Unexpected Gain

The carriage rolled steadily along the official road, the scenery flashing past outside the windows while the atmosphere within remained relaxed. Meng Hongchen fiddled with the jade pendant at her waist when her eyes suddenly lit up. Turning to Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi beside her, she said excitedly, "Huo Yuhao, Sister Ye Guyi, Star Luo City's liveliest West Market is just ahead. I heard the Treasure Pavilion is holding a large auction tonight, with quite a few rare treasures appearing. Would you like to take a look?"

Hearing this, Ye Guyi instinctively looked at Huo Yuhao, a trace of inquiry in her eyes. Huo Yuhao tapped his fingers lightly against his knee as information about Treasure Pavilion auctions flashed through his memories from Earth. His heart stirred, but his expression remained calm as he gently asked Ye Guyi, "We're not in any hurry. It wouldn't hurt to take a look. What do you think?"

Ye Guyi nodded softly, a faint smile blooming at the corners of her lips. "I'll listen to you."

Meng Hongchen immediately clapped her hands and laughed. "Great! Then we can go together. Maybe we'll even find something we like!"

The grandeur of Star Luo City's Treasure Pavilion was far beyond that of any ordinary town's auction house. Its vermilion gates were edged in gold, and beyond them stood gilded beams and pillars carved with scrolling lotus patterns. Dozens of crystal palace lamps hung from the ceiling, their brilliant light illuminating the vast hall as brightly as day. The floor was covered in tribute-made cashmere carpets from the Western Regions, soft and silent beneath one's feet. The first floor held round pearwood tables for ordinary guests, while the second floor contained separated glass VIP seats, each furnished with fox-fur cushions, jade tea sets, and fresh fruit. Maidservants in embroidered dresses stood respectfully at attention, every movement exuding luxury.

Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi followed Jing Hongchen and Meng Hongchen into a VIP seat, where they had an unobstructed view of the entire venue. By then, every seat in the hall was occupied. The guests were either wealthy or influential, dressed in magnificent robes embroidered with clan insignias or surrounded by dense soul power. Their low conversations were filled with talk of Gold Soul Coins and rare treasures.

After three chimes rang out, the auction officially began. The host held a gilded auction hammer, his booming voice carrying throughout the hall. The first item was a piece of Deep Sea Sinking Silver Ore, a core material for crafting high-grade soul tools. Its opening bid was thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins, and calls for higher prices rose one after another until it was ultimately sold for seventy thousand Gold Soul Coins.

More auction items followed in quick succession, every one a rare treasure: Millennium Jade Marrow that could nourish the meridians, Frostland Ice Crystal that tempered the body and focused the mind, a fine-quality Century Black Iron Soul Bone, and even a Spirit-Concentrating Pearl capable of enhancing spiritual power. Each item triggered a frenzy of bids, and the hall grew increasingly lively.

Yet none of it caught Huo Yuhao's interest. He sat upright in his seat, tapping lightly on the table as his gaze swept indifferently across the stage. His expression remained calm throughout, without the slightest ripple. Ye Guyi had never cared much for worldly possessions to begin with, so she merely sat quietly beside him, occasionally glancing up at him without thinking. Meng Hongchen had initially commented on several items with great enthusiasm, but when she saw that Huo Yuhao remained unmoved, she gradually lost interest as well. Resting her chin on her hand, she muttered, "There's nothing good at all. This is boring to death. Huo Yuhao, Sister Ye Guyi, should we leave first?"

Jing Hongchen also glanced at Huo Yuhao several times, privately thinking that this young man possessed truly exceptional composure. However, he noticed a faint trace of disappointment in Huo Yuhao's expression and guessed that he had failed to find anything to his liking.

Huo Yuhao nodded slightly and was just about to rise in agreement when the host's voice suddenly lowered. It lost its earlier fervor and took on a grave tone instead. "Honored guests, the next item is the final lot of this auction. Its origins are mysterious, but it is also extremely sinister. Please consider carefully."

