Chapter 629: Strange Hand

It was a human hand that was cut off from the wrist.

Logically speaking, a human hand that was cut off from the human body would rot and shrivel up over time. However, the hand looked perfectly alive. It had a healthy complexion that resembled frozen fat, it looked so smooth and unblemished it was as if it had been carved out of jade. Even the cross section of the hand looked as smooth as a mirror.

Its fingers were as slender as spring onion, and the finger nails were painted with red nail polish. Despite being submerged inside some sort of transparent liquid, the hand looked both gorgeous and stunning.

It was clear at first glance that it was a woman’s hand. The woman must have been extraordinarily beautiful during her lifetime too. Just looking at the hand was enough to stir feelings of admiration, love, infatuation and such in everyone’s heart. It was almost as if they were looking at a beauty of the ages, not a simple hand.

What a terrifying hand.

Ye Qing narrowed his eyes as the Heavenly Demon of Freedom inside his Paranirmita Vasavartin Heaven waved its hand. The unnatural emotions immediately disappeared, and he regained full clarity of his mind once more. He looked at the hand again with renewed wariness and alertness.

His spirit was stronger than most, but even he had experienced a moment of confusion as feelings of love, infatuation and adulation sprouted inside his heart. It was as if he had fallen in love with the hand at first sight and was willing to do anything for it. Anything.

If even he had temporarily lost himself to the hand, then everyone else could only fare worse. All around him, people were staring blankly at the hand like it was the center of their world.

It was worth noting that Defeated snapped out of it not long after him though. As expected of the seventh named warrior on the Human Champions Ranking.

Xi Duoduo waited for a bit before producing a bell from his sleeve and shaking it a little.

Ring!

The bell ringing sounded crisp and melodious, but for some reason, it elicited feelings of deep sorrow in all listeners. Everyone still stuck in the hand’s mind-bending influence slowly but surely began to pull themselves out of the mental quagmire.

“What on earth is that hand, Xi Duoduo?”

“So, is anyone interested in this hand?” Xi Duoduo asked.

No one said a thing for a time. They would be lying if they said they weren’t interested, but the value of the hand was... fluid to say the least.

In the right circumstances, the hand could mean the difference between life and death considering how powerful and contagious it was. But in all other situations, its value was drastically lower. It was because its oppressive, contagious power did not discriminate between friend and foe. To call it a double-edged sword would be an understatement. Without the proper preparation, it was entirely possible for the wielder to perish alongside their enemies.

What this meant was that this hand was unusable in most situations. It could only be used as a trump card and only when it was do or die.

If the wielder could find a way to suppress or even manipulate the hand’s corruptive power to their advantage, then it was like they had gained a Disaster-class Strange Artifact. Unfortunately, reality was a cruel mistress. If such a method existed, Xi Duoduo most likely would’ve kept the hand for himself. Even if he didn’t want it, he would not have sold it like this.

If even the Hill Carriers with all their wealth and power could not find a proper way to neutralize the hand, then what were the chances that they could do the unthinkable? Not likely at all.

Did they want the hand? Of course!

But how much were they willing to spend to obtain it? That was a very delicate question.

“Hahaha... besides its inherent power, the hand could potentially hide other secrets.”

Xi Duoduo was well aware of his customers’ doubts, of course, so he continued, “Just think about it. If this hand alone contains so much power, then how strong was its owner?”

“If someone could somehow find its owner’s grave through this hand, then they might obtain the opportunity of a lifetime and leap to the heavens, no?”

Xi Duoduo’s words immediately aroused the greed and lust in everyone’s heart. But before they could act on it, a slightly maddened, enraged voice suddenly broke out, “You speak nonsense! She’s not dead. She’s alive and well!”