Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Dugu Bo, accompanied by Dugu Yan, dismounted from the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Spirit and approached Cheng Xiao and Yue Guan, who were sitting cross-legged in meditation. As soon as Yue Guan sensed their arrival, his eyes snapped open.

With curiosity in his voice, Dugu Bo asked, "Chrysanthemum, what are you two up to? Have you found the herbs you need?"

At these words, Yue Guan shot up from the ground, grabbed Dugu Bo's shoulders, and shook him excitedly. "Old Poison, do you even realize the amazing opportunity you've just given me? This is enormous!"

Confused, Dugu Bo freed himself from Yue Guan's grip and scowled. "Chrysanthemum, can you talk like a normal person? Since when did I give you some great opportunity? Are you messing with me?"

"I'm not messing with you!" Yue Guan exclaimed, overflowing with excitement. "This is too good—so good that I can barely believe it myself! Come with me, and I'll explain everything."

Without waiting for a reply, Yue Guan dragged Dugu Bo toward the Ice and FireYin-Yang Well. Dugu Yan could only stand there, stunned, watching her grandfather being whisked away with no way to intervene.

"When did those two get so close?" Dugu Yan muttered to herself. With a small laugh, she crouched before Cheng Xiao, who still had his eyes closed. "They're gone now. Are you really going to keep pretending to meditate?"

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao slowly opened his eyes and raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. He watched Yue Guan and Dugu Bo grow smaller in the distance before standing up with a smile and dusting himself off. "I didn't expect you to come, Sister Yan, but that's perfect. I was going to call you anyway."

"Call me?" Dugu Yan pointed at herself in confusion.

"Yes. You'll understand soon," Cheng Xiao replied with a mysterious grin.

A few moments later, Dugu Bo returned, laughing heartily, holding a small golden gourd the size of a fist. With joy in his eyes, he walked over to Cheng Xiao and Dugu Yan.

"Grandfather, what is that? It looks like a potato," Dugu Yan asked curiously, eyeing the golden gourd.

Dugu Bo chuckled. "Yan'er, don't judge it by its appearance. This is the Golden Dragon Sweet Potato. If you eat it, it could help your Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit evolve. This is a rare opportunity for our lineage of Spirit Masters."

"Really? Just eating this will evolve my Spirit?" Dugu Yan looked at him in disbelief.

Yue Guan's soft voice interjected, "Your grandfather isn't lying. This herb is immensely valuable. There are no risks—only benefits."

Dugu Yan reluctantly accepted the gourd. It wasn't that she doubted them, but the idea of evolving her Spirit just by consuming a herb seemed too incredible.

After Yue Guan carefully explained how to absorb the herb's power, Dugu Yan sat cross-legged and began meditating. She had been stuck at the bottleneck of level 40 for some time. Perhaps today, not only would her Spirit evolve, but she might also break through and become the second member of the Emperor Team to reach rank 40.

As Dugu Yan began her absorption, Dugu Bo sat beside her to guard her. Meanwhile, Yue Guan couldn't wait any longer. He pulled out the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum—a herb he had long coveted. Once consumed, it would grant him an indestructible body and even the chance to break into legendary realms.

Filled with excitement, Yue Guan consumed the herb immediately and began absorbing its power in front of Dugu Bo. Despite their history as enemies, Yue Guan didn't worry about being attacked. After all, being enemies in the past didn't mean they would always remain enemies.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo glanced at Cheng Xiao with curiosity. Using Sound Transmission—a technique only advanced Spirit Masters could use—he asked, "Little one, why aren't you taking any herbs?"

Cheng Xiao shook his head and replied in a low voice, "These herbs won't help me much. My Spirit is already top-tier, so I don't need external enhancements."

A flicker of realization crossed Dugu Bo's face. With a sly smile, he said, "So, you had Yue Guan take a herb and found another one for Yan'er. Don't tell me you're planning to build your own force—and poach elders from Spirit Hall."

Cheng Xiao scratched his nose and shot a glance at Yue Guan. "Well... I did have that thought. Want to join me?"

Dugu Bo gave Cheng Xiao a playful flick on the forehead. "You're bold, kid. But if you want me on your team, you'll need to give me a position worthy of my status. After all, I'm a Titled Douluo."

Rubbing his forehead, Cheng Xiao gave him a begrudging smile. "You're really shameless, old man. But you're right—a Titled Douluo deserves an appropriate role."

Dugu Bo grinned. "Exactly! You can't expect a horse to run without feeding it, right?"

"By the way, if you're going to build a force, you'll need a name. Have you thought of one?"

"I already have a name," Cheng Xiao said, his eyes shining. "In the future, my shadow beasts will grow in number. When that happens, not even the Upper Three Sects or Spirit Hall will be able to stop us. The name of my force will be Shadow Palace."

"Shadow Hall?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow. "Why that name?"

Taking a deep breath, Cheng Xiao snapped his fingers. In an instant, countless shadows emerged from the Ice and FireYin-Yang Well. Their presence sent a chill down Dugu Bo's spine.

"These shadow beasts... can they grow stronger with you?" Dugu Bo asked in disbelief.

Cheng Xiao smiled. "That's right. As my spirit power increases, the strength of my shadow beasts will grow as well. When I reach rank 90, they'll likely be stronger than Spirit Douluo."

Dugu Bo was stunned. The thought of Cheng Xiao's future power was overwhelming. Spirit Hall? The Upper Three Sects? They would all bow before him!

"You're truly a monster, kid," Dugu Bo said, both awed and impressed.

Cheng Xiao's expression remained calm. The real monster wasn't him—it was the Shadow Monarch. Unlike undead creatures summoned by necromancers, his shadow soldiers would grow in intelligence as their master's level increased. They were not mindless—they were powerful and terrifying beyond imagination.