Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 449 Overturning Common Sense

In that spacious and brightly lit classroom, sunlight streamed through the clear windows, casting a golden glow that illuminated every corner. A kind-faced, slightly older member of the Hyuga clan stood on the podium, eloquently explaining the various details of the fundamentals of cultivation and the matters requiring special attention.

He began by explaining the most basic methods of body tempering, his voice clear and resonant, seemingly penetrating the hearts of everyone present. He broke down each step, explaining it with exceptional detail, as if afraid of omitting any crucial point. Furthermore, to help these young students understand better, he drew upon a wide range of sources, providing numerous vivid and engaging examples to illustrate his points.

Meanwhile, a group of innocent young children sat neatly below the stage. Their eyes were wide, listening intently to the teacher's words, their expressions focused and serious. Their little hearts were filled with a thirst for knowledge and aspirations for the future. Watching those who had completed their basic training and were ready to train in the bustling martial arts arena nearby, these children felt a deep sense of envy. They longed to one day be like their predecessors, sweating and displaying their strength and style on the arena. Therefore, they listened even more attentively to the teacher's instructions, secretly resolving to master these basics as soon as possible so they could join the coveted martial arts arena.

Among the group of children, one young man stood out. He appeared significantly older than the other children, yet he sat quietly with them below the stage, attentively listening to the teacher's earnest teachings. This young man was none other than Uchiha Sasuke, who had traveled a great distance to this mysterious training ground.

Today is his second day here. The curiosity and excitement he felt when he first arrived yesterday have not yet completely dissipated. However, at this moment, as he truly begins to receive systematic education from this cultivation ground, his heart is filled with a complex mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling his face as he listened intently. His deep eyes were fixed on the teacher at the podium, as if afraid of missing any important point. Every word the teacher spoke was etched into his memory like a precious jewel, for he knew that this knowledge would become the foundation upon which he would continue to advance on his path of cultivation.

The instructor on stage was eloquently recounting a series of amazing knowledge and skills, which, for Uchiha Sasuke, was like opening a door to a completely new world! Every word and every sentence seemed to possess a mysterious magic, deeply attracting his attention.

The training methods explained in detail by his teacher were completely beyond Sasuke's previous understanding. As a veteran who had spent many years on the path of a ninja, he thought he was already familiar with all kinds of conventional training methods, but what he was hearing now was something he had never heard of before. It not only included many unique and exquisite techniques, but also some areas that had never been explored or mentioned by anyone in the entire chakra training system.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he listened intently to every note his teacher uttered, afraid of missing any crucial information. His heart was filled with excitement and curiosity; he couldn't wait to integrate this new knowledge into his training and explore that unknown realm of power.

However, despite the novelty and astonishment of what the other party described, it offered no benefit to Sasuke's current strength. The content was filled with the most basic training methods, all aimed at forging the body to lay the foundation for future cultivation. But this approach was completely incompatible with his current needs and could not satisfy his urgent desire to rapidly increase his strength. After all, he already possessed a certain level of strength and needed more advanced techniques and methods that could immediately improve his abilities. These basic training methods, intended only for beginners, were hardly interesting enough to pique his interest, let alone provide any substantial progress.

Sasuke Uchiha's mind kept replaying the words Hiashi Hyuga had spoken to him the day before, and a ripple of emotion stirred within him. At that time, Hiashi had solemnly told him that the training methods at that so-called training ground might not be entirely suitable for his own circumstances and characteristics. Now, as Sasuke carefully examined everything he had learned at this stage, he had to admit that Hiashi's warning was slowly becoming a harsh reality.

Like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples, this realization caused Sasuke's once unwavering resolve to waver. The training methods he had once considered the truth now seemed less reliable. He began to doubt whether the path he had always adhered to was correct; this self-doubt was like an invisible hand, tightly gripping his heartstrings.

Sasuke Uchiha was filled with confusion, feeling helpless about his situation for the first time in his life. He was in Konoha, a familiar yet highly competitive place, throwing himself into ninja training day after day. Every sweltering training session, every sleepless night of study, was solely for the purpose of advancing further in the path of ninjutsu.

However, despite his immense effort and dedication, he seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier, unable to break through the bottleneck he was facing. No matter how much he trained, the progress that seemed so close remained elusive, as if some mysterious force was secretly hindering his growth.

He had arrived in this land, considered a sacred training ground, full of hope, firmly believing that receiving guidance from a master here would allow him to break through his limitations and achieve a leap in strength. However, reality dealt him a heavy blow. Who could have foreseen that the new training system established by Hyuga Kanan would require him to completely abandon his years of painstakingly cultivated chakra system and start training from scratch! This was undoubtedly a tremendous challenge for the ever-proud and arrogant Uchiha Sasuke, even a revolutionary shock.

Sasuke Uchiha, consumed by the burning flames of revenge, had lost all patience and precious time to embark on his training journey anew. His inner demons, blinded by hatred, bound him like a ferocious beast, preventing him from breaking free. His once calm and focused mind, dedicated to self-improvement, was now shattered, consumed by his obsession with revenge.

Sasuke had long since lost interest in the path of cultivation advocated by this training ground. The essential principles that required quiet contemplation and gradual accumulation to master were insignificant in his eyes. His heart was already filled with rage, leaving no room for anything else. Driven by his inner demons, he charged forward relentlessly, regardless of whether an endless abyss of darkness lay ahead.

In this state, Sasuke was like a lost traveler, blindly running through a vast fog. He forgot that training was not just about accumulating power, but also about tempering and elevating the soul. However, the desire for revenge, like a powerful torrent, mercilessly swept him away, taking him far from the bright path leading to true power.

When Sasuke Uchiha was in dire straits, his heart consumed by endless despair, a shocking piece of news flashed through his dark world like lightning—Orochimaru had suffered a heavy blow and had returned to his secret training place! This news was like a clear spring, stirring up ripples in Sasuke's nearly dried-up heart.

According to all the rumors Sasuke knew, Orochimaru was a top-tier ninja on par with Tsunade of the Hidden Leaf Village and Jiraiya, known as the Toad Sage! The names of these three legendary figures resounded throughout the entire ninja world, and their strength and prestige inspired awe. However, Sasuke was truly shocked to learn that even such a powerful figure as Orochimaru had chosen to return to his training grounds to focus on his studies.

Even more unbelievable is that Orochimaru himself killed the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hailed as the "Strongest Hokage"! That highly respected and exceptionally powerful elder sacrificed himself in the battle to protect the village. Yet, even such an invincible figure as Orochimaru could be so severely injured that he had to retreat into seclusion to heal? What kind of thrilling battle could have resulted in such a defeat? Sasuke couldn't help but imagine the intense duel, his heart filled with curiosity and doubt.

The news that followed was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Sasuke Uchiha speechless with shock and a profound sense of awe. Rumor had it that the fearsome Orochimaru had infiltrated the Akatsuki's heavily guarded headquarters undetected, engaging in a breathtaking and awe-inspiring battle with a mysterious figure behind the scenes who controlled the entire organization. The intensity of the fight was beyond imagination; both sides unleashed their full power, employing a multitude of unpredictable and bizarre ninjutsu, their dazzling light illuminating the night sky. Ultimately, however, Orochimaru was no match for his opponent, suffering severe injuries and fleeing in disarray.

Even a top-tier powerhouse like Orochimaru couldn't defeat the Akatsuki, making Sasuke Uchiha feel even more desperate. Orochimaru was among the strongest ninja in the world, yet he was injured and forced to flee by the Akatsuki, further increasing the difficulty of his revenge.