The auction soon drew to a close.
Just then, a knock came from outside the private room.
"Honored guest, sorry to disturb you."
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing the middle-aged man who had received them earlier, with two attendants following behind him.
One carried a rectangular metal box, while the other held an exquisite tray with a jade bottle on it.
The middle-aged man walked up to Xiao Yan and bowed respectfully.
"Honored guest, please forgive us for disturbing you so presumptuously."
Behind his mask, Xiao Yan said mildly, "What is it?"
"It concerns the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife you just purchased."
The middle-aged man's expression turned somewhat serious.
"Under the auction house's rules, we should not disturb an honored guest once a lot has been sold. However, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife is a special case. We believe it necessary to explain its true nature before formally handing it over."
With that, he gestured for the attendant behind him to place the metal box on the coffee table.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.
The middle-aged man paused before speaking slowly.
"The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife is indeed a ranked carving knife of exceptional quality. Its material is unusual, making it somewhat easier to inscribe the Core Arrays of Soul Tools. Judging by its quality alone, it truly deserves a place near the top of the rankings."
"However, this carving knife has an extremely serious problem."
His expression grew solemn.
"It brings misfortune to its users and devours their lives."
At this, the middle-aged man gave a bitter laugh.
"That is also why, despite its outstanding quality, no one showed any interest in it at tonight's auction."
"The auction house has already appraised it. Unfortunately, we cannot completely eliminate its hidden danger, nor can we guarantee that anyone can withstand this corrosion."
Xiao Yan nodded. Naturally, he had known all this long ago. Perhaps the man thought he had been taken in, which was why this was happening now.
In that case, he would play along. "If it has such a serious problem, why didn't you make that clear just now?"
The middle-aged man did not evade Xiao Yan's question.
"You are right, my lord."
He bowed to the three of them once more.
"The auctioneer's earlier introduction was indeed incomplete. Whatever the reason, our auction house was negligent in failing to fully inform all bidders of this risk before the auction."
"Therefore, we came specifically to tell you the truth before you formally complete the transaction, honored guest."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"If you believe the risks posed by this carving knife exceed your expectations, we can cancel the transaction. You will not need to pay the auction price, nor will you suffer any penalty."
With that, he pushed the other tray in front of Xiao Yan.
"Furthermore, given the inadequate disclosure of information about this lot, the Star Luo Auction House would like to offer you an additional thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins in compensation as an apology. Even if you decide to proceed with the purchase, we will still honor this compensation."
The private room fell silent.
Xiao Xiao looked at the metal box, then at Xiao Yan, evidently unsure what to do.
She lowered her voice. "Brother, why don't we forget it? This thing devours life force. What if it hurts you someday?"
Xiao Yan did not answer immediately, but inwardly he thought, Nice assist, Xiao Xiao!
Xiao Yan then rose to his feet and looked the middle-aged man straight in the eye.
"I can still go through with the purchase."
Xiao Xiao froze.
"Brother!"
Xiao Yan raised a hand to tell her to be patient, his tone calm. "The transaction will proceed."
"The auction price is one hundred and three thousand Gold Soul Coins, to be paid at the original price. As for the thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins you promised in compensation, you'll honor that as well."
"Of course."
The middle-aged man visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for your understanding, honored guest. The compensation will be delivered along with the lot, and the relevant records will be retained. If you encounter any problems while using the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife in the future, please feel free to contact the auction house at any time."
The middle-aged man bowed again, then personally opened the metal box.
Inside, a carving knife as black as ink lay quietly on the soft padding.
The archaic patterns on its blade flickered in and out of view under the light. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, yet it gave off a faint, indescribably oppressive presence.
"Have a pleasant day."
Once the three had left the private room and the door had closed behind them, Xiao Xiao immediately came over.
"Brother, why did you buy it anyway?"
"I have another use for this knife." Xiao Yan offered no further explanation.
"Let's go. It's getting late. We should go back to the hotel and rest."
Xiao Yan and his companions soon returned to the Star Luo Grand Hotel.
