"This carving knife is called the Soul-Devouring Blade. It ranks 99th on the Carving Knife Leaderboard. In truth, with its capabilities, it should not be ranked so low. It might even belong in the top 30. The reason it's ranked lower is that it is a cursed knife." As she spoke, Qing Ya glanced at the ancient knife with a trace of regret.
"The Soul-Devouring Knife has a history of over three thousand years. Three thousand years ago, it emerged in the Sun-Moon Empire. Its creator was an extraordinarily talented Rank 9 Soul Engineer. However, he was not just a Soul Engineer but also a dark soul master. His existence once brought a storm of blood and chaos to the continent."
Upon hearing this, the auction hall fell silent. Many participants' faces grew solemn.
This knife was infamous in the Soul Engineer world, not just for its extraordinary performance but for its ominous reputation. The knife was said to carry a powerful curse, ensuring that none of its users met a good end.
As Qing Ya continued to recount the knife's curse, the audience began to understand why the Soul-Devouring Knife appeared in a mid-tier auction. Many who had been eager to bid fell silent.
Despite its fame as a ranked carving knife, the curse made people wary. Moreover, this was not a high-level auction but one focusing on mid- to low-tier soul tools. The second-to-last auction item had sold for only 25,000 gold soul coins, whereas the starting bid for the Soul-Devouring Knife was set at 100,000 gold soul coins. Due to the curse, the knife was nearly relegated to being a mere collectible. Few here were likely to spend 100,000 gold soul coins on a collector's item.
If nothing unexpected happened, the knife was likely to remain unsold. However, coincidentally, two forces present at this mid-tier auction cared little about 100,000 gold soul coins.
He Caitou sighed, shaking his head. "This cursed knife is not worth it. I've heard stories about it from my teacher. The backlash from this knife's curse is far worse than the auctioneer described. To date, no one, not even its creator, has lived more than ten years after obtaining it."
Hearing this, Wang Yan's eyes showed a trace of disappointment. He had already decided to give up on the knife.
At the same time, Jing Hongchen hesitated over whether to bid for the Soul-Devouring Knife. Just then, a sigh echoed in Xiao Yan's spiritual sea. Electrolux's voice rang out: "Using the Living Gold of Life to create such an item is truly a waste. Xiao Yan, do everything you can to acquire it. This knife is crucial for me, for you, and for your teacher."
"What?" Xiao Yan's brows furrowed in confusion. Suddenly, the gray orb floating in his spiritual sea released a beam of light, merging with his memories.
Instantly, Xiao Yan's mind filled with complex information. As he sifted through it, his heart was shaken. He murmured to himself, "It's an artifact capable of restoring spiritual energy? It seems the thing I've been seeking has fallen into my lap."
Back in the auction hall, both the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy and Shrek Academy's representatives hesitated. The leader of Shrek Academy, after consulting with a nearby soul engineer student, seemed to abandon interest in the knife.
Jing Hongchen turned his gaze toward Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen beside him. "What do you two think of this notorious knife? I'd like your input."
Xiao Hongchen stroked his chin indifferently. "I don't believe in curses, but the evidence suggests this knife is indeed peculiar. I have no intention of bidding for it."
Meng Hongchen, sitting beside him, displayed a similarly nonchalant attitude. "It's only 100,000 gold soul coins. Whether we buy it or not doesn't matter to me. Grandfather, it's up to you."
With no decisive input from Xiao and Meng Hongchen, Jing Hongchen turned to Xiao Yan, his eyes narrowing. "What do you think, Yan Xiao?"
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose thoughtfully and replied, "From my perspective, the so-called curse on the Soul-Devouring Knife is nothing more than a form of spiritual power left by its dark soul master creator. If it's a battle of spiritual power, I'm not afraid. Moreover, the creator has been dead for centuries. How could his spiritual power persist indefinitely? There must be a way to dispel it."
"Judging by the knife's craftsmanship and the rare metals used to forge it, its value far exceeds 100,000 gold soul coins."
At this moment, Yao Lao's voice resonated in Xiao Yan's mind. "Kid, Electrolux is right. This knife is invaluable to both of us. With it, my damaged soul might fully recover. When that happens, no one on this continent will be my match."
Beneath his black robe, Xiao Yan's eyes locked onto the Soul-Devouring Knife. Were it not for the cloak and mask hiding his face, anyone could have seen the excitement burning within him.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan suppressed his agitation and raised his bidding paddle. "100,000 gold soul coins."
The calm declaration shattered the silence in the auction hall. Countless eyes turned toward the masked, robed figure, and murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Is this guy insane? Spending 100,000 gold soul coins on a cursed knife? He must have a death wish," many whispered, astonished by Xiao Yan's bid.
Even Qing Ya, the auctioneer, was momentarily stunned. This was the first bid since the Soul-Devouring Knife appeared. After recovering from her surprise, her face lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "Ah! A bid of 100,000 gold soul coins. Do we have any further bids?"
