Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Da Ming!"

Upon hearing the Sky Azure Bull Python speak, Xiao Wu, who was helping Cheng Xiao up, turned around and glared at it, displeased.

The Sky Azure Bull Python shrank its head back awkwardly and fell silent.

Beside it, the Titan Giant Ape scratched its head in confusion. Seeing its elder brother quiet down, it too refrained from speaking, afraid of upsetting Xiao Wu.

Cheng Xiao, supported by Xiao Wu, sat down to rest under a large tree. The presence of the two Forest Kings nearby caused the surrounding soul beasts to retreat far away. Not long ago, they had all sensed a deadly aura, as if a single misstep would send them to their final rest.

Initially, the soul beasts had been eager to witness how the two great kings of the forest would kill the human, but now they had fled in terror, distancing themselves from the two monarchs.

---

A few hours later...

Cheng Xiao slowly opened his eyes as his soul power and shadow force had mostly recovered. In front of him, the two great kings of the forest were lazily drawing circles on the ground. When they saw him wake up, they no longer held the same tense hostility as before and instead gave him a friendly smile.

Cheng Xiao nodded slightly and was about to get up and stretch, but he suddenly realized that Xiao Wu had fallen asleep, leaning on his right shoulder. He was momentarily taken aback.

"Human boy, I hope you don't hold a grudge over what happened before. I only did it to protect Sister Xiao Wu," the Sky Azure Bull Python explained, moving its head closer to Cheng Xiao.

"Sister Xiao Wu is currently in the process of transforming from a soul beast into human form. Though low-level soul masters can't see her true form, if she encounters a Soul Douluo or even a Titled Douluo, her identity will be exposed."

"So, I beg you—when you and Sister Xiao Wu return to human society, please protect her. I can tell that Xiao Wu... relies on you a lot."

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao sighed. Faced with the Sky Azure Bull Python's request, he found himself at a loss. He could indeed protect Xiao Wu, but how? Protect her in front of Tang Hao?

Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo, one of the strongest on the continent. Right now, Cheng Xiao was only a two-ring Soul Grandmaster.

There was no chance of victory if he were to face Tang Hao with his current strength. Unless Xiao Wu stayed in the Star Dou Forest to grow stronger before venturing out again.

But would Xiao Wu be willing to stay in the forest? If she were, she wouldn't have left the Star Dou Forest in the first place and met Tang San.

However, due to his influence, Xiao Wu and Tang San had not developed the deep relationship they had in the original timeline. So, what would Tang Hao do now? Thinking about this made Cheng Xiao's head hurt. Currently, Xiao Wu was under Tang Hao's watchful eye. If she didn't return with him, Tang Hao would likely come looking for him within the night. That would be... quite interesting.

"Senior Da Ming, I will do my best to protect Xiao Wu," Cheng Xiao said seriously.

"Thank you, human boy," the Sky Azure Bull Python said gratefully. "By the way, I don't know your name yet. May I ask?"

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao smiled and said, "Senior Da Ming, you can just call me Cheng Xiao."

"Cheng Xiao..." The Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes brightened. "Good name."

"Cheng Xiao, in the future, when you see me and my younger brother, you can call us Da Ming and Er Ming. Sister Xiao Wu often calls us that."

"Alright, from now on, I'll call you Da Ming and Er Ming."

The three—Cheng Xiao and the two soul beasts—exchanged glances and smiled, except for Xiao Wu, who was still asleep.

---

After a few days of interaction, Da Ming and Er Ming came to understand Cheng Xiao better. The only thing that made them uncomfortable was Xiao Wu snuggling into Cheng Xiao's arms at night. Other than that, everything was fine.

However, thinking about their beloved Sister Xiao Wu leaving the Star Dou Forest and falling into the arms of a human made Da Ming and Er Ming feel a bit melancholic.

As Xiao Wu's younger brothers, though, as long as she was happy and had met a good human, they wouldn't have much to say. Xiao Wu's happiness was enough for them.

After these few bittersweet yet joyful days together, the time for farewell finally arrived.

After all, Cheng Xiao and Xiao Wu were still students, not fully graduated soul masters.

As they prepared to leave, Da Ming and Er Ming were reluctant but understood the realities of human society. Though unwilling to part, they did not try to keep them from going.

"Cheng Xiao, I hope the next time we meet, you'll have become a strong warrior. By then, the two of us will have a good sparring session," the Titan Giant Ape said, scratching its head with a goofy smile.

Somehow, after spending a few days with Cheng Xiao, the Titan Giant Ape had picked up the habit of scratching its head, which, considering its mountain-like body, gave it an oddly endearing charm.

"Alright, when I become a Titled Douluo, we'll have a proper spar," Cheng Xiao replied with a smile.

The Sky Azure Bull Python also nodded and said, "I'm entrusting Sister Xiao Wu to you. If you encounter something you can't solve, come to the Star Dou Forest anytime."

"Alright, farewell, Da Ming, Er Ming."

Cheng Xiao waved to the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape. Then, naturally holding Xiao Wu's hand, the two of them smiled at each other and set off on their return journey to Nuoding Academy.

---

A few days later, at Nuoding Academy.

After tireless training, Tang San had successfully reached level 20. Eager to obtain his second soul ring, he quickly found Grandmaster, asking him to take him to acquire it.

Even before Tang San reached level 20, Grandmaster had already chosen the soul beast for his second ring. With the help of Nuoding Academy's headmaster, Ma Nuo, Tang San successfully hunted down a 600-year-old plant-type soul beast: the Ghost Vine.

The Ghost Vine is an incredibly terrifying plant-type soul beast with strong neurotoxins. Anyone, whether soul master or soul beast, pierced by its thorns would dissolve into a puddle of goo in a matter of moments, becoming nourishment for the vine.

Experienced soul masters have ways to guard against the vine's thorns and poison, such as antidotes or wearing armor to protect their exposed skin, thus neutralizing the vine's primary threat.

But the most fearsome ability of the Ghost Vine is called "Parasitism." During its attacks, it releases countless tiny seeds that directly parasitize its enemies.

After absorbing the second soul ring, Tang San's overall attributes were greatly enhanced. His Blue Silver Grass became not only more resilient but also began to take on the appearance of the Ghost Vine. By this point, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was starting to resemble the vine's form.