Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

He began by slowly, solemnly, yet with an eerie and sinister air, scattering powder on the ground, outlining a twisted pattern that resembled a coiled giant serpent.

Then drip blood onto several key points of the pattern.

“A little ritual is needed to elicit a response from 'them'.”

Orochimaru explained as he made the arrangements, his voice sounding somewhat faint in the cold wind.

"The three goddesses of Ryuchi Cave are the most capable attendants under the White Snake Immortal, and also the messengers responsible for selecting and testing those who seek immortal arts."

"Only with their 'gaze' and 'permission' can you have the opportunity to step into that sacred place."

Qingwu stood aside, quietly watching Orochimaru's actions.

He thought to himself: Is the difference between the Holy Land and the Holy Land really that big? Last time I went to the Wet Bone Forest, I achieved it with a simple reverse spirit summon.

"Can't the Manda directly reverse-summon to your location?"

Qingwu couldn't help but ask.

Not only Shikkotsu Forest, but it seems that Fukasaku and Shima, the hermits of Mount Myōboku, can also perform reverse summoning, just like Jiraiya did back then.

Orochimaru paused slightly in his movements.

Turning his head, his golden snake eyes glanced at Qingwu, a slightly mocking smile curving his lips:

"Manda? Ha... In Ryuchi Cave, it was just an ordinary creature that was... rather strong and rather greedy."

"It... is not qualified. The hierarchy of Ryuchi Cave is much stricter than you imagine."

According to Orochimaru, Ryuchi Cave is more like a shrine with a clear hierarchy and strict rules.

As for Manda, a combat-oriented summoning beast, it would probably just be a high-level fighter inside, far from reaching the core.

Qingwu curled her lips. No wonder no one had obtained the immortal techniques of Dragon Land Cave before. It turns out they still maintain a "feudal" style.

So it seems... perhaps that White Snake Immortal isn't someone you can easily get along with.

However, since Mumu has recovered, Qingwu is more confident about this trip.

"The Wet Bone Forest is still the best..." Qingwu thought to herself.

In the Wet Bone Forest, the Slug Fairy is more "approachable" and has a more equal and casual relationship with his contractors.

"Alright, concentrate."

Just then, Orochimaru spoke up to remind him.

Suddenly, the serpentine pattern at the center of the ceremony he had set up glowed with a ghostly purple light!

The scattered powder and blood seemed to come alive, flowing and evaporating rapidly along the patterns, turning into a purple smoke with a strong, fishy smell.

The smoke twisted and rose, gradually coalescing above the pattern into a blurry, short, human-like phantom.

The blurry figure gradually became clearer; it was indeed a "little girl" who looked only seven or eight years old and had her hair styled in a traditional bun.

She had skin so fair it was almost transparent, and a pair of large eyes with vertical, snake-like pupils.

She tilted her head, curiously looking at Qingwu and Orochimaru below, her pink lips slightly parted, revealing... a snake's forked tongue.

Qingwu stared in astonishment at the little girl's forked tongue, feeling that the scene was particularly eerie.

"Whoosh~~"

The little girl's voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an ethereal quality that seemed almost superhuman. "It's Orochimaru~ What interesting 'snacks' did he bring this time? Hmm... this human..."

Her gaze was fixed on Qingwu, her small nose twitching slightly, as if she were sniffing something:

"The smell... is so peculiar, it has a... very clean, and... very comfortable feeling."

Orochimaru's attitude towards the phantom of the little girl became noticeably more respectful; he bowed slightly.

"Lady Ichikishima, it's been a long time. This is Senju Seigo, a ninja from Konoha. He has a unique affinity and understanding of natural energy, and his strength is quite remarkable."

"Oh?" The little girl, called Ichikishima-hime, widened her eyes slightly, seemingly even more interested.

Orochimaru continued, "I promised to find a suitable test subject for Ryuchi Cave, and I believe he might be qualified to undergo the trial of the 'White Snake Sage'."

"Is that so?" Princess Ichikishima floated up to Seigo, almost touching his face, and scrutinized him closely.

Qingwu met her gaze calmly, showing no stage fright whatsoever.

“Interesting, very interesting~ He is indeed different from ordinary ninjas.”

Princess Ichikishima floated back to her original spot, put her hands behind her back, and struck a pose of old age, but combined with her childlike appearance, it only made people feel comical and horrified.

"However, just having fun isn't enough~ The trials in Ryuchi Cave are no child's play. If you fail... you'll be eaten alive~ Are you... sure you want to come, kid!"

She looks like a little girl, yet she calls others "little devil"... Qingwu silently complained.

He remained calm and composed, saying, "I'm sure! Since I'm here, I'm willing to accept any trial or test!"

