Chapter 31

A few more days of peaceful life passed. During this time, Xu Jiujiu's interactions with the Ice Snow Dual Emperors gradually increased. She was no longer as nervous or fearful as she had been at the beginning, and her mindset gradually calmed down, as if she were slowly accepting their existence.

In fact, this was normal. The Ice Snow Dual Emperors were not unreasonable people to begin with; it was just that rumors from the outside world, combined with their status as an alien race and their fearsome reputation, naturally brought a sense of oppression to ordinary humans. This was an unsolvable problem, at least in this current era.

Humans always suspect and fear existences they cannot completely control, and soul beasts were the most representative creatures in this regard. Over ten thousand years, humans had deepened their research into soul beasts and suddenly discovered even more terrifying facts. The human fear of soul beasts was almost carved into their bones, let alone facing fierce beasts that were comparable to kings among soul beasts.

But fortunately, Xu Jiujiu was not an ordinary human. As an Imperial Princess, her vision and ability to accept things were far beyond those of ordinary people. Coupled with Shu Yan's constant guidance and help, Xu Jiujiu soon successfully became familiar with the Ice Snow Dual Emperors.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the Ice Emperor actually had a good impression of Xu Jiujiu. It was likely that Xu Jiujiu's unreserved "money power" was too attractive. Even the Ice Emperor could not help but fall under the skirt of the wealthy princess, which made the Snow Emperor sigh helplessly, fearing that the Ice Emperor might one day be carried off by some unknown "yellow-haired" person...

But the Snow Emperor's concerns were clearly overthinking.

Although the Ice Emperor's current state did indeed look a bit unintelligent, that was only a facade. With over three hundred thousand years of cultivation, even a pig would have become a king among pigs, not to mention that the Ice Emperor's true form was a scorpion.

Shu Yan felt that his thinking was not problematic. Of course, if the Ice Emperor found out, he would definitely not have a good time...

Just as Xu Jiujiu was busy getting familiar with and deepening her relationship with the Ice Snow Dual Emperors, calling them "sister" this and "sister" that every day, the imperial secret guards were almost run off their feet.

Just a few days ago, they received an order from Xu Jiujiu to do their utmost to find the "Soul-Devouring Blade," which ranked ninety-ninth on the list of carving knives.

Although they did not know why the Princess wanted to find this ominous blade that symbolized terror and evil, with the Emperor's approval, they naturally would not slack off or cut corners. Everyone put in their absolute best effort. Plus, given the fame of this carving knife itself, within three days, they had tracked down the whereabouts of this fierce blade at a large auction house within the Empire.

Spending less than one hundred thousand gold soul coins, the imperial secret guards very smoothly purchased this listed carving knife, which had failed to sell over thirty times, from the auction house. If someone who didn't know the truth were to hear this, they would probably think the imperial secret guards had picked up a huge bargain.

Of course, those who knew the truth were probably starting to pray silently for those few imperial secret guards...

At first, Xu Jiujiu had strongly discouraged and refused Shu Yan's idea of wanting this Soul-Devouring carving knife, because she knew deep down that the fierce reputation of this knife was not something people bragged about, but rather it was truly crowned as a "fierce blade" because it devoured its masters.

In the three thousand years since this carving knife was born, it had had thirty-seven masters. All thirty-seven of these people were outstanding powerhouses and geniuses of their respective eras. But in the end, all thirty-seven of them died miserably. Nine of them even fell into becoming evil soul masters because they were bewitched by this knife, eventually setting off wave after wave of blood and carnage across the continent. To this day, this carving knife was still despised and feared by people. Even though its price had hit rock bottom, no one dared to take the risk.

Looking at the ancient, simple carving knife lying quietly in the jade box before him, Shu Yan's eyes darkened, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

Beside him, Xu Jiujiu was full of anxiety and unease. Just by staying near this fierce blade, Xu Jiujiu felt a thick sense of crisis. But what worried her even more than that was Shu Yan's intention. What exactly did he want to do with this fierce blade...

... After a long silence, Shu Yan suddenly lifted his eyes and said softly, "Grandma Manyi, please help me invite the Snow Emperor and the Ice Emperor over. Tell them there is an important matter to discuss."

A soft sound came from the space behind him. Before long, the Snow Emperor, who had changed into a long white robe, arrived with the Ice Emperor, who looked slightly dissatisfied.

Shu Yan gestured for them to sit. Xu Jiujiu took the initiative to brew tea, pouring a cup for everyone except the Ice Emperor with skilled and elegant movements. Of course, she gave the Ice Emperor a cup of red fruit juice; Xu Jiujiu knew the habit that she didn't like drinking tea.

The Nebula Douluo did not appear from beginning to end. When Shu Yan and the others discussed matters, she usually chose to actively block her perception or stay far away. Without their permission, she would never listen to a single extra word.

The Snow Emperor took a light sip of tea, then looked at Shu Yan and said softly, "What is the important matter? Let's hear it."

The Ice Emperor, drinking her fruit juice, also grumbled, "Yeah, you brat, you love causing trouble every single day, leaving us with no peace. Sooner or later, this Emperor is going to give you a good beating..."

Shu Yan chuckled and shook his head, then turned the jade box and opened it, immediately exposing the Soul-Devouring carving knife inside.

This jade box itself was a peak level-six soul tool, and other than sealing off aura, it had no other function. As the jade box was opened, the ominous aura that had been confined suddenly permeated the air. The Ice Emperor choked on the fruit juice in her mouth and began to cough violently. The Snow Emperor slowly set down her teacup, narrowing her eyes as she stared at the unremarkable carving knife before her.

"This is the aura of evil and ominousness..."

"No, the composition is a bit different. Or is it a power of the curse type?"

The Snow Emperor whispered. She looked at Shu Yan and asked, "Where did this thing come from?"

Shu Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Xu Jiujiu. Xu Jiujiu understood instantly and immediately gave the Snow Emperor a detailed account of the birth of this carving knife and the strange and bizarre events that had happened to its successive masters.

After hearing this, the Snow Emperor fell into deep thought. Beside her, after the Ice Emperor caught her breath, she didn't say much, but instead began to carefully examine this strange carving knife. For some reason, she always felt that this carving knife gave her a strange feeling, as if... it had a peculiar attraction? The Ice Emperor found it hard to explain exactly what this feeling was, but just as her perception feedback suggested, there must be some shocking secret hidden within this carving knife...

After a long time, the Snow Emperor slowly reached out her hand, cold air surging in her palm. The Soul-Devouring carving knife placed in the jade box trembled a few times, then slowly floated into the air. Ice-blue soul power swirled on the blade, and everywhere it passed, a thin layer of ice mist condensed. The next moment, a sudden change occurred...

(End of chapter)