After all, the food in Japan tended toward light flavors, and most of what Uncle Jiu had eaten on this journey followed that trend. One could say this bowl of Ichiraku Ramen was the best meal Uncle Jiu and Zhegu had enjoyed since leaving the Land of Demons. It was delicious, though it would have been perfect with just a bit more salt.
After finishing his first bowl, Uncle Jiu shared his thoughts with Teuchi. Teuchi didn't refuse the suggestion; after all, every guest has different tastes, and a chef cannot satisfy everyone with a single recipe. His job was to satisfy the customer's needs as much as possible.
When the second bowl arrived, Uncle Jiu took a bite and nodded with satisfaction. Not just him, but Zhegu was very pleased as well.
After devouring five bowls of noodles in a row, Uncle Jiu and Zhegu were finally full. Just as they set their bowls on the table and stepped out of the shop, they saw two little girls with white eyes, dressed in kimonos, walking toward the entrance.
Although the girls were adorable, Uncle Jiu and Zhegu didn't pay much attention. If they wanted cute kids, they could just have their own. Having reached the Zhenren Realm, they were no longer bound by biological restrictions. As long as they put in the effort, they would eventually have a child of their own.
They were about to walk past the girls when one of them froze upon seeing Uncle Jiu. Realizing they were leaving, she hurriedly called out, "Uncle Jiu?"
Hearing the name, Uncle Jiu and Zhegu stopped and turned toward the girl. "Little friend, were you calling me?"
Hearing him speak Japanese, the girl blinked, then seemed to realize something. She continued, "Are you Uncle Jiu? The Maoshan General? The Altar Opening Vanguard?"
"Little girl, how do you know me?" Perhaps it was the familiar language of the Divine Land, but Uncle Jiu did not hide his identity.
The girl replied, "Uncle Jiu, my name is Ruri Hyuga. It is a pleasure to meet you. If you don't mind, could we find a teahouse to chat?"
After a moment of thought, Uncle Jiu agreed. Soon, the group arrived at a nearby teahouse. After Ruri ordered some food for Hinata Hyuga, she looked at the couple. "I wonder what you would like to have, Uncle?"
"We just finished eating at the noodle shop. Just two cups of tea will be fine."
Ruri nodded and ordered the tea. Once that was done, she looked at him and said, "Uncle Jiu, I truly didn't expect to see you in this world. I imagine it was Ren Tingting's senior brotheryour disciplewho brought you here."
Uncle Jiu didn't speak immediately. He thought for a moment before asking, "You are also a transmigrator?"
Seeing that he had guessed it, Ruri didn't hide it and nodded. "That's right, Uncle. Like your disciple and Ren Tingting, I am a transmigrator. Unfortunately, unlike them, I don't have a Golden Finger."
Uncle Jiu nodded. "So, why did you call for me? After all, I don't have the Golden Finger you mentioned, and I can't exactly conjure one for you."
Ruri replied, "Uncle Jiu, my purpose in finding you is to join your sect. I was wondering if you could take me as your disciple."
"Why do you wish to take me as your master? I can feel an energy within your body. If I'm not mistaken, it is the unique energy of this world known as Chakra. Judging by your eyes and surname, you belong to the prestigious Hyuga Clan of the Hidden Leaf. You already have a legacy of power; why would you want to practice Taoism with me?"
"Uncle Jiu, how can the Chakra system compare to Taoist Arts? Taoism grants longevity, whereas Chakra cultivation can actually shorten one's lifespan. Uncle, I am sincere in my desire to join your sect."
Uncle Jiu waved his hand. "I have taken enough disciples already. I won't be taking any more. Junior Sister, what do you think?"
Ruri, who had been crestfallen by Uncle Jiu's initial refusal, perked up at his last words. She turned her gaze toward the woman. "You must be Uncle Jiu's junior sister, ZheguTingting's master. I didn't expect you to look so young."
Zhegu laughed. "Flattery won't get you anywhere. Give me your hand; I'll check to see if you're suited for Taoism."
Without hesitation, Ruri extended her hand. Zhegu took it and began circulating her Dharma Power through Ruri's body to test her constitution.
After a long moment, Zhegu looked at her. "Your constitution is indeed suitable for the path, but the power in your body is incompatible with Dharma Power. If you wish to practice Taoism, you would have to cripple the energy in your body called Chakra."
Ruri fell into deep thought. Should she continue her Chakra training or switch to Taoism? With Chakra, she could maximize her Kekkei Genkai. In the future, she might even reach the moon and use the giant Tenseigan to upgrade her Byakugan, potentially reaching the Six Paths Level.
Switch to Taoist Arts, and her future was unknown. Her upper limit might be higher than the Six Paths Level, or it might be lower. However, Taoism offered a benefit Chakra lacked: longevity. In the world of ninjutsu, even those at the Super Kage level, like Madara Uchiha, only lived for so long.
It was unknown exactly how long Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Hamura Otsutsuki lived, but it likely wasn't an eternity. Taoism, on the other hand, offered much more in the way of a long life.
Longevity was one thing, but the power wouldn't be lacking either. Look at the transmigrator who brought Ren Tingting and the couple here; he had likely been the one to secretly eliminate Itachi Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, and the three elders, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi so shaken he didn't dare return to the village.
After thinking it over, Ruri looked at Zhegu. "I choose Taoism. However, I am a member of the Hyuga Main House. If I want to leave, I need their permission. Uncle Jiu, Zhegu, could you please speak with my grandfather and the others?"
Uncle Jiu and Zhegu saw right through her little scheme. She wanted them to display their power to the clan. But Ruri had overlooked something.
Zhegu smiled. "Little girl, you seem to have forgotten something. You are the one begging us to take you as a student, not the other way around. Your talent is decent, but my senior brother's disciples have even better potential, and my own disciple is no worse than you."
Ruri's face turned pale. "Zhegu, I..."
Zhegu waved her hand to cut her off. "Say no more. My senior brother and I have other matters to attend to. We won't be staying for tea." As she spoke, she and Uncle Jiu vanished from the teahouse.
Ruri's expression became unsightly, her fists clenching tight. "How could this happen? Why were they able to become disciples while I can't?"
Ruri had made a mistake. She thought being a transmigrator with good talent was enough. But in Taoism, temperament and heart mattered just as much as talent. Orthodox sects prioritized character above all else; a talented person with a poor heart was nothing more than a future disaster or an ungrateful wolf.
Ren Tingting had been accepted by Zhegu because she was relatively simple and kindhearted. Moreover, she lived in a Zombie World where spiritual energy was sparse.
After confirming she had no major character flaws, Zhegu felt Ren Tingting was a perfect fit. Tingting had proved to be an excellent discipleclumsy and cute at times, but always knowing right from wrong.
So then, why did Uncle Jiu take Qiusheng as a disciple?
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