Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 298 Reconstruction

The group, who had been looking dejected, seemed to be instantly invigorated upon seeing Orochimaru, their bodies involuntarily straightening up. Their eyes gleamed with awe and excitement, and their faces displayed respectful expressions.

"Lord Orochimaru!" they shouted in unison, their voices filled with reverence.

These young people held Orochimaru in deep respect and gratitude. They had experienced hardship and confusion in their lives, but it was Orochimaru's appearance that provided them with help and guidance, allowing them to rediscover direction and hope.

In their hearts, Orochimaru was not only a powerful and mysterious figure, but also a family member. He gave them new life and opportunities, allowing them to feel the warmth and care of family. Therefore, they were willing to follow Orochimaru wholeheartedly and give everything for him.

Orochimaru smiled as he looked at the group of people before him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. These young men were all carefully selected by him; they were loyal and had potential, and would surely become his capable assistants in the future.

With Orochimaru's arrival, the entire scene became serious. Everyone straightened their backs, their eyes fixed on Orochimaru, awaiting his instructions. Orochimaru's arrival seemed to bring an invisible pressure, making everyone afraid to relax even slightly.

Orochimaru didn't waste any words; he simply walked straight to the group and sat down, gesturing for them to sit as well. Once everyone was seated, Orochimaru began, "I think you all understand why I brought you here. So, how was your progress last night, having tried the new training method?"

As Orochimaru finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became somewhat oppressive.

Everyone fell silent, their faces showing solemnity and tension. They knew Orochimaru's requirements for training were extremely strict, and his teaching methods often instilled immense pressure. However, they also understood that only through this method could they continuously improve their strength.

A moment later, Kabuto Yakushi stepped forward, his eyes firm and confident. He bowed to Orochimaru and said, "Lord Orochimaru, we tried that method last night, and although we haven't made any significant progress yet, we will continue to try!"

The others nearby nodded in agreement, their faces filled with shame. They had also tried all night, but with terrible results and absolutely no progress.

Kabuto Yakushi, somewhat embarrassed, continued, "Lord Orochimaru, we've tried everything, but unfortunately, we haven't gained anything at all. Changing habits formed over many years is still too difficult. As soon as we start training, our bodies instinctively begin refining chakra, polluting the wisp of soul power we've just cultivated. It will probably take a long time to adjust and change this situation."

Hearing Kabuto's answer, Orochimaru nodded slightly, indicating his satisfaction. He then asked, "This is a completely new training method, and it takes a long time to see results. I tried it last night, but I didn't gain much. However, this training method is easier for younger people, those who have been ninjas for a shorter time, to adapt to. I believe you will be able to adapt to this training method quickly; you are my most prized subordinates."

Kimimaro hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Lord Orochimaru, we discovered during our training that this new training method requires a high degree of concentration, which is a challenge for us. When we stay focused, our bodies instinctively refine chakra, resulting in poor training results."

Orochimaru frowned upon hearing this and pondered for a moment. He slowly said, "Hmm, that is indeed a problem. I'm in a similar situation, but I believe that as long as we persevere and gradually adapt to this training method, we can overcome this difficulty. In addition, I summarized some techniques last night and will give you some guidance and assistance to help you better master this training method."

After saying this, Orochimaru took out a scroll from his robes and handed it to Kimimaro. He continued, "This scroll contains methods on how to improve concentration and mental strength while adjusting body control. You can refer to it. I hope it will be helpful to you."

Kimimaro accepted the scroll and bowed gratefully to Orochimaru. Afterwards, the other ninjas raised questions and concerns they had encountered during their training, which Orochimaru patiently answered one by one, offering corresponding advice and guidance.

Finally, Orochimaru stood up, looked at everyone, and said, "Alright, that concludes today's discussion. Remember, training is a long and arduous path, but as long as you persevere and keep striving, you will definitely become powerful ninjas. Now, let's begin today's training!"

As Orochimaru gave the order, everyone rose and began their day's training. They knew that only through continuous effort and practice could they truly master the new training methods and improve their strength. This was one of the reasons they followed Orochimaru—only by following the strong could they become stronger.

