Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

However, as an outsider, Qin Ming felt it wasn't appropriate to interrupt Chen Ming directly. Additionally, Qin Ming was preoccupied with tasks related to the academy's team, so he only managed to find an opportunity to exchange a few polite and indifferent words with Chen Ming after everything was more or less settled. After that brief chat, Qin Ming waved goodbye to the students and prepared to return to his post with the other instructors to organize materials and training plans related to the academy's team.

Chen Ming followed Dugu Yan and the team members to the cafeteria, accompanied by the seven members of the previous team.

As the cafeteria of the Royal Academy, it was essentially a large and luxurious restaurant, with grand decorations and a vast internal space.

Though it was slightly inferior to the Seven Treasure Pavilion where Chen Ming had previously met Qian Renxue (who was disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe), it was still undoubtedly one of the top-tier establishments of its era when compared to the outside world.

The cafeteria had everything one would expect from a high-class restaurant, and even offered items unavailable in most external establishments.

If not for the scandalous incidents that had previously tarnished the dignity of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the academy, with its immense financial resources, could have provided even more extravagant offerings.

Dugu Yan led the members of both teams to a large private room on the third floor of the cafeteria for a meal. Although the primary purpose was to foster camaraderie, the dishes they ordered were still exceptionally lavish. By the end of the meal, the total cost for the 22 people, including Chen Ming, exceeded 3,000 gold soul coins.

It's worth noting that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's cafeteria was subsidized, so the dishes sold to students were priced at cost, essentially being almost free. If this meal had been consumed at an external restaurant, it would have cost at least 10,000 gold soul coins—an exorbitant amount, even for high-level soul masters.

Even the academy's noble students generally preferred to dine on campus, since it saved them money.

As for the bill, it was originally supposed to be handled by Dugu Yan as the team leader. However, her boyfriend, Chen Ming took the initiative and paid the bill ahead of her, giving her plenty of face.

After the meal, the group parted ways. Chen Ming returned with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling to the courtyard that originally belonged to him.

Since his original room had already been occupied by Dugu Yan, Chen Ming chose the room next to hers as his new residence.

Although Ye Lingling was somewhat uncomfortable with the mixed-gender living arrangement, she refrained from voicing any objections, considering the courtyard originally belonged to Chen Ming. She had only moved in because her grandfather had a good relationship with Dugu Bo.

The courtyard was spacious, and the three of them only occupied one corner. Although Ye Lingling found the daily arrangement slightly awkward, it wasn't enough to cause any real issues.

Chen Ming stayed at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for three days. During this time, he strengthened his relationship with Dugu Yan, casually defeated both the current and previous academy teams in sparring, and then left the academy to head into Heaven Dou City.

While chatting with Xiong Xin, Chen Ming learned that the Heaven Dou Royal Auction House was hosting a one-day auction that would feature rare materials and even soul bones.

Despite having lived in this world for years, Chen Ming had never attended an auction. Out of curiosity—and perhaps hoping for a protagonist-like moment to stumble upon a hidden treasure—he decided to join the event.

After spending a night in Heaven Dou City, Chen Ming headed to the auction venue early the next morning.

The Heaven Dou Royal Auction House primarily catered to soul masters and high-ranking nobles, with strict controls on the identities of attendees. Although this policy excluded many potential customers, the wealthy Heaven Dou royal family didn't seem to mind.

Of course, this strict control only applies to attendees. If someone wanted to auction items, the auction house didn't care about their identity—only the quality of the items being auctioned.

As someone from an earl's household, Chen Ming was considered a high-ranking nobility within the Heaven Dou Empire, so entering the auction house posed no problem.

As soon as he presented his family crest and student badge from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to the staff at the entrance, the already respectful staff became visibly anxious.

Several well-dressed attendants, all with excellent figures, bowed deeply and invited Chen Ming to wait in a nearby room while the person in charge was immediately informed.

Although Chen Ming wasn't currently active in Heaven Dou City, his reputation loomed large there. The specially trained staff instantly recognized him as the grandson-in-law of the Poison Douluo upon seeing his credentials. They quickly afforded him the highest level of hospitality.

A few minutes later, the manager of the auction house—a man in his seventies dressed in a luxurious robe—arrived in a hurry.

Although the manager was old enough to be Chen Ming's grandfather, he acted as if he had regained his youth in Chen Ming's presence, showing deference as though he were a grandson.

After confirming Chen Ming's identity as Poison Douluo's grandson-in-law, the manager's attitude shifted from formal to servile. He escorted Chen Ming to a top-tier VIP suite and arranged for several beautiful attendants, each with unique charms, to serve him.

Within minutes, trays of fruit, pastries, and wine were brought in. Although Chen Ming wasn't particularly fond of extravagance, he could tell at a glance that these complimentary items were made from top-quality ingredients, with each small plate costing hundreds of gold soul coins.

How did he know, despite not being extravagant himself? Because the food was the same as what he had eaten in the academy cafeteria a few days earlier, and he had memorized their prices.

However, upon considering that both the Heaven Dou Royal Auction House and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy were directly affiliated with the royal family, Chen Ming found it unsurprising.

Chen Ming's VIP suite was located on the top floor of the auction house, featuring a massive floor-to-ceiling window made of specially polished crystal rather than ordinary glass.

This crystal had properties similar to one-way glass, allowing those inside to see everything outside clearly, while those outside couldn't see in. From this transparent crystal window, Chen Ming could look down on the entire auction hall below. The ordinary seats below naturally made one feel a sense of superiority from the VIP suite.

Over the next hour, people of all kinds entered the auction hall. Most sat in the lowest-level seating, while only a select few with special identities entered private rooms.

Among this select group, one individual's status stood out as particularly extraordinary.

Several elder staff members dressed in luxurious robes stood respectfully at the main entrance, while beautiful attendants lined up along the carpet on both sides. Some held bouquets, while others bent forward, showcasing their excellent figures through specially designed attire.

Seeing such a grand display, Chen Ming couldn't help but feel curious about the identity of the newcomer. Slowly, two individuals emerged side by side from the entrance.

One was a white-haired elder, and the other was a gentle and refined middle-aged man.

The elder wore a spotless white robe, with pure white hair cascading down his back. Though his age was apparent, his face was unwrinkled and rosy, exuding an air of vitality. His eyes carried a hint of arrogance and detachment.

Upon seeing this elder, Chen Ming immediately felt as though he were gazing at a sharp sword piercing the heavens.

As for the middle-aged man beside him, though well-dressed and good-looking, his presence was overshadowed by the elder's imposing aura.

With just one glance, Chen Ming recognized their identities.

The elder was Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and the middle-aged man was Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.