The auction gradually reached its climax under Xiao Qing's direction.
From time to time, the young woman revealed just the right hint of springtime allure, and with her glib tongue, she precisely captivated the hearts of the lechers in attendance.
One treasure after another was brought forth, then sold under Xiao Qing's hammer for astonishingly high prices.
At last, the auction neared its end as a maid stepped onto the stage carrying a tray.
Mu Tianyi's fingers suddenly stopped moving.
He sensed it. A faint resentment emanated from the tray, like cold mist drifting over a grave in late autumn, barely there yet unmistakable.
That aura crossed the entire hall and pierced directly into his senses.
Mu Tianyi slowly sat up straight, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.
His luck was quite good. He had not expected to encounter it on his first visit.
Xiao Qing took the tray and placed it on the auction platform, but she did not immediately remove the covering.
Her expression was more solemn than before. Her fingers lightly pressed against the edge of the red silk as she spoke first.
"Distinguished guests, the next item is unlike every lot that came before." Her voice slowed. "It is neither a Soul Tool nor a medicinal pill, yet its reputation across the continent surpasses that of the previous seventeen items combined."
The audience fell silent for a moment. Everyone looked at her curiously, anticipating the answer she would give.
"I believe everyone has heard of the Ranking Carving Knives."
"You should know that the first thing a qualified Soul Engineer needs is not superior materials, but a carving knife that fits their hand."
"Among the countless carving knives, there are one hundred that Soul Engineers favor most. They are therefore known as the Ranking Carving Knives."
"And the next lot Xiao Qing will be auctioning today is one of the carving knives ranked on that list!"
With that, Xiao Qing pinched the red silk and gently lifted it.
The instant the red silk slipped away, an emerald-green glow rippled out from the tray.
The blade itself was impossible to make sense of, covered in densely packed blackish-gray patterns.
After merely one glance, many people below the stage involuntarily frowned.
The discomfort came for no apparent reason, as though something were gnawing at their nerves.
The hall was silent for a moment before someone recognized it.
"This is... the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife?" A middle-aged Soul Master's voice trembled. "That blade... the cursed weapon that has killed dozens of owners?"
The moment those words fell, the hall erupted.
Whispers surged from every corner, merging into a buzzing clamor.
"I've heard of that thing. It's unbelievably sinister."
"Whoever gets it dies. There has never been an exception. They can actually put this thing up for auction?"
"Pah. What bad luck."
Xiao Qing stood on the stage. The smile remained on her face, but the curve of her lips had grown somewhat stiff.
This was not the first time she had faced such a scene.
The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife had already failed to sell twice in a row. This was its third time on the auction block.
Starlight Auction House had mixed feelings about the cursed blade. Leaving it in storage was a waste, but no one dared buy it when they put it up for sale.
She cleared her throat, trying to keep her voice steady. "Distinguished guests, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife does indeed have certain... rumors surrounding it."
"But there is no doubt that it is a Ranking Carving Knife. Among the carving knives still in existence on the continent, it ranks within the top thirty. In terms of carving ability, it has virtually no rivals of the same grade. Its value..."
"No matter how valuable it is, what's the point if you die before you can use it?"
Someone below the stage interrupted her.
Xiao Qing opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but those words were like a bucket of cold water, thoroughly dousing the hall's already limited enthusiasm.
She glanced at the evasive gazes below the stage and sighed inwardly.
If nothing unexpected happened, it would fail to sell again today.
After three failed auctions, the carving knife would likely be sent back to storage and never appear in the auction house again.
"The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, starting bid—one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins." Xiao Qing announced the price, with no expectation left in her voice.
Each bid had to increase by no less than ten thousand, but she knew that no one would likely raise a paddle.
The hall was quiet for several breaths.
Everyone attended to their own business, but no one looked at the stage.
Xiao Qing rested her fingers on the auction hammer. After waiting a moment, she was about to announce that the item had failed to sell.
"One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins."
A voice came from the corner. Neither loud nor soft, it nevertheless reached every person present with perfect clarity.
Everyone turned in unison toward that direction.
In the shadows of the corner, a young man leaned against the back of his chair. His moon-white robes stood out especially clearly beneath the dim light.
Black hair, golden eyes, and an impeccable face.
Xiao Qing was stunned as well.
In all her years hosting auctions, she had never seen someone treat one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins so lightly.
After all, in her eyes, spending one hundred thousand on a cursed carving knife was no different from throwing money away.
Oh, no. At least throwing money away would make a sound.
"This... this young master, your bid is one hundred thousand?" She confirmed it once more, her tone carrying both surprise and barely restrained delight.
"Mm." Mu Tianyi answered without even turning to look at her. "One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. I want this carving knife."
The buzzing in the hall rose again.
Some discussed whether the young man was unaware of the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife's notorious reputation.
Others guessed that he was some young master from a great clan acting out on a whim. Still others shook their heads and sighed, believing that another fool unafraid of death had come knocking.
After that brief interlude, the auction continued.
Half an hour later.
The auction finally ended.
Mu Tianyi had obtained what he wanted as well.
The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife was placed inside a fourth-grade storage Soul Tool ring, and both the ring and blade were handed over together.
Mu Tianyi took the ring but did not put it on immediately. Instead, he held it in his palm and sensed it for a moment.
Even through the isolation of the Soul Tool, he could still clearly sense the cold, sinister aura coming from within the ring.
Resentment, unwillingness, corrosion—it was as though some living thing struggled inside, trying to break free of its restraints and pounce upon the nearest living being.
Its fearsome reputation truly had a reason.
Mu En stood nearby and glanced at the storage Soul Tool ring in his hand. He was curious, but he did not speak.
He wondered why Mu Tianyi had gone to such lengths to buy this cursed blade.
Why would someone who did not work with Soul Tools need a carving knife?
But this had always been his way of thinking.
Everything had its destined course. When the time came for him to know, he would naturally know. If he did not know, then the time had not yet come.
He believed Mu Tianyi would explain the whole matter to him eventually. It simply was not the right time yet.
Having lived for nearly two hundred years, he still had this much patience.
The grandfather and grandson returned to the inn one after the other.
Mu Tianyi closed the door and placed the ring on the table.
He turned to Mu En, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.
"Xuan Zu, I need you to use the power of light to purify this carving knife."
Mu En looked at him, smiled, and said,
"Tianyi, are you still going to keep it from this old man at a time like this? What exactly is this carving knife, that you went to such lengths to obtain it?"
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