Under the night, Starlight Auction House is like a bright gem embedded in the heart of Star Luo City, exuding a dazzling light.
Tonight's Black-Level Auction has turned this place into the most attractive focus of the entire empire's upper class society.
Lin Ciyan held the black VIP card given by Xu Jiujiu. As soon as he walked to the main entrance of the auction house, he was quickly greeted by a beautiful maid in a dark red slim dress.
"Dear distinguished guest, please come with me." The maid saluted respectfully and glanced at the card in Lin Ciyan's hand, her expression even more humble - this is the highest level exclusive invitation letter for No. 7 VIP Room.
She did not lead Lin Ciyan to the crowded main hall entrance, but turned to an exclusive passage on the side covered with dark red carpets.
The walls on both sides of the passage are inlaid with luminous crystals, and the soft light illuminates the path ahead.
The VIP room is located on the third floor of the auction house and is an independent box of approximately 30 square meters.
Through the huge one-way crystal glass in front, you can overlook the entire auction hall without any obstruction.
The interior furnishings are extremely luxurious: Swan velvet sofa, jade coffee table, Soul Tool freezer with chilled drinks, and even an exclusive maid standing quietly at one side, ready to serve at any time.
Lin Ciyan sat down on the sofa, and the maid immediately served him fragrant tea and exquisite refreshments.
"After the auction starts, you can make a bid through this Soul Tool." The maid pointed to a crystal panel embedded on the armrest and explained, "Press the number and confirm, and the system will automatically broadcast your VIP room number."
"I know, thank you." Lin Ciyan nodded, and the maid bowed and retreated to the corner.
He looked down through the crystal glass. The auction hall spread out in a fan shape and could accommodate nearly a thousand people.
At this moment, the seats were packed, Soul Master and nobles in luxurious clothes were chatting in low voices, and the air was filled with the smell of money and power.
Compared with the Purple-Level Auction that I participated in a few days ago, the specifications of Black-Level Auction are obviously more than one level higher.
Not only is the venue larger and the decoration more luxurious, but the clothing and temperament of the waiters and guests are completely different.
Every look in the eyes of the people here shows their shrewdness and determination to win.
"It is indeed one of the Star Luo Empire's highest-profile auctions." Lin Ciyan thought to himself, "The things that can appear here are indeed extraordinary."
At this moment, the lights in the auction hall slowly dimmed, leaving only a soft following light on the booth.
A graceful figure stepped onto the booth in a halo of light.
It's Xu Jiujiu.
She put on a completely different outfit tonight than before - a jet black gold silk phoenix embroidered cheongsam, which was cut extremely close to the body and perfectly outlined her exquisite figure.
The cheongsam has a high slit that reaches to the middle of the thigh. As she walks, a pair of slender legs wrapped in thin black silk are looming.
Under her fair ankles was a pair of dark red high-heeled shoes with needle-like heels, which made her already tall figure even taller.
The stand-up collar design of the cheongsam made her neck as slender as Swan. The cuffs only reached her forearms, revealing a section of her white and jade-like wrists.
The fingers of her hands are long and slender, the nails are neatly manicured, and they are painted with dark red khaki the same color as the high heels. They are elegantly folded in front of her at the moment.
The most breathtaking thing is her slender waist.
The waistline of the cheongsam is extremely tight, showing an arc that is not too full. Further down, the hipline is plump and bulging, forming a thrilling contrast with the slender waist.
However, wearing such a sexy and attractive outfit on Xu Jiujiu does not look gaudy at all.
Her natural aristocratic elegance neutralizes this sexiness into a noble and cool beauty that can only be viewed from a distance and cannot be played with.
Those blue eyes calmly swept across the audience, and there was a just-right professional smile on the corners of the lips, which was both cordial and at the same distance.
"Good evening, distinguished guests." Xu Jiujiu spoke, and his voice spread throughout the audience through Amplifying Soul Tool, clear and sweet, "I am tonight's auctioneer, Jiujiu. It is my honor to host this Black-Level Auction auction for everyone."
Her voice seemed to have some kind of magic power, and the originally noisy hall suddenly became quiet.
Countless eyes were focused on her - some were admiring, some were greedy, some were awe, but no one dared to show the slightest disrespect.
In Star Luo City, who doesn't know that this is His Majesty the Emperor's favorite sister?
Those idiots who had spoken rude words to her have long since disappeared into nowhere.
"Without further ado, let's go straight to the first auction item." Xu Jiujiu tapped the gavel in his hand with an elegant and simple movement.
