Chapter 165: Soul-Devouring Knife

Qing Ya then began introducing the mysterious item.

"Everyone here must really want to know what our mystery gift is. It's getting late already, so Qing Ya won't beat around the bush; this item isn't a soul tool, but it is something closely related to a soul engineer."

"For without this item, a soul engineer cannot create a soul tool. Everyone, please take a look."

Everyone's gazes were drawn towards the stage the moment Qing Ya lifted the cloth from the cart.

However, the dazzling or exceptionally brilliant item that they were expecting didn't appear.

What appeared in its place was an item that couldn't be any more ordinary, immediately disappointing most of the people in the crowd.

Huo Yuhao, He Caitou and other soul engineers in the area however, had a look of astonishment on their faces.

The item itself was very small, around half a foot long or so, and was as thick as a finger. It seemed to grow narrower and narrower from the bottom to the top, and the very top of the item was an extremely sharp-pointed tip.

On the other hand, its bottom was a half-inch wide blade. It had a simple, dark look to it, and faintly discernible carvings could be seen on it. They emitted a faintly ancient, yet gloomy aura.

It was a carving knife. It was something that a soul engineer would use to carve a core formation. Both ends of a carving knife were useful to a soul engineer, who could use them differently while carving different core formations.

Soul engineers couldn't lack a carving knife; this was a basic requirement to carve a soul tool.

Huo Yuhao also had a carving knife, given to him by the dean of the Soul Engineering Department herself, Xian Lin'er. It was a special carving knife that could help him create Class 7 Soul Tools with ease.

He had a carving knife previously given to him by Fan Yu, which he used to carve soul formations into the initial structures of Frostbane, but it instantly broke just finishing the first few soul formations carved into it. He had to buy dozens more carving knives from the black market just to complete all the formations, which were all broken at the end.

With the carving knife he received from Xian Lin'er, he could effortlessly complete such complicated formations.

However, before the carving knife presented on the auction stage, he felt like the carving knife in his possession was trash compared to it. It was like comparing a butter knife to a martial soul sword!

Although it looked ordinary, Huo Yuhao was certain that the sensation he felt earlier wasn't a mistake. How could something so ordinary leave a lasting impression on someone possessing the Mangekyou Sharingan?

It was at that moment, that a certain slumbering elder let out a bewildered sound.

"The Gold of Life...?"

'Hm? Elder Electrolux, what's the Gold of Life?' Huo Yuhao curiously asked.

'It's an extremely rare metal back in my hometown, I never thought I'd encounter it in this world. This metal appears to have a life, but doesn't possess intelligence. It can seemingly break down all metals and ores known to man.'

'Yuhao, this carving knife made from the Gold of Life isn't as simple as written in the ancient texts. Once you get it, I'll be able to resolve its issues, whereupon you'll be able to easily solve some of the problems you'll have to face in the future with it. It can possibly help with your Mangekyou Sharingan. I'll explain more when you get it.'

'I have to buy it!' Huo Yuhao nodded, his eyes flashed with even more determination.

"It seems the distinguished guests by its outer appearance. Then, I can only tell you with much regret that you are all wrong."

"As some of the distinguished guests have guessed, this is certainly a carving knife used by soul engineers. Distinguished guests, the carving knife you see in front of you can't be described using the word 'simple' alone. In fact, calling it exceptional wouldn't be an exaggeration at all!"

Qing Ya took a step back and from behind showed a soul screen, showcasing a leaderboard of sorts with the appearances of various knives with their names in it.

"Firstly, let me give you all a quick explanation. There's a ranking for carving knives within the world of soul engineers, and the top-ranking ones are all in the hands of the best soul engineers in the world. They're typically known as—'ranked carving knife'. It's a term used to describe carving knives that have reached the leaderboard."

"Our Douluo Continent's Carving Knife Leaderboard lists the top hundred carving knives in the world. Regretfully, over two-thirds of those knives belong to the Sun Moon Empire. Fortunately, the item you see before you is one of the hundred carving knives on the Leaderboard. In other words, it's one of the ranked carving knives that I've just spoken about!"

