasses, his eyes gleaming with the fervent light of a scientist. "Incredible... Is this the life organization of Saint -level being? The energy structure and genetic information contained within completely exceed our current understanding."
Tsunade, sensing the energy with her Medical Ninjutsu and Senjutsu Chakra, thought, "Its activity is too strong. Even a tiny bit of it would likely assimilate or burst an ordinary ninja. We must find a way to neutralize its violent nature, retaining only the most refined understanding of its laws and the parts that enhance potential."
Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled coldly, "Directly devouring it won't work, so let's refine it into an elixir. Using alchemy techniques, we can extract its essence and, with the help of other harmonizing natural treasures, perhaps create a pill suitable for Immortal King Level."
The three hit it off immediately and threw themselves into their research, working day and night. The laboratory was set up in the original underground base of the Scientific Research Department, but it had been reinforced and shielded by Tsubasa. Day and night, they experimented, failed, and experimented again... Various energy reactions often leaked from the laboratory, causing the surrounding guards to tremble with fear.
While the research was in full swing, on the other side, Tian Yu also consumed a bottle of Ōtsutsuki Sōichi's Saint blood that Tsubasa had given her.
Unlike Orochimaru's frenzied devouring, Tian Yu did not experience a violent energy burst after absorbing the holy blood. She seemed to fall into a strange slumber, her body enveloped in a huge, semi-transparent energy cocoon shimmering with Hoshiki. Countless fine, galaxy-like patterns flowed slowly across the surface of the cocoon, exuding a tranquil and ancient aura.
Tsubasa, guarding beside the giant cocoon, could clearly sense that the Tian Yu's life form was undergoing a fundamental, slow, and resolute transformation. This transformation seemed to touch something deep within her bloodline, requiring a long time to nurture.
"It seems that Tian Yu's breakthrough will take quite a while," Tsubasa said softly to Tian Yueqing beside him.
Tian Yueqing squeezed his hand and said softly, "It's alright, we can wait. As long as she succeeds, the Shinobi World will have another layer of protection."
Time slipped away little by little amidst the research team's arduous efforts and the slumber of the Tian Yu.
Spring came and autumn went, cold came and heat went, and three years passed quietly in the Shinobi World amidst its calm and undercurrents.
The underground research base remained heavily guarded. Layers of spatial barriers and energy shields erected by Tsubasa completely isolated the laboratory from the outside world. For three years, there had never been a moment of peace here. The sounds of colliding energy, the roar of exploding furnaces, and the hum of operating instruments intertwined, sometimes like thunderclaps, sometimes like whispers. The ninjas guarding the outer perimeter of the base had long been accustomed to this atmosphere, but every time they felt the energy fluctuations that leaked through the barriers, sometimes violent and sometimes gentle, they would still subconsciously tighten their grip on their weapons, their eyes filled with awe and trepidation—it was a power that touched the very essence of the world, both alluring and terrifying.
Inside the laboratory, the lights were bright, and the air was filled with a rich aroma of medicine, a faint smell of blood, and a subtle, almost imperceptible, sacred aura belonging to Saint. Tsunade was slightly disheveled, her eyes were bloodshot, and her usually upright back was slightly hunched, but her eyes, which contained the highest level of Medical Ninjutsu, were now shining with an astonishing light. She stretched out her hands, her palms swirling with gentle yet powerful Senjutsu Chakra, and carefully probed into the huge Golden Core cauldron in the center. The surface of the cauldron was engraved with intricate runes, created by Tsubasa by combining Ōtsutsuki secret techniques with ancient Shinobi World formations. At this moment, the runes flowed, emitting a faint golden light, firmly locking in the energy within the cauldron.
"The final harmonization process must be stabilized!" Tsunade's voice was slightly hoarse, yet exceptionally firm. Her Chakra, like the finest threads, coiled around the three energy cores within the furnace that were about to take shape, peeling away and neutralizing the remaining violent energy belonging to the flesh and blood of Saint, bit by bit. The stripped-away violent energy struck the inner wall of the furnace, producing dull thuds. If this furnace hadn't been forged into a celestial artifact by Tsubasa using the Saint, it would probably have already shattered.
