Thousands of years ago, Ryuuchi Cave wasn't even called Ryuuchi Cave yet.
Under the ground, there was a dense network of tree roots belonging to a life form called the 'God Tree'.
Compared to other places on this planet, it wasn't much different. At most, this section of tree root was an important point for the God Tree, extremely rich in natural energy, which made the bugs living on it very plump and juicy.
Tree root - bugs - mice - snakes, and some other creatures, this was Ryuuchi Cave's initial ecosystem.
Later, a great war broke out, affecting the entire planet. The Hamura brothers started fighting their mother.
As her mother's separate body – the God Tree – turned back into the Ten Tails, this place, as an important point for the God Tree, naturally had its tree roots pulled away, leaving only a huge hole underground.
The plump and juicy bugs were gone, but luckily, after the war ended and the earth's energy lines became stable again, Ryuuchi Cave lost its tree roots but remained a natural energy point.
Or rather, perhaps this was originally a node, which is why the God Tree specifically extended its roots here to draw energy.
However, in any case, with the Ten Tails sealed and the God Tree's will no longer coordinating, the ordinary tree roots scattered throughout the planet gradually fell into a deep sleep.
In the short term, this had a huge impact on the ecosystem. The most obvious thing was that the plump and juicy bugs became fewer, and would become even fewer over time.
Of course, it wasn't a big problem. The 'God' of the old age was defeated, and a new order was being established. The growing pains in between were something that had to be experienced.
If nothing went wrong, without the God Tree exploiting the natural energy, this place would become more prosperous after some time.
But, this planet ultimately didn't only have natural forces. Without the God Tree, there were other supernatural creatures running wild.
During the gap in establishing a new order, the White Snake Sage rose to power.
Perhaps it can't really be called a rise to power. It had already been accumulating strength over time, and by chance, the White Snake Sage became the top of the food chain.
It followed the instincts of a big snake, devouring everything it could see: bugs, mice… It almost wiped out all creatures other than snakes.
Even so, the White Snake Sage was still not satisfied. It set its sights on the earth's energy lines, wanting to replace the former God Tree roots.
In the end, it succeeded, filling the natural energy channels with its own body. Its body kept getting bigger under the erosion of natural energy, almost becoming a physical part of the earth's energy lines.
But in a way, the White Snake Sage also failed. It was just a snake, and snakes have limits.
The three words 'Ryuuchi Cave' represent the White Snake Sage's new ambition after realizing its own limits.
Overall, the White Snake Sage can be considered a snake with ambition. Its story can be said to be quite legendary.
But for other snakes, this story is not good at all.
In the beginning, the White Snake Sage almost blocked the entrance of energy into the 'Ryuuchi Cave' ecosystem. After completely wiping out other species, the starving snakes began to eat each other, while some escaped to the surface.
There's not much to say about the latter. It's not known whether the Sage of Six Paths was dead or not during that period, but the Ninja Sect was just starting, and it was an era of many strong figures. Even the White Snake Sage personally going up might not have been enough, let alone its snake children and grandchildren. …
As for the part that devoured each other underground, it survived the White Snake Sage's growth period, and after the natural energy in its body became saturated, it finally saw the light.
The first thing to recover was plants, some moss and fungi.
Normally, the next things would be some bugs like ants, cockroaches, and pill bugs, but the snakes had really been starving for too long, and were a bit crazy.
During the great famine, the snake tongues, which were originally used to capture scents in the air, were even used to lick insect eggs and ant larvae in the soil. When they were extremely hungry, they would even eat dirt.
Now, with better-tasting plants, the lowest-level snakes began to eat vegetables.
The plants, as well as the vegetarian snake group, and the carrion-eating snakes that existed during the great famine, quickly filled the cycle of the ecosystem, making it stable again.
Thus, in Ryuuchi Cave, a special food chain appeared, consisting of plants and different types of snakes.
It has continued up until now.
…
"…I'm impressed that you imagined the history of Ryuuchi Cave so quickly, and with such logical consistency."
Looking at the genie who had talked to himself for a while, Orochimaru's eyes were strange, and his expression was very complicated. It was hard to tell if he was amazed or admiring.
Ryuuchi Cave does not have the habit of recording history, and the White Snake Sage would not publicize its history to serve as a reference for other snakes.
Manda vaguely knows some of the content, but only because it has lived long enough.
The only certain information it can provide is that there are indeed only snakes in Ryuuchi Cave. Big snakes eat little snakes, and little snakes eat plants.
The little snakes are born with molars in their mouths, used to chew plants. As they grow and shed their skin, they turn into big snakes, their molars fall out, and they become fangs, making it easier to eat meat.
For example, Manda itself gradually rose up through devouring as a little snake.
Another point is that the White Snake Sage is indeed like a horned dragon, its body coiled throughout Ryuuchi Cave, and has been still for many years.
The natural energy inside Ryuuchi Cave is all secondhand, leaking out from the White Snake Sage's body.
This is even more terrifying than what the genie said. Ryuuchi Cave is not only an extension of the White Snake Sage's will, but the bodies of the snakes have also not escaped the modification of 'White Snake Sage Skill'.
After deducing this fact, Orochimaru even had a slight hesitation about whether to go to Ryuuchi Cave to train in Sage Skill.
Changes in the body will affect the mind.
There is no doubt about this. As he researched Uchiha's Sharingan, the experimental data in his hands provided solid evidence.
If he accepts the White Snake's Sage Skill energy, will he really remain unchanged?
Hesitating, Orochimaru licked his lips.
He had tried twice to accept natural energy with his own will – the breathing method's 'Madara Mark'. Once was when the genie forcibly opened it, and once was during the Kumogakure battle, when the genie used a wish to cast it.
The latter was protected by the power of the wish, and he only suffered physical trauma. The former, facing the invasion of natural energy alone, directly lost his will.
If the genie hadn't released the absorbed natural energy, his spiritual body might have died.
Humans, as expected, have limits. And he is studying Sage Skill, transplanting First Hokage cells… precisely to surpass the limits of humans.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, his eyes becoming calm and crazy again.
He is determined to obtain White Snake Sage Skill. The problem is, how to make the White Snake Sage not just go through the motions, but fully help him?
Orochimaru turned to look at the genie, "Is the White Snake Sage really seeking transformation? Genie, how confident are you in the story you made up?"
「'Made up' is such a rude word. This is a reasonable guess based on the current situation.」
The genie raised his eyebrows, 「As for whether it's true or false, I'm 80% sure that the White Snake Sage wants to transform into a dragon.」
「Power is not about having more, but about being stronger. The First Hokage cells have already made you realize this, haven't they?」
「And would a white snake that has lived for thousands of years not understand this principle?」
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