Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Xiao... Wu... Sister!"

The Titan Giant Ape was a bit anxious. It hadn't expected that after only two years away from the Star Dou Forest, Xiao Wu would be taken in by a human's lies. After all, the relationship between humans and spirit beasts was that of hunter and prey!

"Second brother."

From the depths of the forest, another heavy voice echoed.

Looking towards the source of the voice, a massive figure with the head of a bull and the body of a serpent appeared. It was none other than one of the two emperors of the Star Dou Forest, the Azure Bull Python! Upon seeing the newcomer, Cheng Xiao's pupils involuntarily shrank. The Azure Bull Python gave off an even stronger sense of oppression than the Titan Giant Ape. While the Titan Giant Ape's intimidation came from its sheer size, the Azure Bull Python's presence was suffocating.

He looked at the bull's head, which had a diameter of at least four meters. Its two massive lantern-like eyes gleamed, and its entire body was a dark blue-black. Its enormous snake-like body, several times thicker than a water barrel, made Cheng Xiao gulp quietly.

"Xiao Wu Sister, why do you trust this human so much?" the Azure Bull Python asked, not paying any attention to Cheng Xiao, who was being shielded behind Xiao Wu. "There is no trace of a spirit beast's aura on him. Everything he's told you is clearly a lie meant to deceive you. He's not a spirit beast in human form!"

As the Azure Bull Python spat out its last word, its eyes instantly filled with killing intent. A mere human Spirit Master who wasn't even at the third ring dared to deceive their Xiao Wu Sister and had even discovered her true identity. This human couldn't be allowed to live.

Sensing the killing intent from the Azure Bull Python, Cheng Xiao trembled slightly. Then, a dark purple light flickered deep within his eyes. He lifted his head and, facing the murderous hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, said calmly, "I may not be a spirit beast in human form, but I don't need to hunt spirit beasts to obtain spirit rings. In a way, that means we aren't enemies, right?"

"Ridiculous! How can you prove you have such an ability?" the Azure Bull Python scoffed at Cheng Xiao's words. "Since ancient times, the relationship between Spirit Masters and spirit beasts has been one of irreconcilable opposition. If things were truly as you say, why has the conflict between spirit beasts and human Spirit Masters reached this point?"

The Azure Bull Python's voice dripped with mockery. As a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, it couldn't believe Cheng Xiao's crude lies. If Spirit Masters could truly advance without needing spirit beasts' rings, then why were the creatures of the Star Dou Forest constantly being hunted?

Xiao Wu, who was standing protectively in front of Cheng Xiao, heard the Azure Bull Python's words and felt conflicted. She turned back to look at Cheng Xiao's ever-calm face. For some reason, she had an urge to trust him.

Over the past two years, Xiao Wu couldn't claim to understand Cheng Xiao deeply, but the time they had spent together had formed a bond. Every time they shared a bed, she would always take up two-thirds of it, leaving the last third for Cheng Xiao to sleep on.

Whenever she woke up, Xiao Wu would feel terribly embarrassed, but Cheng Xiao never scolded her. He would simply pat her head and take her to the cafeteria for breakfast before attending class. That's how they spent most of the past two years together.

Though it was quite boring at first, as Xiao Wu learned more alongside Cheng Xiao, she gradually began to enjoy this routine. She even started showing up for class more punctually than Cheng Xiao.

Of course, it wasn't the classes that she enjoyed—it was the feeling of doing everything with Cheng Xiao, being together no matter what. Deep down, she had already accepted Cheng Xiao and chosen to believe in him.

"Da Ming, Er Ming." Xiao Wu took a deep breath and looked seriously at her two younger brothers, whose eyes were filled with murderous intent. "I believe in Cheng Xiao. Even if he isn't a spirit beast in human form, even if he's just a human, I still choose to trust him."

Hearing these words, the killing intent in the Azure Bull Python's eyes intensified. Its enormous lantern-like eyes fixed on Cheng Xiao, glinting unpredictably. "Human, I don't know what you've said or done to Xiao Wu Sis, but if you ever harm her or expose her identity, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth and kill you!"

With that, the Azure Bull Python let out a low growl. Instantly, the ground shook, and all the spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest began to gather, bowing slightly toward the two emperors of the forest in a show of submission.

Seeing this, Cheng Xiao smirked slightly and clasped his hands together. "Since the esteemed Azure Bull Python doubts me so much, and I haven't yet condensed my second spirit ring, why don't I do it right here in front of both of you? That way, you won't see me as an enemy, will you?"

The Azure Bull Python snorted coldly. "Human, don't think you can fool us with tricks we don't understand. A Spirit Master can't advance without a spirit beast's ring. That's a fact."

"But there are always exceptions, aren't there?" Cheng Xiao responded with a smile. "I understand your hatred toward humans, Azure Bull Python, but I've known Xiao Wu for over two years. If I was after her hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, do you think I would bring her back to the Star Dou Forest?"

"On the contrary, I don't need her spirit ring, nor do I need to hunt spirit beasts to obtain spirit rings. But just as you guessed, such a thing is unheard of."

"Now, I'm in the same position as Xiao Wu. Though I'm human, I don't need to hunt spirit beasts to advance. If human Spirit Masters knew about this, do you think I'd still be standing safely here in front of you?"

Cheng Xiao's words not only left the Azure Bull Python silent, but also stunned the Titan Giant Ape, Xiao Wu, and even the spirit beasts that had gathered to pay homage to their emperors.

Once a spirit beast reached the ten-thousand-year level, it gained intelligence. So, they could understand the meaning behind Cheng Xiao's words. If what he said was true, how was his situation in the Spirit Master world any different from that of a spirit beast in human form?

Xiao Wu looked at Cheng Xiao's calm face, her beautiful eyes curving into crescent moons. She was now completely convinced of the truth in his words.

"Fine, I'll trust you this once. You haven't condensed your second spirit ring, have you?" the Azure Bull Python's voice rumbled like thunder. "Then do it here, in front of all the spirit beasts. If you succeed, not only will I stay out of your and Xiao Wu's business, but if you ever face trouble, come to the Star Dou Forest, and Er Ming and I will do our best to help you. How about that?"

"Big brother!" The Titan Giant Ape looked at the Azure Bull Python in shock. It hadn't expected its brother to make such a promise. If this human really succeeded, wouldn't they be forced to support him?

The Azure Bull Python ignored the Titan Giant Ape, its eyes still fixed on Cheng Xiao. It wanted to see for itself how this human, who wasn't a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in disguise, planned to condense a spirit ring.