Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Nash, you've gone too far." As Nash gazed down at the paralyzed Dugu Bo, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind. It was Cheng Xiao's.

The moment Nash heard this, he immediately knelt down. His massive head pressed heavily into the ground as he responded, "My King..."

"I told you to tone it down, didn't I? Look at you... Ah, forget it. Just transform back for now." Cheng Xiao shook his head with a wry smile as he looked at the earnest dragon Nash.

"The King's grace is boundless." The giant dragon Nash nodded in acknowledgment. Then, in front of the stunned Dugu Bo, he reverted to his human form.

"You can head back now. I'll have a chat with the old poison master," Cheng Xiao said, casting a glance at Nash.

"As you command." Nash bowed respectfully, then melded into a shadow and disappeared into Cheng Xiao's.

With Nash's wings no longer blocking the sky, gentle beams of golden light streamed down into the Yin-Yang Eyes. Dugu Bo, still dazed, finally regained his composure after a long while. His throat dry, he half-jokingly said, "Brat, if anything happens to me, you better take care of me in my old age."

Cheng Xiao chuckled and reassured him, "Don't worry. I'll make sure you're well looked after. You can rest easy and grow old in peace."

"Get lost, you little rascal." Dugu Bo clicked his tongue, playfully scolding Cheng Xiao. "I honestly thought you were messing with me, but you really went through with it."

"Good thing I'm a Title Douluo and have seen all sorts of things. Otherwise, if I ran into a beast that big out of the blue, my soul would've been scared right out of me."

"I wasn't joking to begin with. It's not my fault you didn't believe me," Cheng Xiao laughed.

"Yeah, right! You're so cheeky now at your age. What will you be like when you're older?" Dugu Bo grinned.

"If I'm a cheeky kid, then you're a cheeky old man," Cheng Xiao shot back with a grin.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo only laughed. "Brat, I've seen it all today. A soul beast that size... tsk tsk... I might not see anything like that for the rest of my life."

"But now that you've got such a powerful helper, I guess I don't have to worry about you building your own faction anymore."

"Yes, with Nash's help, we've got a solid foundation for building the faction," Cheng Xiao said with a smile.

With that said, the two shared a knowing look and both began to laugh. No more words were needed.

---

Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Upon returning from Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong immediately sought out Gu Rong, one of the two elders who protected the sect.

"Bone Grandpa, why hasn't Dad come yet? I've got something important to discuss, I'm not just back to play." Ning Rongrong pouted, clearly annoyed.

"My little princess, don't be upset. Your father will be back soon. Isn't Grandpa here to keep you company?" The speaker was a gaunt old man. His frame was astonishingly large, and a wisp of white hair hung down the side of his face.

Ning Rongrong pouted again. "Bone Grandpa, I've grown up. I'm not a little girl anymore."

Hearing this, Gu Rong was momentarily stunned. The little princess had been gone for only a short while, but she seemed like a different person. Could it be that Shrek Academy was really something special? Just then, a voice came from outside the room, "I heard our little troublemaker is back. Where is she? Rongrong, come out and let Dad see if you've grown taller."

At the sound of Ning Fengzhi's voice, Ning Rongrong was about to excitedly rush out but stopped short. She thought to herself that she'd been waiting for so long already. Even though she was no longer the same as before, in front of Ning Fengzhi, she could still briefly revert to being that little troublemaker.

So, Ning Rongrong paused, turned around with a pout, and faced away from the door, pretending to be upset.

Seeing her like this, Gu Rong chuckled. Her lively appearance was indeed a bit different from before.

Moments later, a refined and gentle middle-aged man entered the hall, accompanied by an elderly man with white hair.

These two were none other than Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Chen Xin, one of the two sect elders known as Sword Douluo.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's position as one of the top three sects was due not only to its powerful support abilities but also to the presence of these two Title Douluo. People said, "When sword meets bone and the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect appears, the colorful tower becomes an invincible light."

After entering the hall, Ning Fengzhi immediately spotted his daughter with her back to him. He hurriedly walked up to her, gently patting her shoulder. "Rongrong, did Daddy make you mad? Why are you facing away from me? You've been at the academy for a year now, and I've missed you so much."

