Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Sunset Forest, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Beside the spring, Cheng Xiao was fiddling with a mysterious glove he had acquired from the auction house.

Cheng Xiao still hadn't figured out how to activate this mysterious glove. Even when he wore it, it didn't seem to have any special effects.

To be precise, the mysterious glove wasn't actually a glove. Technically, it was a dragon claw. It just hadn't been activated yet, which was why it couldn't reveal its true form.

At the auction, Cheng Xiao had sensed something from this dragon claw. Even though that person had their back to him, Cheng Xiao could still recognize who they were: one of the Nine Monarchs, the Destruction Monarch—the King Dragons.

The Dragon Emperor—Antares! Cheng Xiao was skeptical about whether the Dragon Emperor could truly descend upon the Douluo Continent. After all, his Spirit, the Shadow Monarch, had already returned to rest in another world, and the Dragon Emperor should have followed the same fate.

So, when Cheng Xiao saw the image of the Dragon Emperor on this dragon claw, he was confused. According to the universe of Solo Leveling, the Dragon Emperor had already been killed by the second-generation Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin Woo, and had returned to eternal rest.

Could it be possible that the Dragon Emperor, like Cheng Xiao's Shadow Monarch Spirit, had left behind some part of his power? Or perhaps the Dragon Emperor from another world had sensed the power of the Shadow Monarch and followed it here? After all, if the Shadow Monarch had appeared in the Douluo universe, his mortal enemy, the Dragon Emperor, might very well have the ability to arrive here too.

"Whatever. What's meant to come will come. If the Dragon Emperor does truly descend upon the Douluo Continent, the best thing I can do right now is to increase my strength." Cheng Xiao placed the dragon claw on the ground and looked up at the sky with a trace of melancholy, muttering to himself.

He had been studying this dragon claw for several days without making any progress. Considering it was his mortal enemy's weapon, it wasn't surprising that he couldn't figure out how to use it.

At that moment, a cloud of poison mist appeared, followed by the gradual manifestation of Dugu Bo's figure in front of Cheng Xiao.

"Cheng Xiao, have you found out how to use that glove yet?" Dugu Bo approached Cheng Xiao, peering curiously at the mysterious glove that lay on the ground.

"No," Cheng Xiao shook his head slightly and picked up the dragon claw, responding to Dugu Bo.

"Tsk, this thing is really mysterious. Even though it's just an inanimate object, my poison can't erode it. It seems like it has quite the impressive origin," Dugu Bo marveled, observing the dragon claw in Cheng Xiao's hand.

Since returning from the auction in Heaven Dou, Dugu Bo had gone to great lengths to determine the material of the glove, but to no avail.

When he applied his prized serpent venom to the claw, it had no effect. What surprised him even more was that the poison seemed to burn away on its own shortly after touching the dragon claw.

"Yeah, its origin is quite terrifying too," Cheng Xiao sighed as he placed the dragon claw back down.

"Don't worry. No matter how impressive its origin, with my strength as a Titled Douluo, I can still keep you safe," Dugu Bo boasted confidently.

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao chuckled. He hadn't told Dugu Bo about the Dragon Emperor, so the old man assumed the owner of the claw was no more than a Titled Douluo. That's why he dared to talk so boldly.

Still, Cheng Xiao trusted Dugu Bo. When that day came, he hoped the old man would flee far away. At least then, he might survive.

"By the way, give me back my poison bead." Dugu Bo held out his hand and gestured at Cheng Xiao.

"How am I supposed to return it?" Cheng Xiao's face immediately darkened. "Weren't you the one who put it inside my body? How do you expect me to take it out and give it back?"

"Heh, I have my ways." Dugu Bo let out a sly laugh. "Back then, I was worried you'd poison me to death, so I had no choice but to place my life essence poison bead inside you. You didn't think you'd keep it forever, did you?"

"Are you serious?" Cheng Xiao smiled and said, "This poison bead is pretty useful for my cultivation. If it's not that important to you, it can stay in me."

"Hah, you've got a good plan, haven't you?" Dugu Bo snorted, flicking Cheng Xiao on the head. Then, as Cheng Xiao yelped in pain, Dugu Bo pressed his palm against Cheng Xiao's abdomen. A surge of heat caused Cheng Xiao's dantian to tighten.