Two maids walked up to the booth carrying a tray covered with red silk.
Xu Jiujiu Lifted the red silk, revealing a jade stone the size of a fist, all crystal white, with clouds flowing inside.
"Millennium Snow Mountain Jade Marrow, from Far North under the ice." She said softly.
"Wearing it for a long time can calm the mind and calm the mind. It can assist in the practice of ice attribute Soul Master, and can better resist the invasion of inner demons and increase the success rate of breaking through bottlenecks."
"It is a priceless treasure for Soul Master, who is prone to going crazy in cultivation."
There was a low exclamation in the hall. This kind of natural treasure is indeed worthy of the opening of Black-Level Auction.
"The starting price is 80,000 Gold Soul Coin, and each increase will not be less than 1,000. Please."
"Eighty-five thousand!"
"Ninety thousand!"
"One hundred thousand!"
The bidding continued one after another. In the end, this piece of snow mountain chalcedony was auctioned off by an ice attribute Soul Emperor for a high price of 180,000 Gold Soul Coin.
The following items are each more precious than the next:
A Level 7 Soul Tool "Wind-Splitting Crossbow", with dual special effects of penetration and acceleration, was photographed by an agility attack type Soul Saint for 350,000;
A complete set of "Star Iron" armor forging blueprints, enough for a medium-sized family to establish the Soul Tool industry, was sold for 520,000 yuan after fierce competition;
A 5,000-year-old "Nine-Heart Begonia" plant, a holy healing medicine that can kill someone at critical moments, sold for a high price of 280,000 yuan;
There was even a right leg bone from the 30,000-year-old "Earth Bear". Although the age was not top-notch, the "Earth Barrier" skill it came with had amazing defensive power. In the end, it was acquired by the patriarch of a big family for a sky-high price of 750,000.
Lin Ciyan watched quietly in the VIP room.
These lots are indeed good things, but they are not necessary for him.
The only thing he was really waiting for was that one thing.
In the middle of the auction, Xu Jiujiu banged the gavel again, and a new lot was pushed onto the booth.
The red silk was opened to reveal a simple wooden box.
The moment the lid of the box was opened, a sharp aura filled the air, causing the guests in the front row to squint their eyes involuntarily.
Lying in the box was a short sword about one foot long, with a dark golden body. The blade was covered with fine spiral patterns, and a dark blue gemstone was inlaid on the hilt, as if there were nebulae flowing inside.
"This sword is called 'Broken Star', and it came from the hand of a ninth-level soul master from the Sun and Moon Empire." Xu Jiujiu's voice was a little more solemn. "It is not a soul guide, but a magic weapon made of meteorite iron supplemented by dozens of rare metals and took three years to forge. Its sharpness can break through most Soul Emperor-level defensive soul skills, and it also poses a certain threat to the Soul Saint's defense."
She paused and added, "The most important thing is that it does not consume Soul Power and can be used by any Soul Master or even ordinary people. The starting price is 250,000 Gold Soul Coin."
There was an uproar in the hall. What does it mean if Soul Power's magic weapon is not consumed? It means that if a low-level Soul Master holds it, it may threaten the high-level Soul Master! This is simply a subversive weapon!
The bidding heated up instantly.
"Three hundred thousand!"
"Three hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand!"
The price skyrocketed, and finally settled at 680,000, when it was snapped up by an old man with a sinister expression.
Judging from his clothing and temperament, he is probably a representative of a killer organization or secret force.
Lin Ciyan shook his head slightly.
This sword is indeed powerful, but relying too much on external objects is not the right way.
Moreover, it is a crime to have a jade in your possession and to show it around in the market. I am afraid that you will not live long.
The auction continued, and several treasures were auctioned one after another. An hour and a half passed unknowingly.
Finally, when another lot went under the hammer, Xu Jiujiu did not immediately ask for the next one, but took a deep breath and became extremely serious.
"The next lot is a bit special." Her voice spread through Amplifying Soul Tool, "It is a Ranked Engraving Knife."
As soon as the four words "Ranked Engraving Knife" came out, a gasp of air suddenly sounded in the hall.
All Soul Engineer, as well as those who know Soul Tool, understand the weight of these four words - there are only one hundred carving knives in the entire continent that can be on the list, each one has unique and powerful abilities, and is the treasure that Soul Engineer dreams of!
However, Xu Jiujiu's next words were like a basin of cold water poured on everyone's heads.
"But this carving knife ranks ninety-ninth among Ranked Engraving Knife, and its name is - Soul Devouring."