Xiao Yan gave Xiao Xiao a Mystic Water Pill, telling her to try to raise her Soul Power to level thirty over the next few days, then head to the Star Dou Great Forest for Soul Hunting.
After explaining how to take the pill, Xiao Yan returned alone to the cultivation chamber inside his hotel suite.
Only then did he take the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife out of his Storage Soul Tool, set it on the table, and examine it carefully.
Holding the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife in his hand, Xiao Yan could clearly sense the sinister malice hidden within the blade as it began to corrupt his mind.
In the original story, the creator of the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife was an "extraordinarily gifted" Level 9 Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire. However, he was also a terrifying Evil Soul Master who had once brought storms of blood and gore upon the empire.
This carving knife was the last work he made in his later years. It was immensely powerful, and when used to inscribe Core Arrays, it added at least two unique effects. However, after his death, he infused the knife with the curse power of his evil soul.
That was why every owner of the knife had died a bizarre and gruesome death.
Xiao Yan had no good way to remove the curse from the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife. He could only try using Heavenly Flames to burn away the curse and resentment contained within it directly.
Only after completely eliminating the curse and resentment could he make use of the gold of life in the knife.
At that thought, a cold white flame began to appear in Xiao Yan's hand. It was the Bone Spirit Cold Flame!
Diamond-shaped ice crystals gradually appeared on both of Xiao Yan's hands. The Bone Spirit Cold Flame enveloped the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, suspending it above his palm.
Before long, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife flashed with black and green-gold light. Wisps of black Qi emerged, causing the flame to gradually turn black as well.
Xiao Yan could also hear bursts of howling beside his ears. They came from the people who had died because of the knife, now transformed into vengeful souls bound within the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife.
After about half an hour, Xiao Yan had driven the Bone Spirit Cold Flame at full strength until his Soul Power was exhausted.
"Ah... I've gotten rid of less than one percent..."
Xiao Yan could not help sighing. He had overestimated his own methods after all.
The Bone Spirit Cold Flame was not a flame meant specifically to purify evil, after all. No matter how high its quality, his current strength was not enough to fully unleash its potential.
The road to becoming the Yan Emperor was still a long one!
"Tian Meng, do you have any ideas?"
Xiao Yan asked within his Sea of Consciousness.
"What's this?" Tian Meng had only just been roused from his slumber, and he asked curiously.
Xiao Yan said, "It's gold of life."
Tian Meng cried, "Gold of life?!"
Tian Meng's astonished voice rose by who knew how many pitches.
The Ice Empress threw a freezing spell at Tian Meng, freezing him solid. "What are you making such a fuss about? What is gold of life?"
"It's good stuff! The very best! I've only ever seen it at the Lake of Life..." Tian Meng sighed after breaking out of the ice.
After listening to the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's explanation, the Ice Empress could no longer sit still either. "Why didn't I come across it sooner..."
Tian Meng and the Ice Empress's Soul Spirits emerged from the Sea of Consciousness and studied the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife in Xiao Yan's hand.
Tian Meng shook his head. "There's nothing I can do."
"Useless." The Ice Empress rolled her eyes at Tian Meng and returned to the Sea of Consciousness.
"Looks like a specialist's job should be left to a specialist."
Xiao Yan sighed.
I'll have to find a Soul Master whose Martial Soul has the purification attribute. Or finding Electrolux directly would work too...
If I really spend three or four months getting rid of the problems with the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, I'd be neglecting the root to chase the branches.
Xiao Yan put the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife back into his Storage Soul Tool Ring, then sat cross-legged and began circulating the Flame Mantra to restore his Soul Power.
Three hours later.
After replenishing the Soul Power he had just exhausted and returning to peak condition, Xiao Yan took a Mystic Water Pill from his Soul Tool Ring and swallowed it.
As soon as the Mystic Water Pill entered his throat, it turned into a warm current that flowed through his limbs and bones. His whole body felt as though it were wrapped in warm water, and his body and mind relaxed greatly.
As the Flame Mantra circulated through one cycle after another, his Soul Power also grew steadily.