Orochimaru's Discovery—The True Effect of Yang Release

"Aren't you supposed to be researching medical ninjutsu? Why has your research taken a different direction?"

The next day, Xu Ming confronted Orochimaru directly, his tone laced with curiosity.

"You already know!?"

Orochimaru's face changed instantly, reacting with visible panic.

Now it was Xu Ming's turn to be surprised.

Had he unknowingly set Orochimaru on his future path of questionable ethics and dark experiments?

"That's right. How could you possibly hide something like this from me?"

Before Xu Ming could say anything further, Orochimaru sighed and began his confession in a depressed tone.

"During my research on Yang Release, I discovered that the Senju clan has a secret technique that allows them to stimulate cellular activity temporarily. This technique boosts recovery, physical strength, and endurance significantly. Theoretically, it should shorten their lifespan due to the increased cellular activity, yet their average lifespan has remained unchanged."

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow. A technique with such effects sounded eerily similar to an early version of the Strength of a Hundred Seal.

"I ran a secret comparison," Orochimaru continued. "People from the Senju clan who have used this technique for years actually tend to live longer than others. This defies logic!"

Orochimaru scratched his head, frustration evident in his expression.

"So, what did you do?" Xu Ming asked calmly.

"I conducted high-intensity Yang Release experiments on snakes. Out of 378 test subjects, one exhibited the same prolonged lifespan as those Senju individuals."

Orocharu's expression became even more intense as he continued,

"Even more shocking, that particular snake laid sixteen eggs across three reproductive cycles. Among the offspring, six inherited this unique trait."

Xu Ming's eyes narrowed, his mind racing.

Had Orochimaru really taken his research this far in secret?

Breeding experiments on such a scale required a massive amount of data, even under normal circumstances. Yet, despite his involvement in the medical ninjutsu project, Orochimaru had managed to complete an entirely separate study on his own.

Wait—

Xu Ming suddenly realized something and asked, "Did you mix your experiments into the medical ninjutsu project's research?"

"Haha, Xu Ming, you figured it out right away." Orochimaru grinned with admiration. "From the start, I established multiple sub-projects—some for my personal research. But later, I discarded those that proved useless and destroyed the data."

Xu Ming inhaled sharply.

Self-taught deception… You're already engaging in manipulation at this level?

"Did you reach a conclusion?" Xu Ming asked, intrigued.

He wanted to see just how far Orochimaru had progressed.

"At first, I was unsure," Orochimaru admitted. "Then I studied the blood samples of long-lived Senju clan members who had used the secret technique. Their blood was slightly different from others in their clan, but I couldn't pinpoint exactly how."

Spreading his hands in frustration, he continued,

"All I could determine was that their blood carried more vitality and was more active."

"Then I had a hypothesis…"

Orochimaru's golden eyes locked onto Xu Ming's, burning with anticipation.

"I think… we've misunderstood the true effects of Yang Release all along."

Xu Ming remained silent, listening intently.

"As a form of life energy, its real purpose might not be just enhancing healing. Instead, I believe it stimulates cellular evolution."

"If the evolution is successful, the organism that receives Yang Release won't just avoid losing lifespan—it will actually be nourished and strengthened by it."

Orochimaru finished his explanation, his gaze never leaving Xu Ming's face.

He was waiting for approval, for validation.

Xu Ming frowned slightly, then sighed.

It's exactly as I suspected…

Orochimaru, having been led onto this path of research too early, was gradually losing himself without proper guidance.

"This kind of research is…" Xu Ming sighed again.

Orochimaru's expression darkened instantly.

Why?

Even you don't understand me?

You're the one who led me down this path—don't tell me you're rejecting me now, just like everyone else!

"...Something you shouldn't do in the open."

Xu Ming finally completed his sentence.

"If you're going to do it, do it in secret."

"...Huh?"

Orochimaru blinked in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected response.

"Why do you look so shocked?" Xu Ming chuckled. "Did you really think I was going to scold you or deny your research?"

He shook his head. "I'm the one who pushed you onto this path. If you were wrong, then that would mean my own judgment was flawed."

Orochimaru was silent for a moment before scratching his head and laughing.

He had definitely suspected it before.

After all, there was that one time when he tested Xu Ming, subtly accusing him of killing tens of thousands of people for knowledge.

"In a way, your conclusion is correct—but your method was flawed." Xu Ming rubbed his forehead, considering how much to reveal.

"You mean… I was mistaken?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"More or less."

Xu Ming nodded, lost in thought.

High-purity Yang Release could trigger cellular evolution.

With even higher purity, it could develop into a Kekkei Genkai.

At its peak, it could create a Sage Body.

The chakra granted by the Sage of Six Paths contained the full power of the God Tree's fruit—it simply lacked the key to unlock its full potential.

That was why Uchiha Madara needed Senju Hashirama's cells—so that Ashura's chakra in Hashirama's body would resonate with the Indra chakra inside Madara, forming the complete key that awakened Rinnegan.

This was Madara's own theory, and it was absolutely correct.

Xu Ming sighed and looked at Orochimaru.

"Since you've made it this far, I might as well show you something."

Smiling slightly, he raised his finger.

A soft, vibrant green glow appeared at his fingertip.

Orochimaru's eyes widened in astonishment.

"This is…!?"

His body reacted instantly—every cell within him screamed in desperate hunger for that glow.

"This is chakra refined into high-purity Yang Release."

Xu Ming pressed his glowing finger lightly against Orochimaru's chest.

Orochimaru didn't flinch or resist. He simply stared, entranced, allowing the energy to sink into his skin.

"It acts as a source of life—it can heal wounds, restore vitality, and even extend lifespan."

Xu Ming explained as the green light merged into Orochimaru's body.

BOOM!

A surge of warmth exploded inside Orochimaru.

A powerful wave of energy coursed through his body, spreading to every corner of his being.

In an instant—

His exhaustion vanished.

His limbs felt light and refreshed.

It was as if he had just woken up from the deepest, most satisfying sleep of his life.

For the first time in days, Orochimaru felt truly alive.