As he observed the expressions of Xu Zihuang and his companions, the plump shopkeeper felt a wave of uncertainty. Yet, in the face of potential profit, taking some risks seemed worthwhile.
"A carving knife is an essential tool for every Soul Engineer. A good carving knife is often the key to reaching the heights of a high-level Soul Engineer. Young master, you must have heard of the term 'Carving Knife Leaderboard,' which refers to carving knives that have made it onto the ranked list."
"On the Douluo Continent's Ranked Carving Knife list, only the top 100 knives are recorded. The one in this tray is among those ranked. It's what I just mentioned—a Ranked Carving Knife. This particular knife came into my possession not long ago by chance. I originally planned to send it to the Moon Hub auction house for sale later, but it seems fate has brought you here, Young Master."
"If you're sincere about acquiring it, two hundred thousand gold soul coins will suffice. Consider it a gesture of friendship."
Standing behind Xu Zihuang, Meng Lang and the others exchanged glances and examined the carving knife on the tray with scrutinizing gazes.
If it truly was a Ranked Carving Knife, two hundred thousand gold soul coins was an astoundingly low price—almost suspiciously so.
"Two hundred thousand gold soul coins?" Xu Zihuang's lips curved into a teasing smile, but his next words made the plump shopkeeper's heart skip a beat.
"The Ranked Carving Knife at number ninety-nine—the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife. Three thousand years ago, it emerged in the Sun Moon Empire. It was created by a brilliant and genius Soul Engineer. This Soul Engineer, it's said, eventually became a class 9 Soul Engineer. Moreover, this class 9 Soul Engineer was also a formidable Soul Master and, shockingly, a sinister Evil Soul Master. Three thousand years ago, he brought calamity to the continent, leaving chaos and bloodshed in his wake."
At these words, Meng Lang's and the others' gazes turned icy cold.
"Such crimes deserve no forgiveness!"
Xu Zihuang's smile remained unchanged as his gaze fell back on the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife. "The Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife was crafted by this Evil Soul Master in his twilight years. Not long after creating this knife, he encountered the greatest adversary of his life. This genius, yet monstrous, individual ultimately met his demise. Upon his death, the knife was not kept at his side, and over time, it drifted into obscurity. As for the subsequent owners of this sinister knife, none met a peaceful end—all perished miserably."
"I wonder if I'm mistaken."
In his childhood, Xu Zihuang had studied a compendium and descriptions of Ranked Carving Knives. He had even personally handled several of them. The deep purple dragon-patterned carving knife he used previously, the Purple Patterned Radiant Dragon, ranked third among Ranked Carving Knives. It was a treasured heirloom of the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family, passed down exclusively to those with the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon Martial Soul. Years ago, when Wang Xiao was fleeing from Xu Tianran and his father's pursuit, he had deliberately taken this carving knife with him and recently returned it to Xu Zihuang.
The plump shopkeeper began to sweat profusely, avoiding Xu Zihuang's sharp gaze. At that moment, the sound of clapping suddenly echoed from behind Xu Zihuang.
"Truly, heroes emerge young. This Young master, though still youthful, is remarkably knowledgeable."
A blond man clad in a luxurious white-gold robe approached, his hands clasped together in applause. The golden starry patterns on his chest shimmered brilliantly under the crystalline lights of the shop's ceiling.
"I am Xi Gu, an overseer of the Straight Auction House of the Star Luo Empire. We arrived on the same merchant vessel to Moon Hub. Might you recall, Young master?"
Hai Xiao nodded faintly, showing no interest in Xi Gu's flattery. He asked calmly, "What business might Overseer Xi Gu have with me?"
"Ah, it's not so much business as a simple suggestion," Xi Gu replied with a hint of confidence. His gaze flickered briefly in surprise, but his interest in the Ominous Soul-Devouring knife was evident, and he had no intention of giving up easily.
"Since the Young master has recognized the origins of this carving knife, I imagine you won't want to be the scapegoat for such a sinister relic. If that's the case, I'd like to offer one hundred thousand gold soul coins for it. What do you think?"
Before the plump shopkeeper could respond, Xu Zihuang cut him off abruptly.
"Apologies, but I do enjoy playing the scapegoat."
"Young master, would you not consider giving the Starlight Auction House some face?" Xi Gu's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Meng Lang and the other imposing individuals behind Xu Zihuang and suppressed his displeasure.
Without sparing another glance, Xu Zihuang reached out and stored the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife into the storage ring on his left hand.
"Why should I give face to the Starlight Auction House, here in the territory of the Sun Moon Empire?"
Not only did Xu Zihuang harbor little goodwill toward the Star Luo Empire, but his understanding of the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife's true value justified his actions entirely.
After all, this wasn't just an ordinary carving knife—it was a substantial chunk of Gold of Life.
"You..."
Xi Gu struggled to maintain his composure as he stared at Xu Zihuang. Ultimately, though, he swallowed his anger, cast one last glare, and stormed out of the shop.
He had noticed the formidable presence of the five bodyguards accompanying Xu Zihuang. At least four of them had soul power on par with his own. To act recklessly would be unwise, especially since Xu Zihuang's status was clearly extraordinary if he commanded such powerful protectors.
In simple terms, Xi Gu backed down. After all, this wasn't the Star Luo Empire. Even the Starlight Auction House's influence had its limits on Sun Moon Empire soil.
"This... Young master..." The plump shopkeeper cast Xu Zihuang a pitiful look, inwardly cursing his greed clouding his judgement.
Xu Zihuang ignored him and retrieved a crescent-shaped white jade token from his storage ring.
"Take this to the City Lord's estate later for your payment."
With that, Xu Zihuang led his group out of the shop, leaving behind the dejected shopkeeper.
Payment? What payment?
The City Lord of the Moon Hub City was their ruler in the Southern Moon Islands, and their reputation was generally trustworthy.
The shopkeeper's heart sank. He had clearly tried to swindle Xu Zihuang, and now he lacked the nerve to claim anything from the City Lord's estate. With that jade token, it was obvious Xu Zihuang's connection to the City Lord was anything but ordinary.
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang continued toward the heart of Moon Hub Island. Despite his composure, a spark of excitement burned within him. He had not expected to find the Ominous Soul-Devouring knife—an artifact originally slated for the Starlight Auction House—in such an unassuming place.
The malevolent spirit and curse within the Ominous Soul-Devouring knife posed no threat to him. With his second martial soul, the Purple Brilliant Lightning Destroying Dragon, whose ultimate lightning and destruction attributes naturally countered Evil Soul Master techniques, he held the perfect weapon against its sinister power.
This chunk of Gold of life might even grant him the opportunity to attempt the second awakening of his body martial soul. Golden Eyes.
Although it was said that the head of the Body Sect had the secret method for the second awakening of the body-type martial soul, he knew very well the conditions for the second awakening of a body-type martial soul. It required repeatedly facing life-threatening crises to fully stimulate one's potential.
"Young master, shall I take care of that shopkeeper and Xi Gu for you?" asked a green, short-haired youth among Xu Zihuang's group, his tone cold.
Xu Zihuang shot him a side glance and chided gently, "Qing Mu, young people shouldn't be too hot-headed. Your killing intent is excessive—it needs to be curbed."
At his words, the group's expressions turned odd. Even Meng Lang struggled to stifle his internal critique.
Young Lord, of all people, isn't this advice a bit hypocritical coming from you...?
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(T/N: