Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

Chen Ming's poison was meticulously controlled. Though the injuries appeared severe, they were superficial at best. A healer-type soul master could cast a few healing abilities, administer some herbal remedies, and in a few days, the victim would be back on his feet as good as new.

The healer summoned to help was only a Rank 22 Grand Soul Master with an ordinary martial soul—a lily flower. However, after casting two abilities, the fallen individual opened his eyes.

As everyone's gaze turned to him, the victim gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and pointed accusingly at Chen Ming. His dirt-covered face twisted in resentment.

"This guy bumped into me and then ambushed me, using poison on an innocent passerby like me! Teacher, you must seek justice for me!"

Faced with this claim, Qin Ming, the teacher, could only offer an awkward smile. Meanwhile, the crowd burst into laughter.

Who didn't know what kind of person this guy was? Everyone had seen him bully other students before.

Not to mention that this was likely a case of him attacking Chen Ming and being countered. Even if Chen Ming had struck first, many onlookers would still side with him during their spectating.

The victim's reputation was simply too rotten. If not for his family background and the faint backing of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he would have been sent home long ago.

Seeing that no one supported him, the victim slumped to the ground, pretending to faint from anger. But the crowd, ever eager for drama, wasn't so easily fooled.

The seemingly unremarkable healer soul master, with just a touch, immediately noticed the victim was faking. Though hesitant to offend Yu Tianheng, the healer couldn't help but smile and shake his head slightly under the scrutinizing eyes of the surrounding students.

This gesture caused another wave of laughter. The victim wished he could truly faint, while Yu Tianheng's face turned livid. Though he wanted to intimidate the onlookers, his gaze brushed over Qin Ming, and he chose to abandon the idea.

Once Qin Ming confirmed that no one was in life-threatening danger, he stood up with a cold expression, his emotions a tangled mess. Glancing between Yu Tianheng and Chen Ming, Qin Ming eventually directed his reprimand at Yu Tianheng.

"Yu Tianheng, regardless of the situation, summoning your martial soul and using spirit abilities on a fellow student in public violates academy regulations. As an outstanding student of this academy, you should fully understand this."

"You claim it was out of anger for your friend. However, I can assure you, that if you insist on pursuing this matter further, we can bring in Elder Meng Shenji. Under the scrutiny of his Black Demon martial soul, there will be no secrets."

"Hmph..." Yu Tianheng understood the implication behind Qin Ming's words immediately.

"'No secrets under the Black Demon martial soul'—doesn't that mean he believes I orchestrated this?"

Though Yu Tianheng had indeed played a role behind the scenes, he couldn't believe Qin Ming would dare offend someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan over a mere Grand Soul Master.

Though he wasn't a Rank 31 Soul Elder with a single yellow and purple ring, he had two yellow and one purple ring!

Throughout the entire academy, there were few Soul Elders younger than him.

If not for Qin Ming's significant standing among the academy's three board members—regarded as a promising pillar for the future of the Heaven Dou Empire—Yu Tianheng would've already considered retaliating.

As it stood, Qin Ming's actions were enough for Yu Tianheng to mentally add him to a list for future accidents.

Nobles with a longer heritage tended to look down on others, and soul master families with a legacy were even more dismissive of commoners and soul masters of commoner origin.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan embodied both traits—despising everyone else, but especially commoners and commoner-born soul masters.

The clan even maintained an almost reproductive isolation from other nobles. Unless their martial souls mutated, women of the clan weren't allowed to marry outside, and bloodline purity was strictly enforced.

If a bloodline member were found outside the clan, the first response was to eliminate them, preventing their martial soul from spreading.

Only those with exceptional talent were begrudgingly accepted into the clan.

It's no surprise that after the clan's eventual destruction by Spirit Hall, only three members remained: Yu Xiaogang, Yu Tianheng, and Yu Tianxin. Not a single other Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soul master survived.

While they inherited little of the dragon's strength, they had mastered its arrogance to perfection.

"No matter what, I need a proper explanation for this matter."

Yu Tianheng looked at Qin Ming, extending his dragon-clawed fingers with an air of arrogance.

What did it matter if there were no secrets? Did the three board members have the authority to expel him?

He was the first Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan soul master to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in centuries, symbolizing his clan's goodwill toward the imperial family of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Yu Tianheng believed that even if the three board members uncovered his involvement, they would choose to overlook it out of respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

As for what would happen to his lackey later... Yu Tianheng didn't care at all.

Failing to carry out his task and embarrassing Yu Tianheng in public? He felt he was already being merciful by not sending the fool to the Extreme North to mine.

"If you've got what it takes, meet me in the arena. Whether you win or lose today, I'll let you off the hook."

"Oh, what a grand gesture! A Rank 30 Soul Elder challenging a newly enrolled Rank 24 Grand Soul Master. Such power—it shakes the heavens and crushes the earth!"

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's reputation echoes across the continent. Who doesn't know it as the greatest beast martial soul?"

"But now that I see it, the clan's heirs fail to live up to their name. Born of noble blood, I expected wisdom, but instead, I see a towering arrogance. Is this inherited from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, or is it your accomplishment?"

Chen Ming's tone was sharp and sarcastic.

As someone who had once debated countless opponents online in his past life, Chen Ming had mastered the art of verbal sparring, becoming a skilled provocateur. Though he hadn't practiced in years, his sharp tongue quickly had Yu Tianheng's veins bulging in fury.

"Both you and I know the truth in our hearts. I don't know how I offended you. I was merely passing through the cafeteria and found myself in this situation. If I've caught your attention, a lowly Grand Soul Master like me might someday be reduced to ashes by a stray bolt of lightning while walking down the street."

Chen Ming's feigned timid expression turned into one of fierce determination.

"Yu Tianheng, you're asking if I dare fight you? Fine! Let me tell you—I dare! If you're a man, meet me in the arena! The Chen family's poison may not match the legacy of the Poison Douluo, but it has its unique characteristics. In the path of poison, I am more than capable of establishing my sectl!"

"If you're not afraid of death or my poison, let's head to the arena right now!"

With that, Chen Ming clasped his fists toward Qin Ming and bowed slightly, his tone turning apologetic.

"I apologize to Teacher Qin Ming and the three elders for today. While I don't wish to disregard your guidance, circumstances compel me to use my poison within the academy. I hope Teacher Qin Ming and the elders can forgive me."

Seeing Chen Ming's heavy tone, devoid of his earlier playful demeanor, Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat. Remembering the poison he'd encountered previously, he instinctively wanted to intervene but hesitated, unable to find the words to stop them.

In the world of Douluo, martial strength is revered, and conflicts between soul masters often escalate into fights. The fiery passion of youth cannot be easily quelled. How can I stop this now, let alone in the future?

There's something unusual about today's events. If Yu Tianheng had nothing to hide, why would he suppress his anger and refrain from acting earlier?

While the exact reason remains unclear, the implications are painfully obvious.

Qin Ming sighed inwardly, casting a deep, conflicted glance at Yu Tianheng, whose clenched fists suggested he was moments away from erupting.

Why did I run so fast to get here? Now this mess is on my plate—who am I supposed to complain to?

Yu Tianheng can't come to harm, and neither can Chen Ming. If something happens to Yu Tianheng, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will come knocking. If something happens to Chen Ming, the Poison Douluo will likely pay a visit. No matter how this duel ends, I might end up playing the villain.

My colleagues, if any of you have a shred of conscience, go fetch the dean or the three elders for me. The sky is falling, and it's all landing on me, a mere Soul King!

What have I, a lowly Spirit King, done to deserve being dragged into the clash of these two?