Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 535 The Changes in Hyuga Kanan

In the misty, fairyland-like secluded training room, Hyuga Kanan sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes slightly closed, intently comprehending the various improvements and changes brought about by the shift in his own realm.

Since returning from the mysterious and infinitely enigmatic origin of the world that day, he had keenly sensed that his comprehension of the power of rules had slowed significantly. The sudden enlightenment he used to experience had become extremely rare. Not only that, even the small world within his dantian, which formed its own realm, seemed to have been enchanted, becoming unusually sluggish in its evolution.

However, Hyuga Kanan felt neither panic nor frustration. He knew this was perfectly normal. After all, without the almost tangible environment of the world's origin, filled with the dense, tangible power of rules, and without the direct conditions for simulating and comprehending those rules, maintaining rapid improvement would be nearly impossible. Perhaps every comprehension of the power of rules in the future would be an arduous and challenging battle, requiring a great deal of precious time and energy to accumulate and break through bit by bit. But he firmly believed that as long as he persevered, he would one day reach even greater heights and achieve the supreme path.

When that familiar chakra fluctuation reached him, Hyuga Kanan's heart skipped a beat; he immediately realized that Hyuga Neji had arrived. This keen sense of perception was not innate, but honed through countless life-or-death experiences.

Hyuga Kanan frowned, knowing full well that Hyuga Neji's appearance meant the ninja world was likely in a state of extreme turmoil. The fact that the World Will had expelled him from its source indicated a dire predicament, perhaps even requiring external intervention to resolve the crisis. And he himself had become that chosen "external force."

At this moment, Hyuga Neji's arrival was like a timely rain, giving Hyuga Kanan the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation. He pondered to himself: Just how far has this storm progressed? How will the various forces respond? Only by possessing sufficient intelligence can one make accurate judgments and decisions in the upcoming fierce battle.

So, Hyuga Kanan took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and prepared to meet Hyuga Neji and get the latest news about this chaotic world from him.

"Come in, Neji!" Just as Hyuga Neji raised his hand, about to gently knock on the closed door of the secluded training room, a gentle and familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears. The voice seemed so close, as if someone was standing beside him whispering softly.

Hyuga Neji was startled, his face filled with astonishment. With his current strength and level of cultivation, even the slightest rustle of wind should have been difficult for him to miss, given his keen perception. Yet, this sudden sound entered his ears without warning, without him noticing anything beforehand.

His eyes widened as he looked around in disbelief, but there was nothing there except for the tightly closed door. How could that sound have come from there? Did his teacher possess some kind of unimaginable supernatural power?

Thinking of this, Hyuga Neji felt a deep sense of awe. He had always been grateful to and revered his teacher, Hyuga Kanan, who had taught him for many years. But as time went by, he found that his teacher seemed to have become increasingly mysterious and ethereal. Every time he met his teacher, he felt an unfathomable aura, as if his teacher had entered a profound realm that he could not reach.

Filled with doubt and curiosity about the unknown, Hyuga Neji slowly pushed open the door to the secluded training room...

As he slowly walked to the deepest part of the secluded training room, Hyuga Neji's gaze finally caught that familiar yet unfamiliar figure—Hyuga Kanan-sensei. In an instant, his pupils contracted sharply, and his eyes revealed an indescribable shock.

The teacher standing before him now was no longer the ordinary and kind figure of the past. Hyuga Kanan's body seemed to be shrouded in an invisible light, a light that did not come from an external source, but rather from a powerful force emanating continuously from within him. These forces intertwined, forming intricate patterns that shimmered with strange light, as if the most profound rules of the world were flowing across his body.

Hyuga Neji stared wide-eyed at his teacher in disbelief. He felt as if he wasn't looking at a person, but rather peering into an unknown world. This "world" was filled with endless mysteries and a chilling aura; it was both enigmatic and instilled a deep sense of dread. The power of those rules surged like a torrent, constantly assaulting Hyuga Neji's mental defenses, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Hyuga Neji stared wide-eyed at his seemingly ordinary yet mysterious teacher. His powerful soul force, honed over countless years, was now like being stuck in quagmire, completely unable to penetrate this fog to discern whether the person before him was a real individual or a self-contained, autonomous world.