Orochimaru stood to the left of the alchemy furnace, his face devoid of its usual sinister glint, replaced by an almost obsessive focus. His hands Hand Seals rapidly, forming intricate hand seals that channeled into the furnace, igniting the earth fire at its base. This earth fire was no ordinary flame, but rather the Southern Brightness Li Fire drawn from the depths of the earth by Tsubasa; its temperature was high enough to incinerate mountains and boil seas, yet Orochimaru wielded it with exquisite fire control. "Heh... Energy extraction rate reached 97%, harmonization 98%, Tsunade, your medical Chakra truly is the best neutralizer." He licked his dry lips, his voice brimming with barely concealed excitement. "Just a little longer, and the fruits of these three years of hard work will bear fruit."
Tenpi stood guard beside the instruments, his eyes behind his glasses fixed on the densely packed data flashing on the screen. His pen moved swiftly, precisely recording every energy fluctuation, every flow of runes, and every subtle change in the medicinal properties. "The energy structure is stable, the genetic information has been completely transformed into law imprints, and the medicinal properties are becoming more balanced..." he murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with fervent light. "Incredible, truly incredible! We actually managed to transform the life energy of Saint- level cultivator into absorbable medicinal power! This is enough to rewrite the cultivation history of the Shinobi World!"
Kabuto Yakushi stood behind Tenpi, holding a pile of precious rare herbs, ready to add them to the cauldron at any time according to the instructions of the others. For the past three years, he had participated in the research as a core member, witnessing the wonders of the flesh and blood of Saint, and also witnessing the extraordinary wisdom and perseverance of Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Tenpi. At this moment, looking at the three increasingly solid and warm halos in the cauldron, he was filled with awe and anticipation.
"Now!" Tsunade shouted, her Senjutsu Chakra erupting from her palm and surging into the furnace like a tidal wave. Orochimaru's hand seals also became rapid, and the earth fire surged instantly, turning the inside of the furnace crimson. Tenpi quickly adjusted the instruments, emitting a stable energy beam that struck the core of the furnace.
boom--
A deep, yet not violent, roar emanated from the alchemy furnace, followed by a refreshing and invigorating fragrance that suddenly filled the air. This fragrance was unlike any known medicinal herb aroma; it was pure and sacred, warm yet containing immense energy. Just one breath was enough to instantly soothe the weary bodies of those present, their depleted Chakra began to slowly surge, and even their mental energy became clearer than ever before.
The fragrance of the elixir penetrated through layers of restrictions, drifting out of the underground base like invisible threads, reaching every corner of the Scientific Research Department, and even reaching the distant Ten Family mansion. Tsubasa, who was cultivating, instantly opened his eyes, a hint of relief flashing in them; Tian Yueqing, who was guarding the giant cocoon of the Tian Yu, slightly raised her head, sniffed lightly, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.
"Success!" Tsunade withdrew her hands, let out a long sigh of relief, and a bright smile bloomed on her tired face, with even a hint of tears welling up in her eyes. The failures and setbacks of the past three years, the sleepless nights of research, and the repeated moments on the verge of collapse all transformed into the joy of fulfillment at this moment.
Orochimaru walked to the alchemy furnace, waved his hand, and the lid slowly opened. Three perfectly round pills, each the size of a longan, floated inside. Their surfaces were adorned with naturally formed cloud patterns, as if born from the very fabric of heaven and earth. Golden liquid seemed to flow slowly within them, radiating a soft and sacred aura. Fragments of laws swirled around the pills, forming a thin veil of light. " Saint Heart Pill..." Orochimaru murmured, a rare, genuine smile, devoid of any sinister intent, appearing on his face. "Finally, we haven't disappointed. We haven't let down the Saint Tsubasa's trust, nor have we let down our own efforts."
Tenpi strode forward, took out a specially made jade bottle, and carefully placed three Saint Heart Pill inside. The moment the jade bottle touched the pills, it spontaneously emitted a halo, firmly locking in the pills' energy. "Based on theoretical calculations and preliminary energy testing, this pill contains the essence of Saint's flesh and blood, along with fragments of the Great Dao; its medicinal properties are gentle yet powerful."