Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Tang San, since you are so eager to have a fight with me, come on then, as you wish." Cheng Xiao looked at Tang San with a cold, detached expression. He raised his finger and made a slicing motion through the air. An invisible blade of energy cut the ropes binding Tang San, causing him to collapse onto the ground.

"Come here!"

As he spoke, Cheng Xiao spread his fingers and fiercely pulled in Tang San's direction. A violent suction force pulled Tang San toward him, leaving no room for resistance.

Dragged forward like an object, Tang San's gloomy eyes were filled with murderous intent. As he looked at Cheng Xiao, who was getting closer and closer, his face remained impassive, but his gaze was laced with extreme hostility.

"Cheng Xiao, you've insulted my teacher multiple times, showing no respect for him. You even colluded with Dugu Bo to seize this treasure-laden place. In my eyes, you are already on the path to death!"

With that, Tang San clenched his right fist tightly. A faint blue soul power gathered around his fist, making a whistling sound as it cut through the air. He punched toward Cheng Xiao with all his might.

Cheng Xiao's eyes turned icy as he sensed the soul power surging toward him. His face remained indifferent as he stood rooted to the spot. Suddenly, he stomped his right foot down, creating a deep imprint on the ground with a burst of power.

His fist clenched, dark purple smoke coiling around it. After a moment's pause, his fist collided heavily with Tang San's.

Bang!

At the moment of impact, a faint sheen appeared over Tang San's right fist. Beneath his feet, his first spirit ring rose up, and his first spirit skill, Bind, was activated.

Dozens of resilient Blue Silver Grass vines shot out from Tang San's hands, aiming to ensnare Cheng Xiao. But just as this scene unfolded, an unexpected turn occurred.

In an instant, a long blade wrapped in dark smoke appeared in Cheng Xiao's left hand. In Tang San's incredulous gaze, streaks of dark light slashed through the air repeatedly.

The next moment, all the Blue Silver Grass vines were shredded to pieces, like plants encountering a sharp blade, each one snapping on contact.

"Chaos Slash!" Cheng Xiao shouted in a low voice, a sound only he could hear. His fist meeting Tang San's unleashed hundreds of strikes in an instant.

Crack!

The sound of bones breaking in Tang San's chest rang out.

Tang San's body flew backward, like a kite with its string cut, crashing into the large tree behind him with such force that it broke the tree, which had been binding the Golden Iron Triangle members.

As he hit the ground, Tang San spat a mouthful of blood, tracing a beautiful arc in the air before splattering onto the ground in front of him.

Watching Tang San cough up blood, Grandmaster's head buzzed, and his vision darkened momentarily. All these years, while he often dreamt of having Tang San prove the importance of his spirit theories, he had come to see Tang San as his own child, as he had no children of his own. Now, seeing his "child" coughing up blood, how could he remain calm?

"No, Xiao San! Xiao San!" Benefitting from the broken tree, Grandmaster rushed to Tang San's side, his chest heaving, panting like an enraged bull, glaring at Cheng Xiao. "Cheng Xiao, he is your classmate! You two studied together at Nuoding Academy for six years and sparred countless times."

"I watched all your duels, yet today, you have the heart to hurt Tang San so grievously. Do you feel no remorse? If I'd known it would come to this, I never should have taken you along to hunt spirit beasts and helped you become a Spirit Master!"

"You ungrateful beast—you deserve to be struck by lightning and be torn to shreds!"

The moment Grandmaster's words finished, a strong gust of wind swept toward him. Before he could react, a massive dragon shrouded in black smoke and wearing black armor, Nash, appeared before him.

"An insect like you dares to insult my king!"

With that, the massive dragon Nash swung a fist, the terrifying power distorting the air.

Boom!

With a thunderous sound, Grandmaster's face twisted in agony as he was sent flying. He wasn't merely thrown back—he was hurled away.

To Nash, such an insignificant being who dared insult his king didn't deserve mercy; merely refraining from reducing him to pulp was already a gracious restraint from his king.

"Xiaogang!" The sudden development left Liu Erlong and Flender stunned. By the time they regained their senses, Grandmaster was already in mid-air.

Seeing her beloved man struck so brutally, Liu Erlong was incensed, her soul power surging as she prepared to fight Nash to the death.

Yet, as soon as she activated her spirit, Nash glanced at her indifferently. The high-ranking dragon bloodline's suppression immediately forced her spirit to dissipate.

"No!" Seeing Liu Erlong's spirit collapse, Flender hurriedly stepped in front of her. "Don't hurt Erlong; if you need to kill, take me instead!"

Watching Flender shield Liu Erlong, Nash instinctively raised a palm to slap him to death. But at that moment, someone patted him on the shoulder.

"Nash, well done." Cheng Xiao patted Nash's shoulder, stopping his actions, then stepped forward to face Flender with a mocking smile. "Dean Flender, long time no see."

Flender hesitated, staring at Cheng Xiao's face. After a long pause, he finally said, "Long time no see."

"I recall that the last time we met, you threatened me. This time, it seems the tables have turned." Cheng Xiao grinned, flashing his gleaming white teeth. But his smile only made Flender's hair stand on end, his courage waver.

"Last time was a misunderstanding—you know, as a dean, I had to…"

"Dean Flender, you truly are a responsible leader. So, here's the deal: given your relationship with Teacher Qin Ming, I'll give you a chance."

Cheng Xiao pointed to the distant, unconscious Grandmaster, then grinned, "You see, today you could have avoided all of this. But your dear friend, to save his precious disciple, dragged you all into this situation, and now, you're all in my hands."

"Now, if you do as I say, I'll plead with Senior Dugu to let you leave safely. How does that sound?"

Hearing this, Flender's body shuddered, his eyes filling with terror. He already guessed what Cheng Xiao might want, but could he really go through with it? Could he harm his friend to secure his own survival?

After a long moment of hesitation, Flender looked back at the pale-faced, exhausted Liu Erlong, then at Tang San, clutching his twisted arm in pain.

Taking a deep breath, Flender made up his mind. To survive, he could only betray Grandmaster.

"Cheng Xiao, I agree to your terms. As long as you let us go safely, I'll do whatever you ask."