Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

"Not a poison-type soul master but still forcing their way into a poison-type mimicry training ground? Are these people out of their minds?"

The thought made Chen Ming freeze momentarily, remembering his days of botched training that left him bedridden and sipping herbal medicine. He couldn't understand why anyone in Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be so reckless.

Poison-type mimicry training grounds were genuinely life-threatening. Even in his own family, the cave filled with the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes had claimed the lives of more than a dozen predecessors.

If he weren't a poison-type soul master in this life—where such training grounds were essential for optimal cultivation—he wouldn't voluntarily step into those dark, toxic places.

Staying in such environments for too long could seriously harm one's physical and mental health.

"Out of their minds? These people are far from stupid. If there weren't some benefit, do you think they'd willingly throw themselves in here?"

Niu Dali scoffed, his tone carrying a hint of implication.

"Benefit?" Chen Ming immediately thought of the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes hidden in his family stash but quickly shook his head. A moment later, he roughly pieced together the motives behind these people's actions.

He was three years older than Tang San and had entered the academy at the age of eleven. Dugu Yan, Tang San's senior by seven years and Chen Ming's by four, was about fifteen now.

Chen Ming had enrolled a year earlier than usual, while Dugu Yan, with her Poison Douluo lineage and her grandfather Dugu Bo's focus on their family's toxic skills, likely enrolled later. It was reasonable to assume she had just joined the academy or had been there for about a year.

Could it be that these people's so-called purpose was Dugu Yan?

Chen Ming had some guesses but didn't voice them. Instead, he turned to Qin Ming.

Hearing Niu Dali's words, Qin Ming sighed and gave Chen Ming a helpless nod.

"This year, a new student joined alongside you. She's the sole granddaughter of Poison Douluo, Dugu Yan, fifteen years old and a Rank 29 Grandmaster. She's been visiting the mimicry training ground daily lately, trying to break through to Rank 30."

"Exactly," Niu Dali added with a nod, his features reminiscent of a certain basketball star.

"Because of her status, some dimwits—or people with ulterior motives—keep coming to the mimicry training ground, which annoys both her and me."

"This training ground is home to several low-age poison-attribute soul beasts and filled with poisonous creatures. To prevent soul beasts from escaping or people from accidentally entering, I've been stationed here under the orders of the three Deans."

"Oh, right," Niu Dali paused as if remembering something important.

"I'm Niu Dali, a Heaven-level teacher at Heaven Dou Academy. My martial soul is the Black Mamba, and I'm a Rank 58 Power Attack Soul King."

"Since I'm a poison-type soul master myself, this training ground serves as an excellent cultivation site for me. That's why I'm permanently stationed here and responsible for all matters within the training ground."

"Not that much happens most of the time," Niu Dali added, his voice dropping slightly.

This was a cushy job: decent pay, little work, and all the resources he needed. His basic needs were taken care of, any required materials were provided upon request, and his salary arrived on schedule.

Though he knew this was part of the teacher's benefits package, he still felt a bit guilty about how easy it was.

"So, kid, what's your name and martial soul?"

Finally remembering his duties, Niu Dali pulled out a pen and paper seemingly from nowhere, preparing to document Chen Ming's information.

"Teacher Niu, my name is Chen Ming. I'm eleven years old, my martial soul is the Emerald Scorpion King, and I'm a Rank 23 Control-type Grandmaster. I look forward to your guidance."

"Chen Ming..." Niu Dali nodded, putting away the pen and paper into his soul storage. Then he pulled out a stack of files, much to the bemusement of Qin Ming and Chen Ming, and began flipping through them.

The files contained detailed information about Chen Ming, including a photograph. They were prepared by the academy's administrative board and were duplicates of the student records stored in the archives. A single glance would provide all the necessary information.

"Ah, here you are. Your records were delivered late last night—I almost forgot. These files haven't even been with me for a few hours, and you've already arrived. Not bad, very diligent. This is the kind of work ethic a soul master should have."

As Niu Dali awkwardly explained, a sudden ringing sound echoed from outside the cave. Instinctively, he prepared to charge out, his soul power flaring, but he paused when he remembered he wasn't alone. Suppressing his initial reaction, he walked outside at a normal pace instead.

Peering out of the cave, Chen Ming saw a young soul master with one white and one yellow soul ring. The youth had a healthy, ruddy complexion, clear eyes, and a pure smile on his lips. A pair of pristine white ears resembling those of a feline martial soul adorned his head.

"This is Zhen Zhu. His martial soul is the Snow Leopard. He's the academy's food delivery soul master, responsible for bringing meals to soul masters and teachers stationed in remote areas."

"Teacher Qin, good morning. And good morning to the new student," Zhen Zhu greeted warmly, waving to the pair as he approached with no apparent curiosity about why they were there.

"Good morning, Zhen Zhu."

"Zhen... Good morning."

Despite Zhen Zhu's untainted, innocent smile and the air of purity in his gaze, Chen Ming couldn't help but associate him with someone from his previous life.

"Teacher Niu, your three breakfasts have been delivered. Should I prepare breakfast for Teacher Qin and the new student as well? If so, should it be one serving each or three servings each?"

"One serving each for them," Niu Dali said after a brief exchange of glances with Qin Ming. In this world, having a big appetite wasn't unusual, but for now, one portion per person seemed sufficient.

Zhen Zhu maintained his bright smile. With a flick of his bracelet, a massive lunchbox appeared in his hands. He set it on the ground, repeating the process four more times before stopping.

"Anything else you need?"

"My watermelon and fried chicken," Niu Dali sighed, rubbing his forehead.

He had a particular fondness for watermelon and fried chicken—practically a must-have for every meal. Unfortunately, Zhen Zhu, as the academy's food delivery soul master, often forgot about his specific preferences.

If Niu Dali didn't know Zhen Zhu was naturally a bit scatterbrained and not intentionally messing with him, he might have been tempted to give him a good elbow to the ribs to jog his memory.

"My apologies, I forgot," Zhen Zhu said with an apologetic yet pure smile, retrieving a large square box from his storage soul tool and placing it on the ground.

"Anything else you need?"

"No, that'll be all."

"Alright, I'm off then."

After confirming there was nothing else missing, Zhen Zhu waved goodbye. Turning around, his two soul rings flashed, and in an instant, he transformed into a blur, speeding off into the distance.