Occasionally, Li Qiuxia would talk to Uncle Jiu about other matters, such as the invasion of the Central Plains by the devils in 1937. Beyond that, he discussed the current state of affairs and the various ghosts and monsters that might appear in this world the Old Master Ren they might encounter in Ren Family Town, the hidden Feng Shui master, and the Royal Zombie that might cross paths with Four-Eyed Taoist.
He also mentioned Uncle Jiu's Senior Brother, Shi Jian, and his troublesome son, Shi Shaojian. However, Li Qiuxia kept quiet about the fated connection between Zhe Gu and Uncle Jiu. After all, how could he casually interfere in someone else's romantic destiny?
Just like that, another eight months passed during Li Qiuxia's apprenticeship, bringing him close to a full year since he had joined. During these eight months, he had met Zhe Gu and Four-Eyed Taoist, who had come through while driving corpses.
Both were very satisfied with their young martial nephew. Taking advantage of his youthful appearance, Li Qiuxia managed to learn several Taoist arts from them. For instance, he picked up Four-Eyed Taoist's "muscle man art" more accurately known as the Spirit Invitation Technique.
However, after learning the method, Li Qiuxia didn't actually practice the Spirit Invitation Technique as it was. Instead, he began researching ways to improve it. As for what he wanted to turn it into? Well, the Spirit Deity Mask from the world of The Outcast seemed like a very promising direction.
Throughout this nearly year-long period, Li Qiuxia's cultivation had been smooth sailing. He had transformed from a cursed Uchiha child into a Taoist. Through his diligent efforts over the year, he had accumulated five hundred strands of mana. If he wished, he could use this mana to advance to the rank of Human Master, becoming the youngest one in history.
But just as before, Li Qiuxia understood the vital importance of a solid foundation. Unless he reached his absolute limit, he had no intention of forcing a breakthrough.
While his cultivation was going perfectly, his physical stature was somewhat disappointing. Uncle Jiu had never mistreated him over the past year, ensuring he had at least one egg to eat every day.
Yet, Li Qiuxia had not grown a single centimeter since the slight growth spurt he experienced during the Patriarch's baptism. Even stranger, when Uncle Jiu checked his bone age, he found that it hadn't changed at all in an entire year. It was truly bizarre.
Neither Li Qiuxia nor Uncle Jiu could figure out what was happening. Li Qiuxia began to worry surely he wasn't destined to stay a child forever? He had been a bachelor his entire previous life; was he fated to be one in this life too? If that were the case, he might as well have let Itachi Uchiha kill him.
Despite his frustration over his height, Li Qiuxia didn't waste a single second of his training time. He lived in constant fear that he might be suddenly sent back without the power to defend himself, resulting in an immediate death.
One night, Li Qiuxia was in his room cultivating as usual. He was in a meditative state, floating between being half-awake and half-asleep, but for some reason, he felt an overwhelming sense of drowsiness tonight.
In a daze, Li Qiuxia drifted off to sleep. When he woke the next day and saw his surroundings, he was so startled that he immediately activated his Sharingan.
"Holy hell, how am I back? This has to be a joke! Are you kidding me?"
Just as Li Qiuxia was about to launch into a half-hour-long cursing fit, a surge of information suddenly flooded his mind, and a screen appeared before his eyes.
*Host:* Qiuxia Uchiha (Li Qiuxia)
*Bloodline:* Uchiha, Senju
*Bloodline Limit:* Three-Tomoe Sharingan (99/100), Wood Release (Unawakened)
*Attributes:* Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth, Yin, Yang
*Realm:* Taoist (531/1000)
*Skills:* Talisman Drawing (20/3000), Feng Shui (50/3000), Maoshan Body Refining Art (552/1000), Maoshan Basic Taoist Arts (150/5000), Artifact Refining Art (50/1000), Guyi Cultivation Method (150/5000), Maoshan Qi Refining Art (150/5000), Spirit Invitation Technique (Unlearned)...