A moment later, with Dugu Bo's guidance, a hot stream flowed up through Cheng Xiao's throat. He opened his mouth slightly, and a green-glowing bead floated out, landing in Dugu Bo's palm.

"Ugh, why does this feel a bit disgusting?" Dugu Bo grimaced, staring at the bead in his hand.

Cheng Xiao's face turned black. "You didn't call it disgusting when you had me swallow it in the first place." Dugu Bo chuckled awkwardly, realizing Cheng Xiao had a point.

Without the constant erosion of poison, Dugu Bo's appearance had changed noticeably. His once green hair had turned gray, and apart from his green eyes, most of the green on his body had faded.

After receiving the blessing of poison immunity, Dugu Bo's poison arts had also improved significantly. Poisons he once dared not experiment with were now under his control, and his strength had increased from level 91 to level 92.

Moreover, Dugu Bo felt that it wouldn't be long before he could break through to level 93. It was only a matter of time.

Dugu Bo was more than satisfied with his current condition. Not only was he immune to poison, but his spirit power had also increased, making it an unexpected bonus.

"Cheng Xiao, you've been staying with me for a while now. Don't you plan on returning to the academy to continue your studies?" Dugu Bo asked after some thought.

"Hm? Back to the academy?" Cheng Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled. "That sounds good. Now that your poison has been cured, it's time for me to head back."

Seeming worried that Cheng Xiao might misunderstand, Dugu Bo quickly added, "I'm not trying to kick you out. I just heard from Yan Yan that the All-Continent Spirit Master Elite Tournament is about to start. I wanted to remind you of that. I didn't mean to get rid of you."

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao smiled wryly. "Don't worry, I'm not that petty. Even if you didn't remind me, I would have headed back soon."

Dugu Bo sighed in relief. He knew his earlier words hadn't come out quite right, but hearing Cheng Xiao's understanding response, he smiled in return.

Sitting beside Cheng Xiao near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo spoke in a serious tone, "Kid, I won't lie to you. I've thought about your idea of creating a faction. With our current strength, it's doable, though it'll be a bit tricky."

"The situation on the Douluo Continent is tense right now. The Spirit Hall is the strongest force, with at least ten Titled Douluo. They're unquestionably the number one power on the continent."

"The second most powerful is the Upper Three Sects, led by the Clear Sky Sect. But as you've probably heard, the Clear Sky Sect has gone into seclusion for some time."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, although allied with the Heaven Dou Empire, is still a support-type sect. If the Spirit Hall were determined to wipe them out, they wouldn't stand a chance."

"As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they're weaker. They don't support or oppose anyone, choosing neutrality. But aside from that old dragon, Yu Yuanzhen, there's no one in the clan who can hold up the sky."

"As for the Lower Four Sects, I'd bet they're already under the Spirit Hall's control. With its strength, the Spirit Hall could easily achieve that."

Listening to Dugu Bo's analysis, Cheng Xiao understood the difficulty of establishing a faction, but he wasn't concerned. With his shadow soldiers as a foundation, neither manpower nor strength would be an issue. Once his own level and power increased, his shadow soldiers would all become Titled Douluo!

"Alright, there's no rush to create a faction. I'll think it over carefully first." Cheng Xiao replied.

"That's fine too. But when you do, make sure you build a good relationship with the royal family. With their support, things will be much easier," Dugu Bo advised.

"Leave the royal family to me," Cheng Xiao smiled and stood up, patting Dugu Bo on the shoulder. "I happen to know a friend in the royal family. With his help, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Good. So, should I send you back to the academy or take you to Heaven Dou City first?" Dugu Bo grinned.

"Let's head to Heaven Dou City first," Cheng Xiao replied.

After saying that, Cheng Xiao and Dugu Bo prepared to leave for Heaven Dou City.

However, just as the two were about to leave, the once-calm waters of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well began to boil, and the dragon claw placed on the ground started emitting a faint red glow.

"This dragon claw... has it sensed something?" Cheng Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, and a thought naturally arose.