"Miss me? Does saying that make your conscience hurt, Dad? You were probably happy I wasn't around," Ning Rongrong retorted, then ran over to the white-haired elder behind Ning Fengzhi, jumping into his arms. She tilted her face up and said softly, "Sword Grandpa, I missed you so much. Not like someone who says it but doesn't mean it."

The reunion filled Ning Rongrong's heart with warmth and security.

"Rongrong, Grandpa missed you too." Sword Douluo Chen Xin gently patted her head and affectionately hugged her.

"I knew Sword Grandpa would miss me, unlike a certain someone..." Ning Rongrong raised her head, casting a dissatisfied glance at Ning Fengzhi.

"Ahem, Rongrong, Daddy missed you too." Seeing that his daughter wouldn't let the matter drop, Ning Fengzhi coughed lightly.

"Hmph, since Daddy says so, I'll forgive you." Hearing this, Ning Rongrong released herself from Chen Xin's embrace, placed her hands on her hips, and declared.

"Hey, Old Bones, don't you think Rongrong has changed a bit?" Chen Xin quietly said to Gu Rong, noticing that Ning Rongrong wasn't as spoiled as before.

"Old Sword, you must be getting old. I noticed right away when she came back." Gu Rong chuckled.

"Get lost," Chen Xin shot back with a darkened expression.

"Rongrong, come here and let Daddy take a good look. I've brought a gift for you this time," Ning Fengzhi said, pulling out a delicate little gift box with a smile.

"A gift? Daddy brought me a gift?" Hearing the word "gift," Ning Rongrong's interest was piqued, and she quickly ran toward him.

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi subtly raised his hand to hug her, but she deftly dodged, then pouted, "Daddy, give me the gift first. Otherwise, no hugs."

She held out her hand, waving it in front of Ning Fengzhi.

"You little rascal, threatening your own father." Ning Fengzhi smiled helplessly, handing her the gift box.

"Inside are two small weapons I won at an auction. They may not be very powerful, but they're unpredictable. They should provide some protection."

"Weapons?" Ning Rongrong opened the box, her curiosity piqued, but was confused when she saw what was inside. "Dad, why do you have weapons made by Tang San?"

"Tang San? You know the person who made these?" Ning Fengzhi's expression shifted, and he asked excitedly.

Ning Rongrong rolled up her sleeve, revealing a silent wrist arrow. "Look, Dad, it's the same as this."

"The person who makes these weapons is my classmate, Tang San. I've got a few stronger ones that he gave us as well."

"Rongrong, if Tang San is your classmate, then if we could purchase a large number of these weapons and equip our core family members, wouldn't that solve the problem of our support soul masters lacking combat strength?" Ning Fengzhi asked seriously, his tone growing grave.

Hearing this, Sword Douluo Chen Xin chuckled and asked curiously, "Rongrong, how is Tang San's character? Do you like him? If his strength and character are good enough, he could be a potential son-in-law for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Ah? Sword Grandpa, don't make wild guesses! Tang San and I are just ordinary classmates. Last time I was bullied, he didn't even help me. I don't like him," Ning Rongrong quickly waved her hands.

"Someone dared to bully you?" Chen Xin's face darkened. Ning Rongrong was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and she'd been bullied at school? It was like a direct insult to the sect!

"Rongrong, tell Daddy what happened," Ning Fengzhi asked, squatting down to look at his daughter.

Gu Rong said nothing, but his face had turned grim, and his soul power surged ominously.

"Hmph, Fengzhi, I told you it wasn't a good idea to send Rongrong to that faraway school, especially to some shabby academy. Look, now she's been bullied!" Chen Xin's anger grew, and his powerful voice made the hall tremble.

"Mm..." Ning Rongrong nodded slightly, and then recounted all her experiences at Shrek Academy, except for the night when she was rescued.

"Dai Mubai? He really has some nerve!" When Ning Rongrong mentioned being bullied by Dai Mubai, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, who had remained silent until now, immediately roared in anger. His terrifying soul power burst forth, causing the hall to tremble once again.

"Grandpa Bone, don't get so worked up. Luckily, Tang San stepped in and stopped him, so I wasn't harmed." Seeing Bone Douluo's fury, Ning Rongrong hurriedly stepped forward, holding his arm and shaking it gently. Once his anger had subsided a bit, she turned to Ning Fengzhi and said, "Dad, I didn't come back just for a visit. I have three important things to tell you."