Two maidservants with solemn expressions slowly carried a jet-black ebony brocade box onto the stage. Dense evil-warding runes were carved across its exterior. Before the box was even opened, a thread of icy aura leaked out, lowering the temperature of the hall by several degrees. The instant the lid was lifted, thick black mist billowed forth, accompanied by faint, mournful shrieks. A dark brown carving knife lay quietly within the box. Fine cracks covered its blade, as though stained with blood that could never be washed away. Rusted chains coiled around its handle, and a chilling aura of resentment lingered around it.

"This knife is known as the Life Carving Knife. It is said to be capable of carving the souls of living beings, but it is incomparably sinister." The host's voice carried a hint of tremor. "None of its past owners met a good end. Some died suddenly, while others went mad. Over the past century, no fewer than dozens of Soul Masters have died beneath this knife. It is an object of utmost ill omen. The opening bid is fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, with each increase no less than five thousand."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell deathly silent. Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins was not difficult for those present, yet no one was willing to pay for such a sinister object stained with dozens of lives. Some guests looked wary, and a few even rose and left outright. The host called for bids three times, but not a single person answered. Looking helpless, he raised his auction hammer, preparing to declare the item unsold.

"I'll take it."

A calm voice came from the VIP seats, clearly cutting through the entire hall.

It was Huo Yuhao.

The entire venue erupted in uproar as countless gazes turned toward the VIP seats. Meng Hongchen's eyes widened, and she grabbed Huo Yuhao's sleeve. "Are you crazy? That thing is so sinister—who would dare take it?" Ye Guyi also clenched the corner of his clothes, fear filling her eyes. Her Holy Angel Martial Soul's pure aura was faintly resisting the resentment. Jing Hongchen looked equally astonished and was just about to dissuade him when he saw Huo Yuhao's resolute expression, utterly unmoved.

The host was stunned as well. Recovering quickly, he hurriedly said, "Is this young friend certain? Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, and you may take it immediately!"

Huo Yuhao did not answer. Only after a maidservant carried the ebony brocade box containing the Life Carving Knife to the VIP seats did he rise and head directly backstage. Finding the host, he got straight to the point. "I won't use Gold Soul Coins. I'll exchange a Millennium Soul Bone for the Life Carving Knife. What do you say?"

The host's pupils abruptly contracted, disbelief written all over his face. "A-a Millennium Soul Bone? Young friend, do you mean that?"

With a flip of his hand, Huo Yuhao produced a Soul Bone that gleamed with a silver-gray luster in his palm. Its patterns were clear, and its immense wind-attributed soul power was restrained yet pure. It was the Millennium Gale Wolf Soul Bone. As its soul power fluctuations spread out, the host's face instantly filled with wild delight. Yet he forcibly suppressed his excitement and began to consider the offer. The value of a Millennium Soul Bone far exceeded fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins. Whether the Treasure Pavilion kept it or auctioned it off again, it would make a guaranteed profit. His only concern was whether the Soul Bone had an improper origin.

But although Huo Yuhao was young, he carried himself with steady composure, and his aura was clean. He did not seem like an evil or unscrupulous person. After thinking for a moment, the host immediately cupped his hands with a broad smile. "Agreed! Of course, agreed! Young friend, our Treasure Pavilion is the one gaining an advantage from this exchange!"

Huo Yuhao nodded indifferently, handing over the Soul Bone and accepting the Life Carving Knife. The instant his fingers touched its handle, his spiritual power quietly spread out and firmly suppressed the surging resentment. He then stored it in his Spirit Sea before turning and returning to the VIP seats.

This entire exchange left Jing Hongchen utterly shaken, his face full of disbelief. He stared blankly at the ebony brocade box in Huo Yuhao's hand, then at the hand that had just produced a Millennium Soul Bone. The doubt in his eyes was impossible to dispel. This young man appeared to possess only the soul power of a rank-forty Soul Master, yet he could casually produce such a pure Millennium Soul Bone—and he had even used it to exchange for a sinister carving knife that everyone else avoided. Just who was he?

Was he the successor of some reclusive sect, or had he encountered some unknown stroke of fortune? Jing Hongchen studied Huo Yuhao with a dark gaze, countless thoughts turning through his mind. The more he considered it, the more unfathomable this young man seemed. There had to be secrets behind him that others did not know.