2: Chapter 2: The List Carving Knife, the Deadly Blade Devouring Spirits

Xu Jiujiu waved her hand casually, signaling that they need not stand on ceremony.

Afterwards, she took the list of tonight's auction items and glanced over it casually.

The finale item was a peak sixth-level spirit tool; in an auction of this level, it was considered a qualified finale item.

Xu Jiujiu, however, always felt it was not quite enough. Then, as if remembering something, she instructed the staff member beside her: "Add one more extra item tonight, place it as the very last one. Hmm, let's go with that ranked engraving knife, the spirit-devouring engraving knife."

After thinking about it, she continued: "There is no need to tell anyone about this; it's just a matter of trying our luck anyway, and it won't matter even if it doesn't sell. Furthermore, I will personally host tonight's auction."

This was not the first time the spirit-devouring engraving knife had been put up for auction. In previous attempts, hindered by its wicked reputation and curse, no one dared to buy it, not even to take it back as a collection piece.

Xu Jiujiu's sudden whim this time was nothing more than wanting to try her luck.

"Yes, Your Highness Jiujiu."

The staff member replied simply and went off to handle it.

"Sigh, I wonder if this engraving knife can be successfully auctioned off this time."

Xu Jiujiu had long been interested in being an auctioneer, and Xu Jiawei was very supportive of his younger sister, so he let her hold a position at the Starlight Auction House.

Whenever there was a higher-level auction, they would invite this princess to serve as the auctioneer. It could be said that Xu Jiujiu was the mascot of the Starlight Auction House; at auctions where she was present, the final prices of the items would often exceed expectations by quite a lot.

That same night, inside the Starlight Auction House.

Mu Qingci sat in a white-tier VIP seat, waiting for the auction to begin.

Although he was only sitting in the lowest grade white-tier VIP seat, his young age still attracted many gazes. Coupled with Mu Qingci's own aloof temperament and ethereal appearance, it immediately sparked discussions among a group of noblewomen, who seemed to be debating which family this young master belonged to, with intentions of matchmaking him with their daughters.

Mu Qingci remained as if he heard nothing of everything happening around him.

At this moment, spotlights converged toward the auction stage, and Xu Jiujiu walked out from the darkness, dressed in a gorgeous golden evening gown.

The entire audience turned their gaze toward that direction; the shock in many people's eyes was evident, as they had clearly recognized Xu Jiujiu.

"Welcome everyone to tonight's auction. I am very happy to be hosting this auction. I am the auctioneer for this event; you may call me Jiujiu!"

Xu Jiujiu's lively voice quickly stirred up the atmosphere at the venue. After all, a significant portion of the people were seeing this Empire princess for the first time, so they naturally appeared a bit excited.

Seeing that the atmosphere had been built up enough, Xu Jiujiu began the auction for the night.

"The next item to appear is tonight's first auction item..."

Mu Qingci was not interested in any of these, so he simply closed his eyes to rest.

One by one, the items were sold at prices far exceeding expectations under Xu Jiujiu's brilliant commentary, and those who won the items took pride in it.

Soon, it was time for the finale item of the night.

"The next item to appear is the finale item of this event: a peak sixth-level spirit tool crafted by a seventh-level Soul Engineer, the Earth's Defense. It is a defensive spirit tool that can easily withstand the attacks of a Spirit Emperor, and even the attacks of a Spirit Saint are no problem!"

Mu Qingci, who had just opened his eyes, immediately closed them again, a flash of disappointment passing through his eyes.

"Sigh, it seems my luck is still not good enough."

He was now just waiting for the auction to end so he could leave.

"Esteemed guests, please do not be in such a hurry to leave. Today's auction still has one last special item. It is not a spirit tool, but it is closely related to spirit tools. I wonder if you would all do Jiujiu the favor of staying to see it before you leave."

Who would dare not give face to the princess? Moreover, with Xu Jiujiu saying it like that, many people's interests were piqued. Not a single person in the audience left; they were all waiting to see what exactly this special item was.

Upon hearing Xu Jiujiu's words, "It is not a spirit tool, but it is closely related to spirit tools," Mu Qingci's heart skipped a beat. Associating it with something, he had just prepared to stand up but sat back down instead.

Xu Jiujiu did not take the item out immediately but began to build suspense mysteriously.

"Before the item is brought out, Jiujiu would like to ask everyone a question: for a high-level Soul Engineer, what is the most important thing when crafting spirit tools?"

Hearing her question, the VIPs below the stage started discussing among themselves.

"Materials, it must be precious materials!"

"Blueprints, it must be precise blueprints!"

Everyone discussed it in a hubbub of voices.

Seeing that it was enough, Xu Jiujiu made a gesture for silence. Then, her silver-bell-like voice rang out again: "Jiujiu thinks everyone makes a valid point, but I believe it should be the engraving knife. A good engraving knife can significantly increase the success rate of a Soul Engineer when crafting spirit tools."

Afterward, a maid brought up a wooden tray, and on the tray was an object covered by a red cloth. Judging by the outline, it appeared to be a box.

"That's right, this last special item is precisely an engraving knife. Speaking of engraving knives, the most famous are undoubtedly the one hundred ranked engraving knives. What Jiujiu has brought for everyone today is one of them."

Mu Qingci was now completely certain that he had come to the right place.

As she spoke, Xu Jiujiu pulled off the red cloth covering the wooden tray, and a transparent box appeared before the VIPs.

It was a dark green engraving knife, radiating an evil aura from its entire body. Thick dark green mist filled the box, and faint wails could vaguely be heard.

The temperature at the venue dropped slightly due to the appearance of this engraving knife.

"This engraving knife is the ninety-ninth ranked engraving knife, named the spirit-devouring engraving knife. I believe many esteemed guests have heard its name, and I also know there are some bad rumors about it. However, everything has two sides. Since it can be a ranked engraving knife, it must have its reasons. Jiujiu believes that among everyone present, there must be a capable person who can master this engraving knife."

After Xu Jiujiu finished speaking, she looked at the reactions of the VIPs below. Most were surprised and fearful; she saw almost no eager gazes.

Xu Jiujiu sighed and continued with the procedure: "Without further ado, let the auction begin. The starting price is one hundred thousand gold coins, and each increment must not be less than one thousand gold coins."

Sure enough, Xu Jiujiu's words just fell flat, with no one stepping up.

A trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes. The failure of an item to sell would undoubtedly affect her reputation, and feeling down was unavoidable.

Just as the time was about to run out and Xu Jiujiu was about to announce that it had failed to sell, a forceful voice rang out from the corner: "One hundred and one thousand!"

Xu Jiujiu's downcast eyes suddenly lifted, and she looked in the direction the voice came from, seeing Mu Qingci sitting in white-tier seat number sixty-six.

Silver hair and silver eyes; his calm gaze revealed a composure that did not belong to that age.

Xu Jiujiu reacted and hurriedly called out loudly: "The esteemed guest in white-tier seat sixty-six has bid one hundred and one thousand gold coins. Are there any other bids?"

"One hundred and one thousand, going once."

"One hundred and one thousand, going twice."

"One hundred and one thousand, going three times."

"Clack."

Accompanied by the fall of the small hammer, the hearts of both Mu Qingci and Xu Jiujiu settled down at the same time.

"Sold! Let us congratulate the esteemed guest in white-tier seat sixty-six for winning the ranked engraving knife, the spirit-devouring engraving knife. Since ancient times, heroes have emerged from the youth. I believe the esteemed guest in white-tier seat sixty-six will surely be able to master this engraving knife and let it shine with its due radiance!"