The Dawn of the New World

'What does it mean by needs to be unlocked?'

The page turned giving Hao Xuan the info, which to his surprise was quite unexpected.

'So it's a stolen ship that can't be used without breaking into its mainframe. Why is there no price?'

"Certain goods and services can be listed for specific items or 'favors'. Buyer must contact the seller for details," it said.

'So they don't want money or gold.'

Moving on Hao Xuan could see a plethora of unique and some not-so-unique listings.

Some of the unique ones that particularly stood out ranged from entire habitable planets to scarce and exotic creatures that even he had never seen or heard about in any of his millions of lifetimes.

But then on the other hand some of the not-so-unique items included people, souls, bloodlines, and entire mortal tribes with specific traits that could be placed on new planets to be bred for war or...any other purposes.

Hao Xuan continued to go down the list until he came across a blacked-out item. No details were given and all information was scrubbed from view.

'What is this?'

"Some Private listings are only available to those with higher blessings."

'So you need to be above a certain level. I should be able to see it as a Champion right? Show me what this is.'

The listing opened on a new page but there was only the outline of a hand here. When Hao Xuan placed his hand on it he could feel his mark stir which unlocked all the information, of which there was not much.

"Body of a True God for sale. Divinity still intact. Looking to trade with a-"

He had only read up to that point when the listing suddenly disappeared.

'What happened?' he asked but got no answer.

'I guess it was removed? Or was I kicked out? Can the sellers see who is viewing their products?'

A big glaring YES came up.

"So they didn't like me seeing it and forced me out? Even though I'm a champion? I thought we were the highest authority within the sanctum..." he muttered to himself in confusion.

"You are," Lord Jyothi replied from the side, "That gives you authority and power in here but the market is controlled by one of the Nine, The Silent Father. As his title suggests, he promises complete anonymity for all. If someone doesn't want to sell you something you can't make them...without finding them in person if their identity is known."

"Oh, that is very good to know," Hao Xuan replied with a smile before his eyes were pulled towards the chains in his hand, "Is it done?"

"Yes," Lord Jyothi replied with a troubled expression, "And it is exactly as I had feared. There are countless magics obscuring most of the inner workings. It might appear as a simple apparatus but that wench has altered it to fit her own needs. Even I cannot find out what exactly she did without taking it apart but one thing is for certain, she wants complete control."

"...how do you mean?"

"It is designed to control and greatly limit the power of its wearer. You may think of it as a leash that she can pull at any time," his expression turned ugly, "Just say the word and I will destroy it for you, my lord. Whatever she is offering you cannot be worth becoming her puppet. I can help keep her away if th-"

"Its not-" Hao Xuan cut him off, "I was the one who approached her for this deal. This is something only she can do and it is too late to turn things around at this stage. I must go along with whatever she has planned."

Heavy-hearted, Lord Jyothi stared into his eyes for what felt like an eternity before turning around with a deep sigh.

"As you wish, my lord. It seems history is bound to repeat itself."

He sat down at the neighboring table and started tinkering with the chains and metal blocks.

Hao Xuan tried to get back into the book and learn some more information but Lord Jyothi's words kept resonating in his ears for some reason. So he couldn't help but ask, "What did you mean by...history repeating itself?"

Lord Jyothi continued working on the chains while intermittently responding in quite a somber tone.

"The Witch has done this before many times. She finds promising talent and digs her claws into their life, manipulating everything from the shadows until they have no choice but to come running to her for help. And then she twists and bends them to her will, until they are but a shadow of their former self. She has no regard for anyone but herself, not even the Great Mother."

Lord Jyothi glanced at a copper plate to his right in which he could see his reflection.

"I was not always like this, you know," he whispered while brushing his fingers over his snout.