The afterglow of the auction ended slowly receded in the hall of Starlight Auction House like a tide.
The guests were either excited, regretful or thoughtful and left one after another, chatting in low voices about what they had seen tonight.
And in all the discussions, two topics cannot be avoided - the chilling Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife, and the mysterious VIP No. 7 who dared to take a photo of it.
"It's really too long to live..."
"Maybe they have some trump cards?"
"His trump card? None of the thirty-seven masters died well! Titled Douluo can't handle it. What trump card does he have?"
"No. 7 VIP Room... That's the highest-level box, and your identity is certainly not simple."
The discussion gradually faded away.
Lin Ciyan sat quietly in the box, tapping his fingertips on the armrest of the sofa.
The waiter has informed that the lot will be delivered directly to the box for delivery. He just needs to wait.
After about a cup of tea, there was a soft knock on the door of the box.
"Come in." Lin Ciyan responded.
The door was pushed open.
But what walked in was not the expected auction house staff, but a familiar and stunning figure.
Xu Jiujiu stood at the door, followed by a maid with a low eyebrow.
She had obviously just come off the auction stage and hadn't even had time to change her clothes. She was still wearing the jet black cheongsam with gold silk embroidery and phoenix.
The light in the box was softer than that of the booth, and it shone on her body, highlighting her noble and cool temperament vividly.
The cheongsam hugged her exquisite body curves, from her slender collarbone all the way down, bulging into a thrilling arc at her chest, and then tightened around her waist to become as slender as a hand.
The most breathtaking thing is the high slit design.
The skirt is divided into two parts from the middle of the thigh. As she walks, a pair of slender jade legs wrapped in thin black silk are looming.
The fair skin, covered by black stockings, adds a bit of temptation.
She did not wear the dark red high heels she had just worn on stage, but instead put on a pair of light gold stiletto sandals. The uppers had only a few slender straps, completely exposing her white insteps and delicate ankles.
The toenails were painted with the same color as the sandals, with a delicate sheen under the light.
At this moment, she lost a bit of the professional aura she had when hosting an auction, and a bit more gentle when dealing with her in private.
The long golden hair is slightly loose, and a few strands of hair hang down beside the face, making the delicate face look even smaller.
When the blue eyes looked at Lin Ciyan, there was less scrutiny and more concern.
"Mr. Lin." Xu Jiujiu spoke softly, with a hint of unnoticeable worry in his voice, "I'm here to deliver the auction items to you."
Lin Ciyan stood up and said with a smile, "If you'd like, please go there in person. In fact, just let the staff deliver it."
"It's different." Xu Jiujiu shook his head, motioned the maid to place a sealed special metal box on the coffee table, and then waved the maid back to wait outside the box.
The door was gently closed.
There were only two people left in the box.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little subtle.
Xu Jiujiu walked to the sofa, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he turned slightly sideways and looked at Lin Ciyan: "Mr. Lin, have you really... thought it through?"
She bit her lower lip. This action made her feel less alienated as a princess and more realistic as a girl.
"That Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife, its evil name is not groundless. Starlight Auction House has conducted detailed investigations and found that the death conditions of its previous owners... were all miserable." She paused and her voice became softer, "I don't want to see anything happen to you."
Lin Ciyan felt warm in his heart.
He could tell that these words were genuine concern and not polite.
"Thank you very much, Miss Xu, for your concern." He said gently, extending his hand as a sign to sit down.
"However, since I dare to take pictures, I am sure of it."
Xu Jiujiu sat down at the other end of the sofa, with his legs together and slightly tilted - it was a sitting posture that had been strictly trained in etiquette, elegant and decent, but the hem of the slit cheongsam slipped to one side because of this, revealing more of the fair skin of her thighs.
She seemed to realize this, her cheeks turned slightly red, and she stretched out her hand to gently pull up the hem of her skirt.
But this action makes her even more sultry.
Lin Ciyan silently looked away, silently saying "See no evil" in his heart, but the scene he just glanced at was already imprinted in his mind.
Guilty sin.
"Are you sure... is it because of Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul?" Xu Jiujiu asked, with curiosity shining in his eyes, "I remember you said that your Martial Soul can purify evil spirits."
"It's one of the reasons." Lin Ciyan did not completely deny it. "The Ultimate Light attributes of Holy Radiance Qilin have natural restraints on the resentful spirits in Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife. But..."
He paused deliberately to give it a try.
"But what?" Xu Jiujiu took the bait and leaned forward slightly.
This action made her neckline slightly open, revealing a small piece of fair skin and delicate collarbone.
Lin Ciyan picked up the tea cup and took a sip before slowly saying, "But the most important thing is that I am lazy."
