Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"White Tiger, possess!"

Dai Mubai gave a low shout, his evil eyes emitting a strange light. Three soul rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—rose from beneath his feet, and he charged directly at Cheng Xiao.

"First Soul Skill: Bind!"

The moment Dai Mubai rushed forward, Tang San also unleashed his own soul skill. Dozens of thick Blue Silver Grass vines followed closely behind Dai Mubai, winding toward Cheng Xiao from all directions.

The sudden attack from both Dai Mubai and Tang San surprised Cheng Xiao slightly, but in the face of their assault, he calmly raised his hand. His slightly curled fingers abruptly spread open, and an invisible pressure surged forth, causing even the surrounding space to distort slightly.

"Ruler's Authority!"

An intangible force erupted from Cheng Xiao. Dai Mubai's charging figure seemed to freeze in place as if immobilized, and his upright posture bent under the pressure. Even the Blue Silver Grass that followed him fell limply to the ground.

However, just as Dai Mubai was rendered immobile by the Ruler's Authority, Cheng Xiao's legs had already been entangled by the Blue Silver Grass. The poisonous thorns on the vines pierced his skin.

A sharp pain shot up from the skin on his legs. Before Cheng Xiao could even react, the pain quickly turned into numbness.

Tang San was determined not to let the same thing happen three times. When Cheng Xiao raised his hand earlier, Tang San had already devised a countermeasure. As long as Dai Mubai was restrained, his Blue Silver Grass could silently bind Cheng Xiao.

But just as Tang San successfully restrained Cheng Xiao and was about to free Dai Mubai using the Blue Silver Grass, a cold voice echoed throughout the arena.

"Do you think he's competing in a solo fight?"

As this icy voice fell, a pink light descended from the sky. The light took the form of flower petals, gently drifting down and releasing a faint fragrance.

In the next moment, Cheng Xiao felt the numbness caused by the poison in his legs instantly disappear. Though he wasn't truly threatened by the Blue Silver Grass's toxin, the sensation of receiving assistance was quite pleasant.

Cracking his neck, dark purple light flashed in Cheng Xiao's eyes. In the blink of an eye, he raised his hand and clenched it in midair. In his palm, golden soul power gathered like a trickling stream. As the sacred energy coalesced, a golden longsword slowly emerged.

This golden sword was different from Qian Renxue's Divine Sword. Although the blade shimmered with radiant golden light, the hilt was shrouded in a deep shadow.

"Dai Boss, be careful!" The moment Tang San saw the golden sword in Cheng Xiao's hand, he hurriedly warned Dai Mubai.

"It's you who should be careful!" Cheng Xiao coldly glanced at Tang San. The next second, he flicked his wrist, and with a piercing whistle, the golden sword shot forward like a cannonball.

The golden sword tore through the air, stirring the wind in its wake.

Tang San's heart sank. He swiftly used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to dodge the incoming golden sword.

However, Cheng Xiao had already activated his "Throwing Daggers" ability when he flung the golden sword. Although the weapon wasn't a dagger, the key was that Cheng Xiao was the user, and the ability's name didn't limit the type of weapon that could be thrown.

As the golden sword shot towards him, Tang San's expression grew grave. He realized that he seemed to be locked onto. No matter how he used his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, the sword's trajectory remained unchanged.

"Damn, I'll have to take it head-on." Tang San gritted his teeth, his hands glowing with a soft white light. Raising both hands, he put all his strength into catching the golden sword. But the moment his hands touched the sword, an overwhelming force surged through him, threatening to tear his hands apart.

What shocked him even more was that the soul power within his body began to rapidly dissipate under the impact of this force, as if it were being devoured by an invisible power.

This sudden turn of events sent cold sweat dripping down Tang San's forehead. He used all his strength to stabilize himself, but the sheer power behind the golden sword was too much. His feet slid back several meters across the ground before he barely managed to hold his stance.

Looking down at his hands, Tang San saw that the once-bright white glow had dimmed significantly, and sharp pain radiated from his palms as if they were being scorched by fire.

Moreover, a significant portion of his soul power had been consumed by the attack. If the fight continued at this rate, he'd soon have to rely on his hidden weapons.

Luckily, after a brief struggle, the golden sword dissipated before it could completely drain his soul power. Otherwise, Tang San would have been left powerless.

"Little San, are you okay?" After the golden sword vanished, the restrictions on Dai Mubai were lifted. Instead of immediately launching another attack on Cheng Xiao, Dai Mubai rushed to Tang San's side, his voice filled with concern.

Dai Mubai knew very well that he couldn't defeat Cheng Xiao on his own. Only by teaming up with Tang San could they have a chance at victory. And only then could he cleanse himself of his shame!

"I'm fine." Tang San waved him off, though his face was pale.

Hearing this, Dai Mubai nodded, then turned his gaze toward Ye Lingling, who stood behind Cheng Xiao. He whispered to Tang San, "Little San, after I start fighting him again, you should go deal with that support-type spirit master. Distract him so that he can't help his teammates. I refuse to believe he can fight me while still lending them aid."

Tang San silently agreed with Dai Mubai's plan, lightly brushing his hand against his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges. In an instant, his hand was filled with numerous tiny silver needles.

"Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

With a loud roar, Dai Mubai's already muscular body expanded even further, his muscles bulging out to exaggerated proportions. His upper garments were completely torn apart, revealing a terrifyingly muscular physique.

Black stripes appeared on his forehead, eventually forming a faint "King" symbol.

"Go die!" Dai Mubai's body erupted with energy, his enlarged tiger claws extending ten bright silver blades. After using his third soul skill, his body seemed to be coated in gold, and his blood-red eyes radiated a murderous glint.

Facing Dai Mubai's ferocious assault, Cheng Xiao didn't use Ruler's Authority this time. Instead, he clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming with cold light. Black smoke erupted from his body as the power of shadows gathered in his fist, which shimmered faintly with golden light.

In the next instant, Cheng Xiao's figure shot forward, moving so fast that he turned into a black blur. His shadow-infused fist collided head-on with Dai Mubai's extended claws.

Boom!

The violent clash of forces caused a shockwave that swept through the arena. The force of the impact was so strong that it made spectators instinctively shield their faces from the blast.

"Dai Boss!" Tang San anxiously shouted, as the explosive sound of energy echoed across the battlefield. A battered white figure was sent flying from the stage and crashed heavily onto the ground.

In the ensuing silence, the faint sound of bones breaking could be heard...