Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Time flew by, and two years later.

Cheng Xiao's spirit power level had broken through to level 20. Although he didn't need to hunt spirit beasts for spirit rings like other Spirit Masters, for safety's sake, he decided to take a stroll through the Spirit Beast Forest as a precaution for his own safety.

During these two years, Cheng Xiao returned to Chengjia Village every time he had a vacation. Xiao Wu also accompanied him. Due to the butterfly effect, the relationship between Tang San and Xiao Wu wasn't as strong as it was in the original timeline, but it wasn't bad either; they were simply normal classmates.

Although Tang San wanted to get closer to Xiao Wu, it was merely under the instructions of the Grandmaster. Sending a hidden weapon master from a previous life, who had never even seen a woman, to win the heart of a young girl was truly a difficult task for him.

While there was some distance between Tang San and Cheng Xiao, their relationship hadn't reached the point of a falling out. They would still greet each other normally. As for what had happened in the Spirit Hunting Forest, both of them tacitly agreed not to mention it again. After all, bringing up that incident could potentially lead to a complete rift between the two.

This time, Cheng Xiao set out to hunt for a spirit ring, but he didn't ask any of the academy's teachers to accompany him. Instead, he rented a carriage with the gold spirit coins he had saved over two years and left Nuoding City with Xiao Wu.

Cheng Xiao didn't mind Xiao Wu tagging along for the spirit hunt. After all, he didn't need to kill spirit beasts to obtain a spirit ring. If Xiao Wu saw anything, then so be it. In her mind, she would probably think of him as a fellow spirit beast in human form.

"Cheng Xiao, what kind of spirit beast are you planning to hunt this time?" Inside the carriage heading to the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Wu looked curiously at Cheng Xiao, who was sitting opposite her.

Cheng Xiao shifted his gaze from the scenery outside and looked at Xiao Wu, replying indifferently, "We'll see when we get there. I'm not sure yet."

Hearing Cheng Xiao's response, Xiao Wu nodded lightly and stopped speaking. She rested her chin on her hand and lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside.

Cheng Xiao's answer clearly surprised Xiao Wu. She couldn't understand why someone like Cheng Xiao, who had advanced seven levels in two years, still hadn't decided on the type of spirit beast he needed. Usually, before a Spirit Master hunted for a spirit ring, they would have a clear idea of the type and attribute of the spirit beast they needed, so they could quickly find a suitable spirit ring.

"Cheng Xiao seems different from other Spirit Masters. Maybe I should take this opportunity to tell him my true identity." Xiao Wu thought to herself, but she quickly dismissed the idea.

Nuoding City was far from the Star Dou Great Forest, and even with a rented carriage, it would take a long time to arrive.

Thus, Cheng Xiao chose to spend the time cultivating. After all, he could still increase his level without obtaining spirit rings. The only reason his level hadn't broken through yet was that he hadn't condensed his second spirit ring.

...

A week later, a carriage from Nuoding City stopped at a small town outside the Star Dou Great Forest.

As night fell, it became clear that they wouldn't be able to reach their destination today, so Cheng Xiao instructed the coachman to rest for the night, intending to enter the forest the next day.

Upon entering the town, Cheng Xiao noticed that it was much livelier than Nuoding City. It was three times the size of the academy in Nuoding City. Other than the lack of city walls and guards, it was almost indistinguishable from a regular small city.

Shops lined the streets, offering a wide variety of goods.

Casually glancing around, Cheng Xiao discovered that most of the stores sold items related to Spirit Masters and hunting spirit beasts. Some sold armor, others sold antidotes and recovery potions, and there were even shops selling Spirit Master clothing. Truly, anything you could think of, they had it.

At this moment, Xiao Wu tugged on Cheng Xiao's arm, pointing to an inn ahead and saying, "Cheng Xiao, let's stay here tonight. After sitting in a carriage for a week, I feel exhausted." Hearing this, Cheng Xiao nodded and followed Xiao Wu into the inn.

Once inside, Cheng Xiao planned to book a double room, but Xiao Wu stopped him, claiming they didn't have much money and should save where they could.

Cheng Xiao didn't mind. After all, they had been sharing a bed for two years, so sharing a room now was no big deal.

"Cheng Xiao, let's grab a bite to eat," Xiao Wu said, holding onto Cheng Xiao's arm coquettishly after receiving the room key from the receptionist.

After a week of living in a carriage, she was dying for a proper rest and a decent meal. The hard, dry rations they had been eating were terrible, so now that she finally had the chance, she wanted to treat herself.

Cheng Xiao couldn't help but feel a little helpless at her words, but he found a quiet spot, sat down with Xiao Wu, and ordered some food.

After finishing their meal, the two went upstairs and entered the room they had booked.

"Ah, finally a bed," Xiao Wu exclaimed as she flopped onto the bed. After being cramped in the carriage for several days, lying down felt like heaven.

Cheng Xiao glanced at Xiao Wu on the bed and said, "If you're tired, go to sleep early. I'm going to take a bath. Tomorrow, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for spirit beasts."

Hearing the words "hunt for spirit beasts," Xiao Wu frowned slightly and casually remarked, "Cheng Xiao, do you think there's a way for Spirit Masters to obtain spirit rings without killing spirit beasts, so they can increase their spirit power?"

Cheng Xiao thought for a moment and replied, "There should be a way. If Spirit Masters could get spirit rings without killing spirit beasts, the relationship between spirit beasts and Spirit Masters would likely improve."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up as she asked, "So, you think there's a solution to this problem? If it could be solved, then spirit beasts and Spirit Masters wouldn't have to be in a predator-prey relationship anymore. They could even become friends."

Understanding Xiao Wu's thoughts, Cheng Xiao shook his head slightly. "I'm not sure if they could become friends, but have you considered that even if the issue of spirit rings was resolved, what about spirit bones? Spirit bones from spirit beasts are valuable. If there were no spirit rings, Spirit Masters would turn their attention to spirit bones. In that case, it wouldn't just be about killing spirit beasts for spirit rings."

"Currently, the Spirit Hall has strict rules against excessive hunting of spirit beasts. While they do hunt spirit beasts for spirit rings, they also prevent others from going overboard. Without their control, spirit beasts could be hunted to extinction in less than ten thousand years. If the issue of spirit rings was resolved, spirit bones would be next. And without spirit bones, Spirit Masters would find other ways to exploit spirit beasts. This is the cultivation law of this world; it's not something you or I can easily change."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu fell silent. She clenched her fists, her voice trembling slightly. "Then, Cheng Xiao… do you think spirit beasts deserve to be hunted by Spirit Masters?"

"My opinion doesn't matter. As long as the cultivation system of this world remains the same, the relationship between spirit beasts and Spirit Masters will never change. Spirit Masters need spirit rings from spirit beasts to grow stronger, and spirit beasts kill Spirit Masters because if they don't, they will be killed."

"However, considering the difference in cultivation speed between spirit beasts and Spirit Masters, I'd say that in ten thousand years, the Star Dou Great Forest won't have any spirit beasts left. Spirit Masters with good talent can reach the rank of Titled Douluo in just a few decades, while spirit beasts need tens of thousands of years to compete with humans. In the future, spirit beasts will likely become an endangered species."