Chapter 106 - Chapter 105: Mastering Sage Mode

"What's on your mind?"Leo looked at Fu Yuechi, whose face had suddenly turned a little pink. She seemed nervous—shy, even. Without waiting for her reply, he extended his hand toward her and spoke gently, "Give me your hand.""Ah? Oh!" Fu Yuechi snapped out of her daze and blinked, realizing what he'd said. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she nodded softly.Her face still slightly flushed, she reached out and placed her delicate, fair hand into Leo's gloved one. His hand was large, warm, and reassuring, making her heart beat a little faster.And then—Clasp!Leo gently lifted Fu Yuechi's slender hand and placed it firmly in his palm, aligning them side by side as if preparing for something significant."Brother Leo…?" Fu Yuechi looked puzzled and blinked in confusion. This wasn't what she had expected at all. She thought maybe... well, something else entirely!Just as she opened her mouth to ask what was going on, a warm, soothing sensation began to spread through her body. It came from Leo's hand, flowing like a calm river, gradually seeping into her skin and deep into her core."This… What is this feeling?" Fu Yuechi's eyes widened in surprise.At that moment, Leo's calm voice resonated in the air:"Focus.""Remember this feeling. Memorize every detail of the process—how the spiritual energy enters your body from the outside world, and how it's gradually absorbed and stored in every cell."Leo's eyes were now open, glowing with a pair of brilliant, blood-red Sharingan. He looked at Fu Yuechi with steady intensity, as if to ensure she didn't miss a single part of this experience.He wasn't just talking—he was guiding the flow of spiritual energy directly into her body, helping her absorb and internalize it safely."Brother Leo…" Fu Yuechi whispered, visibly touched. Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she realized she had misunderstood him completely.She had expected something personal or romantic—but this was deeper, more meaningful. Leo was actually helping her cultivate, initiating her into the path of a practitioner.Determined not to disappoint him, Fu Yuechi quickly composed herself and nodded with resolve."Yes!" she said with renewed focus.Closing her eyes on her own initiative, she began to concentrate, trying to fully sense the spiritual energy that was now entering her from Leo's hand. It was a strange sensation—gentle but firm, soft yet incredibly potent.Leo smiled faintly, watching her closely."This girl is teachable," he thought to himself with a trace of satisfaction."Thank you, Brother Leo," Fu Yuechi whispered gratefully."Don't talk," Leo said softly, almost like a whisper, as he continued the process.With that, he focused back on drawing more spiritual energy from the surroundings—not only for himself but also for Fu Yuechi. He was doing two things at once: refining his own energy reserves while carefully channeling some into Fu Yuechi's body.Unlike the natural energy in the "Hokage World," which was dangerous and unpredictable—where an accidental overdose could turn you into a frog or stone statue—spiritual energy in this world was relatively safe. The only real risk was absorbing too much at once, which could overwhelm the body and cause it to rupture from the inside.So long as one was cautious and absorbed it in controlled amounts, there was no danger.Fu Yuechi, sensing how careful Leo was being, didn't dare break her focus again. She closed her eyes even tighter and began to mentally map out the warm currents flowing through her body, determined to remember every detail.---Meanwhile…"Strange…"Zhiqiu Yiye stood outside Zhengqi Villa, squinting into the night air with a frown on his face."Why did the spiritual energy in this area suddenly drop, and then a moment later spike like crazy—so dense it's frightening?" he muttered.Zhiqiu Yiye had felt something strange and followed the spiritual fluctuations out into the courtyard to investigate.He and Ning Caichen, who had earlier been knocked unconscious by Leo's Sharingan illusion, had both been staying overnight at Zhengqi Villa. Since Ning Caichen was still unconscious after several hours, Zhiqiu Yiye had nothing better to do than observe.Now, standing in the courtyard under the night sky, he looked up at the roof—and instantly regretted it.On the rooftop, Leo and Fu Yuechi were seated close together, their palms pressed together in what looked like an intimate gesture."Seriously…?""Late at night, holding hands on the roof? How shameful!" Zhiqiu Yiye grumbled, his voice tinged with jealousy and irritation.He glanced again at the surrounding spiritual energy. It was so rich, he could almost see the mist of it in the air."Don't tell me this ridiculous density is his doing? Did he actually gather all the energy from hundreds of miles around?!"Zhiqiu Yiye clicked his tongue in annoyance. "If he keeps pulling spiritual energy like this, it's only a matter of time before mountain spirits and ghosts start crawling out from every cave and swamp!"Then he paused, remembering the sight of Leo's [Susanoo] from earlier—a massive and terrifying construct of power."…Right. He probably isn't worried about that. He can handle it."He sighed, shaking his head. "A drought for some, a flood for others. What an unfair world."Grumbling bitterly, Zhiqiu Yiye turned around and headed back inside the villa."I shouldn't have come out. Now I need to go back and wash my eyes."But despite his sour mood, Zhiqiu Yiye wasn't going to waste the opportunity. With so much spiritual energy in the air, he immediately began meditating to absorb some of it for himself.---Back on the RoofAbout half an hour passed.Suddenly, a golden glow began to shimmer around Fu Yuechi's eyes and forehead. It looked like a luminous mask was forming between her eyebrows and eyelids.Leo noticed the change immediately.Slowly, he let go of Fu Yuechi's hand.A moment later, Fu Yuechi opened her eyes—and they were no longer the soft brown from before. Now, they gleamed with a golden hue, radiant and powerful."I… I did it?" Fu Yuechi looked at her hands, then up at Leo with disbelief written all over her face. Her expression was a mixture of joy and shock."Brother Leo… I…""Congratulations," Leo said, smiling faintly. "You've stepped into the world of practitioners.""Really?!"Fu Yuechi's face lit up with joy. Her heart raced, and her golden eyes sparkled with excitement.Leo gave her a reassuring nod but didn't elaborate further.The golden mask glowing faintly around her eyes and forehead—paired with her gleaming pupils—was a clear sign. She had successfully absorbed enough spiritual energy and officially entered Sage Mode.As for why Fu Yuechi now had a glowing mask while Leo did not—well, that was just a matter of advancement.With enough practice and mastery, even this mask and golden glow would fade as her body adapted. One day, Sage Mode would become her new normal."Brother Leo, does this mean I'm a god now?" Fu Yuechi asked, her voice full of playful wonder and excitement.Leo immediately responded with a flat tone, "A god? With your current level?"He let out a short chuckle. "You're dreaming."Fu Yuechi pouted, feeling slightly deflated. Her excitement dipped for a moment.But Leo wasn't done."However," he added, his tone softer now, "if you can truly remember how it felt to absorb spiritual energy just now—and keep practicing—it's not impossible for you to become an earthly immortal… or even a celestial one."Fu Yuechi's face instantly lit up again. A beaming smile spread across her face, like the sun breaking through the clouds."Brother Leo…" she said, looking at him earnestly, golden eyes shimmering."Why are you… so kind to me?"Leo glanced at her calmly."Kind to you?""You've misunderstood. I'm just repaying you for the roasted rabbit."He turned away slowly, closing his eyes again as he resumed his meditation."Now, we owe each other nothing."---