Emperor’s Domination

“Wait, something’s wrong.” Some emperors and desolate gods from Immortal Suppression felt something was off.

They had participated in the previous event and thought there should have been a formal announcement from Phantom Dynasty. The dynasty always sent invitations in the past, hoping for the top masters to join.

“They only know the timing of the opening and have no control over it.” One emperor said.

“Is there a reason why they want more participants?” Someone asked.

The major ghost market always took place within Phantom. Fortunes awaited the right traders. In theory, Phantom could control the flow so that only their members would benefit.

“It’s because of Specter Ancestor.” Someone else gave a firm answer, albeit without any elaboration.

“I think this is an unprecedented forceful opening of the market.” Another speculated.

“No, this happened before already.” A master in Immortal Suppression said.

“Someone opened it?” Listeners became emotional.

“Not even Specter Ancestor is strong enough to do this, right?” One of them said.

“Has to be a primal ancestor, at the very least.” One cultivator remarked.

“Yes, but progenitors can also work together to open it.” The master said again.

Emperors questioned this because if this were true, their dynasty could start the market without waiting.

“Progenitors can’t do that.” Someone voiced their disagreement.

“These progenitors aren’t like the others, they have participated in Devil Desolate and Immortals Slaughtered, going as far as reaching the primal level.” The master explained.

“Oh? Very few in history have done that.” An emperor said.

“Gao Yang, Wang Yangming, Nine-secret, Xuansu are some brilliant ones. Bao Pu is particularly strong.” The master responded.

“Bao Pu.” The emperor shuddered and said: “Any connection to Enigma?”

“Hard to say, it’s all so secretive.” The master responded.

“There must be someone incredible behind their repeated resurrection.” The emperor said.

“We thought of this. It’s not something one or two people can support.” The master said.

“We’ll see how many times they can rise again.” A different emperor added.

***

“Let’s do this! I’m gonna make an incredible trade.” A young cultivator rushed toward the market with excitement.

“Trade with what? The clothes on you?” Another glanced with disdain.

“You know nothing about the ghost market.” To which the youth responded: “It’s not about treasures, I am the best merchandise. I’ll sell myself.”

“To the ghosts?” One listener was astounded.

“Well, I can sell my lifespan, hehe, half of my lifespan for an imperial item. I’ll be famous then and can prolong my lifespan after becoming an emperor.” The youth started fantasizing.

“Your meager lifespan can’t trade for anything.” A companion sneered: “The ghosts won’t care for it.”

“Don’t say that, I’ll be the first to test the waters, maybe if I come fast enough, they’re starving and will be eager to suck out my life force, that’s when I demand a high price.” The youth said.

“Dream on, a little bit of life force won’t get you much.” The companion gave him the side eye.

“Haven’t you heard of the legend? During the ancient times, a good-hearted mortal traded his kindness to the ghosts and became unbeatable later.” The youth said.

“To get what you desire, you must give up what you value the most.” The companion had some experience and said: “What is it for you?”

The youth looked at himself up and down, aware he had nothing of value.

“My life, that’s the most precious and what I value the most.” The youth said.

“Then go big and offer your life. That might be enough in exchange for a wish such as killing your strongest enemy.” The companion said.

“Is that a joke? What’s the point of dealing with the enemies in exchange for my life? I rather just live in that case.” The youth said.

“Then I’m afraid you will return empty-handed. I suppose half of your lifespan can get something decent, but to become an emperor? Impossible.” The companion shook his head.

“What should I ask for? Half of my lifespan…” The youth murmured.

“A treasure is fine.” The companion suggested.

“You know what type of treasure I can get?” The youth asked.

“Hard to say, they might not care enough but one might be generous.” The companion responded.