The crowd below the stage immediately flew into an uproar the moment Qing Ya uttered the words 'ranked carving knife'. The previous signs of dissatisfaction immediately vanished.

'Ah, crap.' Huo Yuhao wanted to curse the auctioneer out. If Qing Ya hadn't explained everything, he had been planning to keep everything to himself.

As a soul engineer, of course he knew about the ranked carving knives. He even saw two of them beforehand within Shrek Academy, which respectively belonged to Dean Xian Lin'er and Fan Yu.

Even with how much they treasured his talent, there was no way they were going to give up their knives. That shows just how valuable they are.

The fervent atmosphere below the stage instantly caused a brilliant smile to appear on Qing Ya's charming face.

"Auctioneer Qing Ya. What're you still waiting for? Quickly start the bidding." There were already a few people who couldn't hold in their excitement anymore.

Qing Ya smiled, "Distinguished guests, please do not be so impatient. Per our house's policy and integrity, I would like everyone to allow me to finish speaking."

"If this were an ordinary ranked carving knife, it would never have appeared here. Distinguished guests, the reason why this ranked carving knife has appeared as the last item in today's Class 4 auction is because it has a particular problem."

She bit down her plump lips and inwardly sighed.

"It's ranked 99th on the Carving Knife Leaderboard, but with its strength, it shouldn't be ranked that low. In fact, it should be within the top 30. However, the main reason why it's ranked so low is because.....it's a cursed carving knife!"

He Caitou suddenly cried out, "Wait, is that the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife that 'eats' its owners?!"

There was a slight twitch on Qing Ya's face and she said, "We actually have a knowledgeable guest. Correct, this carving knife is the 99th ranked Soul-Devouring Carving Knife, which is also known as the Vicious Knife!"

All of the faces of the soul engineers in the auction, even Huo Yuhao, turned grave.

Any soul engineer worth their salt knows the history of the most infamous carving knife—Ominous Soul-Devouring Carving Knife.

The Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife has had over three thousand years of history. Three thousand years ago, it appeared in the Sun Moon Empire. Its creator was an absolutely exceptional Class 9 soul engineer, furthermore, it was said that he was also an Evil Soul Master!

He subsequently fell, but didn't carry the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife by his side when he died. Following the passage of time, this vicious knife ended up in the mortal world.

Through three millennia, the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife had been passed around through thirty-seven owners. However, every single one of these thirty-seven people have died violently. Of which, nine of them became evil soul masters.

According to the legends, this Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife contains a trace of that talented evil soul master's soul.

"...we advise that our distinguished guests be cautious when purchasing this item. We can guarantee that as long as you don't pour soul power into it, you won't be 'devoured'. Furthermore, with its status as a ranked carving knife, turning it into an heirloom is quite good."

After listening to Qing Ya's long explanation with a charming smile, everyone present finally understood why a ranked carving knife had appeared in a Class 4 auction.

Many participants who were originally eager to buy it were now silent.

It was to be expected, the carving knife was just too infamous! The auctioneer might've explained its history to them, but it was simplified and none of them were idiots to realize the danger of the carving knife.

Even by some miracle they didn't die from it, they would've likely turned to the dark side and become notorious evil soul masters!

"Tch, how disappointing."

"For it to be the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife....who decided to sell it? Are they retarded or something?"

"She made us so hyped up for something so cursed! Ugh...I like it!"

"Fuck! I knew it was too good to be true..."

The Titled Douluo that had been secretly in the auction cursed out loud and quickly left, greatly disappointed by the items.

Some of the guests also quietly left, even though the auction wasn't over.

They were all so put off and scared of the evil curse by the carving knife.

All but one. Huo Yuhao turned towards a humming Ning Tian and said,

"Ning Tian, let me borrow some money. I promise to pay it back with a Class 7 Soul Tool in the near future."

Ning Tian's eyes widened with shock. It was to be expected, even a low level Class 7 goes as high as 200,000 golden soul coins! Such a transaction would benefit her greatly, which was why it was such a surprise.

"H-Huh? Why... Yuhao, you can't be serious! Do you not understand the true nature of that carving knife?"

