Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Outside Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Since returning to the academy, Cheng Xiao had resumed his usual disciplined routine.

Classes, cultivation, and spirit battles—his peaceful days passed quietly, following this simple routine.

In the mimicry training grounds of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, nestled in the mountains behind the academy, the sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting soft beams of light that scattered across the ground, forming patches of light in various shapes and sizes.

In the lush forest, several figures darted around, constantly moving and crossing paths. Behind them, dark shadows pursued relentlessly. These shadows came in different forms, but all were uniformly dark.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of muffled thuds echoed through the woods as a few battered figures were sent flying through the air, like kites with broken strings, before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Lingling, please heal them."

A smiling young man stepped out from the forest. Behind him were various shadow soldiers of different shapes and sizes. The earlier battle had merely been a voluntary training session for the members of the Royal Battle Team.

"Alright." Upon seeing Cheng Xiao, Ye Lingling summoned her martial soul. As the Nine-Hearted Begonia appeared, the disheveled members of the Royal Battle Team struggled to get back on their feet, finally thanking Ye Lingling for her healing.

Two months had passed since their return to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. During these two months, the Royal Battle Team had been undergoing training that could only be described as hellish. If they lost focus during the training, they would be faced with the relentless attacks of the shadow soldiers.

Fortunately, with Ye Lingling's assistance, the team had some respite. After all, their opponents were powerful shadow soldiers, modeled after formidable spirit beasts like the Man-Faced Demon Spider and Nether Tiger—top-tier predators.

"Cheng Xiao, I've realized you're the real monster here." Fully recovered, Yu Tianheng looked at the smiling boy with a bitter smile. "We can hardly defend ourselves against the attacks of those shadow soldiers. I'm beginning to think they've transcended the realm of spirit beasts."

"It seems like your training has gone well." At that moment, Qin Ming, the captain of the Royal Battle Team, walked over slowly.

"Cheng Xiao, since their training is over, how about I train you for a while?" Qin Ming smiled.

"Sure, Teacher Qin." Cheng Xiao responded with a smile.

He also wanted to test how strong he had become without the assistance of his shadow soldiers.

Following Qin Ming's instructions, the members of the Royal Battle Team retreated to watch from a distance. It was rare to see their young Spirit Emperor fight, so this was a valuable opportunity for them.

"Boss, how many rounds do you think Cheng Xiao can last against Teacher Qin?" Yu Feng asked curiously as he watched the two in the mimicry training ground preparing for combat.

"I'm not sure, but I think with Cheng Xiao's strength, as long as Teacher Qin doesn't go all out, he should be able to last seven or eight rounds." Yu Tianheng shook his head.

He had once sought guidance from Qin Ming but hadn't lasted three rounds. The gap between a Spirit Emperor and a Spirit Elder was undeniably vast.

"Who cares how long he lasts? I just hope Teacher Qin beats him up good." Beside Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan muttered. The two months of brutal training had been a nightmare for her, though it had pushed her spirit power toward a breakthrough. She still wanted to see Cheng Xiao suffer a bit for the humiliating defeat she'd suffered during their spirit battle—Dugu Yan never forgot a grudge.

"It's starting," Ye Lingling, usually silent, suddenly spoke.

...

"Cheng Xiao, the gap between us is significant. To keep things fair, I won't use my full strength. If you can force me to use 40% of my power, you pass this training." Qin Ming stated calmly.

"Bring it on, Teacher Qin!" Battle intent flashed in Cheng Xiao's eyes, and in the next second, his body blurred as he dashed toward Qin Ming.

"What incredible speed!" Qin Ming was shocked. Cheng Xiao's speed had already surpassed that of an average Spirit Elder. Based on his assessment, Cheng Xiao's true power must be at least around the forty-third level!

Bang!

A dull thud echoed as Qin Ming crossed his arms to block Cheng Xiao's kick. The force behind the kick left Qin Ming in awe—was this really the power of a Spirit Elder?

While Qin Ming was still processing his surprise, Cheng Xiao's swift and precise attacks kept coming. Contrary to Qin Ming's expectations, Cheng Xiao's attacks weren't random or reckless. Instead, they were sharp and targeted, as if Cheng Xiao knew exactly where his defenses were weakest, each strike aiming for a vital point.

"Third Spirit Ability: Wolffire Armor!"

Realizing that purely defending wasn't the solution, Qin Ming activated his third spirit ring. He stomped hard on the ground, causing cracks to spread as soil and dirt flew into the air.

Seeing this, Cheng Xiao grinned. Black smoke swirled around his hand as he aimed for Qin Ming's eyes. Then, he quickly retreated, vanishing from the sight of the Royal Battle Team members.

"Blinding my vision?" Qin Ming thought, shielding his eyes from the black smoke. His second spirit ring lit up, and waves of fire rippled outward from his feet like ripples on water.

"Second Spirit Ability: Wolf's Furious Howl!"

These fiery waves distorted the air around them, and soon after, the heat intensified, scorching the surrounding area. Then, with a thunderous howl, Qin Ming sent a powerful wave of flames sweeping across the entire mimicry training ground.

Cheng Xiao, still hidden, paused when he heard the wolf's howl. He saw the fiery waves coming his way and immediately activated his sprinting skill. A small crater formed beneath his feet as his body shot forward, appearing just one meter in front of Qin Ming.

"Perfect!" Qin Ming's eyes lit up as he spotted an opening in Cheng Xiao's movements. Like a bolt of lightning, Qin Ming charged forward, his fist blazing with fire, aiming directly at Cheng Xiao.

Vital Strike!

Cheng Xiao thought as black smoke coiled around his fist. With unstoppable momentum, he clashed head-on with Qin Ming's flaming punch.

Boom!

The instant their fists collided, a muffled explosion echoed, and an invisible shockwave rippled outward, sending dirt flying in all directions.

For a brief moment, both Cheng Xiao and Qin Ming stood frozen in place before being forced backward.

"Impressive! He's only a Spirit Elder, yet he fights with the strength of a Spirit Ancestor!" Qin Ming was astonished as he rubbed his chin, smiling at Cheng Xiao, who had also been pushed back.

"Thank you for the training, Teacher Qin." Cheng Xiao smiled as he walked toward him.

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Qin Ming replied, "There's no need to thank me. It's no trouble at all."

But as he absentmindedly shook his arm, Qin Ming realized something startling—his arm had gone completely numb!

"Hiss... This kid's strength is unreal!" Rubbing his numb arm, Qin Ming looked at Cheng Xiao, who had rejoined the Royal Battle Team, feeling both surprised and pleased.

A moment later, Qin Ming addressed the gathered Royal Battle Team members: "Due to some academy matters, Dean Flender and his group will arrive at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy by the end of this month. Once they're here, I'll try to limit your interactions with them to avoid any unnecessary conflicts."

"Also, aside from Tianheng and Cheng Xiao, the rest of you can go back and rest now. You've trained hard today, so take some time to recharge."