"Welcome, traveler from another world."
A colossal White Snake, wearing a horned hat with long orange hair cascading down its back, coiled upon a dais, was looking at Tian Yin with the gaze of one examining a rare curiosity.
[It's even more awe-inspiring than in the anime. This is what you call one of the masters of the Three Great Sage Lands.]
Tian Yin bowed and offered a simple greeting.
As for being called a traveler from another world? After Tamazu-hime's trial, was there any need to be surprised? Tian Yin simply went with the flow and didn't dwell on it.
"Hmm, not bad. Most who come here seeking power are madmen. It's rare to see someone as polite and without a judgmental gaze towards us. With such an attitude and temperament, no wonder my subordinates have taken a bit of a liking to you."
The enormous serpent body shifted, and instantly, Tian Yin felt the entire space tremble.
When she regained her senses, the great snake before her had transformed into a short, elderly woman with orange hair and a cat's eye gem hanging on her chest.
"White Snake Sage, the purpose of my journey here..."
Before she could finish, the White Snake Sage spoke first.
"I know the purpose of your visit to Ryūchi Cave. As long as you can successfully control the power of the sage, the petrification of your companion and that little snake mother will be child's play for you."
After speaking, the White Snake Sage extended her sleeve, and White Snake fell out from within, though in an unconscious state.
"Did White Snake fail?"
Tian Yin couldn't help but feel anxious as she picked it up and cradled it in her hands. She truly didn't want to lose this adorable creature, and it was quite strong too.
Fortunately, White Snake still had signs of life, but the Chakra within its body was completely dormant, more like a state of suspended animation.
"Hehehe, this little snake tried very hard, but it's still too green. In comparison, you are truly remarkable.
I originally thought you would lose at the third trial, but I never expected you to use a technique to fundamentally resolve that stage."
The White Snake Sage praised, her yellow pupils fixed on Tian Yin as if trying to see through everything about her.
Faced with the White Snake Sage's words, Tian Yin could only sigh helplessly.
She had seen this kind of scenario too many times; such praise was utterly meaningless. The true purpose of this malicious character before her was... "You want me to choose between the power of the sage and saving White Snake?"
It was too much, a classic, malicious plot device to the extreme, causing immense torment for both the characters in the story and the audience watching.
The White Snake Sage was taken aback for a moment, a malicious curve forming at the corner of her mouth.
"Human nature is born from desire and will eventually fall step by step into darkness. Those who come to me seeking power are all people who have abandoned everything for their desires. You really like this little snake, don't you? What will you choose?"
The White Snake Sage flicked her long tongue. Even though Tian Yin had seen through her plan beforehand, she remained unhurried and unperturbed, still stating her original intent.
Truly malicious, from start to finish.
Tian Yin sighed mournfully again, feeling that the style of Ryūchi Cave was genuinely somewhat annoying.
"Boring."
This word involuntarily escaped Tian Yin's lips.
"Boring?"
The White Snake Sage was puzzled. From the moment Tian Yin arrived until now, her character had been clearly displayed.
A self-interested individual who follows her inner desires yet does not abandon certain bottom lines and conscience.
If so, why would she, not a complete egoist, say the current situation was boring?
Tian Yin looked directly into those snake-like yellow eyes, her tone calm yet sharp.
"You've set up a narrow path: either selfishly seek power or weakly save a companion."
Tian Yin slightly raised the hand cradling White Snake and continued: "But for me, this was never a matter of 'choosing one over the other.'"
The White Snake Sage's pupils contracted slightly, her malicious smile seeming to freeze for an instant: "Then what is the matter?"
"It's a matter of sequence and outcome." Tian Yin's voice was resolute.
"Oh?" The White Snake Sage was quite expectant of Tian Yin's answer.
"I want the power. And I will also save White Snake. Since you said controlling the sage's power can easily undo the petrification, then the answer is obvious. Let me master the power of sage techniques, and I can save her myself."
Recalling the essence of the third trial's test.
At least in this life, having come this far, Tian Yin had the confidence and certainty that she could absolutely do it.
"You established three trials; I passed them all on my own merit. Isn't that proof enough? Instead of playing with this boring choice, save the time and directly begin the final trial.
If I fail and die, then so be it. If I succeed, I will personally rescue my companion. That is my choice."
As her words fell, the offering hall fell into silence. Only on the White Snake Sage's face did that habitual malicious smile finally vanish completely, replaced by a deep, complex, even somewhat appreciative scrutiny.
After a few moments of silence, a low, booming laugh suddenly erupted.
"Hahahahaha... Excellent! That answer!"
The White Snake Sage stood up, her form swelling once more, reverting to the mountainous, coiled form of the colossal white serpent's Main Body.
Her enormous serpent head lowered, those golden vertical pupils shimmering with a strange light, tightly locking onto the small yet unyielding figure below.
"Over a thousand years, countless truth-seekers have stepped into this place, some obsessed, some fearful... Rare are those like you, who see through the essence, face potential failure with equanimity, and believe in their own power!"
She reined in her laughter, her forked tongue hissing, her tone carrying a newfound seriousness:
"Power is not merely a tool for destruction or domination. It should be the finest instrument to realize one's desires and overcome obstacles on the path.
You have proven that you crave power, yet are not blinded by it. Instead, you clearly know how to use it to achieve your desires!
Very well, as you said, the boring choice ends here. Prepare yourself!"
In an instant, Tian Yin's vision blurred. Accompanied by the sensation of two forces piercing her body, the world began to turn dark.
[The final trial for those who enter Ryūchi Cave seeking power is to have the serpent sage inject power (Natural Energy) with her fangs. If one cannot control it and dies, they become the serpent sage's meal. Conversely, if successful, one gains unparalleled ability.]
The White Snake Sage took out the intelligence Orochimaru had given Tian Yin from her backpack and examined each piece. After a light chuckle, she returned this information, painstakingly compiled by countless predecessors, to Tian Yin's bag.
"If not for this, I wouldn't have given you such a hard time when you arrived before me. However, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and blessings may harbor misfortune. It all depends on whether you truly have the skill to pass this final trial. Hohoho~ You think so too, don't you, little one?"
At this moment, White Snake, who had originally fallen into a stupor, was adjusting the position of Tian Yin, who lay on the ground, trying to make her sleep more comfortably.
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