"I do understand, which is why I need to buy it." Huo Yuhao was firm and resolute in his decision as he stared at Ning Tian.

Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Wang Yan and the others were dumbfounded.

"The starting price of the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife is one hundred thousand gold soul coins, and each increase cannot be lower than five thousand gold soul coins. We can start the auction now." Qing Ya spoke with a smile on her face, seemingly unaffected by the guests leaving.

In reality, it was the total opposite.

'Welp, here it goes again. Has it been ten years since this useless thing appeared in our house?'

The Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife had appeared in one of the Starlight Auction's top-ranked auctions shortly after the organization had obtained it. Its starting price wasn't a hundred thousand, but three hundred thousand.

It was still a ranked carving knife no matter what was said!

However, who could've predicted that its infamy was so widespread? Even the high-ranking guests of the Starlight Auction weren't willing to possess it, even as an heirloom.

Helpless, the Starlight Auction's owner could only let it appear often within various auctions. Furthermore, he promised to give a commission of 1% to the auctioneer who was able to sell it off.

But as you can see, for nearly ten years, it remained unsold.

However, at that moment, a young voice suddenly rang out.

"One hundred thousand gold soul coins."

Heads turned as a sign containing the number 333 was suddenly raised.

Qing Ya was left dumbstruck. This was the first time that a person had bid on the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife!

She was completely overjoyed after a brief moment of astonishment. It had to be known that the 1% commission of its price of a hundred thousand gold soul coins was one thousand gold soul coins!

Qing Ya forgot to speak for a brief moment due to the exuberance she felt.

"I'm bidding one hundred thousand gold soul coins." Huo Yuhao calmly repeated.

"Ah! Okay, guest number 333 has bid one hundred thousand gold soul coins. Are there any more guests who wish to bid?" Qing Ya came to her senses and spoke hurriedly.

"..."

"..."

"A hundred thousand golden soul coins, going once! Twice! Thrice! Sold to number 333!

The mallet fell with a bang, announcing that this exceptionally murderous carving knife now belonged to Huo Yuhao.

"Holy shit. Someone actually bought it?!"

"Do they have a death wish? Or is it another ignorant pretentious young master?"

"By the sound of it.... but why does his voice sound familiar?"

The guests in the auction began muttering in hush whispers to the result of the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife being bought.

Everyone from Shrek Academy was shocked to hear Huo Yuhao bid for the item.

Most of them didn't have much knowledge about carving knives, especially the one before them, but from what Qing Yang had explained, it was an extremely terrifying item! Yet, Huo Yuhao had bid for it...!

"Yuhao, you...!" Wang Yan subconsciously grabbed his shoulder and hurriedly said, "Yuhao, don't be hasty. Your life and future is at stake! I can't let anything happen to you."

Huo Yuhao shook his head and explained to him, no, to everyone. "Teacher Wang Yan, trust me. Am I the sort of person that throws my life recklessly? I know what I'm doing, in fact, with my eyes, I've found the problem of the carving knife and I can fix it."

"Even so...!"

"This is my decision, Teacher Wang Yan. Trust me." Huo Yuhao shook his head and turned his head, stopping the conversation. He didn't need to convince Wang Yan further with his decision, he was completely confident that he, no, Electrolux could fix the cursed knife.

"Hey."

Huo Yuhao turned towards Ning Tian, who had tugged on his sleeve with a frown on her face. "I didn't agree with your deal earlier."

"So, you're not going to lend me money?"

"Yes-No! Ugh. What I mean is....you didn't let me finish."

Ning Tian took a deep breath before continuing, "I was going to say that you didn't let me finish, Yuhao. I don't like the idea of you getting that knife, but I trust your judgment. If you really think you can handle it, I'll lend you the money."

"Thank you, Ning Tian," Huo Yuhao said with a grateful smile.

Ning Tian sighed and shook her head. "Just promise me you won't get yourself killed."

"I promise," Huo Yuhao replied, his eyes filled with determination.

He was just starting his journey towards supremacy, of course he wasn't going to get himself killed so easily!

....

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