Chapter 30: The Trial Begins

"Although I did not obtain the answer to peace, you have indeed helped me find a direction. Thank you."

Konan suppressed her surging emotions, her face full of sincerity as she bowed slightly.

This was not only her and Nagato's wish, but also the inheritance of the will of the deceased Yahiko.

The answer given by the mysterious merchant was not perfect, but to the ninja world, which was filled with desolation and war everywhere, it was undoubtedly a massive shock.

She was desperate to tell Nagato the news, but she also understood the urgency of the situation and wanted to get to the bottom of the Samsara Game.

To the side,

Sasuke, his Mangekyo Sharingan experience over, felt his eye sockets empty, having lost that intoxicating power.

"Is this the kind of power you chose to betray for?"

Sasuke ruminated on that immense power, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

It was indeed an ability capable of destroying the world.

He, too, had nearly been overwhelmed by the Susanoo, feeling as though he could rival the Sage of Six Paths, until the mysterious merchant above him waved a hand to intercept the flaming arrows he had fired.

"If that is the case, Itachi Uchiha, you are truly disgusting!"

Sasuke took a deep breath to steady his trembling heart, his black pupils filled with undisguised disappointment.

Even if this power were a hundred times stronger, if it required sacrificing those one loved, it was trash.

He would absolutely never be like Itachi Uchiha; even without a Mangekyo, he could still avenge his clansmen.

High in the air,

Sensing the shift in Sasuke's mindset, Fang Yi felt quite surprised.

He had originally assumed that after experiencing the power of the Mangekyo, Sasuke would pursue power even more madly, perhaps even discarding everything.

He had not expected the aura of his chakra to become even purer, as if he had figured something out.

Thinking about it again, it was within reason.

The Sasuke in the original story was actually very kind by nature; even after being repeatedly tortured by Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi and having the horror of the night of the clan's annihilation replayed, he did not become mentally twisted and still formed a bond with Uzumaki Naruto.

If one were to say that Uzumaki Naruto was due to the inevitable connection caused by being the reincarnation of Ashura and his chakra.

Yet during the Chunin Exams, Sasuke also cared for Haruno Sakura and the others at the Ninja Academy.

The awakening of his Sharingan was, from beginning to end, not because of anger or hatred.

He unlocked the Two-Tomoe Sharingan because Naruto was severely wounded by Haku, and after being provoked by Itachi Uchiha and defecting to Orochimaru, he unlocked the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at the Valley of the End by personally admitting that Naruto was his bond.

And the Mangekyo was unlocked after killing Itachi Uchiha and finally learning the truth, understanding Itachi Uchiha's twisted yet profound love.

Everything was because of love.

Perhaps Sasuke's Sharingan was the correct way to awaken.

Suddenly, a shrill roar pierced through the noisy plaza.

"Impossible, how could the Box of Ultimate Bliss be fake? You are lying to me!"

The former Kusagakure Jonin and current City Lord of Blood Prison, Muku, had bloodshot eyes and was trembling violently all over.

He had betrayed his village and spent years living among prisoners in the jail, all for the day he could open the Box of Ultimate Bliss and resurrect his lost son, Muku.

Yet, the trial version of the Box of Ultimate Bliss could not resurrect his son at all, and even if it did, it would only be a monster without reason or emotion.

How could he possibly accept such a result!

"The Box of Ultimate Bliss is merely a ninja tool capable of accumulating chakra and emotions."

Fang Yi stated the cruel truth in a calm tone.

There were many artifacts left behind by Otsutsuki Hagoromo, such as the Gold and Silver brothers of Kumogakure, who even managed to kill the Second Hokage with the power of the Six Paths Tools.

The Box of Ultimate Bliss was similarly powerful, and the monster sealed within could easily destroy several countries.

But it possessed no ability to communicate with the Pure Land or resurrect humans.

"I don't believe it!"

Muku roared madly, pounding his arms against the floor to vent the emotions gushing out of him.

Fang Yi waved his palm gently, and a new exchange item appeared before the other party.

【Soul Returning Talisman】: Capable of resurrecting a departed soul, requires the physical body to remain intact. Price: 50,000 Reward Points.

【Resurrection Necklace】: Can be resurrected after death while wearing the necklace, can be used 5 times consecutively, with a 6-hour cooldown between uses. Price: 70,000 Reward Points.

【Tenseiga】, 【Underworld Fruit】, 【Samsara Heavenly Life Technique】...

Countless resurrection exchanges appeared before the City Lord of Blood Prison, dazzling him.

With bloodshot eyes, the City Lord of Blood Prison looked at the wide array of resurrection abilities and said in a hoarse voice, "How do I know you aren't lying to me? I have never heard of these resurrection abilities."

"I am merely a merchant selling games; I do not need you to believe me."

Fang Yi spread his hands and said casually, "These resurrection items can be purchased once you reach a sufficient game level and possess enough Reward Points."

"The Box of Ultimate Bliss is a scam. Since you have been able to hide in Blood Prison for all these years, do you not have the patience to continue trial and error? It is just a matter of delaying some time."

"Hmph."

The City Lord of Blood Prison's emotions were volatile, but he dared not act out against the game merchant who had displayed such mysterious means.

In truth, having been in close contact with the Box of Ultimate Bliss for so long, how could he not have had the slightest suspicion?

It was just that the hope of resurrecting Muku had suppressed the doubts in his heart, and now that it had been punctured, he was extremely lost.

"Delaying time?"

The City Lord of Blood Prison muttered to himself; as long as he could resurrect Muku, time was the one thing he did not lack.

Feeling that the atmosphere had been sufficiently built up, Fang Yi suddenly spread his arms.

The entire space began to tremble violently, and thick, dragon-like vines and branches burst through the floor as if pulled from dry land, growing wildly.

Half a minute later,

A lush forest covered the entire plaza, continuously expanding.

Through the lush branches and leaves, one could see a tower spire in the deepest part, glowing like a guiding lamp.

【1st Game Tower, Ghost Trial Grounds】: Ghost *500, Ghost Guard *20, Samsara Clay Pot (Level 1) *5

This line of black text appeared before the eyes of all players.

"Novice Trial: Players can earn points by hunting ghosts; killing a ghost earns two points, and killing a Ghost Guard earns twenty points."

"The top twenty players in the point rankings will receive a Novice Gift Pack after the trial ends."

Fang Yi wore a smile as he explained, "At the same time, there are five Samsara Clay Pots hidden within the Shilianchang; opening them can grant random equipment, skills, or items."

"I forgot to tell everyone: all rewards you obtain in the Samsara Game can be brought back to reality."

"I wish you all a successful start!"

As his voice fell,

the massive figure, resembling a God, gradually dissipated, leaving only the players looking at each other in dismay.

"Five hundred ghosts, it's not enough to go around!"

There were five hundred players present, so it was certainly impossible to distribute them equally.

Upon hearing that game items could be brought back to reality, all the players fell into a frenzy, especially those who had previously purchased the trial version; they glared at the others like tigers watching their prey and rushed into the forest, fearing that the ghosts would be snatched away.

"I must resurrect Muku!"

"Itachi, wait for me!"

The players scattered like a tide, swarming into the forest like ants.

(End of this chapter)