Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

Just as Chen Ming was about to turn and leave, Flender suddenly pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it toward Chen Ming.

Chen Ming casually caught it and realized it was the same bracelet-shaped storage soul tool with an unstable internal space that he had seen earlier.

"Take it. Consider it a gift from me," Flender explained, noticing Chen Ming's confusion.

"Think of it as payment for pointing out the problem with this storage soul tool earlier," he added.

Flender was known for being stingy, unwilling to part with even a single gold coin if he could help it. However, he was also wise. Back when the Golden Iron Triangle roamed the Douluo Continent, it was Flender who helped the other two members strategize and navigate challenges.

Without Flender's guidance, Yu Xiaogang's extraordinary wisdom and equally extraordinary lack of social skills might have led to the Golden Iron Triangle's downfall shortly after it was formed.

Flender could see that Chen Ming was no ordinary person. Although Chen Ming couldn't join his Shrek Academy, Flender saw no harm in currying a little favor.

In the world of wanderers and adventurers, connections mattered. The more friends you had and the fewer enemies you made, the better your chances of survival.

Besides, the storage soul tool was on the verge of breaking and wasn't worth much. It wasn't even easy to sell. Gifting it as a token of goodwill cost Flender nothing, and he didn't mind parting with it.

"Thank you," Chen Ming replied, taking the bracelet. His impression of Flender improved slightly. He pushed open the door and returned to the jewelry store not far away.

At that moment, Dugu Yan was still browsing various pieces of jewelry, completely unaware that Chen Ming had stepped away earlier.

With her wealth, Dugu Yan could have easily bought everything in the store—or even the store itself. But she simply enjoyed the experience of shopping.

Over half an hour later, Dugu Yan walked out of the jewelry store, satisfied. Behind her, the shopkeeper, a cheerful middle-aged woman, accompanied her to the door with a wide smile.

In just half an hour, Dugu Yan had spent more than 100 gold soul coins. Though this was pocket change for Chen Ming and Dugu Yan, it was a significant windfall for the shopkeeper, who wasn't a soul master.

Just as Dugu Yan was about to leave with Chen Ming, two rowdy voices came from outside the alley.

Before Chen Ming and Dugu Yan could react, the jewelry store owner's face changed drastically. She quickly moved in front of them, trying to pull them back into the store.

"Auntie, what's wrong?" Dugu Yan asked, puzzled. Even though the shopkeeper was tugging at her, Dugu Yan's physical strength far exceeded that of an ordinary woman, so she wasn't easily dragged inside.

Noticing the sudden anxiety on the previously kind shopkeeper's face, Dugu Yan couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Young lady, young man, get inside quickly! The scoundrels are here!"

"Scoundrels?" Dugu Yan's eyes lit up in excitement rather than fear. She didn't step back but instead seemed eager for action.

Dugu Yan had grown up reading stories about heroes roaming the continent and punishing villains. Now that she had the chance to be the hero of such a story, she couldn't hide her enthusiasm. She was practically itching to act.

"Young lady, please, get inside! Those two scoundrels are soul masters. They may be young, but they're notorious perverts who frequent brothels all the time," the shopkeeper warned earnestly.

"One looks decent but is rotten to the core, while the other looks like a ball. These two brothers have tricked countless young girls in the city over the years."

Seeing that Dugu Yan didn't seem to care, the shopkeeper quickly explained further, her face filled with disgust.

"If they see you, young lady, they'll latch onto you!"

Dugu Yan, unwilling to retreat, turned to Chen Ming to seek his opinion. Chen Ming didn't choose to back down either.

Hell no. Back then, when he had neither a powerful background nor strength, he could only endure humiliation. But now? He was a near-Soul Elder with one yellow and two purple soul rings, a stack of hidden trump cards, and the powerful Dugu Bo behind him.

Why should he back off from two nobodies in Suoto City?

Just as the shopkeeper was about to continue her pleading, the two figures, arms draped over each other, entered the alley.

Seeing them approach, the shopkeeper looked as if she'd seen the plague. She quickly retreated into the store, casting one last glance at Chen Ming and Dugu Yan before closing the door. Her eyes carried a hint of pity.

The two figures were a stark contrast in appearance—one tall and lean, the other short and plump. The tall one had golden hair that flowed down to his waist, a muscular build, and a pair of striking double pupils that gave him an eerie vibe.

The short one was round and stocky, with red hair styled into a mohawk and a ridiculous little mustache above his lips.

The two of them, arms slung over each other, were disheveled, reeking of alcohol, and still bore traces of makeup on their necks. They had just left a brothel.

The moment Chen Ming saw them, he immediately recognized who they were.

The infamous Lustful Prince Dai Mubai and the Evil Fire Chicken Ma Hongjun—two of the Shrek Seven Devils, notorious for their terrible personalities and chaotic private lives.

These two had just left the brothel. Ma Hongjun, still in his drunken stupor, had wanted to visit their teacher, Flender, and dragged Dai Mubai along.

Despite having just indulged in debauchery, their minds were still filled with filthy thoughts.

Although Chen Ming and Dugu Yan were merely standing silently by the jewelry shop, the drunken Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun immediately noticed Dugu Yan.

Dai Mubai, intrigued, pushed Ma Hongjun aside and adjusted his collar. Ignoring the stench of alcohol and makeup on himself, he swaggered toward them.

Seeing these two drunkards, Chen Ming stepped in front of Dugu Yan protectively. His gaze sharpened, and a wave of spiritual force crashed heavily into Dai Mubai's mind.

Dai Mubai staggered back two steps, shaking his head. Though any ordinary soul master would recognize this as a form of spiritual attack or aura suppression, Dai Mubai, rotted by indulgence in wine and women, was far from a normal soul master.

Thinking it was just a hangover, he cursed the brothel madam for selling him cheap liquor and continued shambling toward them.

"Little lady, you—" Dai Mubai ignored Chen Ming and leered at Dugu Yan, a wicked grin on his face.

"Scram."

Before Dai Mubai could finish his sentence, Dugu Yan darted forward and delivered a palm strike to his chest, sending him flying several meters.

Seeing his drinking buddy knocked back, Ma Hongjun, who had been watching from the side, turned red with anger. He immediately summoned his martial soul.

"Phoenix! Possession!"