Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Xiao Wu moved swiftly. Although Tang San immediately used his Blue Silver Grass to try and pull her back, three soul rings rose from Xiao Wu's body. The next moment, the light from her third soul ring flared brightly as she activated her third soul skill, Teleportation. Her body curled up instantly, and with a light twist of her mouth, she vanished.

Her flexible body barely grazed past the Blue Silver Grass, and by the time she stretched out again, she was already standing in front of Cheng Xiao.

"Xiao Wu, be careful!" Seeing this, Tang San was convinced that Xiao Wu was here to avenge them. However, what he hadn't expected was her courage. She charged straight toward a soul master who had easily defeated Dai Mubai without hesitation.

At this moment, Tang San began to understand why his master had constantly reminded him to pay more attention to Xiao Wu. It turned out that the master had already seen the extraordinary potential within her.

"As expected, trusting the teacher was the right choice," Tang San thought to himself.

At the same time, as Xiao Wu teleported in front of Cheng Xiao, he froze in place.

"Cheng Xiao..." Upon confirming that the boy in front of her was indeed the one she had been thinking about, Xiao Wu could no longer hold back. She rushed forward, throwing her arms around Cheng Xiao. The emotions she had suppressed for so long were finally released. Crystal-clear tears slid down her cheeks, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

"Huh?" Ye Lingling and the Shi brothers were equally taken aback. They thought the adorable girl in front of them was going to attack Cheng Xiao, but now it seemed like something else was going on. Cheng Xiao, too, was stunned. He looked down at Xiao Wu, who was tightly hugging him, unsure of what to do. He could feel her body trembling, as if she was releasing long-suppressed emotions.

But the problem was—wasn't she supposed to be in the Star Dou Forest? Why was she in Suotuo City? "Xiao Wu... you..." Cheng Xiao tried to speak but realized he didn't know what to say. He had originally let Xiao Wu stay in the Star Dou Forest to avoid the eyes of the Spirit Hall. But now that he had acknowledged Chrysanthemum Douluo as his master—though only in name—he at least had some powerful backing. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, was different. She was a transformed spirit beast, and if she was discovered, Bibi Dong would surely send people after her.

However, the thing that puzzled Cheng Xiao the most was why Xiao Wu, who had returned to the Star Dou Forest, had appeared in Suotuo City and become a student of Shrek Academy. And if she had sneaked out on her own, why would she have chosen Shrek Academy?

Tang San stood at a distance, watching the scene with mixed emotions. He had originally thought that Xiao Wu had come to help them teach their opponent a lesson, but now it seemed something was off. Moreover, Tang San had assumed that Xiao Wu cared about him. Yet now, looking at the scene before him, he realized he had completely misread the situation.

Feeling a sense of humiliation, Tang San clenched his fists tightly, his gaze toward Xiao Wu darkening with a hint of gloom.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were also shocked by what they were witnessing. The usually quiet and focused-on-training Xiao Wu was acting so strangely upon seeing this boy. Could there be something between the two of them?

"Cheng Xiao... I'm sorry." Xiao Wu slowly raised her head, her eyes reddened from crying, like two gleaming rubies. She gazed at Cheng Xiao, her eyes filled with complex emotions. After a moment, she softly said, "I didn't fulfill the promise between us. I'm sorry."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiao sighed and then reached out to gently pat her head, smiling softly. "It's okay. I trust you."

Just then, a deep voice suddenly interrupted Cheng Xiao and Xiao Wu's conversation.

"Cheng Xiao, what are you... doing?"

With the sound of that deep voice, Xiao Wu quickly let go of Cheng Xiao, her face flushing red as she stood to the side, the rabbit ears on top of her head turning slightly pink.

Cheng Xiao turned around to see Qin Ming approaching with Yu Tianheng and several others. There was a puzzled look in his bright eyes.

Upon hearing the voice, Cheng Xiao was about to say something, but Xiao Wu tugged at his arm. Under the curious gazes of the others, she blushed and said, "I... I'll head back to join Rongrong and the others first. You deal with your matters."

After saying that, Xiao Wu turned and ran off without looking back. Cheng Xiao watched her retreating figure, only to inadvertently catch sight of a gloomy stare. Following that gaze, he saw Tang San. "When Teacher Qin called my name just now, he must have recognized me too, right?" Cheng Xiao thought to himself.

As Xiao Wu returned to the group, Tang San's face darkened as he strode off with Oscar and the others in the direction of Shrek Academy.

Before leaving, both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing glanced back at Cheng Xiao. However, it was only a fleeting glance before they turned their gazes away.

Watching the departing figures of the Shrek group, Qin Ming frowned slightly before turning to Ye Lingling and asking, "Lingling, did you guys get into a fight with someone?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling didn't hide anything and recounted the events of the day, including how she had been harassed by Ma Hongjun, and how Cheng Xiao had stepped in to defend her, which led to them being confronted.

"Someone came looking for revenge?" Qin Ming gave Cheng Xiao a curious look and asked, "So, according to Lingling, they harassed her, you stood up for her, and now you've even won the heart of one of their academy's girls?"

"???" Cheng Xiao was dumbfounded by Qin Ming's words. How was he supposed to respond to that?

Seeing Cheng Xiao's flustered reaction, Qin Ming chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "I was just joking with you. You did well. Sometimes people like that need to be taught a lesson."

"By the way, Lingling, did they say which academy they were from?"

Ye Lingling thought for a moment and replied, "I think they said they were from Shrek Academy."

"Shrek Academy?" Qin Ming's expression changed slightly at the mention of the name. He asked, "Did they also say something about soul masters who avoid conflict being cowards?"

"I'm not sure," Ye Lingling shook her head slightly.

"What's the matter, Teacher? Do you know them?" Seeing Qin Ming's discomfort, Yu Tianheng couldn't help but ask.

"Don't ask too much, Tianheng," Qin Ming waved his hand and said, "Let's rest for now. You have a spirit battle tomorrow. Don't let this affect your training."

"Yes, Teacher." The members of the Huangdou team responded in unison and followed Qin Ming's lead toward Rose Hotel, the only hotel in Suotuo City.

Walking at the back of the group, Cheng Xiao couldn't stop thinking about why Xiao Wu had appeared at Shrek Academy. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts always led back to one person: Tang San's father, the rank ninety-five Title Douluo, Tang Hao.

"What's wrong?" Ye Lingling's cold voice suddenly broke his thoughts.

"Nothing, just thinking about a few things," Cheng Xiao casually replied.

"Hmm..."