As time went on, Orochimaru began to devote more energy to research and training. He immersed himself in the world of cultivation, constantly exploring new methods and techniques, trying to find the path that best suited him. Every day, he could feel his own progress, a feeling that strengthened his resolve.

However, the path of cultivation is not always smooth. Orochimaru encountered many difficulties and predicaments during his training. But he never gave up; instead, he chose to face them bravely and constantly try various methods to solve them.

Finally, after a long period of effort, Orochimaru gradually mastered some of the secrets of cultivation. He discovered that by adjusting his breathing and concentrating his mental energy, he could better integrate with the forces of nature, thereby gaining greater power. He began to try applying this power in battle and discovered its astonishing effectiveness.

As time went on, Orochimaru's progress in his training became increasingly remarkable. His body grew stronger, and his mental power increased dramatically. He could easily sense energy fluctuations in his surroundings and use them to enhance his attacks. At the same time, his ninjutsu also improved significantly, becoming more refined and powerful.

During this process, Orochimaru, Kabuto, and others continued their search for Hyuga Neji. They discussed the path of cultivation together, exchanged insights, and progressed together. With the help of his friends, Orochimaru's path of cultivation became smoother, and he gradually grasped the true meaning of cultivation.

Six months passed in a flash, like a fleeting moment. During this time, Orochimaru displayed admirable character and exceptional talent. As an experienced and powerful ninja, he had already traversed decades of ninja life. However, completely altering one's physical structure was no easy feat, especially for a powerful individual like him with a vast amount of chakra. But with unwavering perseverance and wisdom, he overcame these difficulties one by one, summarizing many valuable methods and techniques in the process, which his subordinates could learn from.

During this long period, Orochimaru never saw Hyuga Kanan at the training grounds. This situation filled him with admiration and astonishment. Hyuga Kanan was able to devote all his thoughts and energy entirely to his training, maintaining a secluded state for extended periods without the slightest slackening or distraction. Even though his strength was already powerful enough to shake the entire ninja world, he still relentlessly pursued higher levels of power and mastery. This dedication and focus on training inspired awe.

As time went on, Orochimaru's desire for power and immortality grew stronger, and he became even more obsessed with training. He believed that only by devoting all his energy to training, like Hyuga Kanan, could he achieve greater success. So, he began to try to imitate Hyuga Kanan's methods, but this was not easy and required a lot of time to adapt and adjust.

After a long period of trial and error, Orochimaru finally found a method that suited him. When he practiced the Nourishing Spirit Technique, he could dedicate a portion of his mind to controlling his body's instinctive reactions, thus preventing his body from automatically refining chakra. This allowed him to focus more intently on cultivating his soul power and enhancing it. Although this process was fraught with difficulties, Orochimaru persevered and continued his efforts.

Orochimaru's already immense soul power, after fusing with his body's energy to form chakra, essentially stagnated in his ninja strength, even causing it to regress. However, this situation greatly pleased Orochimaru, proving he was on the right path. Simultaneously, Orochimaru was attempting to refine and expel chakra using his newly generated soul power, albeit only a very small amount, but this was his first step on the path of cultivation.

After countless attempts, Orochimaru finally succeeded in refining that small portion of chakra, perfectly separating its spiritual and physical energy. This achievement was of great significance to him, as it meant he had taken a crucial step forward. He knew that if he persisted and applied this refining method to the rest of his chakra, he would eventually achieve complete refinement of all his chakra, thus truly crossing the threshold of cultivation mentioned by Hyuga Neji.

At this moment, Orochimaru was filled with anticipation. He knew the road ahead might be full of challenges, but he firmly believed that as long as he persevered, he would definitely be able to break through his limitations and reach a higher level of cultivation. As time passed, his body gradually adapted to and accepted this new method of refinement, and each refinement brought him one step closer to his goal.

Throughout this process, Orochimaru maintained a high level of focus and perseverance. He understood that only through continuous effort and practice could he truly master this refining technique and utilize it to its fullest potential. He also believed that once he successfully refined all the chakra, he would usher in a completely new self, possessing greater power and deeper wisdom.

Orochimaru is at a crucial turning point. He has successfully taken the first step, but the road ahead is long. However, he is confident that he can overcome all difficulties and ultimately achieve his goal. After all, for someone who pursues endless knowledge and power, nothing is insurmountable.