Getting Along, Fierce Blade Devouring Spirit

Several more peaceful days passed. During this time, Xu Jiujiu gradually had more contact with the Ice Snow Two Emperors. She was no longer as nervous and fearful as she had been at first, and her state of mind gradually calmed, as though she was slowly accepting their presence.

In truth, this was only natural. The Ice Snow Two Emperors had never been unreasonable people. It was merely that the rumors surrounding them, along with their identities as nonhuman beings and their formidable reputations, naturally carried an oppressive feeling for ordinary humans. This was an unsolvable problem, at least in this era.

Humans always doubted and feared beings they could not completely control, and soul beasts were the most representative example. Over the past ten thousand years, humans had deepened their research into soul beasts, only to discover an even more terrifying truth: humanity's fear of soul beasts was practically carved into their bones. Not to mention facing Fierce Beasts, who were comparable to kings among soul beasts.

Fortunately, Xu Jiujiu was no ordinary human. As an imperial princess, her horizons and capacity for acceptance far surpassed those of ordinary people. With Shu Yan's constant guidance and help, Xu Jiujiu quickly became familiar with the Ice Snow Two Emperors.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the Ice Empress had taken a liking to Xu Jiujiu. Perhaps Xu Jiujiu's completely unreserved money power was simply too alluring. Even the Ice Empress could not help but fall beneath the skirts of this wealthy princess, making the Snow Empress sigh helplessly, afraid that the Ice Empress might one day be whisked away by some yellow-haired brat from who knew where...

But the Snow Empress's concerns were clearly unnecessary.

Although the Ice Empress's current state did indeed make her seem not particularly bright, that was merely an appearance. She had over three hundred thousand years of cultivation. Even a pig would have become the emperor among pigs by then, much less when the Ice Empress's true form was a scorpion.

Shu Yan felt there was nothing wrong with his reasoning. Of course, if the Ice Empress found out, he certainly would not have an easy time...

While Xu Jiujiu was busy growing familiar with the Ice Snow Two Emperors and deepening their relationship, calling them elder sister this and elder sister that every day, the imperial secret guards were nearly running their legs off.

A few days earlier, they had received Xu Jiujiu's order to search with all their might for the ninety-ninth-ranked carving knife on the list, the Fierce Blade Devouring Spirit.

Although they did not know why Your Highness Princess wished to find this ominous blade that symbolized terror and evil, they had Your Majesty's approval. Naturally, they would not slack off or carelessly muddle through. Everyone gave it their all, and with the carving knife's own great notoriety, they found its whereabouts at a large auction house within the empire in less than three days.

For less than one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, the imperial secret guards smoothly purchased this listed carving knife, which had failed to sell more than thirty times, from the auction house. If anyone unaware of the truth learned of this, they might truly think the imperial secret guards had struck a tremendous bargain.

Of course, those who knew the truth were probably already quietly praying for these imperial secret guards...

At first, Xu Jiujiu had strongly dissuaded and opposed Shu Yan's intention to acquire the Devouring Spirit Carving Knife, because she knew full well that this carving knife's Fierce Reputation was not exaggerated. It had earned the name of a fierce blade because it had truly devoured its masters.

In the three thousand years since this carving knife was born, the Devouring Spirit Carving Knife had had thirty-seven owners. All thirty-seven had been outstanding powerhouses and geniuses of their respective eras, yet every one of them had ultimately died tragic deaths. Nine among them had even been bewitched by this carving knife and fallen into Evil Soul Masters, stirring up wave after wave of bloody carnage across the continent. Even now, this carving knife was still despised and feared. Though its price had fallen to rock bottom, no one dared take the risk.

Looking at the ancient, unadorned carving knife lying quietly within the jade box before him, Shu Yan's expression darkened slightly as he seemed lost in thought.

Xu Jiujiu, standing beside him, was filled with urgency and unease. Merely being near this fierce blade gave her an intense sense of danger. Yet what worried her even more was Shu Yan's intention. What exactly did he want this fierce blade for...?

After a long silence, Shu Yan suddenly raised his eyes and said softly,

"Grandmother Manyi, please invite the Snow Empress and Ice Empress over. Tell them there is an important matter to discuss."

A faint sound came from the space behind him. Before long, the Snow Empress, now dressed in a white robe, arrived with the Ice Empress, whose expression was slightly displeased.

Shu Yan gestured for them to sit. Xu Jiujiu took the initiative to prepare tea, skillfully and elegantly pouring a cup for both of them except the Ice Empress. Naturally, the Ice Empress received a cup of red fruit juice. Xu Jiujiu knew that she did not like tea.

Nebula Douluo never appeared from beginning to end. Whenever Shu Yan and the others discussed matters, she generally chose to seal off her senses voluntarily or move far away. Without their permission, she would never listen to even one extra word.

The Snow Empress took a light sip of tea, then looked at Shu Yan and said softly,

"What important matter is it? Let us hear it."

Drinking her fruit juice, the Ice Empress also grumbled,

"Yeah. You brat love causing trouble every single day and never let us have any peace. Sooner or later, I will give you a good beating..."

Shu Yan shook his head with a light laugh, then turned the jade box around and opened it. The Devouring Spirit Carving Knife inside was immediately exposed.

The jade box itself was a peak Rank 6 Soul Tool. Aside from sealing off its aura, it had no other function. Once the jade box was opened, the ominous aura that had been confined within instantly spread outward. The Ice Empress choked on her fruit juice and began coughing violently, while the Snow Empress slowly set down her teacup and narrowed her eyes at the unremarkable carving knife before her.

"This is an aura of evil and misfortune..."

"No, its composition is different. Or perhaps it is a power similar to a curse?"

The Snow Empress murmured softly. She looked at Shu Yan and asked,

"Where did this thing come from?"

Shu Yan raised his eyebrows and looked at Xu Jiujiu. Xu Jiujiu immediately understood and promptly gave the Snow Empress a detailed account of the carving knife's origin, as well as the strange and bizarre incidents that had happened to its previous owners.

After hearing this, the Snow Empress fell into deep thought. Once the Ice Empress caught her breath, she did not say much either. Instead, she began carefully examining the strange carving knife. For some reason, she felt that this carving knife gave her an odd sensation, like... an unusual attraction?

The Ice Empress found it difficult to explain exactly what that feeling was, but just as her senses told her, this carving knife had to conceal some astonishing secret...

After a long while, the Snow Empress slowly extended her hand. Cold air surged from her palm, and the Devouring Spirit Carving Knife resting in the jade box trembled a few times before gradually floating into the air. Icy blue Soul Power flowed across the blade, and wherever it passed, a faint layer of icy mist formed. The next moment, a sudden change occurred...