Take Down the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, the Deity's Guidance

Under the hosting of Xiao Qing, the auction gradually reached its climax.

The young girl would occasionally reveal a hint of allure at just the right moments, and combined with her silver-tongued eloquence, she precisely manipulated the hearts of the lecherous men in the audience.

One treasure after another was brought up, only to be sold at staggering, astronomical prices under the strike of Xiao Qing's gavel.

Finally, the auction reached its conclusion, and a maidservant walked onto the stage carrying a tray.

Mu Tianyi's fingers suddenly froze.

He felt it—a faint, lingering resentment emanating from the tray, like the cold mist over a graveyard in late autumn, ethereal and elusive.

That aura pierced through the entire hall, stabbing precisely into his perception.

Mu Tianyi slowly sat up straight, the excitement in his eyes impossible to conceal.

My luck is truly good; I didn't expect to encounter this on my first visit.

Xiao Qing took the tray and placed it on the auction podium, but she did not rush to unveil it.

Her expression held a bit more solemnity than before; she pressed her fingers lightly against the edge of the red silk and spoke first.

"Distinguished guests, this next item is unlike any that have come before." Her voice slowed. "It is not a Soul Tool, nor is it a medicinal pill, yet its fame on the continent exceeds that of the previous seventeen items combined."

The hall fell silent for a moment, and everyone looked at her with curiosity, anticipating what answer she would provide.

"I believe everyone must have heard of the Ranking Carving Knife."

"You must know that what a qualified soul master needs first is not some high-grade material, but a handy carving knife."

"Among the many carving knives, there are one hundred that are most favored by soul masters, and thus they are known as the Ranking Carving Knife."

"And the next item that Xiao Qing is auctioning today is one of those knives from the ranking list!"

After speaking, Xiao Qing gripped the red silk and lifted it gently.

The moment the red silk slid away, a jade-green radiance rippled out from the tray.

The material of the blade was impossible to discern, covered in dense, black-gray patterns.

Just by glancing at it, many in the audience couldn't help but frown involuntarily.

That sense of discomfort came inexplicably, as if something were gnawing at their nerves.

The hall was quiet for a moment, and then someone recognized it.

"Is this... the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife?" a middle-aged soul master's voice trembled. "The cursed blade that... caused the deaths of dozens of previous owners?"

The moment the words landed, the hall erupted like a boiling pot.

Whispers surged from every corner, coalescing into a buzzing, chaotic din.

"I've heard of this thing; it's incredibly sinister."

"Whoever takes it dies; there has never been an exception. How can this thing even be in an auction?"

"Pah, bad luck."

Xiao Qing stood on the stage, her smile still maintained, but the corners of her mouth had stiffened.

This was not her first time facing such a scene.

The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife had already failed to sell twice; this was its third time on the block.

The Starlight Auction House held a conflicted attitude toward this cursed blade; leaving it in the warehouse was a waste, but bringing it out to sell meant no one dared to touch it.

She cleared her throat, trying to make her voice sound steady: "Distinguished guests, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife does indeed have some... rumors."

"But there is no doubt that it is a Ranking Carving Knife. It ranks in the top thirty of all existing carving knives on the continent. In terms of carving ability, it has almost no rivals at the same level. Its value..."

"No matter how high the value, what is the point if you don't have the life to use it?"

Someone in the audience interrupted her.

Xiao Qing opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but that person's words were like a basin of cold water, dousing the already low enthusiasm in the hall.

She glanced at the evasive gazes below the stage and sighed inwardly.

If nothing unexpected happened, it would fail to sell again today.

Three failed auctions, and this carving knife would likely be sent back to the warehouse, never to appear in the auction house again.

"The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, starting bid—one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin." Xiao Qing announced the price, her voice devoid of any expectation.

Each bid must be at least ten thousand, but she knew there was a high probability that no one would raise their paddle.

The hall remained quiet for a few breaths.

Everyone went about their own business, simply refusing to look at the stage.

Xiao Qing's fingers rested on the auction gavel, waiting for a moment, and was just about to announce the failure to sell.

"One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin."

A voice came from the corner, neither high nor low, yet it fell clearly into the ears of everyone present.

Everyone turned their heads in unison, looking toward that direction.

In the shadows of the corner, a young man leaned against the back of his chair, his moon-white robes appearing particularly striking under the dim light.

Black hair and golden eyes, paired with an impeccable face.

Xiao Qing was stunned.

Having hosted auctions for so many years, 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 the money away.

Oh, wait—throwing money away at least makes a sound.

"This... this young master, you are bidding one hundred thousand?" She confirmed once more, her tone laced with a hint of surprise and irrepressible joy.

"Mm." Mu Tianyi responded, still not turning to look at her. "One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. I want this carving knife."

The buzzing in the hall rose again.

Some whispered about whether this youth was unaware of the notorious reputation of the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife.

Others speculated that he was a young master from some great family acting out of spite, while some shook their heads and sighed, feeling that yet another fool with a death wish had arrived.

After this interlude, the auction continued.

Half an hour later.

The auction finally concluded.

Mu Tianyi had obtained what he wanted.

The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife was contained within a Level 4 storage Soul Tool ring, which was handed over along with the knife.

Mu Tianyi took the ring, not rushing to put it on, but instead holding it in his palm to feel it.

Even through the isolation of the Soul Tool, he could clearly perceive the cold, sinister aura emanating from within the ring.

Resentment, unwillingness, erosion—it felt as if something living were struggling inside, trying to break free from its confinement and pounce upon the nearest living soul.

Its fearsome reputation was well-deserved.

Mu En stood to the side, glancing at the storage Soul Tool ring in his hand, curious but remaining silent.

He was curious why Mu Tianyi had gone to such great lengths to buy this cursed knife.

What would someone who didn't dabble in Soul Tools want with a carving knife?

But his philosophy had always been the same.

Everything develops according to a set destiny; he would know when he was meant to know, and if he didn't, it simply meant the time had not yet come.

He trusted that Mu Tianyi would explain the ins and outs of the matter to him, just not yet.

Having lived for nearly two hundred years, he possessed at least that 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 look at Mu En, his eyes filled with excitement and longing.

"Xuan Zu, I need you to use your power of light to purify this carving knife."

Mu En looked at him, smiled, and said:

"Tianyi, are you still going to keep secrets from this old man even now? What exactly is this carving knife that made you go to such great lengths to acquire it?"