She signaled the maid to push the cart, lifted the red silk, and opened a special sealed box.
A carving knife about half a foot long and dark green in color lay quietly on the black velvet cloth.
The blade of the blade is covered with twisted gray-black lines. Upon closer inspection, those lines faintly form hideous and painful human faces, as if they are roaring silently.
Just looking at it from a distance makes people feel a cold, evil and ominous atmosphere.
"Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife was born from the hands of Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo three thousand years ago." Xu Jiujiu's voice was very calm, but everyone could hear the solemnity in it.
"It feeds on the souls of its holders. There have been thirty-seven owners in the past, and none of them died well - either they died of exhaustion of souls, or they eroded their minds and degenerated into Evil Soul Master."
She looked around the audience and said slowly, "Starlight Auction House operates with integrity and must tell you the truth."
"Although this knife is on the list, it has such a bad reputation that it has been rejected four times."
"The starting price of this auction is 200,000 Gold Soul Coin, and each increase in price will not be less than 5,000. Please consider it carefully."
Deathly silence.
The people who were excited because of "Ranked Engraving Knife" just now are all pale in face and fearful in their eyes.
Those gray-black ghostly lines seemed to be squirming under the light, exuding a heart-stopping curse.
"Two hundred thousand dollars to buy a life-threatening charm? Only buy it if you are crazy!"
"Whoever touches this thing will die. Why is Starlight Auction House still selling it? Bad luck!"
"Take it down quickly, it makes you panic when you look at it..."
Low murmurs spread in the hall, but no one raised a sign.
Everyone was avoiding the gaze of the carving knife, as if they would be cursed if they looked at it a few more times.
Xu Jiujiu sighed in his heart.
She had expected this result, but seeing a Ranked Engraving Knife with her own eyes that was feared like a snake and scorpion still made her feel a little sad.
The treasure is innocent, but if it is stained with too much blood and sin, it becomes an ominous object.
She waited for ten breaths, and when there was still no bidder, she was ready to announce that the auction had failed.
At this moment, on the third floor of the auction house, in the direction of No. 7 VIP Room, the quotation panel behind the one-way crystal glass lit up with a soft light.
A calm voice echoed through the loudspeaker system:
"Two hundred thousand."
All the eyes of the audience were directed towards No. 7 VIP Room.
Although no one could be seen inside, everyone had expressions of disbelief.
Crazy? Does anyone really dare to buy this thing?
Xu Jiujiu was also stunned.
Of course she knew who was in No. 7 VIP Room - it was Lin Ciyan who she personally sent the invitation to.
She raised her head and looked in that direction, worry, confusion, and a hint of expectation flashed in her eyes.
She remembered what Lin Ciyan said, "The treasure itself is not guilty." She thought of his special Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul, and the reassuring aura about him.
Is... he really not afraid? Or does he have a way to restrain this vicious knife?
"VIP No. 7 bids 200,000 yuan." Xu Jiujiu stabilized his mind and confirmed according to the process, "Is there any higher bid?"
Of course not. Everyone looked at No. 7 VIP Room as if they were looking at a fool or a dead person.
"First time for two hundred thousand."
"Two hundred thousand for the second time."
Xu Jiujiu took a deep breath and raised the gavel in his hand.
She cast her eyes in the direction of No. 7 VIP Room again, as if she could penetrate the crystal glass and see the calm and indifferent young man inside.
Then, she dropped the gavel hard.
"Deal! Congratulations to VIP No. 7, for winning Ranked Engraving Knife--the Soul Eater!" for a price of 200,000 Gold Soul Coin!
The sound of the hammer has settled, and the dust has settled.
Complex sighs and whispers sounded in the hall.
Some people gloated, some shook their heads in regret, and more people were simply curious - how long can that fierce man who dared to buy Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife live?
In the VIP room, Lin Ciyan leaned back on the sofa, and the corners of his lips raised a faint arc.
It's done.
Gold of Life, finally got it.
He could feel that in Sea of Consciousness, Xiyao, which had been sleeping for a long time, seemed to be trembling slightly because it sensed the approach of the huge life force.
"Don't worry." Lin Ciyan whispered in his heart, "Soon, it will be ours."
He watched the maid carefully seal the box containing Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife, waiting for delivery after the meeting.
His eyes were full of expectation.
Purify the murderous knife, fuse Gold of Life, improve your strength, and then get the fourth Soul Ring...
The next piece of the puzzle on the road to becoming stronger is already in your hands.