Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

Although Yan Jun was now so old that death seemed imminent, in his younger years, he had roamed the continent and gained considerable experience. While his mind was no longer as sharp as it once had been, his accumulated wisdom endowed him with a keen sense of perception.

The child before him stood out, not only far more robust than the other children he had seen over the years but also with an aura that was markedly different.

Despite the child being dressed in fine noble garments, Yan Jun could immediately discern his exceptional physique. His limbs were thick and sturdy, with well-developed muscles along his forearms and calves. His body was evenly proportioned, lacking the awkwardness that often accompanied overtraining, instead presenting a harmonious balance.

It was clear that this child had not only maintained an unusually strong and robust build for his age but had also trained for explosive power. Such conditioning was exceedingly rare for children before awakening their martial souls.

The boy had short, slightly messy black hair and piercing, focused eyes. Though he stood still, his posture was nothing like that of typical noble children; it resembled the composure of a battle-hardened warrior, one who had undergone rigorous training over the years.

If this boy had been placed in a crowd, Yan Jun might not have noticed him. But compared to the other children, including the city lord's son from earlier, the difference was glaringly apparent.

What struck Yan Jun the most, however, was the child's demeanor. While other children at this stage were likely praying to awaken a strong martial soul and high innate soul power, this boy exuded confidence—an unshakable belief that he would achieve extraordinary results.

In most cases, Yan Jun would dismiss such confidence as naïve arrogance. But seeing the boy's well-trained body, Yan Jun couldn't help but feel there was merit to his self-assurance.

It reminded him of the elite soul masters he had encountered during his travels across the continent—those born into prestigious sects, raised with solid foundations, and subjected to intense training from a young age. They had the same determined, self-assured look in their eyes.

There was a world of difference between feigned maturity and the real thing. Some people were simply born different. Having awakened martial souls for decades, Yan Jun knew this better than anyone.

Some achieved fame and glory with level fifty soul power, while others remained obscure with level sixty. Some rose from humble beginnings to positions of power, while others of noble lineage ultimately accomplished nothing.

The same background and talent, the same martial soul and soul power—yet some people simply outshone the rest.

If this were twenty years ago, and the child awakened with promising talent, Yan Jun wouldn't have hesitated to take him as a disciple. Even ten years ago, he might have sought to form a connection, hoping that the child might one day look after his descendants.

But… Yan Jun sighed inwardly. He felt that he was now too old for such endeavors.

At most, he had ten or so years left to live. Even if the boy possessed innate full soul power, he would only reach the level of a Soul Elder by that time—a level far from realizing his full potential. What use would such a connection be to him in the end?

"What is your name, child?" Yan Jun asked, his expression calm, though he sighed internally.

"My name is Chen Ming. I am a child of the Emerald Chen family." The boy lifted his head, his face adorned with a gentle smile, and answered confidently.

"The Chen family… Very well, awaken your martial soul," Yan Jun muttered, pausing momentarily as if recalling something. However, he chose not to elaborate and instead motioned for Chen Ming to enter the array.

At Yan Jun's command, Chen Ming stepped into the awakening array. As Yan Jun channeled his soul power, the array beneath the boy's feet began to glow. Points of light rose from the array, one after another, before surging into his body.

If the brightness of the awakening array when the city lord's child awakened was one, then the number of light points rising from the array during Chen Ming's awakening was at least three. Even the most uninformed observer could immediately tell that something extraordinary was happening.

A massive number of light points emerged from the array and were absorbed into Chen Ming's body. Over time, a distinct energy began to flow within him, steadily growing stronger.

This energy gathered and surged within Chen Ming's body, as though breaking through an invisible barrier. His body began to undergo dramatic changes.

With the sound of fabric tearing, a long, emerald-green scorpion tail extended from his spine. A vibrant green light radiated from his dantian, spreading across his body.

Chen Ming's already large frame, imposing among his peers, seemed to inflate like a balloon. His wrists and ankles grew thicker, and a layer of emerald-green carapace with a metallic sheen formed on his forearms, resembling heavy, protective armguards.

The emerald-green light enveloped the scorpion tail behind him and his forearms. As his soul power instinctively surged, the air around him became faintly tinged with a sweet, cloying scent.

Although Yan Jun had not anticipated such a commotion, his familiarity with the Chen family's signature Emerald Scorpion martial soul—and its potent venom—prompted him to instinctively shield himself with his soul power the moment he saw the green light emanating from Chen Ming.

And indeed, Yan Jun's caution proved justified.

In mere moments, the sweet, cloying scent spreading through the air began to affect the children nearby who had yet to awaken their martial souls.

Some attempted to flee, but the toxin had already interfered with their nervous systems, causing them to trip and fall. Flailing their arms wildly, they accidentally dragged others down with them, creating a chaotic chain reaction among the children who were either stunned or unable to react.

As panic set in, the children began breathing heavily, further inhaling the toxic scent. Under the combined stress and effects of the toxin, their bodies began convulsing uncontrollably. Some waved their arms and legs frantically, while others screamed in terror, which in turn worsened the panic among the others.

Seeing this unfold, Yan Jun's face darkened. With a slight flick of his wrist, the vine-like staff that had been standing like a cane suddenly came to life. It transformed into soft tendrils that supported the fallen children, gently lifting them while channeling soothing soul power into their bodies.

"Where are the Chen family's adults? Bring the antidote immediately!" Yan Jun barked, turning toward the crowd.

Startled into action by his shout, the previously stunned onlookers began to stir. Amid the commotion, a thin man pushed his way through the crowd and hurried over to the children. Reaching into his robes, he produced a bead-like object seemingly carved from wood.

As soul power flowed into the bead, it released a refreshing fragrance that gradually neutralized the sweet, toxic scent in the air. The children, still restrained by Yan Jun's living vines, slowly began to calm down under the soothing effects of the fragrance.

However, Yan Jun's expression remained grim.

He knew very well that while the wooden bead's aroma could quickly counteract the venom to some extent, it carried a mild toxicity of its own. Though it only caused fatigue, it was still difficult for young children without soul power to withstand.