Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

The creature within the black mist gradually revealed its true form. It was a wolf-shaped soul beast, far larger than the previous Nether Wolves, baring its sharp fangs.

"It's actually a Nether Demon Wolf!" Grandmaster's voice trembled uncontrollably.

The Nether Demon Wolf was entirely pitch black, surrounded by an impenetrable black mist. Its body was about four meters long, towering over the others, and its dark green eyes glowed eerily. Its tail hung low behind it, shrouded in black mist.

The Nether Demon Wolf was a mutated variant of the Nether Wolf species, possessing speed, strength, and leadership capabilities far beyond that of ordinary Nether Wolves. It was a natural-born wolf king, also endowed with a terrifying innate skill: the 'Demonic Wolf Howl'.

"Xiaogang, although this beast's cultivation hasn't surpassed a thousand years, its strength is more than a match for a millennium soul beast. Take the two children and run. I'll hold it off!" Principal Ma's voice was grim as four soul rings burst into radiance around him. He raised his martial soul, the Earth Shield, and charged toward the pack of Nether Wolves.

At Mano's words, a glint flashed through Grandmaster's eyes. Without any hesitation, he grabbed Tang San and Cheng Xiao by the hands, dragging them in the direction they had come from.

"Tang San, let me teach you a principle. The more rings and bones you have, the more power you wield; the fewer you have, the faster you run. Even when you reach the rank of Titled Douluo, this lesson will still hold true." As they fled, Grandmaster took the opportunity to impart wisdom to Tang San.

"Yes, teacher, I understand," Tang San responded earnestly.

Cheng Xiao, being pulled along, was full of exasperation. 'What kind of logic is this? Even children know that when you can't win, you run. Does escaping really need to be taught? That's ridiculous!' Grandmaster's speed was impressive, and his martial soul, Luo Sanpao, wasn't far behind, sprinting along with wide, terrified eyes. For Luo Sanpao, nothing was more important than survival.

Meanwhile, Principal Ma, who had stayed behind to face the wolves, was quickly falling into a disadvantage. Though he was a four-ring Soul Ancestor, his soul ring configuration wasn't ideal, and as a defensive soul master, he wasn't suited to attack. The constant, draining onslaught from the Nether Wolves quickly exhausted his soul power, leaving him vulnerable. Finally, the Nether Demon Wolf, which had stayed out of the fight until then, attacked with a single decisive blow, sending Principal Ma flying.

He crashed heavily into a tree, blood surging in his chest before he coughed up a mouthful of crimson. Powerless, Principal Ma looked at the Nether Demon Wolf slowly approaching him.

Just as Principal Ma believed he was about to be killed, the wolf that had gravely injured him didn't even glance in his direction. After emitting a loud howl, it suddenly turned and raced off in the direction of Grandmaster and the others.

The remaining few Nether Wolves, seeing their leader run off, immediately backed away from Principal Ma. After all, they had only just reached the century mark in cultivation; facing a Soul Ancestor would be certain death for them.

"I... survived?" Principal Ma was stunned. He had already prepared himself for death, but to his surprise, the Nether Demon Wolf had spared him and went after Grandmaster instead.

Although he hadn't stalled them for long, considering Grandmaster's speed, they should have escaped far by now. Within the forest, three figures—one large and two small—darted swiftly among the trees. Several soul beasts eyed the humans curiously, but they were too terrified by the aura of the black mist-covered wolf chasing behind to make a move.

"Teacher, the Nether Demon Wolf is catching up!" Tang San shouted, glancing at the dark shape behind them.

"Luo Sanpao, stop it!" Grandmaster immediately commanded his martial soul.

Two soul rings appeared beneath Grandmaster's feet, and Luo Sanpao halted abruptly. Its body began to swell as though it was preparing to unleash a powerful attack. However, the Nether Demon Wolf, having followed them for a while, paid no attention to the small creature. With a casual swipe of its claws, Luo Sanpao deflated like a popped balloon, flung into the bushes, its fate unknown.

Since a martial soul and its host are connected, Grandmaster felt a sharp pain in his abdomen the moment Luo Sanpao was injured. His legs wobbled, but with the Nether Demon Wolf still behind them, he clenched his teeth and kept running. They wouldn't survive if they stopped.

"Teacher, are you alright?" Noticing Grandmaster's distress, Tang San asked hurriedly.

"I'm fine, Tang San. Just keep running," Grandmaster replied, his face twisted in pain as the ache spread from his abdomen to his limbs. "As long as we make it out of the Soul Hunting Forest, we'll be safe."

However, as Grandmaster finished speaking, Tang San's eyes narrowed sharply. His gaze flicked toward Cheng Xiao, who was also running alongside them, and his thoughts darkened. 'Cheng Xiao, don't blame me for being ruthless. If someone has to die, better it be you. Once Teacher and I are safe, I will avenge you. You can rest in peace.'

Having made up his mind, Tang San quietly lifted his left hand, aiming a concealed sleeve arrow at Cheng Xiao's leg.

Whoosh!

The cold glint of the arrow shot through the air, headed straight for Cheng Xiao's leg. However, thanks to the enhancement from his Shadow Force, Cheng Xiao sensed the danger in an instant. He released Grandmaster's hand, halting his running body abruptly and narrowly dodging the arrow.

"How is that possible?" Tang San was horrified. He hadn't expected Cheng Xiao to dodge his silent attack. But no matter—it didn't matter whether he was hit or not. As long as Cheng Xiao slowed down the Nether Demon Wolf, he and Grandmaster would have enough time to escape the forest and call for help.

"Forget about him, Tang San. Stopping now is no different from asking for death," Grandmaster muttered, not bothering to wonder why Cheng Xiao had stopped.

As Tang San and Grandmaster sped away, a cold glint flashed in Cheng Xiao's eyes. 'No wonder people say it's better to be Xiao Yan's follower than Tang San's brother. Luckily, the Shadow Force has nourished my body, greatly improving my physical abilities and reflexes. Otherwise, that arrow would've already pierced my leg.'

Breathing deeply, Cheng Xiao turned around to face the advancing Nether Demon Wolf, which also came to a stop. Staring at the massive wolf beast enveloped in black mist, Cheng Xiao's gaze hardened. His martial soul erupted outwards, casting a layer of darkness over the world.

As the Shadow King Martial Soul was unleashed, dark purple light flickered in Cheng Xiao's eyes, and an overwhelming aura of death burst forth.

Sensing the terrifying aura of death, the Nether Demon Wolf immediately cowered. When the humans had first entered the forest, it had felt a faint but terrifying presence that could allow it to evolve again. Despite the fear, its desire for power drove it to take the risk.

But now, it only felt regret. The soul master before it radiated an aura of death more terrifying than anything it had ever encountered. This human seemed like the very king of death—the Death King!

At the moment Cheng Xiao unleashed his martial soul, a flood of new information poured into his mind.