Chapter 184: Not of Our Kind
The sudden loss of control over natural energy caused Baishi's entire body to rapidly petrify.
First, his limbs, then his torso, and finally his head—all transformed from warm, living flesh into cold, unyielding stone.
Simultaneously, a torrent of maddening thoughts surged into his mind, urging him to destroy everything around him.
Baishi's bloodshot eyes snapped open, his irises filled with an eerie, crimson hue.
In this moment, he resembled Jūgo, consumed by natural energy and driven mad by an overwhelming bloodlust.
The situation was far more dangerous than anything Baishi had encountered before.
Previously, even when absorbing large quantities of natural energy, the worst consequence was partial petrification of his body. His mind had always remained unaffected.
But this time, even his spirit was shaken.
The reason for this was clear: he had deliberately spread the natural energy throughout his entire body, including his brain and mental space.
Once balance was lost, the natural energy not only began petrifying his body but also disturbed his mental state, pushing him toward violent insanity.
Fortunately, Baishi's mental defenses were far stronger than Jūgo's. With the protection of Mental Barrier, the bloodthirsty urges vanished almost as quickly as they had appeared.
Thanks to his massive chakra reserves and level-X Cell Adaptability, the petrification process had yet to fully claim him.
Though his body appeared severely compromised, the damage was largely superficial, limited to his skin. His internal organs and tissues remained functional and active.
With his mind clear and the bloodlust suppressed, Baishi wasted no time. He focused his chakra and began a strategic counterattack against the rampant natural energy in his body.
Step by step, he pushed the invasive energy out, guiding it downward toward his lower body.
This delicate process lasted several seconds, the petrification creeping closer to total domination. Finally, in a decisive move, Baishi turned his hand into a blade of wind chakra and struck himself at the waist.
With a sharp slicing sound, his upper body separated from his stone-covered lower half.
As he looked at his severed lower torso, Baishi couldn't help but recall how he had once bisected Orochimaru in a similar fashion.
"Is this some kind of karmic cycle?" he mused briefly before pushing the thought aside.
Now wasn't the time for idle reflection. He needed to focus on recovery.
Activating Regeneration, Baishi directed chakra to rapidly reconstruct his missing lower body.
In mere moments, flesh and bone regrew, seamlessly restoring his body to its original state. Simultaneously, the petrified remnants of his upper body flaked away like a discarded shell, revealing fresh, unblemished skin beneath.
As his feet touched the ground, Baishi was once again whole, his body in pristine condition.
Only his chakra reserves had taken a hit, but that issue was already being addressed. Drawing on the chakra of the Nine-Tails and Five-Tails through Energy Absorption, he began replenishing his reserves.
In just a short time, Baishi had turned what could have been a fatal crisis into a minor setback.
Now, his attention shifted to the true cause of the incident.
With a grim expression, Baishi activated Insight, his upgraded sensory ability.
Over the past two months, Insight had evolved to level II, granting him unparalleled observational capabilities.
Immediately, he located the culprit behind his disruption.
Turning to a corner of the room, Baishi's voice was cold and commanding. "Why not reveal yourself, honored guest?"
A moment of silence passed before a calm yet curious voice responded, "You can see me?"
The air shimmered, and a figure stepped into view—a slender girl clad in white robes. Her pale skin, flowing green hair, and delicate features gave her the appearance of a serene and unassuming neighbor.
But Baishi knew better.
The moment she appeared, a faint scent of reptilian musk reached his enhanced senses. It was subtle—likely imperceptible to an ordinary person—but Baishi's keen nose detected it instantly.
This was no human.
This was one of Ryūchi Cave's high-ranking members.
"Dragon Clan Elder, I presume?" Baishi said icily. "Why have you been spying on me?"
The girl's expression shifted at his words, her tone losing its earlier amusement and turning serious. "How do you know my identity?"
As she spoke, Baishi caught glimpses of her true nature: sharp, serpentine fangs and a blue, forked tongue. These subtle details, combined with her demeanor and attire, confirmed her identity.
"Tenshin-hime," he muttered inwardly, recognizing her as one of Ryūchi Cave's three elder leaders.
Her identity was secondary, though. Baishi knew all too well that the attitudes of Ryūchi Cave's leaders toward humans were uniform—humans were food, resources, and nothing more.
Predictably, seeing no response from Baishi, Tenshin-hime's demeanor shifted again. She raised a hand, casting a technique known as Sage Art: Substitution Reality Transformation.
The world around Baishi changed instantly.
Gone was the unremarkable wooden chamber. In its place was a grand, ornate castle—a masterpiece of serpentine architecture.
Baishi frowned. He recognized the illusion immediately.
The subtle intrusion of spiritual energy into his mind told him this was a genjutsu, a sophisticated blend of sensory manipulation and chakra interference.
But for someone like Baishi—bolstered by his Mental Barrier, exceptional intelligence, and Insight—breaking this illusion was trivial.
Focusing briefly, he allowed his dual perception to take over. While his eyes saw the grand castle, his mind's eye revealed the unaltered reality of the wooden room.
Satisfied that he could easily dispel the illusion, Baishi relaxed, his earlier tension melting away.
Power was his confidence.
With his abilities, even the likes of Ryūchi Cave couldn't easily subdue him. If things escalated, he was fully prepared to retaliate or escape.
Still, avoiding unnecessary conflict was preferable. Ryūchi Cave's power was not to be underestimated, especially the White Snake Sage, whose centuries-long reign spoke volumes of her strength.
As Baishi deliberated, a lavish feast materialized before him. The aroma of the food was enticing, the spread worthy of royalty.
Tenshin-hime gestured toward the table, smiling faintly. "Let's discuss matters over a meal. Surely you understand I can assist you…"
She picked up a piece of unfamiliar meat with her chopsticks and took a deliberate bite. Her casual demeanor exuded confidence, as if she had already won.
But Baishi wasn't fooled.
Even without the faint, lingering sense of compulsion urging him to eat, he would never fall for such a ruse.
He knew these dishes were crafted from her senjutsu chakra, designed to ensnare and consume those who partook.
Smirking coldly, Baishi replied, "I must decline. Your delicacies are far beyond what I can handle."
With that, he unleashed a pulse of spiritual energy, shattering the illusion entirely.
"You…"
Tenshin-hime's face twisted in shock and frustration.
She had hoped to subdue Baishi as she had countless others who sought power. Whether through coercion or temptation, most fell victim to her tricks, becoming little more than sustenance for her kind.
But Baishi had seen through every ploy, dismantling her traps with ease.
"Human, you're… extraordinary," Tenshin-hime said, her voice frosty.
With a glare that promised retribution, she vanished from the chamber.
Baishi let out a slow breath, scanning his surroundings to confirm her departure.
"So much for keeping to their rules," he muttered bitterly.
The encounter only solidified his resolve. The beings of Ryūchi Cave were not allies; they were predators.
"One day, I'll see them destroyed," he vowed silently.
For now, though, leaving wasn't an option. Despite the dangers, this was the ideal environment for mastering Sage Mode.
With renewed determination, Baishi began summoning his subordinates, placing them strategically to guard him during his future training.
The next phase of his journey had begun.
(End of Chapter)
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