"Lord Orochimaru..."
Kabuto Yakushi was speechless, staring at the sudden cascade of gold, jewels, and various world currencies that had materialized at their feet.
His carefully honed intelligence and analytical abilities utterly failed. How did Shen Mo know about this wealth? How did he retrieve it instantly? Why sell Jars if he could just take the money?
"Kabuto Yakushi," Orochimaru said calmly, his tone now fully recovered, resonating with a renewed sense of control. "When you are faced with an existence that operates beyond your capacity to analyze, the correct course of action is to cease unnecessary thought."
Kabuto nodded stiffly. Now, he truly understood terror. The attempt to deeply analyze this merchant would surely drive him mad.
"The transmutation of these hidden assets will be sufficient to purchase ten Tier Three Jars," Orochimaru observed, his eyes shining with comprehension.
"Precisely," Shen Mo confirmed with a smile. "If you fail to acquire the necessary Destiny item, you perish. And most job-changing items in the Necromancer Series are highly volatile. If you fail to successfully execute the job change, you also perish. This currency grants you a chance."
Shen Mo no longer needed to concern himself with temporary gains. Even if Orochimaru failed, and the wealth reverted to Kabuto, it would eventually belong to the Merchant Guild anyway.
"It is certainly very direct."
Orochimaru's eyes glowed with an unusual, focused light—the sheer excitement of facing a life-or-death challenge.
"Fear will only hasten your demise, Lord Shen Mo. I wish to purchase ten Tier Three Jars!"
"As you desire." Shen Mo waved his hand, and ten massive, imposing Jars materialized before them.
Orochimaru felt the gravity of the decision. Tier Three Jars were exponentially more expensive, signifying an immense leap in power potential, but also in risk.
He extended his withered palm. Opening the first Jar was an effort.
Inside was a sheet of pitch-black paper. It radiated an ominous aura, covered in chaotic, squiggly characters written in a demonic language. Its function was entirely unknown.
Orochimaru knew that Tier Two Jars and above came with a small explanatory note. But he still looked to Shen Mo.
"That is a Demon Contract Scroll," Shen Mo explained. "It's a utility item, not a Grand Prize, but still rare. Its function is to allow you to offer a sacrifice and have a low-tier Demon perform a simple task for you. However, the task must be achievable, and you must ensure the language is explicit. Demons are masters of linguistic loopholes."
The scroll contained only the power of a summoned entity, not a true demon, and was single-use. Yet, its inherent value was a full one-fifth the cost of the Tier Three Jar—a high baseline for a common item.
"A Demon?" Orochimaru was intensely interested. The legacies he had acquired were rich with information about these strong, cunning, soul-hungry beings.
He carefully lifted the scroll. His expectation for the Tier Three Jars was climbing rapidly. The power difference between Tiers was now undeniable.
He opened the Jars one by one: a few advanced experience light orbs, a rare, hand-written book on dark cosmic magic, and the preserved remains of a Young Dragon.
The small, juvenile corpse was suspended in a jar filled with an unknown liquid. Though long dead, it still exuded a faint, palpable draconic aura.
"This is highly fortuitous," Shen Mo commented, slightly surprised by Orochimaru's ability to consistently pull materials he could utilize. "Combined with your Bone Resurrection skill, this grants you the ability to create an authentic, growing Bone Dragon."
A Bone Dragon was a desired companion and summon for any necromancer. Orochimaru's spectral smile widened with satisfaction.
Then came the seventh Jar.
The moment Orochimaru opened it, his heart seized.
Inside were two objects: a large, intricately carved stone coffin and a small, palm-sized box.
Though their combined mass far exceeded the original Jar's volume, they fit perfectly. Orochimaru meticulously removed the items, placing them on the ground.
He gently caressed the smooth surfaces, his hands trembling slightly.
He knew, instinctively, that this was the Destiny Item he had purchased.
"Just as I suspected," Shen Mo's smile finally broke into genuine delight. "From the first moment I saw you, I saw the future of a Lich."
"A Lich?" Orochimaru looked up, ravenous for the explanation.
"Precisely," Shen Mo confirmed, gesturing toward the rune-covered coffin. "In many worlds, others share your struggle. They are powerful Mages who seek the absolute truth of existence at any cost. Their greatest enemy is the simple, crushing limit of human mortality."
"They chose the forbidden path: abandoning their humanity to become Liches—a unique, powerful form of immortal undead. They possess infinite lifespan, retain all their wisdom and power, and continue to grow indefinitely."
This was the profession Shen Mo had chosen for him.
The Lich was the perfect vehicle for Orochimaru: a Lich could still use his Ninjutsu, continue his forbidden research, and master true sorcery. Furthermore, as long as the Lich's Phylactery (the small box) remained hidden, the Lich could regenerate and resurrect even if its body was completely destroyed.
"This... this was my destiny all along."
A satisfied, profound smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. Humanity has limits. Then I shall simply cease to be human!
Crucially, unlike the Evil God who had sought to consume his will, the power of the Lich was attained through one's own wisdom, learning, and focused dark ritual. It was a power he could master, not one that would master him.