She secretly hoped that with one bid, others might follow, even if only to raise the price by a few thousand.
Yet, despite Xiao Yan's bid, no one else showed interest. The fear of the knife's curse deterred all potential buyers.
"100,000 gold soul coins, going once." Qing Ya began the countdown.
"100,000 gold soul coins, going twice. Any final bids?"
The audience collectively rolled their eyes. "Do you think there are that many fools in the world?"
Just as Qing Ya prepared to strike the auction gavel, a cold voice interrupted.
"Wait."
The abrupt voice froze Qing Ya mid-motion. Her puzzled gaze followed the sound to a figure cloaked in gray, wearing a demonic mask and holding a wine gourd.
"Sir, are you placing a bid?" Qing Ya asked, startled.
The figure ignored her, standing and fixing his gaze on Xiao Yan. Then, with a faint smile, he said, "Nothing special. I've suddenly taken an interest. 150,000."
The figure was none other than Elder Xuan. Although he didn't understand the knife's significance, he was determined to prevent his enemy from acquiring it. So, he stepped in to disrupt the auction.
Under his mask, Xiao Yan's sharp gaze darkened. His clenched fists trembled as a surge of Dou Qi roared through his veins like a raging river.
"Xiao Yan, calm yourself. Acting recklessly will only hurt you. That old man is Shrek Academy's Xuanzi," Yao Lao's voice rang out, pulling Xiao Yan back from his anger.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan exhaled slowly, his voice steady. "200,000."
His resolute bid made Elder Xuan's brows furrow as he thought, "Could this cursed knife be more significant than I realized?"
"300,000." Without hesitation, Elder Xuan raised the stakes.
---
As the bidding war escalated, the tension in the auction hall thickened. Xiao Yan's determination was clear—this knife was his at any cost.
"1,000,000!"
"2,000,000!"
---
"8,000,000!"
When the price soared to eight million gold soul coins, Elder Xuan's expression shifted. He had already realized how important this item was to Xiao Yan. Steeling himself, he decided that no matter the cost, he would claim the Soul-Devouring Blade.
"Ten million!" Bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes as he shouted his bid after a brief pause, going all in.
At that moment, Yao Lao's voice echoed once more in Xiao Yan's mind. His tone was firm:
"Stop competing in this bidding war. If you continue, it might draw the attention of other factions. Should someone else intervene, things could get complicated. Besides, this is only a mid-tier auction. I overheard that a high-level auction will take place here soon. Even though Mingde Hall is wealthy, spending excessively now might harm your chances in the upcoming event."
"Teacher, are you suggesting we give up on the knife? The Living Gold it contains is a heavenly treasure capable of restoring your soul. I don't want to abandon it," Xiao Yan responded, his voice tense and resolute.
"Who said we're giving up on it?" Yao Lao replied calmly.
"Then... you mean we let that old bull win it first and then take it by force afterward?" A cold gleam flashed through Xiao Yan's dark eyes as he spoke internally.
"Yes." Yao Lao's tone turned frosty. "If he's so eager to die, I'll help him along. No matter what, that carving knife must end up in our hands."
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan suppressed the tumultuous emotions within him. Under his black robe, his gaze turned chillingly sinister. He leaned back in his chair, casting a mocking smile at Elder Xuan as he said, "Fine, you win."
Hearing this, Elder Xuan was momentarily stunned. His face darkened as frustration and humiliation washed over him, realizing he had been played.
"You... Xiao Yan, you're ruthless! Mark my words, this isn't over!" Elder Xuan shot a venomous glare at Xiao Yan before turning toward the ecstatic auctioneer Qing Ya. His frustration grew even more, but he forced himself to suppress his fury. "Since no one else is bidding, I believe it's time to announce the result."
"Of course! Of course!" Qing Ya nodded repeatedly, her expression unchanged despite Elder Xuan's intimidating glare. She wore a faint, professional smile, though her downcast eyes held a trace of amusement and mockery. With deliberate movements, she raised the gavel and struck it down gently.
"The Soul-Devouring Blade is sold to this gentleman!"
Watching the conclusion of the auction, Jing Hongchen frowned slightly, puzzled. He turned to Xiao Yan. "Yan Xiao, what's the meaning of this? Why did you suddenly stop bidding?"
Leaning back in his chair, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Don't worry, sir. That carving knife will be mine sooner or later. I overheard some people earlier mentioning that a top-tier auction is scheduled to happen here soon. If we had spent all our money now, it would hinder our ability to compete later."
"Moreover, continuing to bid might have revealed the true value of the knife, potentially drawing more competitors."
After speaking, Xiao Yan's gaze subtly shifted toward Elder Xuan. Beneath his black robe, a menacing smile gradually spread across his face.
Though Elder Xuan had successfully acquired the Soul-Devouring Blade, he had unknowingly also claimed a ticket to his doom
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