Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Sunset Forest, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Dugu Bo stood at the cave entrance, watching the sunrise over the horizon, his eyes flashing with a green glow. He slowly exhaled a long breath of stale air.

Over the past month, for the first time, this Title Douluo felt mentally drained. Establishing an academy turned out to be much more troublesome than he'd imagined. If it weren't for Cheng Xiao informing him that Xue Qinghe had joined the effort, he might have given up entirely.

As a Title Douluo, he wasn't used to dealing with such complicated matters. For someone as impatient as he was, this task felt like it was draining his very soul.

Fortunately, with the royal family's involvement, Dugu Bo finally got a chance to return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and catch his breath.

Just then, a commotion came from the nearby forest. Two figures quickly approached, making Dugu Bo's eyes narrow in surprise.

"This aura… Chrysanthemum Guan and Old Ghost? Why are they here?" As a Title Douluo, his hearing was exceptionally sharp. Recognizing these two presences, Dugu Bo couldn't immediately guess their intentions. After a moment's thought, he took a step forward and vanished into the forest in a flash of green mist, heading towards the two approaching Title Douluo.

Moments later, Dugu Bo appeared high above the Sunset Forest, standing on air. Although his spirit didn't grant him the ability to fly, as a Title Douluo, he could still use his vast soul power to float.

"Chrysanthemum Guan, Old Ghost, did you two get lost? Coming onto my territory like this—are you looking for death?" Not knowing their purpose, Dugu Bo didn't immediately inquire about their intent. After all, Ghost Douluo wasn't yet aware that their relationship had eased somewhat.

Hearing the familiar voice, Ghost Douluo's expression shifted as he looked up at Dugu Bo floating in the sky.

Behind him, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan kept winking at Dugu Bo, as if trying to signal something.

Dugu Bo noticed Yue Guan's subtle gestures immediately, but he still kept his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with a sinister green light. His emerald eyes locked onto Ghost Douluo, releasing an invisible aura of dominance that seemed to freeze the very air around them.

Staring at Dugu Bo, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan cleared his throat and spoke before Ghost Douluo could respond. "Old Poison, His Holiness the Pope has sent Old Ghost and me to bring you to Spirit City. If you refuse, well… we'll just have to use a little force."

At these words, Dugu Bo snorted disdainfully. "Chrysanthemum Guan, is this how the Spirit Hall operates? If you want me to go to Spirit City, you'd better give me a reason."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo was already pondering how to escape. If his guess was right, Spirit Hall must have somehow learned about his plan to establish an academy. Knowing the Pope's personality, she would never allow an organization outside her control to grow unchecked.

"Old Poison, we've both put in enormous effort to reach the Title Douluo level, and we have some history together. Take my advice—don't make this harder on yourself," Chrysanthemum Douluo said in his typically smooth, almost feminine voice, though there was a hint of something deeper behind it.

"Chrysanthemum Guan, what's the point of wasting words with him? Since he won't comply, let's just get it over with," Ghost Douluo said coldly.

"Old Ghost, the Old Poison may be the weakest Title Douluo, but I haven't fully mastered immunity to poisons," Chrysanthemum Douluo responded, feigning hesitation.

"You're a ninety-sixth level Title Douluo, and yet you're afraid of a mere ninety-one? Are you kidding me?" Ghost Douluo replied, clearly annoyed.

"Ninety-one? Who told you I'm a ninety-one?" As soon as Ghost Douluo finished speaking, Dugu Bo chuckled and announced loudly, "I'm a ninety-three now, thank you very much! Ninety-one? That's you—and your whole family!"

Hearing this, Ghost Douluo's face darkened. He clenched his fists as he looked at Dugu Bo, who wore a smug expression. Then he sneered. "Old Poison, this time you don't have Prince Xue Xing to save you!"

"Chrysanthemum Guan, let's move!" Ghost Douluo commanded.

"Got it, Old Ghost," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied. He looked at Ghost Douluo, then shouted, "Third Soul Skill: Aura Barrier!"

In an instant, the light of Chrysanthemum Douluo's fifth soul ring flared, and a peculiar golden flower appeared in his right hand. A faint golden aura flowed from the flower's center, gradually enveloping the three of them. As this aura expanded, even the air seemed to slow.

Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo unleash his third soul skill, Dugu Bo didn't dare underestimate him. In a flash, he activated his third soul skill as well. Poisonous, emerald-green fog seeped from Dugu Bo, spreading toward Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.

The poisonous fog quickly obscured Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo's vision. As Ghost Douluo was pondering how to counter it, Chrysanthemum Douluo quietly withdrew his soul skill, then pretended to be poisoned, saying, "Old Ghost… this poison seems stronger than before. My head feels dizzy."

"What's going on?" Ghost Douluo was puzzled. He couldn't see Chrysanthemum Douluo through the poison fog, so he had to rely on his voice for orientation.

If not for the obscuring poison fog, he might have noticed Chrysanthemum Douluo covering his mouth, barely stifling his laughter.

"Chrysanthemum Guan, what's going on?" Dugu Bo suddenly appeared beside Chrysanthemum Douluo, asking in a low voice.

Yue Guan glanced at Ghost Douluo, who was still looking for him, then used a voice transmission to Dugu Bo. "What do you think? Your movements have been noticed by the Pope. Here's the plan: you give me one of your poison pills, and I'll take it, pretending to be seriously poisoned. That way, Old Ghost won't pursue you further."

"What about you?" Dugu Bo warned him, "The poison pills I've made recently are stronger than before. Are you sure?"

"Just hurry up. If we drag this out, Old Ghost will figure it out," Chrysanthemum Douluo urged.

"Fine, I'll also give you the antidote—don't want you actually dying on me." Dugu Bo nodded and pulled out two pills from his robe, each a different color, and handed them to Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"These two pills—red is poison, green is antidote. Don't mix them up," Dugu Bo said.

"Enough, just go," Chrysanthemum Douluo muttered, swallowing the pill with a look of disgust, then promptly collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, Dugu Bo didn't delay any longer. Shouting dramatically, "Chrysanthemum Guan, face your end!" he transformed into a streak of light, swiftly heading out of Sunset Forest.