"Lazy?" Xu Jiujiu was stunned.
"That's right." Lin Ciyan spread his hands and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "You think, if I was really unsure, why would I spend 200,000 Gold Soul Coin to buy a life-telling charm? It's not like I have too much money to burn."
"If you have that spare money, buy more delicious food and sleep in more. Wouldn't it be delicious?"
Xu Jiujiu was amused by this self-righteous "poor logic".
She covered her mouth and chuckled, her shoulders shaking slightly, and the curves of her chest also trembled slightly.
"Mr. Lin, you are... really different from everyone else." After she finished laughing, there was an unfinished smile in her eyes, "If other people took pictures of such a vicious thing, they would either be as nervous as if they were facing an enemy, or they would pretend to be profound and say some mysterious things."
"Only you are so... so real."
"Don't do bad things." Lin Ciyan said casually, "My greatest advantage is that I am down to earth. By the way..."
He looked at Xu Jiujiu and said seriously, "On the stage just now, Miss Xu hosted very well. Her rhythm control, atmosphere adjustment, and auction introduction were all perfect. And..."
He paused, glanced at Xu Jiujiu, and added sincerely, "You look beautiful tonight. This dress suits you very well."
This was said frankly and directly.
There is no greasiness in deliberately flattering, and no prudery in pretending to be alienated.
It's like stating an objective fact.
Xu Jiujiu's cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Red from ear to neck.
She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the corners of her cheongsam.
"Thank you, thank you..." Her voice was softer than before, with a rare hint of panic, "This is the uniform of the auction house... it's just for work needs."
"If a work uniform can produce such an effect, it depends on who wears it." Lin Ciyan said with a smile, "If it were another person, he might not be able to support this temperament."
This is both a compliment and a hint of the uniqueness of Xu Jiujiu itself.
Xu Jiujiu raised his head and looked at Lin Ciyan with his blue eyes, which were shining with complex light.
There was shyness, joy, a hint of satisfaction at being recognized, and a deeper... some emotion that she couldn't even explain.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds.
There seemed to be something quietly changing in the air.
"Master Lin..." Xu Jiujiu spoke softly, breaking the delicate silence, "Are we... considered friends?"
When she asked this question, her eyes were filled with expectation and a hint of uncertainty.
As Star Luo Princess, she has few friends.
Friends in the true sense, not people who gather around you because of your status.
Lin Ciyan smiled, "If Miss Xu doesn't dislike it, of course."
"Then... just call me Jiujiu from now on." Xu Jiujiu said, with a sincere smile on his face, "My friends all call me that."
"Okay, Jiujiu." Lin Ciyan followed suit, "Then you don't have to always be 'Mr. Lin', just call me Ci Yan."
"Ci Yan..." Xu Jiujiu repeated softly, as if savoring the name.
She smiled again, this time her smile was brighter and more relaxed.
friends.
The word made her feel warm.
"By the way, Jiujiu." Lin Ciyan suddenly remembered something and pointed to the metal box on the coffee table, "Can I see my 'two hundred thousand' first?"
"Of course." Xu Jiujiu stopped smiling and looked serious again.
She stretched out her hand and pressed her slender white fingers on the lock of the metal box.
The lid is open.
The cold and evil aura permeated the air again, but it was much weaker than on the auction stage - obviously this special metal box has a strong sealing effect.
Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife lies quietly on the black velvet inside the box.
The dark green blade and the gray-black grimace lines still exude an ominous atmosphere under the soft light of the box.
"That's it." Lin Ciyan looked at it carefully.
He could feel that in Sea of Consciousness, the sleeping Xiyao had a more obvious reaction to this carving knife - not fear, but some kind of... desire?
The attraction Gold of Life has for Soul Spirit is indeed extraordinary.
"Ci Yan, do you want to take it away now?" Xu Jiujiu asked.
"Yeah." Lin Ciyan nodded, "The sooner we deal with it, the better."
Xu Jiujiu hesitated for a moment, then reached out and carefully took out Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife from the box.
Her movements were very gentle, her fingers trying to avoid the blade and only holding the non-metallic part at the end of the handle.
Then, she handed the carving knife to Lin Ciyan.
"Be careful." She warned softly.
Lin Ciyan reached out to pick it up.
The two hands inevitably touched each other at this moment.
Xu Jiujiu's fingers are slender and slender, her skin is fair and delicate, and feels as warm and cool as jade.
Because she had been pampered for a long time, her hands were extremely well maintained, without a trace of calluses, and so soft that she could squeeze water out of them.