"Good!" Princess Ichikishima clapped her hands, her smile growing even sweeter, but the coldness in her eyes remained undiminished.

"However, ambition alone isn't enough. Let me see if you have the value and... qualifications!"

After she finished speaking, she waved her small hand, and the phantom formed by the colored smoke in the entire ceremony suddenly expanded, enveloping Qingwu!

He then formed a strange hand seal.

This "little girl" was surprisingly decisive and efficient in her actions!

Qingwu felt an incredibly powerful suction force coming from him.

The surrounding scenery—the ice field, the snowstorm, Orochimaru, and the little girl's phantom—began to distort and spin, eventually transforming into a dazzling purple light.

The feeling of transitioning between spaces seemed to take longer than when I last went to Shikotsu Forest.

Qingwu felt as if he had passed through a long, sticky, cold tunnel filled with whispers and a sense of being watched.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt his feet become solid, and the purple light around him quickly faded away.

Once she had steadied herself, Qingwu immediately looked around warily.

He was standing at the entrance of what looked like a "temple," and inside the open gate stood a majestic, ancient, and strangely styled palace-like building.

The building is constructed entirely of pale, massive stones, carved with countless patterns of giant snakes coiling and devouring.

The palace had no doors, only a deep, dark entrance that constantly emanated a chilling aura, like the gaping maw of a giant beast.

This is... Ryuchi-dong?

Completely different from the vibrant forests and lakes of Shikkotsu Forest, this place is dark, damp, and oppressive...

However, what they have in common is that the natural energy is also extremely concentrated, although its nature is different.

"Welcome to Ryuchi-dong, kid!"

Qingwu looked up and saw another "little girl".

His hairstyle, appearance, and clothing were completely different from those of Princess Ichikishima, who had received him, and he also appeared to be slightly older.

Moreover, she was no longer a phantom, but a physical entity. She was barefoot, stepping on the cold stone surface, yet she seemed completely unaware of it.

"I am Princess Tianxin!"

The little girl slowly walked to Qingwu's side, looked up at him, and said, "The real test is inside, but before that..."

She clapped her hands.

Swish!Swish!

Two more figures appeared, subtly surrounding Qingwu.

The one on the left is Princess Ichikishima, whom we met in the Land of Frost.

On the right is a chubby "girl" with her fingers in her mouth, curiously looking at Qingwu.

She began, "I am Princess Tsuratsu."

Then, Princess Ichikishima and Princess Takitsu, with their small figures, turned around and bowed, "Big sister!"

It seems that Tianxin Shenji is the leader of the three Snake Princesses?

Qingwu secretly guessed their ages.

As expected, the little girl's image should be deceptive.

The three holy sites have all existed for over a thousand years. The three goddesses, who hold such a high position in Ryuchi Cave, should be several hundred years old.

"Then, let's begin." As the eldest sister, Princess Tianxin seemed to be in charge of presiding over this "entry test."

She extended her fair fingers, pointing in turn to Princess Ichikishima, Princess Takitsu, and finally to herself:

“The three of us sisters each have a small ‘test.’ Only those who pass it are qualified to enter this palace and pay homage to the White Snake Immortal.”

"However... if we fail, or if we find it boring... you might have to stay here forever and 'play' with us, in a different form, of course."

The second eldest, Princess Ichikishima, covered her mouth and chuckled, her gaze sweeping over Aoko: "Let's start with me."

With a gentle wave of her hand, the surrounding scenery instantly transformed.

A fleeting voice came: "Kid, my test is very simple, it's called 'The Temptation of Reality'."

Qingwu found herself standing in a garden full of exotic flowers and plants, filled with an intoxicating sweet fragrance. The warm sunlight shone on her body, and she could hear the melodious chirping of birds.

"Illusion?"

Qingwu squinted slightly, surveying her surroundings.

A table laden with delicacies appeared in front of the garden, and several beautiful women with graceful figures, dressed in sheer gauze, stood beside the table, waving to him with tender affection.

What Qingwu found even stranger was...

He felt the natural energy within his body surging, even more intensely than when he was in his territory, as if he were in a sacred place of cultivation.

"Here you'll find the food, beauty, and power you crave, along with the most comfortable environment."

Princess Ichikishima's voice seemed to come from all directions, carrying endless allure:

“Stay here. All of this is yours. You can enjoy it forever without having to face the fighting, responsibilities, and dangers of the outside world. Tell me, do you... want to stay?”

Forever? Are you trying to fool me like a child?

Qingwu scoffed.

What I'm seeing is clearly an illusion, and a very sophisticated one at that, one that directly affects the senses and the subconscious!

Even with his natural senses fully activated, the scene before him remained real; he could even smell the aroma of food and feel the warmth of the sunlight.