Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

After carrying Tang San and the Grandmaster down the mountain, Flender and Liu Erlong didn't return to the camp immediately. Due to their poisoning, their soul power was recovering slowly, forcing them to move at a sluggish pace.

To avoid attacks from spirit beasts, they chose to rest at the foot of the mountain, setting down the unconscious Tang San carefully. Flender, unable to meet Liu Erlong's gaze, whispered apologetically, "Erlong, I'm sorry. If I hadn't done it, we would all have died."

"Boss Flender, it's not your fault," Liu Erlong shook her head and murmured, "If Xiaogang were conscious, he would've agreed with what you did too."

Having narrowly escaped death, Liu Erlong felt the preciousness of being alive. She could accept dying beside the Grandmaster, but that's only when there was no other option. Given a chance to live, it's only human to choose survival.

"E-Erlong… my… my legs… they're numb… I can't feel them." At that moment, the Grandmaster, who had been laid on a stone, woke up. Pain shot through his body, and though he tried to move, he was horrified to find he couldn't even twitch.

"Xiaogang, you're awake!" Liu Erlong rushed to his side, trying to help him sit up. But perhaps Flender had been too heavy-handed when he knocked him out, as the master couldn't even stand.

"Why… can't I move?" The master looked stupefied. He vaguely remembered being punched unconscious, then briefly waking up when someone struck him repeatedly with a stone. He must have fainted again from the pain.

"Ahem, Xiaogang, why did Tang San end up in Dugu Bo's medicine garden? Don't tell me he actually went to steal herbs?" Seeing the Grandmaster's miserable state, Flender quickly changed the subject to avoid further awkwardness.

"Flender, don't slander my student. There's no way he would steal Dugu Bo's herbs!" the Grandmaster shouted, his expression twisting in pain. Despite this, he firmly added, "It's just Dugu Bo's excuse to kill Xiao San out of jealousy over his talent."

"Don't get worked up! If Dugu Bo finds out we're still here and talking badly about him, do you want to die all over again?" Flender motioned for silence, quickly adding, "Relax, I checked Xiao San's body. He's fine, just a few broken bones. Once we're back, I'll get him treated, and he'll be alright."

"Besides, let's not mention this to the kids. Now that Dugu Bo knows who Tang San's father is, he won't touch him. We'll lay low for now and stay far away from Dugu Bo. After all, he is a Titled Douluo."

"Flender, don't you have any spine?" The Grandmaster trembled in anger. "He treated my student like that, and you just want to let it go?"

Flender retorted, "Then what do you suggest? Should we go get ourselves killed? Didn't you see him easily shatter our Triangular Spirit Fusion Skill?"

The Grandmaster sighed, knowing that Flender was right. He couldn't swallow his resentment, but challenging Dugu Bo would mean certain death.

"Fine, let's just leave it for now. When we return, we'll gather people to look for Xiao San's father. Once we find him, we won't need to fear Dugu Bo, the weakest Titled Douluo of them all."

Flender nodded. By now, the soul power of the three had recovered slightly, and though the master couldn't move, at least he was awake.

Afterwards, Flender and Liu Erlong carried the master and Tang San back toward the camp.

On the way, the master couldn't resist asking, "Erlong, Flender, do you know who beat me up like this?"

"…"

---

A Few Days Later, at Heaven Dou Royal Academy

After returning from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Cheng Xiao headed straight for the dorms. He'd been gone for quite a while, and although his soul power had improved, he needed to check in.

Of course, Dugu Bo played a role in this return as well. The old man suddenly wanted to check on his granddaughter Dugu Yan's progress. Dugu Bo figured that if he brought Cheng Xiao along, it would look less suspicious than him going alone so often.

Walking along a tree-lined path, Dugu Bo and Cheng Xiao slowed as they reached a massive, nearly thousand-square-foot residence—more like a mansion than a house.

As Heaven Dou Royal Academy's premier team, the Emperor Team enjoyed top-tier treatment. To foster team unity, they lived together in this shared residence, though each member had their own luxurious room.

Inside, Cheng Xiao and Dugu Bo immediately saw Dugu Yan, who was deep in training. Since taking the Earth Dragon Gourd, her martial spirit had evolved into the Jade Phosphorus Serpent Emperor. Now, her skin bore scales resembling those of the Jade Phosphorus Serpent Emperor, somewhat like the dragon transformation effect of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, though weaker.

After all, the difference between a dragon and a snake is substantial.

"Heh, brat, gotta admit, that old Chrysanthemum Douluo's herb is useful." Dugu Bo smirked as he watched the four soul rings surrounding Dugu Yan and rubbed his chin with satisfaction.

"Pff, if my teacher heard that, he'd start an argument with you again," Cheng Xiao replied, shaking his head. The two elderly experts usually got along, but one mention of each other's nicknames and sparks would fly.

"Cheng Xiao? Senior Dugu? What are you doing here?" On the second-floor staircase, Yu Tianheng appeared, followed by Yu Feng, Oslo, and others.

Seeing Yu Tianheng and the others, Cheng Xiao smiled in greeting but didn't say anything, not wanting to disturb Dugu Yan's training.

Unlike Cheng Xiao, Dugu Bo glared at Yu Tianheng, his face dark. After the recent events, his feelings toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan had soured. And to make things worse, the young man in front of him fancied his granddaughter, which only added to his frustration.

At times, Dugu Bo even thought it'd be better if Dugu Yan paired up with Cheng Xiao. But his silly granddaughter had her heart set on Yu Tianheng, and as her grandfather, he couldn't interfere.

Of course, Dugu Bo knew Yu Tianheng wasn't responsible for his grievances with the clan. But he couldn't help the annoyance and huffed before looking away.

Dugu Bo's behavior left Yu Tianheng puzzled. He wondered what he'd done to earn such treatment. "Cheng Xiao, did I do something wrong?" Yu Tianheng asked, keeping his voice low.

"Don't worry. He's just upset with a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial spirit master. He won't take it out on you, but don't expect him to be friendly either," Cheng Xiao reassured him.