“So you ran here right away.” Li Qiye said.

“The tribulation didn’t trap me at the start.” He smiled wryly.

“It’s because you became a ghost, hence the suppression.” Li Qiye said.

“That is correct, Progenitor.” He sighed and admitted.

As a True Emperor, he still crafted weapons at the progenitorial level - a testament to his skills. Alas, he was not satisfied with this and thought he could still create something stronger.

He came to Forest of Thoughts not for a transaction but a takeover of a temple. It had a different name once but the previous temple lord lost to him. With that, he relied on the innate resources of the temple and created multiple weapons, culminating in Heavenly Wrath.

It had no classification because its power didn’t come from imperial or progenitorial laws. It wielded the might of the tribulations, able to destroy Grand Emperors and desolate gods.

At first, he added himself to the weapon to make it stronger, becoming a wielder of the tribulations. Unfortunately, the mysteries of heaven were beyond his grasp.

His transgression was punished and the heavenly laws trapped him within the weapon. Although he survived, he was subjected to unceasing agony. The tribulation power always assaulted his body and mind.

His connection with the major ghost market and its rules kept him alive. This only made the prison more impossible to escape the plain and the temple. Tribulation lightning bolts and the rules of the market always dragged him back.

He had no choice but to obediently stay at the bottom of the abyssal well. Fortunately, Li Qiye finally arrived and granted him temporary relief from the tribulation.

He looked back at Heavenly Wrath. It still had the same tribulation affinity but looked like an ordinary weapon now - full of power but devoid of spirit. He was an essential element in its perfection.

Alas, fear overwhelmed him as he recalled the agony suffered by the tribulation bolts. His sanity remained only because the market’s rules weakened its onslaught.

“Looks like someone doesn’t want to be the temple lord anymore.” Li Qiye said.

“Progenitor, it’s not that I don’t want to, but the pain is just too much. I still want to continue crafting weapons.” He let out a bitter smile.

The torture was too much for him to take despite his battle-hardened experience. Worst of all, there was no end in sight since he was a ghost, hence his repeated attempts at escaping.

“People often forget their original aspiration after facing difficulties.” Li Qiye said: “Why did you take over this ghost temple?”

“To create a heaven-defying weapon.” He sighed and said with disappointment.

Li Qiye smiled and pointed at the dragon: “Look, didn’t you do just that? It belongs to you alone and no one else can take it, you have accomplished your goal.”

He looked down at the maelstrom in his chest and thought he had created an incredible weapon. From the previous perspective, this was the desirable outcome. Alas, he wanted to escape Heavenly Wrath and the temple now.

“Many think they are willing to pay any price to accomplish their goal. This is empty motivation since when the time comes, they will choose to avoid difficulties and pain.” Li Qiye said.

“Yes, Progenitor.” He sighed: “No one can handle endless agony.”

“What if you can keep everything including Heavenly Wrath without the added torture?” Li Qiye asked.

“It would be the best possible outcome, I couldn’t ask for more.” He said.

Li Qiye smiled after hearing this.

“Please bestow me your mercy, Progenitor.” He immediately prostrated and saw hope.

“Coincidentally enough, fate does connect me to your clan, the Bingchi.” Li Qiye said.

“Please, Progenitor.” He continued kneeling and begged, unable to handle the unending torment.