*World:* Naruto, Mr. Vampire World (1/30)
*Ability:* Deduction (100)
*Origin Points:* 13
"What is this, a system data panel? Is there a system sprite or something? Say something if you're there... Guess not. That's a good thing, actually. At least I don't have to worry about being scammed by some sprite."
"And what do these Origin Points mean? Does it mean I only have thirteen years to live? Or can these points help me level up?" As Li Qiuxia focused on the Origin Points, he noticed plus signs appearing next to several entries on his panel the Sharingan, Wood Release, his Realm, and many of his skills.
After scanning the list, he focused his attention on the Sharingan. It was only one point away from a breakthrough. If he added a point now, would his Three-Tomoe Sharingan evolve into a Mangekyo Sharingan?
The moment he applied the Origin Point, a chilling sensation flowed into his eyes. Then, an agonizing pain erupted, as if two electric drills were boring into his eye sockets. The pain was so intense he wanted to scream, but remembering where he was, he bit down hard on his blanket.
"It hurts, it hurts so damn much! When is it going to end? It hurts!" After what felt like an eternity, the sound of shattering glass seemed to echo in his ears, and the agonizing pressure in his eyes vanished, replaced by a soothing coolness.
Once the pain was gone, Li Qiuxia felt his mental power skyrocket, reaching nearly five times its previous level. His vision became incredibly sharp. He dashed to the mirror and stared at the transformation in his eyes.
The three black tomoe on the platinum background had vanished. In their place was a black and white Taiji pattern with golden, ornate borders.
"Is this a Mangekyo? Why does my Mangekyo look like a Taiji diagram? It feels a bit strange, though I suppose it fits my identity as a Taoist. Right, every pair of Mangekyo has three Eye Techniques. Aside from the fixed Susanoo, there should be two unique powers. What are mine?"
Sensing the information brought by the evolution, Li Qiuxia confirmed the functions of his eyes. "Life" and "Death" two diametrically opposed concepts were the powers of his eyes. The Life power in his left eye could enhance vitality and allow for rapid recovery as long as his ocular power wasn't depleted. The Death power in his right eye allowed him to perceive the "death qi" of people and objects, which he could then absorb or detonate.
When used together, his eyes could devour both life and death. Based on these abilities alone, this was a pair of eyes that anyone in the Naruto world would dream of. With both eyes active, he could achieve a form of pseudo-immortality, devouring the lives of others to replenish his own lifespan.
The awakening of a Mangekyo is always tied to one's deepest desires and personality. Shisui Uchiha awakened Kotoamatsukami because he wanted to use his will to change the Uchiha clan and stop the rebellion.
Itachi Uchiha awakened his due to the grief of Shisui's death and his desire to change the world. Obito Uchiha's eyes were born from the trauma of Rin's death, leading to a hatred of the world and a desire to escape it.
So, what did Li Qiuxia's powers of Life and Death represent? Since the moment he realized he had arrived in this terrible world, Li Qiuxia had craved life and feared death. At the same time, he harbored a deep desire for the deaths of Shisui, Itachi, Obito, and the people of Konoha. His bone-deep instinct for survival and his intense dread of death had given birth to these eyes of Life and Death.
After testing his new powers, Li Qiuxia deactivated his eyes. He was currently in the Uchiha clan compound, and the clan was under constant surveillance by the Third Hokage, the Anbu, and Root. If they saw this, they would likely descend on him immediately to gouge out his eyes.
Now that he had returned to Konoha, Li Qiuxia needed to make new plans. First was his training. He had to keep practicing, but he couldn't do it directly. He cultivated spiritual qi, which might be perceived as natural energy in this world.
If someone sensed him absorbing it, he would be in deep trouble. Furthermore, things weren't like the mortuary anymore. Uncle Jiu and Wencai weren't here to provide his meals; he was on his own now.
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