Even with the Soul Power Shield Mo Yunxing had cast keeping the baleful aura at bay, Su Yuan could still hear faint, piercing shrieks by his ears, as though a hundred ghosts were wailing.
The light emanating from the carving knife's surface twisted in the air into hazy, ghostly faces.
Even the blade itself bore patterns resembling withered bones and skulls.
It was utterly terrifying.
No wonder its former owners had all either died unnatural deaths or fallen into becoming Evil Soul Masters.
Unless the curse on it was lifted, it was only natural that such a sinister aura would lure people into corruption.
After confirming it was genuine, Su Yuan immediately closed the lid. Though the baleful aura had left his face somewhat pale, his expression remained excited.
It really was genuine.
As long as it was genuine, he could take his time finding a way to lift the curse. Getting his hands on it was what mattered most.
Without it in hand, all his plans and calculations were nothing but empty talk.
This was gold of life!
Such a priceless treasure, even in a piece no larger than a carving knife, was worth more than everything in Wang Xian'er's upstairs treasury combined.
Several times more, even dozens of times more.
It was a treasure whose value could not be measured in money.
"Young master, you've seen how dangerous it is. For your safety, I advise you not to use it," Mo Yunxing said.
"Don't worry, Elder Mo. I have another use for this carving knife. I won't use it without permission. Once Granny Wang returns, I'll explain it to her myself. You don't need to worry." In high spirits, Su Yuan put away the box and spoke with a smile.
Mo Yunxing nodded and said nothing more.
As long as Wang Xian'er kept an eye on him, it would be fine.
Otherwise, for Su Yuan's safety, he would have no choice but to confiscate it.
Being willing to help buy the carving knife was one thing, but that did not mean he would stand idly by while Su Yuan played with fire and burned himself. Ultimately, Wang Xian'er had assigned him to accompany Su Yuan to protect the young master.
Children were a handful.
Mo Yunxing, who had never had any children, remained outwardly expressionless, but could not help sighing inwardly.
At his age, he actually had to experience looking after a child.
After lunch, Su Yuan returned to the second floor of the main hall and immersed himself in mountains of books and a sea of learning, unable to pull himself away.
Only when the sun was sinking in the west and dinnertime was approaching did Wang Xian'er return to the residence.
Tired after reading all day, Su Yuan happened to be resting in the garden pavilion, eating spirit fruit. Seeing Wang Xian'er return, he offered her a peeled piece of spirit fruit.
"Granny Wang, you're back."
"Yes, there were some things to deal with at the palace, so I came back a little late." Wang Xian'er took the spirit fruit, bit into it, and answered with a smile.
"Are you settling in here? If there's anything you're not used to, just tell me. I'll have someone make arrangements."
"There's nothing. I'm very comfortable here." Su Yuan shook his head.
"The kitchen's food is delicious, and the books upstairs are really interesting too. I spent all day on the second floor and read a lot."
"Good. You used to spend most of your time absorbed in cultivation, but you need to read widely too. In the future, you should also get out and see more of the world. That way, your horizons won't be confined," Wang Xian'er said approvingly.
"I also asked Elder Mo to buy something for me at the Starlight Auction House today. It's a little unusual." Su Yuan glanced at Mo Yunxing outside the pavilion, then took out the box containing the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife and set it on the table.
"Then buy it. If there's anything you want, just go and buy it. As long as you're happy, Xiao Yuan." Wang Xian'er smiled without a care.
To her, money was merely a string of numbers. No matter how much Su Yuan spent, she would not begrudge it.
If buying things made Su Yuan happy, she would be delighted instead.
But when Su Yuan opened the lid and the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife's baleful aura erupted again, the smile vanished from Wang Xian'er's face. Her expression turned grave as she immediately stood, grabbed Su Yuan by the back of his collar, and swiftly left the pavilion.
On the pavilion's table, the unfinished plate of spirit fruit was being corroded by the dark green baleful aura emanating from the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, blackening and shriveling at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Is this... the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife? Xiao Yuan, why would you buy something so dangerous?" Wang Xian'er was, after all, knowledgeable and experienced. After examining it briefly, she quickly recognized the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife.
Once she recognized it, she became a little angry.
She would never begrudge however much of her money Su Yuan spent, but if he put himself in danger, she would certainly be angry.
At that moment, Wang Xian'er even wanted to drag Mo Yunxing over and give him a dressing-down. You knew this thing was dangerous, so why did you buy it? Xiao Yuan is young and doesn't know better, but does a grown man like you not know better either?
"Granny Wang, you know about the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife too, don't you?" Su Yuan gently tugged at her sleeve.
"Of course. Something so steeped in evil is terribly dangerous. Xiao Yuan, how could you take the risk of buying it?" Wang Xian'er frowned, her tone somewhat stern.
"If you wanted a Ranked Carving Knife, you could have simply told me. Even if it was difficult to obtain, I would have found a way for you. There was no need to take this risk at all..."
"Wait, Granny, hear me out." Though Wang Xian'er's concern warmed Su Yuan's heart, he had no fondness for being lectured and quickly interrupted her.
"Of course I know about the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife. But have you ever wondered why a curse could last for thousands of years?"
Wang Xian'er paused. The anger on her face slowly faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown.
"Granny, nothing in this world lasts forever. Even Soul Bones, which are supposedly indestructible, wear down and shatter after years upon years of absorption and use," Su Yuan said softly, pointing at the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife on the table.
"If even Soul Bones are like that, how much more so a mere curse? Without something to sustain it, every power has its limits and will eventually fade beneath the scouring of time, unless..."
"Unless the object it is anchored to can itself provide the energy to sustain its existence." Wang Xian'er was no fool either. With a simple hint from Su Yuan, she quickly understood.
That Evil Soul Master from long ago had, at most, been a Titled Douluo. Even if he had been a Limit Douluo, he could not possibly have made a curse he left behind endure for thousands of years.
That was an ability only a deity possessed.
"Xiao Yuan, do you mean...?"
"Exactly. The curse was merely something that Evil Soul Master left on the carving knife. The carving knife itself is the energy source that has sustained the curse for thousands of years." Su Yuan nodded.
"If we can lift the curse, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife will be a priceless treasure. The material it's made of is unquestionably a divine substance whose value cannot be measured in money!"
Looking at Su Yuan's utterly certain expression, Wang Xian'er's face filled with complicated emotions.
She had thought Su Yuan had bought something so dangerous because he did not know better. Only after hearing his explanation did Wang Xian'er realize.
How could Su Yuan, who had kept himself untainted in a place like the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for so many years and stubbornly held on until she arrived, be anything like those spoiled descendants of other nobles?
Having endured who knew how much hardship, he was far more mature than his age suggested.
"I'm sorry, Xiao Yuan. I misunderstood you. I owe you an apology."
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