Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

When Chen Ming's gaze locked onto Chen Xin, who had seemed detached and aloof moments before, Chen Xin immediately raised his head and looked toward the room where Chen Ming was located. Although Sword Douluo couldn't see through the thick one-way crystal to identify the person inside the room, his spiritual sense was still able to pinpoint the source of the gaze from behind the crystal.

After realizing that the gaze came from the topmost room, Chen Xin nodded slightly, as if it was within his expectations.

The requirements to enter a top-level room weren't as simple as being wealthy or noble. Unless one was a prince or an elite aristocrat, the rooms were generally reserved for high-level soul masters. Although titled Douluo appearances were rare, rooms were often occupied by Soul Sages or Soul Douluos.

Had he felt such a gaze from someone in an ordinary tier, Chen Xin might have been more cautious. But sensing it in the top-level area, he wasn't particularly concerned—assuming it was just another high-level soul master attending the auction.

Noticing Chen Xin's gaze directed toward the room, Ning Fengzhi, who was well-acquainted with Chen Xin, smiled with interest. He turned to the auction house manager, who was keeping a respectful one-step distance behind him, and asked with a faint smile:

"May I ask, who is the high-level soul master in Room Six on the top floor?"

Inquiring about the identity of guests in the top-level rooms was a serious taboo in the auction house. If it were someone else—even the Fourth Prince Xue Beng, a notorious playboy—the manager would have pretended not to hear the question. For nobles of average status, he would have directly expelled them.

But the one asking the question was Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the current imperial tutor. Whether in terms of personal standing or political influence at court, Ning Fengzhi was immensely powerful—a figure whose slightest action could shake the entire Heaven Dou Empire. Even the emperor treated him with respect.

Rules were rules, but rules were made by people. The world of Douluo wasn't just about fighting and killing; it was also about navigating social intricacies.

The manager hesitated for only half a second before quietly answering Ning Fengzhi's question:

"The person in Room Six on the top floor is His Excellency Poison Douluo Dugu Bo's grandson-in-law, Chen Ming, a student of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."

It was evident that, in the eyes of the manager, while Poison Douluo was also a highly influential figure in the Heaven Dou Empire, his status and authority didn't compare to Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

If Dugu Bo himself were in the room, the manager wouldn't have dared to speak so openly. But since it was just his grandson-in-law, the manager felt no need to conceal the information when faced with Ning Fengzhi's question.

"Oh?" Upon hearing that it was Poison Douluo's grandson-in-law, Sword Douluo, who hadn't been paying much attention before, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He looked incredulously at the crystal window of Room Six.

The gaze he had felt earlier didn't match what he expected from a low-level soul master. Typically, only high-level Soul Sages or Soul Douluos could project a gaze that felt so distinct.

"Is Dugu Bo also in the room?" Sword Douluo asked the auction house manager.

"Only His Excellency Poison Douluo's grandson-in-law is present," the manager replied.

"Interesting," Sword Douluo remarked lightly, saying no more. Together with Ning Fengzhi, surrounded by attendants, he entered Room Three on the top floor.

The top floor of the auction house was predominantly red—a color inspired by the legendary hundred-thousand-year soul rings. The expansive level housed nine rooms, exclusively reserved for the true elites.

Room One was designated for the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. Although it was rarely, if ever, used, it was strictly off-limits to anyone else. Room Two was reserved for princes of the royal family, though nowadays only Prince Xue Xing occasionally used it.

Rooms Three and beyond were available to the empire's elites and high-level soul masters. Since the news of Ning Fengzhi's attendance at this auction had reached the auction house days earlier, Room Three had been specifically prepared for him.

Rooms Four and Five had also been pre-booked, leaving Room Six—occupied by Chen Ming—as the only room not reserved in advance.

After entering Room Three, Ning Fengzhi sat on the sofa, dismissed the maids and attendants, and exchanged glances with Sword Douluo. Picking up a glass of red wine, he took a small sip before asking Sword Douluo with interest:

"Uncle Sword, what did you sense just now?"

"As soon as I entered the auction house, I distinctly felt a gaze coming from Room Six. Although it carried no malice, it was not something a low-level soul master could produce," Sword Douluo replied. "At first, I thought it might be a high-level Soul Sage or Soul Douluo in the room. But to think it's only Dugu Bo's grandson-in-law..."

The relationship between Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi was far closer than that of a typical sect guardian and sect master. Sword Douluo was considered a half-mentor to Ning Fengzhi, and their bond was exceptionally strong. As such, there was no need for any concealment between them.

Hearing Sword Douluo's words, Ning Fengzhi set down his wine glass, his eyes narrowing slightly. He appeared like an old fox scheming in deep thought. Tapping his fingers on the table, he curled his lips into a faint smile.

"About a year ago, Poison Douluo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, enrolled in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, causing quite a stir. Many pursued her, but within a month, there were rumors of her being involved with a new student."

"Although later investigations revealed that many of her suitors were secretly encouraged by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to pave the way for Yu Tianheng, the clan's heir, the rumors of her relationship with the new student were unexpected."

"At six, Chen Ming awakened his martial soul with an innate soul power of five. His martial soul was an ordinary Emerald Scorpion. By the time he enrolled at eleven, his soul power had reached Rank 23, and his martial soul had evolved into the Emerald Scorpion King, with one yellow and one purple soul ring. Within half a month of enrollment, he defeated Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan despite a nearly ten-rank gap in soul power. Later, he even earned an invitation from my disciple, Qinghe."

"It's said that when Dugu Bo learned of his granddaughter Dugu Yan's involvement with Chen Ming, he stormed into the academy with the intent to kill. Reports claim he destroyed nearly a third of the academy grounds in his rage."

"But when the three elders intervened, Dugu Bo's demeanor had already calmed significantly. Chen Ming remained unharmed, and before leaving, Dugu Bo assured them that he wouldn't harm Chen Ming's life."

"That very afternoon, Dugu Bo took Chen Ming to one of our businesses, openly purchasing cultivation materials for him and publicly acknowledging their relationship."

"Uncle Sword, don't you think there's something extraordinary about this young man?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed with curiosity as he recounted his investigation into Chen Ming.

"Fengzhi, are you suggesting someone is scheming against that old poison, Dugu Bo?" Sword Douluo asked.

"No, Uncle Sword. While someone may be plotting against Dugu Bo, Chen Ming is not one of them. For Dugu Bo to take notice, this young man must be highly unusual," Ning Fengzhi replied, his tone thoughtful.

"There are many people in this world with unique talents. These talents may or may not be related to their martial souls. Perhaps this Chen Ming is one of those gifted individuals."

PS: Oh boy, here we go again.