Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

Although it was unclear what had caused Bone Douluo's unusual behavior, Ning Fengzhi could sense his attention was focused on Chen Ming. Rising to his feet, Ning Fengzhi placed Ning Rongrong on a chair, stepped across the crack in the floor, and slowly walked into the room where Chen Ming was staying. Upon entering, Ning Fengzhi noticed that the elderly man seated in the chair appeared to be none other than Lou Gao, one of the three legendary divine craftsmen of the era and the president of the Continental Blacksmith Association.

Recalling Lou Gao's earlier proclamation in front of a crowd, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel curious about why Lou Gao had come to this place. However, he kept these thoughts to himself and did not let any of his curiosity show on his face.

As Ning Fengzhi entered his room alone, Chen Ming quickly invited him to sit on the sofa. Lou Gao, who had just realized what was happening, hurriedly stood up from the sofa and bowed to Ning Fengzhi.

"Greetings, I am Lou Gao, a seventy-one-level Soul Sage and the president of the Blacksmith Association. It is an honor to meet the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sect Master Ning."

"You flatter me, Master Lou. Your title as a divine craftsman is renowned across the continent—who doesn't know of it? Although you are not a Titled Douluo, your status among blacksmiths is no less than that of a Titled Douluo among soul masters."

Ning Fengzhi had honed the art of polite flattery since he first learned to speak. Despite Lou Gao's strength and status being insignificant compared to Ning Fengzhi as the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi still extended the utmost courtesy, which added a touch of warmth to Lou Gao's expression.

"The reputation of the continent's three great divine craftsmen precedes you. I never imagined I would encounter Master Lou here today."

Ning Fengzhi took a seat opposite Chen Ming. After both were seated, Lou Gao, standing like a punished schoolchild, instinctively positioned himself behind Chen Ming, seemingly awaiting his cues.

Noticing this, a glimmer of light flickered in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and his interest in Chen Ming deepened.

"Master Lou, please take a seat as well," Chen Ming sighed and gestured to Lou Gao behind him.

"Alright, alright," Lou Gao replied hastily. He sat on a sofa some distance away, his aged body stiff and awkward. Though seated, he seemed even more uncomfortable than when he was standing moments earlier.

As civilized people meeting formally, what followed was a session of mutual flattery. Ning Fengzhi, being a master of the art, was particularly adept at it. While maintaining politeness, he subtly probed for information about Chen Ming.

However, as someone who had survived countless flame wars on the internet in his previous life and as a workplace underdog without any solid backing, Chen Ming was no slouch in the art of conversation. His skill in verbal maneuvering was no less refined than Ning Fengzhi's.

Chen Ming's responses were flawless. When faced with probing questions, he leaned on his advantage as a young man, feigning ignorance to deflect them effortlessly.

By the end of the conversation, no one could detect anything out of the ordinary in what was said. But upon careful reflection, it became clear that no useful information had been provided either. The entire exchange left the impression of listening to a lot but learning nothing.

After several minutes of conversation, both men simultaneously stopped speaking, their gazes locking as they smiled at each other. Internally, they both heaved a long sigh.

"What a sly fox," they thought in unison.

At this moment, after Ning Fengzhi successfully bid on the dragonkin girl, the auction's second-to-last item was presented following a brief interlude. It was a Purple Source Fruit, a ten-thousand-year-old neutral treasure of heaven and earth. Its gentle properties made it easy to absorb and it was widely recognized as a valuable resource among soul masters. Since Ning Fengzhi was in Chen Ming's room and unable to participate in the auction, Ning Rongrong took his place, enthusiastically joining the bidding.

Unlike Ning Fengzhi, who bid cautiously and strategically, Ning Rongrong treated the auction more like a game, sometimes raising the bid by the minimum increment and other times suddenly increasing it by tens of thousands of gold soul coins, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Chen Ming did not need such heavenly treasures, and Ning Fengzhi had Ning Rongrong handling the bidding. Thus, the two men resumed their conversation after a brief pause. This time, however, the exchange finally yielded some slightly meaningful information.

"Sect Master Ning wants to know Grandpa's current soul power level? He just broke through to level 94 and is now progressing toward level 95."

Although Ning Fengzhi had finally obtained the answer he wanted, he fell silent after hearing Chen Ming's words. Even the polite smile on his face froze. Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo both turned their heads simultaneously, staring intently at Chen Ming as if trying to discern whether he was lying.

A Titled Douluo jumping from level 91 to level 94 in just one year—and now progressing toward level 95?

If someone had said this back when Dugu Bo first became a Titled Douluo, Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo wouldn't have doubted his potential to reach level 95.

However, the reality was that since Dugu Bo became a Titled Douluo decades ago, his strength has remained stagnant throughout the years. In everyone's eyes, Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo whose potential had already been exhausted.

If someone claimed he had reached level 92, Ning Fengzhi would have nodded and congratulated him. After all, taking decades to break through one level was entirely reasonable.

But to suddenly jump to level 94?

Ning Fengzhi's first instinct was to dismiss it as a lie. However, after a moment of thought, he realized it was highly likely to be true.

This was because, during his conversation with Chen Ming, Ning Fengzhi had already concluded that Chen Ming was a cunning fox who knew exactly when to lie and when not to.

If Chen Ming claimed Dugu Bo had reached level 94, it was most likely true. After all, he had no reason to lie about it. Even if he did, there would be no benefit in doing so.

Looking at Chen Ming, Ning Fengzhi paused briefly, his smile becoming more sincere. He signaled to Bone Douluo with a glance, and Bone Douluo immediately understood his intent.

Bone Douluo walked over and picked up Ning Rongrong, who was enthusiastically bidding and carried her to Chen Ming. Placing the confused Ning Rongrong in front of him, Bone Douluo then glanced at Lou Gao and casually sat beside him. Under Lou Gao's nervous gaze, Bone Douluo began making small talk.

In reality, it was less of a conversation and more of Bone Douluo asking questions while Lou Gao, drenched in cold sweat, answered as though spilling beans. Despite his eagerness to speak, Lou Gao managed to keep the reason for his presence in Chen Ming's room a secret.

As for what had transpired between the two, there was not the slightest hint of disclosure.