CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 296 BLACK BOX

Xia Mian narrowed her eyes slightly, deep in thought.

The ability of this Alien Species is indeed quite formidable, but its drawbacks are also very apparent. The Life Soul depends on the alien object, and one’s own body will be destroyed.

Reconstructing the body will require a lot of effort.

However, having such a thing around could indeed provide her with some unexpected help.

Xia Mian pressed her lips together and looked up at Xie Chengming, "I want this thing. Do you have any objections?"

Xie Chengming’s expression stiffened, "Miss, this item was brought back by our venue master at the risk of his life. Even if it’s a piece of junk, I still need our master’s approval."

Xia Mian lightly laughed, "Alright, then let’s ask your master."

Xie Chengming looked somewhat uncomfortable. This black box had already caused Zhou Yun to collapse on the bed, unable to move. In Xie Chengming’s opinion, it would be best to burn the thing and be done with it.

But Xia Mian became interested in this black box and wanted to take it away, which made Xie Chengming feel that something seemed not quite right.

The black box seemed to sense Xie Chengming’s murderous intent. Before he could say anything else, it flew directly into Xia Mian’s hand, "Miss, I can attach myself to any object and act as your eyes. As long as you don’t kill me, I can gather all the information you want!"

The black box was desperately promoting its abilities to present itself as valuable in front of Xia Mian.

Xia Mian accepted the black box and responded indifferently, "As long as you behave, I don’t mind keeping you as a novelty."

Beside her, Lu Zechuan’s eyes slightly sank, "Let me take it."

With that, Lu Zechuan took the black box into his hand.

Xia Mian tilted her head to glance at Lu Zechuan, "Then hold it well."

Lu Zechuan’s handsome face turned dark, and he hummed sullenly.

Xia Weizhang and Gu Zhi, following behind the three, exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Why did it seem like Lu Zechuan wasn’t very happy?

When the group of five returned to the courtyard behind the auction house, Lu Zechuan was holding the black box that Zhou Yun had painstakingly obtained.

Seeing Lu Zechuan openly holding the black box in his hands, Zhou Yun’s face showed a look of amazement, "How can you touch it!? Quickly throw it away!"

Lu Zechuan, obliging, threw the black box out with a swift motion.

The black box, as if anticipating this from Lu Zechuan, did not fall to the ground but flew back into Xia Mian’s hand.

This scene left Zhou Yun dumbfounded.

How did this black box seem almost sentient?

Under Zhou Yun’s surprised gaze, Xie Chengming cleared his throat and spoke calmly, "Brother Yun, there’s a person of the Alien Species inside this black box."

Upon hearing this, a light flashed in Zhou Yun’s eyes, "A person of the Alien Species?"

"Brother Yun, the reason you’re in your current state is also the fault of this person from the Alien Species!" Xie Chengming said with a stern expression.

Zhou Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of disgust appearing in them, "Wasn’t this race supposed to be extinct already?!"

Xie Chengming lowered his gaze slightly, "Brother Yun, there are no absolutes in this world. The people of the Alien Species are adept at attaching to foreign objects. As long as their souls are not destroyed, they can never go extinct."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun’s eyes fixed firmly on the black box.

As if sensing Zhou Yun’s unfriendly gaze, the black box shrank towards Xia Mian’s sleeve.

Xia Mian’s eyes flickered slightly, and she spoke softly, "I want this thing."

After finishing, Xia Mian continued, "You ended up like this because the being inside the black box wanted to use your abilities to reconstruct his body."

Pausing, Xia Mian added, "I will make him return everything he took from you."

Zhou Yun remained silent for a moment, staring at Xia Mian for a long time before smiling, "I’ll do whatever the lady says!"

According to his account, the black box was something he had brought back from the Secret Realm at great efforts, but it had almost cost him his life.

Now that Xia Mian had found the reason and promised to save him, it seemed only fitting to give the culprit black box to her in return.

Xia Mian smiled and looked down at the black box in her hand, "Do I need to teach you what to do next?"

The black box shivered unwillingly. Then, as though something emerged from within it, it instantly drilled into Zhou Yun’s body.

Zhou Yun suddenly shuddered, and his previously limp body gradually regained strength, his formerly slumped figure slowly puffing up.

The stolen strength had returned!

Joy immediately appeared on Zhou Yun’s face, and he looked at Xia Mian with abundant gratitude, "The lady is truly extraordinary!"

Xia Mian smiled slightly, "Now that you’ve recovered, how about the reward Mr. Ming promised me?"

Xie Chengming turned to look at Xia Mian, his face immediately breaking into a smile, "Rest assured, miss, not a cent of your reward will be missing!"

Xie Chengming said as he handed over a small cloth bag.

Xia Mian weighed it and found it not light.

Satisfied, Xia Mian nodded and said, "I’ve done what I needed to do, so we’ll take our leave now."

With that, Xia Mian planned to leave with Lu Zechuan and the others.

However, before she could take a step forward, Zhou Yun called out, "Please wait, miss!"

Xia Mian turned back, looking at him questioningly, "Is there anything else?"

Zhou Yun slowly sat up, "The lady has helped our auction house so much, and if we let her leave just like that, it would be very discourteous of us!"

Saying this, Zhou Yun glanced at Xie Chengming, "Ah Ming, make preparations. Tonight, let’s host a banquet for the young lady of the Divine Clan!"

Xia Mian squinted, looking at Zhou Yun, "There’s no need for a banquet."

After all, though Zhou Yun’s recovery seemed ambitious, she actually hadn’t put in much effort.

Zhou Yun shook his head, "The lady mustn’t refuse. I’ve always enjoyed making friends with people of loyalty my whole life. Since you’ve helped our auction house so many times, I must befriend you!"

Xia Mian’s dark eyes flickered slightly, looked at Zhou Yun for a moment, then gently laughed, "If Mr. Zhou insists, then we will humbly accept!"

Although she had some dealings with Xie Chengming, they were mostly out of interest. Even claiming a strong relationship with the auction house wouldn’t quite fit.

Yet, Zhou Yun insisted on keeping her for a meal, which was somewhat noteworthy.

Lu Zechuan’s dark eyes slightly darkened, his gaze slowly landing on Xia Mian, his slender, fair hand gently reached out to clasp Xia Mian’s hand.

Xia Mian turned her head to glance at him and smiled softly.

Their eyes met, and Lu Zechuan seemed to instantly understand something.

He held her hand tightly in return.