Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

The auction continued as usual. The newly established Hall of Soul's Hall Master, Chen Ming, was discussing the fusion of spirit and metal with Elder Lou Gao of the Hall of Soul's Forging Hall, all while keeping an eye on the auction proceedings.

The eleventh auction item was a large, fist-sized Dragon Bloodstone. This unique crystal was formed from the blood of a true dragon, refined underground over tens of thousands of years. It could be ground into powder for medicinal use or utilized as an excellent ore.

Chen Ming bid 220,000 gold soul coins for it, securing it as research material.

The twelfth auction item was a Dragon Scale Stone, similar to the Dragon Bloodstone but formed from a true dragon's scales underground. Chen Ming won it for 210,000 gold soul coins.

In no time, the auction reached its final phase. Of the 22 auction items, the first 19 were all purchased by various buyers, leaving only the last three items.

There was no doubt that, compared to the previous 19 items, the final three were the true highlights of the auction.

The twentieth auction item was brought in by several burly men. When the black cloth covering it was pulled away, a massive iron cage was revealed. Inside the cage was a half-dragon girl with numerous dragon-like traits.

The girl had a pair of crimson dragon horns on her head, scales covering her wrists, reptilian vertical pupils, and a thick red dragon tail trailing behind her. She was heavily bound in chains, with a heavy iron collar around her neck.

"The twentieth auction item: Dragonkin Girl."

"A Dragonkin is a unique existence, a girl born with a dragon martial soul that underwent an accident during the awakening process, permanently altering her body. Although her innate soul power is high, her mutated martial soul prevents further growth."

"According to our experts' appraisal, this Dragonkin Girl has an innate soul power of level nine. Her martial soul is a top-tier beast martial soul, the Red Dragon, possessing powerful fire attributes and the robust physique of a dragon. Her bloodline is pure, suggesting the presence of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast that took human form among her ancestors."

"Although the Dragonkin Girl cannot enhance her soul power, her innate talent makes her an ideal vessel for improving the aptitude of the next generation. For soul masters with dragon martial souls, their offspring might benefit from positive mutations, potentially inheriting the high-quality True Dragon or Red Dragon martial soul."

"This Dragonkin Girl is only nine years old, but the transformation caused by her martial soul has made her capable of reproduction. Over her lifetime, she could potentially bear 20-30 offspring, among which there might be one who inherits the Red Dragon martial soul."

"Even if some of her offspring do not inherit the Red Dragon martial soul, they would still hold significant value, either for selective breeding or experimentation."

"In summary, obtaining her significantly increases the probability of acquiring a top-tier martial soul."

"Starting bid: 5 million gold soul coins. Minimum increment: 10,000 gold soul coins."

Chen Ming's previously calm expression darkened as he looked at the auction item.

Yes, on the current Douluo Continent, slavery was entirely normalized. In the two great empires and numerous duchies, the slave trade was a legal and protected industry.

Only the Spirit Hall, under the premise that all individuals were illuminated by the Angel God, banned slavery within the boundaries of Spirit City and advocated for its abolition. However, compared to the vast continent, their efforts were but a drop in the ocean. (Yep, Spirit Hall is the villain in the original story. And Tang San helped the nobles win the war to protect their wealth.)

Chen Ming generally avoided attending such auctions. Not only because most of the items were useless to him, but also because he detested seeing humans being auctioned like livestock.

Perhaps this was somewhat self-deceptive, but it was the best Chen Ming could do at the time.

Even before he awakened his martial soul after reincarnating into this world, Chen Ming had always treated the servants in his family kindly, to the best of his ability. Although he couldn't free them from their status as slaves, he made every effort to treat them as equals, never resorting to unwarranted punishment or abuse.

As he looked at the caged Red Dragon girl, Chen Ming silently decided to move the abolition of slavery from his list of post-divinity goals to something he would achieve before becoming a god.

The bidding escalated quickly, rising from the initial 5 million gold soul coins to 8 million in no time, with no signs of slowing down.

At that moment, a voice rang out from Room 4 on the top floor.

"10 million gold soul coins!" The man's voice roared like a dragon, crackling like thunder. He didn't use a soul tool to amplify his voice but instead projected it directly using his soul power.

Along with his voice came an overwhelming aura of thunder and dragon might.

It was clear that, while the Heaven Dou Royal Auction prohibited self-identification, some individuals found ways to flaunt their identity.

A top-floor room, an aura of dragon might and thunder soul power, and bidding on the Dragonkin Girl — these clues made it obvious who the bidder was.

Everyone knew this had to be a senior member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was infamous for its arrogance in the soul master world. In the current era, with the Clear Sky Sect in seclusion, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was the most domineering and prideful sect on the continent.

Few dared to offend them. Upon hearing the bid from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, many nobles and soul masters who had intended to continue bidding quietly abandoned their plans.

Although 10 million gold soul coins was a high price for the Dragonkin Girl, it was far from her true value.

On stage, the auctioneer, Ah Zhen, maintained her professional smile, though it faltered slightly. She had no choice but to proceed with the countdown according to the rules.

"10 million gold soul coins, going once."

"10 million gold soul coins, going tw—"

"10.5 million gold soul coins." Chen Ming calmly activated the loudspeaker in his room and raised the bid.

Enough was enough. In the past, he might have acted cautiously, restraining himself from plans because he lacked strength. But now, with a Titled Douluo strength, a powerhouse renowned across the continent, there was no need to keep holding back.

If something annoyed him, he would deal with it head-on.

Slavery disgusted him. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disgusted him. Together, they were twice as disgusting.

Hearing someone dare to outbid him, the elder in Room 4 of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was instantly furious, his expression twisting with rage.

This elder was the third elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the one supporting Yu Tianheng behind the scenes.

Last year, he had helped Yu Tianheng pursue Dugu Yan, only for Yu Tianheng to be defeated by a Rank-24 soul master who then earned the favor of the Poison Douluo.

When the elder tried to retaliate against Chen Ming's family, he discovered that the Poison Douluo had already established strong connections to protect them.

Half a month ago, Dugu Yan returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Encouraged by the elder, Yu Tianheng attempted to pursue her again, only to have half his teeth knocked out by her.

When the elder sought help from the clan leader, hoping for punishment for the Poison Douluo, the clan leader returned with Yu Tianheng — now missing the rest of his teeth.

Now, even within his clan, the elder was neither favored by the clan leader nor supported by Yu Luomian. Both sides viewed him unfavorably.