The Shark Sage personally went to invite the Eel Sage over to his home under the pretense of hosting a meat banquet.

While waiting, Uchiha Kirin remained at the Dragon Vein's exit. Following the Shark Sage's guidance, he absorbed natural energy, channeling it into every fiber of his being, gradually allowing it to seep into his cells and strengthen him.

With the enhancement of the Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode, and his already immensely powerful physique, he even felt that the natural energy supplied by the Dragon Vein couldn't quite keep up with his demands...

And with the breathing technique assisting him, the absorption and digestion of natural energy into both his body and spirit proceeded at an astonishing speed. His energy reserves never felt full.

As a result, Uchiha Kirin's body remained in a constant, ravenous state—devouring everything around him like a starving beast.

"This feels amazing—a hundred times better than a deluxe spa session!"

This was his first time in the real world absorbing natural energy without restraint.

His serpentine body coiled and twisted, stirring the power of his elemental affinities. In a moment of carelessness, some of that force wrapped around his dragon horns and surged directly into his brain.

Completely immersed in ecstasy, Uchiha Kirin felt as if his soul had experienced a cosmic explosion of inspiration...

The power of Rules erupted within him, detonating sparks of insight!

The Water and Fire Rules collided and fused with the Truth-Seeking Orb energy from Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode, and the chakra beads from the Tenseigan, resulting in a strange and wondrous combination.

His Sharingan activated involuntarily as this bizarre energy surged wildly into the embryonic Divine Domain within him.

The once hazy, lifeless inner world was suddenly split into a crimson sky and a boundless turquoise sea. Black Zetsu was immobilized, wailing helplessly, while the black-and-white chakra fruit of the Divine Tree stood unmoving.

A beam of divine light flashed—snapping him awake.

"Shit, did I just condense a Divine Authority?"

Uchiha Kirin was struck with a wave of despair. But after carefully sensing his state and checking his system panel, he realized—

What he'd created by fusing Divine Power and the Power of Rules wasn't a Divine Authority...It was a Divine Art!

Or perhaps—this was the true Divine Art!

By merging the Rules of Fire and Water with Sage Mode's Truth-Seeking Orbs and Tenseigan's chakra beads, he instantly constructed a cage independent of the world itself—trapping his enemies within and refining them with opposing elemental forces!

A Divine Art imbued with the power of Rules!

His previous cell reconstitution had only used Divine Power and a simulated Sage Mode—carrying mere traces of life-related laws—yet had already pushed Uchiha Kirin to incredible heights.

Now, what level of power would this True Divine Art, imbued with two complete Rules, possess?

Even previously fused Rule powers were reforged into his body again.

At this moment, Uchiha Kirin had achieved perfect fusion with the Water Rule. A single thought allowed him to merge with any nearby body of water—and summon ocean-scale water masses at will to strike his foes.

His very level of existence had risen once again.

His system panel now showed both his physical and spiritual stats reaching 55 million. At this level, even surviving deep beneath the Earth's core for fifteen minutes wouldn't be a problem!

And the reason for such a tremendous leap?

It all stemmed from his simultaneous mastery of the top-tier Sage Mode of the shinobi world, the unique breathing method coordinating his body and spirit, and his naturally powerful bloodline.

Lacking any one of those would have made such growth utterly impossible.

"But why did fusing Divine Power and Rules produce a Divine Art and not a Divine Authority?"

Uchiha Kirin couldn't figure it out. Maybe it had to do with the inherent nature or quantity of the powers involved...

Still, not rushing to gain Divine Authority in the real world—thus preserving his potential—was ultimately a good thing.

...

While he pondered, the Shark Sage returned with the Eel Sage as his guest.

But the moment they entered the Shark Sage's home, the two frowned at the thin natural energy lingering there.

Feeling a bit guilty, Uchiha Kirin quietly blocked off the Dragon Vein's exit. His open absorption earlier had probably drained the place dry—it might take months before the Dragon Vein returned to normal...

He silently promised to give the Shark Sage extra compensation.

The Eel Sage received a large bowl of the so-called "broth"—a fragrant, steaming bathwater—ladled straight from a massive cauldron by the Shark Sage. He gulped it down like treasure.

But after a brief moment of endurance—he couldn't help but spit it back out.

"Old Shark, this is what you invited me for? This is supposed to be snake meat?!"

"Relax, will you?"

The Shark Sage patted his back reassuringly, while Uchiha Kirin stepped forward to personally explain the benefits of his bathwater—planning to market and sell it across the entire Summoned Beast Realm.

"You two...!"

The Eel Sage was so furious he discharged electricity on the spot. The Shark Sage swiftly dodged, but Uchiha Kirin's white serpent form met the current head-on—wrapping tightly around the larger, thicker eel.

As the two twisted together, Uchiha Kirin thoroughly enjoyed the electric therapy—his body, which had only just grown weary from leveling up, now felt deeply relaxed again. Even the lightning affinity he'd recently acquired was being activated...

"This is the life... hot spring therapy followed by an electric massage..."

The Eel Sage was nearly strangled to death!

He watched in horror as his strongest move—capable of taking down Tailed Beasts and knocking out equal-rank foes instantly—struck this strange white serpent with dragon horns and forelimbs... only to have it feel like a gentle massage.

So this was the kind of being with a Sacred Land bloodline?

"As expected... the real divide among Summoned Beasts begins the moment they hatch..."

The Eel Sage had cultivated for nearly a thousand years, carved out his own territory in the sea, and just as he was ready to rise to power—

He was utterly crushed by a no-name snake from Ryūchi Cave. And even worse—betrayed by an old friend!

Under such soul-crushing pressure, the Eel Sage's eyes gradually lost their light.

"Nooo, don't die on me! Who else will give me electric therapy if you're gone?!"

Uchiha Kirin hurriedly released him, pressing on the marks he'd left during the constriction. Each press triggered a spark of electricity from the Eel Sage.

Eventually, even those sparks dwindled to almost nothing. Reluctantly, Uchiha Kirin let go...

Just then, the Shark Sage added helpfully,

"His training spot is just like mine. I've got a hot spring, and he's got a thunder pit. My lord, you could enjoy proper electric therapy over there!"

It was hard to believe that such a massive shark could speak with such a sycophantic tone and nasally voice—

Uchiha Kirin was deeply grossed out. So was the Eel Sage, who continued playing dead, drained of electricity.

...

When the two began plotting to steal the old monkey's lair in the midsection of the Dragon Spine, the Eel Sage quickly perked up.

He pledged his loyalty on the spot and began sharing information eagerly.

The Eel Sage clearly knew more about the White Ape Sage. According to him, the White Ape had actually started cultivating after both him and the Shark Sage.

The reason for his overwhelming strength was a stroke of fortune—he'd gained another type of training beyond Sage Mode. His body had become virtually indestructible, and he fought like a shinobi with a vast arsenal of ever-changing techniques.

On top of that, he wielded powerful, ancient weapons—making him the strongest being outside the Three Great Sacred Lands!

"There are other training methods out there?"

Uchiha Kirin was awestruck.

He had already experienced the explosive power of mastering two systems of training and absorbing natural energy.

The prospect of a third method—and even more tools at his disposal—made him burn with anticipation!