Though the cans themselves were plain, the sheer number—over two hundred—combined with their profound significance, was staggering.
Sasuke's breathing grew heavy.
Yet he didn't start opening them.
Instead, he kept looking at Shen Mo.
"What about tier-two cans? You said tier-one items are in tier-two, but stronger and more, right?" Sasuke's tone was urgent.
"Indeed."
Looking at the eager Sasuke, Shen Mo gave a gentle smile, waving his hand again.
This time, 380 tier-two cans, visibly several times larger, appeared.
Sasuke couldn't hold back.
He reached for one, but just before touching it, he slowed, his heart pounding.
What would he get?
Though he'd glimpsed the cans' magic through the Food Series, the visions in his mind made him realize he knew little about this mysterious man's wares, and nothing about what the Swordsmanship Series might hold.
Nervous, yet expectant.
Sasuke finally opened one.
Inside… a glowing orb.
"Pretty good luck, huh?" Shen Mo's voice chimed perfectly.
Indeed, good luck. He'd packed these cans with plenty, and Sasuke's first pull was a decent prize.
"Experience orb?"
Sasuke recalled the wondrous Food Series orbs, excitement rising.
Just use it, and it's like training for ages.
Real strength gains!
With enough orbs, even the talentless could surge in power.
"No, not an experience orb," Shen Mo said, smiling, shaking his head. "A legacy orb. It holds a refined sword technique. Absorb it, and you'll learn it instantly. But mastering it, achieving greatness—that takes practice."
Solid stuff.
Sasuke, hearing this, eagerly touched it.
He knew how these orbs worked.
In an instant…
The orb surged into him. He saw a long-bearded man in odd clothes, wielding a double-edged sword, dancing atop a mountain peak.
Each move, firm as pine, swift as wind.
Elegant sword forms, yet laced with lethal intent.
Its name—Pine Breeze Sword Art, First Four Forms.
A Qingcheng Sect specialty.
Yes, that Qingcheng Sect from The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Low power tier, not famous, but its finesse was undeniable. Just these four of twelve forms were worth 6,700 Trade Points.
Sasuke's expression said it all.
Enthralled, awestruck.
"Sword techniques can be this profound?" He clenched his fist, as if a new world's door had opened.
The ninja world wasn't without sword techniques. As a common ninja weapon, basic sword and knife use was taught.
But…
Their swordplay chased speed, efficiency in killing.
Strong ninja honed techniques through battlefield slaughter.
Rarely were there inherited sword arts, refined across generations.
It worked!
Sasuke, thrilled, looked at his hands. Just the first can, and he felt real change.
"There's another perk to these legacies," Shen Mo said, seeing Sasuke's delight, striking while the iron was hot. "If you get the same one later, it's not wasted. Reabsorbing it deepens understanding, elevates mastery."
Why say this?
Because more of the same orbs were in the remaining cans.
Not many.
Two more First Four Forms, three Middle Four Forms, and, kindly, the Final Four Forms to complete it. Plus, the ultimate prize was in there.
That one, Shen Mo had placed as the grand jackpot.
"Keep going."
After the first can, Sasuke's excitement was uncontainable, rushing to open the second.
Inside… 100,000 cash.
Sasuke's face froze, looking at Shen Mo, hoping he'd explain what made this cash special.
"Haha," Shen Mo couldn't help laughing, spreading his hands. "There's always some of this stuff, no way around it. But don't worry, you won't get anything worse than 100,000 cash."
Honest truth.
Following the rule of luck's highs and lows, he'd tossed in three or four of these. Didn't expect one so soon.
A dud, but only the second can. Looking at the cash, Sasuke didn't toss it aside, carefully setting it down.
It could still buy cans, right?
Third, fourth, fifth…
Sasuke opened can after can.
Inside, a parade of wondrous items.
Shen Mo had filled the Swordsmanship Series with sword-related goods: training experience orbs, various sword technique legacy orbs, physique-enhancing abilities, rare ores for forging swords, fine swords themselves, plus training methods and combat scenes of swordmasters.
Sasuke's excitement grew.
Even his usual gloom seemed to fade.
This feeling of constant growth…
It was intoxicating!
His spirit soared, growing more fanatical.
Especially at the 122nd can, when he pulled a combat scene of Ximen Chuixue.
High-martial version.
He didn't grasp the swordplay's magic, but that stoic, sword-obsessed aura, reaping lives in a flash, thrilled him to trembling, sparking admiration.
"Heartless Sword God, Ximen Chuixue."
Sasuke muttered the name, mimicking Ximen's stance, gripping an imaginary sword.
"No one sees my sword, because those who do are already dead," he said, low and cold.
Shen Mo, looking on…
Barely held back laughter.
He'd nearly forgotten—Sasuke was at that chuunibyou age, easily enamored by Ximen Chuixue's idol-like sword god vibe. No helping it.
Truth be told, he'd once loved this character too.
"Ximen Chuixue, huh."
Shen Mo sighed with a nostalgic tone.
"You know him?"
Sasuke's eyes widened, looking at Shen Mo with eager anticipation, even slipping into honorifics.
Total fanboy, hearing idol gossip.
"Sort of," Shen Mo said, chuckling. "Don't let his cold, lone-wolf act fool you. He's got friends, a wife, kids. Surprisingly… a proud, decent guy."
"No way—" Sasuke blurted.
He seemed reluctant to believe. That man poured everything into the sword, chasing strength.
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