This unprecedented and wondrous feeling flashed through Hyuga Neji's mind like lightning, sending a shiver down his spine. He couldn't help but recall the moments he had spent with his teacher, how those seemingly simple teachings and training sessions concealed endless profound meaning and deep wisdom. And now, faced with this awe-inspiring scene, he suddenly realized that everything he had known about his teacher all along was merely the tip of the iceberg.

A sense of awe welled up in Hyuga Neji's heart, mixed with deep doubt and curiosity. He pondered to himself, "My teacher, what kind of being are you? The level you have displayed has already surpassed the limits of my imagination!" At this moment, he gained a deeper understanding of his teacher's unfathomable strength, and he also made up his mind to continuously strive to train, hoping that one day he could catch up with his teacher and uncover the truth behind these many mysteries.

Neji Hyuga's once bright and sharp eyes were now unfocused and vacant, as if he had lost his bearings, and he seemed lost in a daze. Kanan Hyuga, standing to the side, gazed at him silently, his expression serene.

Finally, Hyuga Kanan gently opened her lips and slowly said in her soft, gentle voice, "Wake up!" Although the two words were not loud, they were like a thunderclap in Hyuga Neji's ears.

In an instant, a powerful force, accompanying the shout, surged into Hyuga Neji's mind like a tidal wave, instantly dispelling the fog that had tightly bound his consciousness. His mind, previously clouded by the power of rules unintentionally revealed by his teacher, quickly returned to clarity at this moment. It was like someone who had lived in darkness for a long time suddenly seeing the light; that feeling of sudden enlightenment invigorated him.

Having finally recovered from his dazed state, Hyuga Neji's eyes were now clear and bright again, but at the same time, a faint blush crept onto his fair face.

He bit his lip tightly, his heart filled with regret and self-reproach. Recalling what had just happened, he felt utterly ashamed—simply because of the powerful force of rules emanating from his teacher, he had instantly lost control of his mind; it was truly unacceptable!

His teacher had always taught him meticulously and imparted all his knowledge, hoping he would become a truly outstanding and powerful individual. Yet today, faced with such a simple test, he had performed so poorly, undoubtedly betraying his teacher's long-held efforts and sacrifices… Thinking this, Hyuga Neji clenched his fists tightly, vowing in his heart to redouble his training and never repeat the same mistake.

"Speak! What is it that made you rush to see me in such a hurry?" After standing still, Hyuga Kanan calmly looked at Hyuga Neji, who had just recovered, and then slowly asked without any ripples in her expression.

In truth, Hyuga Kanan had anticipated this scene. He knew that given Hyuga Neji's current strength and control over his own power, such a dazed expression was quite normal. After all, even he himself had not yet been able to completely control his powerful aura.

Sometimes, even a slight, unintentional release of the power of rules can exert a tremendous influence on someone slightly weaker than Hyuga Neji, causing them some mental confusion. Therefore, when Hyuga Kanan saw Hyuga Neji in this state, he did not show the slightest surprise or unusual expression.

Hyuga Neji took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated mind. He slowly raised his head, his gaze firm yet tinged with apology as he looked at his teacher, who was meditating. He paused briefly, as if gathering his thoughts, before speaking in a low but clear voice, "I am very sorry, teacher! I know it is inappropriate to disturb your meditation at this time, but the ninja world is currently undergoing a period of great upheaval. The series of events that have occurred have truly left us juniors confused and bewildered, making it impossible for us to make accurate judgments and decisions. Therefore, I humbly request that you temporarily set aside your training and give us some valuable guidance and advice." After saying this, Hyuga Neji bowed slightly, expressing his respect and reverence for his teacher.