Although he didn't know why Xu Jiujiu had suddenly approached him—perhaps she had also come because of the diary book—Ao Yao didn't care and was too lazy to think further about it.
What he cared more about was the Starlight Auction House in Xu Jiujiu's hands.
"The Starlight Auction House is indeed under my authority."
Xu Jiujiu nodded slightly, a smile on her face as she said softly, "If there's anything you're looking for, feel free to tell me directly. I'll keep an eye out for you later."
"Since you've put it that way, Jiujiu, I am indeed interested in one item."
"Oh?"
Xu Jiujiu turned to look at Ao Yao's handsome face, a look of interest appearing on her own, while her heart stirred slightly.
It seemed... her seemingly reckless move had actually been a successful gamble. Although she was contacting Ao Yao in public, she had successfully established a connection with him. In the future, she would only need to use Ao Yao's requests as a reason to visit frequently, and their relationship would naturally grow closer.
She just wondered what Ao Yao would be interested in...
On the side, Ning Tian appeared indifferent, but she was actually pricking up her ears to eavesdrop on their conversation. Meanwhile, Meng Hongchen, sitting next to Xu Jiujiu, felt completely sour.
That 'Jiujiu' rolled off his tongue so naturally!
This is clearly the first time you two have met, right!?
"A ranked carving knife."
Hmm?
Hearing Ao Yao's words, Meng Hongchen was slightly stunned, while Ning Tian subconsciously felt that Ao Yao was asking about a ranked carving knife for her sake.
After all, something like a ranked carving knife was basically exclusive to Soul Engineers, and she had just recently become a Rank 2 Soul Engineer.
"If I remember correctly, it should be a ranked carving knife with a relatively low ranking."
Xu Jiujiu paused slightly, then revealed a look of astonishment.
The Starlight Auction House had indeed obtained a ranked carving knife, and it was indeed one with a low ranking as Ao Yao described. Could he... be talking about that specific knife?
"The ranked carving knife ranked ninety-ninth, the spirit devouring fierce blade."
Xu Jiujiu's heart shook slightly.
The Star Luo Imperial Family had unexpectedly obtained the spirit devouring fierce blade some time ago. Unfortunately, the blade's sinister reputation preceded it. The Starlight Auction House had put it up for auction several times, but it always ended in failure, leaving it stuck in their hands.
She hadn't expected Ao Yao to actually ask about this carving knife...
It seemed there were still many things Ao Yao hadn't mentioned in the diary.
"That carving knife is indeed at our Starlight Auction House right now, but... what do you want with it?"
Xu Jiujiu paused for a moment before explaining, "Although this carving knife is an auction item of our Starlight Auction House, I don't want to deceive you. This blade is extremely sinister and even backfires on its user. It has had over thirty owners in total, and every single one of them met a tragic end, with nine of them even becoming Evil Soul Masters."
"It is precisely because of this terrifying characteristic that this blade has always remained unwanted."
Hearing Xu Jiujiu's explanation, Meng Hongchen, who already knew about the spirit devouring fierce blade, didn't show much surprise, but Ning Tian was startled.
This blade... surely Ao Yao isn't planning to buy it for her, right?
Ao Yao naturally wouldn't explain too much, only replying nonchalantly, "I'm just a bit curious about this carving knife. If possible, I hope Princess Jiujiu can sell it to me. I can purchase it at the auction house's set price."
Hearing this, Xu Jiujiu subconsciously frowned.
But... she had no reason to refuse.
Whether it was using this opportunity to stay in contact with Ao Yao or getting rid of the hot potato that was the spirit devouring fierce blade, she had no reason to say no. As for whether the blade would cause any ill effects after reaching Ao Yao's hands and souring their relationship... that didn't seem likely.
Ao Yao, after all, knew many, many things. Perhaps this spirit devouring fierce blade had some use she wasn't aware of.
She had already informed Ao Yao of the carving knife's situation in detail, which should have left an impression of her sincerity and earned some goodwill.
"No problem. I'll send a message and have someone bring the blade over as soon as possible. As for the price... according to the rules of the Starlight Auction House, if an item that failed to sell previously is put up for auction again, the price is lowered. The starting price for this item last time was one hundred and twenty thousand gold coins..."
"You can just give me ninety thousand gold coins."
Although in her heart, Xu Jiujiu even wanted to give the carving knife to Ao Yao for free, this was... after all, their first meeting.
No matter how much they felt like old friends at first sight, she couldn't be that generous.
Ninety thousand gold coins?
If he remembered correctly, this price was even cheaper than what Huo Yuhao had paid for the blade.
Her Highness the Princess is even helping me save money; she's actually quite a good person!
Ao Yao clicked his tongue and accepted directly. "By the way, besides this spirit devouring fierce blade, if any other ranked carving knives appear at the Starlight Auction House, I hope Princess Jiujiu can also notify me."
Ao Yao's gaze flickered briefly toward Ning Tian, who immediately understood.
Ao Yao had other uses for that spirit devouring fierce blade, but this second carving knife would be the gift for her.
Unfortunately... ranked carving knives were not common. Even the Starlight Auction House only had the spirit devouring fierce blade.
The vast majority of carving knives on the ranking list were in the hands of the Sun Moon Empire and its Soul Engineers. Only a few were held by the Three Great Empires and their Soul Engineers.
Even if a ranked knife occasionally flowed into the market, it would quickly be snatched up by high-level Soul Engineers and rarely stayed at an auction house for long.
Therefore, Xu Jiujiu couldn't make any guarantees and could only say she would do her best.
"Additionally... I have a batch of goods I'd like to ask Princess Jiujiu to help me sell."
A batch of goods?
Xu Jiujiu first showed a look of astonishment, but she quickly hid it, her lips curling into a smile as she asked with curiosity, "Of course. May I ask... what do you want to sell?"
"It's nothing major, just some Ores and Materials for making spirit tools."
As he spoke, Ao Yao casually brought out the rewards he had previously obtained from the diary System.
"This is..."
Xu Jiujiu's eyes suddenly narrowed, a look of shock appearing on her face, while Meng Hongchen on the side couldn't help but click her tongue.
Although she had seen it many times before, seeing Ao Yao casually take out such a large piece of phantom light crystal still made her feel a bit startled.
All the phantom light crystals in the entire Mingde Hall combined probably didn't amount to more than what Ao Yao held in his hand, right?
Moreover, it was clearly visible that the phantom light crystal in Ao Yao's hand was more complete and of better quality.