Shen Mo knew the failure of the Ruthless Sword Experience Jade was, paradoxically, a massive victory. The jade's effect—transforming the user into a temporary, emotionless sword servant—was precisely what the system had advertised. Sasuke's inner human resistance, his profound, unyielding attachment to his hatred and grief, had caused the painful, traumatic rejection. He was too much of a Tsundere for true ruthlessness.
If Sasuke had genuinely possessed the necessary talent for the Ruthless Sword, he would have instantly entered the realm and established himself as a terrifying prodigy. But the painful failure proved the opposite.
An ambitious, talented boy who is easily terrified and emotionally driven? Definitely a repeat customer.
"There is no need for disappointment," Shen Mo said gently, helping the pale, trembling Sasuke stand up and brushing the dust from his shoulders. "Hatred is not ruthlessness; it is a bond, a form of compassion. You became a slave because of your internal resistance to losing the very humanity you need for revenge. The sword is vast—there is more to it than just that one path. Besides, don't we still have the jars?"
Sasuke slowly regained his composure, the raw terror still clinging to him. He was shaken to his core. The Ruthless Sword had offered ultimate power at the cost of his very self, and he had recoiled in fear. He never wanted to be that empty blade again.
But the power had been real. He was forced to admit the sheer, terrifying potential of the sword path.
The arrogant complacency was gone, replaced by a deep, cautious humility. He looked at Shen Mo, desperation returning to his eyes.
"Are there other sword techniques that are equally powerful?" he asked, his voice subdued. He needed that power, but he needed a path that wouldn't annihilate his humanity first.
"Didn't I tell you?" Shen Mo smiled faintly. "The Ruthless Sword is but one of millions of swords. But..."
"But what?" Sasuke tensed again.
"No powerful path, like the Ruthless Sword, can be easily mastered without the appropriate attributes," Shen Mo said, his expression one of polite frustration.
"Attributes?" Sasuke repeated, confusion clouding his face.
"Correct. In the Way of the Sword, this key attribute is known as the Sword Body."
Shen Mo had finally introduced the concept he had carefully engineered for Sasuke: the grand prize. The allure of the jars needed a massive, game-changing incentive that only the merchant could provide. For Tsunade, it was resurrection. For Sasuke, it was the genetic and spiritual foundation for ultimate Kendo mastery.
"The Sword Body," Shen Mo summarized, "is the representation of one's innate talent for cultivation. Those who possess a Sword Body can cultivate the corresponding sword path faster, with naturally higher power output, and with significantly lowered requirements for comprehension. Take the Ruthless Sword Intent as an example: if you were born with a Ruthless Sword Body, you would not need to annihilate your mind to wield a stronger Ruthless Sword Intent—you would be born for the sword."
For the modern reader, this was the ultimate Kryptonite Cheating Tool—a genetic BUFF that combined perception enhancement, attack boost, and practice acceleration, a necessary concept for any successful high-spending game model.
Sasuke's eyes lit up again. Although he didn't grasp the technical nuances, the words faster training, greater power, and lower requirements were all he needed to hear.
"Under normal circumstances, possessing a Sword Body is a person's destiny, like being born into the Uchiha clan with the potential for the Sharingan," Shen Mo continued, relishing the boy's reaction. He raised his voice: "However, my jar can change destiny. If you can pull a Sword Body—even the weakest one—you will instantly move faster and further on the sword path than any genius in your world."
Sasuke swallowed audibly. Talent... something that can surpass Itachi's innate genius.
He asked excitedly, "Is it possible to open one from the Tier Two Jars?"
"Well..." Shen Mo looked concerned. "There is a rare chance. The most common is perhaps a Heavy Sword Embryo Body, which guarantees a path to Heavy Sword Intent through sheer training volume. But true, high-tier Sword Bodies are extremely rare in Tier Two. The Tier Three Jars contain a much greater variety of strengths, even the Sword Spirit-level Sword Bodies, where practicing Kendo would feel like making great progress every single day."
Sasuke didn't need to understand the hierarchy of Sword Bodies; the concept of a guaranteed talent upgrade was enough. His vision had expanded again. He was now eagerly anticipating the Tier Three Jars, realizing that his immediate financial goal—200 million Ryo—was just the starting price for entry.
He took a deep breath, his hands trembling with renewed conviction.
"Continue opening the jars!"
Shen Mo knew his aim had been achieved. Sasuke would no longer be arrogant; he would be a desperate, motivated client, striving to earn enough for the next, higher-tier jar.
The merchant smiled. He decided to slightly sweeten the pot for the sake of the narrative and the long-term customer experience. He discreetly exchanged one of the remaining, low-value Tier Two items for a genuine, high-value Skill Ball—a true grand prize worth 20,000 TP.
Conscience is a good business partner, Shen Mo mused, patting himself on the back for the excellent, value-added service. This jackpot would ensure that even if Sasuke failed to defeat Itachi in their next encounter, he would be motivated to continue buying jars.
Shen Mo watched as Sasuke eagerly tore through the remaining jars. The sun began to rise outside the vault, casting long, dusty shadows. With only twelve jars remaining, Sasuke's luck finally struck again.
It was another ball of light.
Sasuke, now trained, instinctively reached out for it, but Shen Mo stopped him, gripping his shoulder firmly.
"This is..." Shen Mo took a dramatic breath, his voice swelling with manufactured excitement, a true showman. "This is a Skill Ball! Sasuke, you have won the jackpot! There might not be a single Kendo Skill Ball in five hundred Tier Two jars!"
Sasuke was stunned by the intensity of the merchant's reaction. This was the most genuine excitement Shen Mo had shown all night. Something truly amazing must be inside. His heart, already reeling from the night's trauma and revelations, filled with a sudden, overwhelming warmth towards the merchant.
"What is a Skill Light Ball?" he asked, his voice hushed with anticipation.
"Simply put, these are completed, executable sword techniques created by great masters. Unlike an Inheritance Aura, which gives you the knowledge but demands practice, a Skill Ball grants you the ability immediately," Shen Mo explained.
"Even without fully grasping the underlying philosophy, you can still control these techniques. And at your current level, any Kendo Skill Ball you receive could instantly provide a combat leap equivalent to years of hard training."