The red lantern flickered, sometimes near, sometimes far, as if its true distance was impossible to grasp. However, inexplicably, as long as one kept their eyes fixed on it, a natural understanding would emerge, instinctively knowing how to approach it and reach the destination. It was as if some subtle, imperceptible force was guiding the heart and will, urging the body to follow.
"Interesting."
Yi Tianxing felt a growing curiosity. The Eternal World was becoming increasingly strange—especially after the heavenly seal began to crack, the changes across heaven and earth had grown ever more complex. Demons, monsters, and ghosts had all emerged. Without a doubt, the wilderness had become far more dangerous. But along with that danger, bizarre and mysterious phenomena were also becoming more frequent—like this red lantern. He had never heard of such a thing before.
Clearly, this had only begun to occur after the cracks in the heavenly seal appeared.
Guided by the red lantern, time seemed to lose all meaning.
It felt like an instant, yet also like an eternity. In a haze, they arrived at a mysterious place.
In front of them stood a grand archway, and on either side of it hung two massive red lanterns. But they were not ordinary lanterns. The flames within seemed to ignite from nothing, exuding an almost unbearable sense of threat. They gave the distinct sensation of being watched, as though the next moment could bring devastating destruction that would burn the body to ash.
"Karmic Fire… Red Lotus Karmic Fire."
Yi Tianxing's pupils involuntarily contracted. This wasn't ordinary flame—it was clearly Red Lotus Karmic Fire, one of the most terrifying exotic flames (异火) in existence. It possessed immense destructive power and was said to be especially lethal to all living beings. Anyone with karma on their body would find themselves ignited by this fire—body and soul consumed in simultaneous torment. Unless one's karmic debts were reduced to ash within the fire, it could not be extinguished. Its terror was legendary—even the gods and Buddhas would shun it.
Karma was something every living being bore, except perhaps for a newborn. For this fire to be displayed so brazenly, with no fear of it being stolen, spoke volumes of the confidence and power of this mysterious force.
"The Ghost Market!!"
Looking up again, Yi Tianxing saw a plaque hanging atop the archway. The words engraved upon it were strange, not quite ancient seal script, but anyone who glanced at them would immediately understand their meaning—Ghost Market.
Now this was interesting.
From what Yi Tianxing knew, there were two types of ghost markets. One was metaphorical—a black market dealing in shady, illicit goods of dubious origin. These markets opened before dawn and vanished with the morning light, like fog scattered by wind—no one organized them, no one managed them, they simply appeared like wild onions on a field: out of nowhere, and thriving mysteriously.
Because it was always dark, figures loomed and crouched in the shadows. Some lit dim lanterns with barely visible flames, looking like ghost fires in a graveyard. A seller might hold up something white and gleaming—getting closer, you might find it to be the perfectly intact pelt of a white fox.
Rules governed these ghost markets. You didn't ask questions—where it came from, how it was obtained—don't ask. If you liked something, it was payment and product exchanged, and then everyone turned their backs. Whether you were scammed or not depended on your own judgment.
That kind of ghost market was essentially a form of black market, no rules, no morals—just opportunity.
But the other type was literal—a true ghost market, populated by spirits, demons, and monsters. Goods of mysterious origin were peddled alongside identities just as unknowable. The crowd here spanned all walks of life, from the noble to the wretched, and within such a place, one could either strike gold—or lose everything, down to their underwear.
"This is the real Ghost Market."
That was Yi Tianxing's immediate realization.
He hadn't expected to stumble into such a place here.
Meeting the Serpent Empress' gaze, both of them shared the same curiosity and intrigue.
"Let's go in together. Stay close to me, don't get separated. The situation inside is unclear—we need to be cautious."
Yi Tianxing gave a slight nod. Since they were already here, there was no reason to turn back. They had to at least see what it was all about.
"Alright."
The Serpent Empress nodded in agreement. This wasn't a place for tantrums or stubbornness.
"Come."
Yi Tianxing extended his hand toward her.
She hesitated only for a moment, then placed her snow-white, jade-like hand into his. Their fingers naturally interlaced, and together, they stepped toward the archway.
Whoosh!!
The moment they passed through, it was as if they had stepped through a spatial gate. A ripple of eerie spatial energy washed over them, and in the next instant, their surroundings changed dramatically.
They now stood in an otherworldly space.
The air was dark and murky, tinged with a sickly green glow. Cold winds blew intermittently, chilling them to the bone.
"Fascinating… this Ghost Market truly isn't ordinary. The moment we entered, we were cloaked in a fog—so the concealment of one's identity is absolute."
Yi Tianxing silently noted the change.
Both he and the Serpent Empress were now wrapped in thick black mist. As long as they willed it, no one could discern their appearance—not even their gender.
Divine sense could not pierce the mist. It was like wearing a potent camouflage—no aura leaked out, no identifying features visible. Unless one deliberately revealed themselves, their identity would remain completely hidden.
Such precautions deserved praise. In a place like this, no one wanted to risk exposure.
After all, what if someone obtained a treasure? What if they struck it rich? If their identity was known, they could easily be ambushed the next day, their corpse left to rot in the wilderness.
That said, if someone did want to be seen, they could allow the mist to clear. It was all under their control.
For now, Yi Tianxing and the Serpent Empress could see each other, but others could not see them.
Looking around, the space was vast.
It had an eerie vibe, and was clearly not part of the normal world.
All around them were figures cloaked in black mist.
Scattered about were street stalls—ground markets—displaying a wide array of items. The dim lighting made it hard to see clearly, and each stall was manned by a shadowy figure shrouded in fog.
Of course, not everyone was hiding. Quite a few individuals openly displayed their appearances, seemingly indifferent to being recognized.
Whether this was due to confidence or something else, no one could say.
"Indeed… monsters and ghosts."
Yi Tianxing's gaze landed on one such figure. It was an old woman with a face like dried orange peel, exuding a wicked aura. Ghost fire flickered around her.
"A ghost!"
The Serpent Empress frowned slightly and murmured.
This was a ghost cultivator—an old ghostly granny. She grinned with two remaining teeth, her upper body visible while her lower half was swallowed by ghost flames. It was a frightening sight that would surely terrify any ordinary person.
Yet this ghostly granny didn't seem to carry any malice. Sitting there, she simply looked like a vendor doing business.
"In the Ghost Market, who isn't a ghost?"
The old granny seemed to hear the Serpent Empress and grinned eerily.
"True enough. In the Ghost Market, everyone's a ghost," Yi Tianxing agreed. "What do you have here? What do you deal in?"
"Hehe… I deal in business. Whatever I have is up for trade. But only barter—no coins," she cackled. "My treasures are the best! But whether you pick something good or bad, that's up to your own skill."
As she spoke, she gestured toward her stall.
Two faintly glowing green ghost flames floated up, illuminating the items before her.
In the dim light, the wares became visible—indeed, quite a bizarre assortment.
Voodoo Effigy: A cursed item. With someone's birth date and fate, it can cast curses of unknown power.
Foundation Pill: A rare pill used by cultivators during the Hundred-Day Foundation Building phase. Strengthens the body and shortens the time needed. Very precious.
Primal Stone-Crushing Palm: A martial technique, top-grade Profound-tier. When mastered, it rivals Earth-tier skills and can lead to understanding martial intent.
Soul Bead: A treasure formed from condensed soul power. Consuming it increases one's own soul strength. Extremely rare.
Ghost Saliva Incense: A precious item. Enhances the soul when consumed—but has strong aphrodisiac effects.
Indeed, the wares were extraordinary—from curses to pills, martial skills to soul treasures—everything one could imagine was on offer.