The fingers are slender and well-proportioned, and the nails are neatly trimmed and painted with light golden kodan, which glow delicately under the light.
Lin Ciyan's hands, due to years of practice, have clear knuckles and thin calluses on the palms, which are warm and strong.
When his fingers brushed the back of Xu Jiujiu's hand, both of them paused slightly.
The touch was too clear.
Xu Jiujiu's hand trembled slightly, but she did not take it back immediately. Instead, she waited for Lin Ciyan to completely take over the carving knife before slowly withdrawing her hand.
When he pulled his hand away, his fingertips once again brushed against Lin Ciyan's palm.
The numbing touch is like a subtle electric current.
Xu Jiujiu's face turned redder.
She lowered her head and pretended to adjust the hem of her cheongsam, but her red ears betrayed her mood.
Lin Ciyan was also a little unnatural. He coughed lightly and turned his attention to Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife.
The knife was heavy in his hand, and the cold breath tried to erode up his arm, but was immediately suppressed by the Holy Radiance Qilin Soul Power in his body.
"It's really vicious." He commented, put the carving knife back into the metal box, and closed the lid.
"Are you... are you really sure?" Xu Jiujiu raised his head again, his eyes even more worried.
"Don't worry." Lin Ciyan put the metal box into Storage Soul Tool, "I never do anything I'm not sure about. By the way..."
He looked at the soul clock on the wall of the box and saw that it was still early.
"Jiujiu, do you have any plans later?"
Xu Jiujiu blinked. "I have to go back to the palace to report the situation of the auction to the emperor... But there is no rush, you can go later. What's wrong?"
"I want to treat you to a cup of tea." Lin Ciyan said with a smile, "I would like to thank you for personally delivering it to your door tonight, and... for the VIP room invitation."
Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up.
"Okay." She said without hesitation, "Let's go to Star Moon Teahouse, it's not far from here."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Lin Ciyan stood up, "Let's go."
The two of them walked out of the box together.
In the corridor, the maid was still waiting respectfully.
Xu Jiujiu gave a few instructions to the maid and asked her to go back to the palace to report, saying that she would be back later.
Then, she and Lin Ciyan walked side by side to the side door of the auction house.
Starlight Auction House has its own VIP passage, which can lead directly to the back street and avoid the crowds at the front door that have not completely dispersed.
Walking in the quiet passage, Xu Jiujiu's high heels hit the marble floor, making a crisp and rhythmic sound.
Lin Ciyan's eyes fell involuntarily on her slender legs.
The legs wrapped in black silk are graceful and smooth, and every step has a sense of rhythm.
He forced himself to look away.
No, no, no, who can withstand this?
"Ci Yan." Xu Jiujiu suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
"Why did you take the picture of Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife?" she asked, with pure curiosity in her tone. "Although Ranked Engraving Knife is precious, with your Martial Soul characteristics, you shouldn't need the assistance of a carving knife with a notorious reputation, right?"
Lin Ciyan pondered for a moment.
Of course he can't directly say "I want the Gold of Life inside".
"Sometimes, the value of the treasure itself does not lie in what it looks like." He chose a relatively vague statement.
"The reason why Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife is vicious is because it has swallowed too many souls. But what if... it can purify those resentful spirits and release the bound souls?"
Xu Jiujiu paused in his steps and turned to look at him.
The light from the wall lamp in the passage reflected on her face, making her expression look a little hazy.
"You mean... you want to purify it?"
"We have this plan." Lin Ciyan did not deny it. "Holy Radiance Qilin's Ultimate Light, plus some special methods, may be able to do it."
"If successful, this carving knife will no longer be a murder weapon, but a real, clean Ranked Engraving Knife."
Xu Jiujiu was silent.
She imagined that scene - a murderous sword that had been cursed for three thousand years was reborn in the hands of the young man in front of her.
What would that be like?
"If you can really do it..." she said softly, "It will be a big sensation in the Soul Engineer world."
"That's why I have to keep it a secret." Lin Ciyan smiled.
"Low-key, low-key is the way to go. What if people find out that I can purify such a level of evil, and people don't come to my door every day in the future? Then can I still sleep peacefully?"
Xu Jiujiu was amused again.
"You are really..." She shook her head with a helpless smile in her tone, "You are obviously a person who does big things, but you always think about how to be lazy."
"There is no conflict." Lin Ciyan said confidently, "Only when the big things are done can you feel free to be lazy. This is called 'advancing before retreating' Slacking Philosophy."
While talking, the two of them had already walked out of the passage.
The back street is a relatively quiet street, lined with various high-end shops and teahouses.
The night is already dark, but the prosperity of Star Luo City has just begun.