Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

One month later, at the gates of Heaven Dou City.

The city walls here soared to a height of over a hundred meters, entirely constructed from the sturdiest granite. Both atop and below the walls, patrol guards stood at attention. Clad in heavy armor and wielding long spears, these soldiers exuded an intimidating, murderous aura, even though their faces were concealed by helmets, showcasing their battle-hardened nature.

"You troublesome brat, you're really giving this old man a workout." At the city gates, an elderly man in a dark green robe was busy putting up an advertisement on the bulletin board, accompanied by Cheng Xiao, who was also sticking a large advertisement over the board.

In order to maximize exposure for the academy he had founded, Cheng Xiao had decided to team up with Dugu Bo to put up the ads in person.

With one big advertisement and a bunch of smaller ones, they completely covered the entire bulletin board, hiding all other ads beneath theirs.

"I didn't force you to come along, you volunteered to help, remember?" Cheng Xiao said with a smile as he stepped back, satisfied with how the large ad was firmly in place.

"Hiring Notice—Seven Stars Academy is newly established as an advanced soul master academy. We are recruiting teachers, instructors, and various support staff. Applicants for teaching positions must be at least at the Soul King level, while instructors must be at least at the Soul Emperor level. No requirements for support staff. All accepted candidates will receive generous compensation.

Note: Although this academy is newly established, it has a resident Title Douluo-level expert. All faculty, instructors, and support staff will enjoy the protection of a Title Douluo-level expert.

Academy address: Heaven Dou City, North district, Prosperity Street, No. 79.

As soon as this notice was posted, it caused an uproar. Becoming a teacher or instructor at Seven Stars Academy would come with the protection of a Title Douluo-level expert—a top-tier powerhouse on the continent! Eager to gain the protection of a Title Douluo, many high-level soul masters in Heaven Dou City were drawn in by this offer. Some even began spreading the news on a larger scale.

With word of mouth quickly spreading, the area around Heaven Dou City's gates became lively, attracting many onlookers. Among them were various family and academy representatives, who stared in confusion at the large ad that had completely covered the bulletin board.

If they weren't mistaken, didn't this bulletin board used to have their ads too?

...

After putting up the ads, Cheng Xiao and Dugu Bo parted ways; the latter still had academy-related matters to handle, so he left shortly after.

Not long after Dugu Bo departed, Cheng Xiao, who was strolling down the street, noticed a scene in the distance. A young girl with a long scorpion-tail braid was standing face-to-face with a young man, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. Curious, Cheng Xiao approached to take a look.

"Tai Long, aren't you done yet?" Xiao Wu, hands on her hips, gritted her teeth as she spoke.

The young man, about six feet tall with broad shoulders, had short auburn hair that gave him a spirited look. His eyes glinted as he replied in a loud voice, "Xiao Wu, just agree to be with me. I'll treat you well, I swear."

"You're as shameless as they come," Xiao Wu said coldly. "I already told you, I don't like you, nor do I like Tang San. Can you please stop bothering me?"

"Xiao Wu, I thought you liked the Young Master, and that's why you rejected me. But now that I know you don't, there's nothing holding me back." A flash of lust gleamed in Tai Long's eyes as he stepped heavily towards Xiao Wu.

"You're asking for it!" Xiao Wu's eyes flashed with icy anger as three soul rings rose up beneath her, her entire form taking on a pink glow.

"Xiao Wu, just give in to me!" Seeing Xiao Wu release her martial soul, Tai Long's eyes flashed, his own soul rings appearing as he charged toward her.

"Harassing a girl in broad daylight—isn't that a bit too shameless?"

Just as Tai Long lunged forward, a young man shrouded in dark smoke appeared in front of him. The newcomer extended a hand wrapped in black mist and firmly grabbed Tai Long by the shoulder, his fingers tightening. A surge of formidable strength forced Tai Long to a halt.

Having been held down so abruptly, Tai Long's expression turned sour. He had always believed that, as long as he was strong enough, any female soul master would eventually admire him. His approach was just a way to make Xiao Wu take notice of him.

"I suggest you mind your own business. I am the young master of the Strength Clan, and my grandfather is Titan, an eighty-sixth level Soul Douluo!" Realizing he couldn't move, Tai Long knew that the young man before him was far stronger than he was.

Their earlier commotion had attracted attention, and Tai Long knew the city guards would soon arrive. If he didn't leave before they showed up, he might face some serious trouble.

Not wanting to go home empty-handed and face scolding from his father and grandfather, Tai Long immediately dropped his family's name, hoping it would deter his opponent.

"Oh? An eighty-sixth level Soul Douluo?" Cheng Xiao chuckled, tightening his grip on Tai Long's shoulder, causing him to wince in pain. "Your grandfather may be an eighty-sixth level Soul Douluo, but you're not."

"You!" Tai Long's face turned visibly darker as he listened to Cheng Xiao's response. Glaring at Cheng Xiao, he struggled to respond.

"Enough with the tough talk. You know you can't beat me." Rolling his eyes, Cheng Xiao released Tai Long's shoulder and said calmly, "Better get out of here. If you don't, the city guards will come and arrest you."

"Hmph!" Without another word, Tai Long scoffed, rubbed his sore shoulder, muttered some parting threats, and left.

"Just you wait. I won't let you off so easily!"

Watching Tai Long leave in haste, Cheng Xiao shook his head, paying no mind to Tai Long's threats. Even if he did, what could Tai Long possibly do to him?

Even if Tai Long's grandfather came, it wouldn't matter. At most, it would just give Cheng Xiao's Shadow Legion a few more recruits.

As thoughts raced through Cheng Xiao's mind, a pair of delicate arms suddenly encircled his waist from behind, tightening around him. He stiffened slightly, then heard a soft, tearful voice.

"You… why did it take you so long to get here? Didn't you say you'd stay with me once we reached Heaven Dou City?"

"Alright, alright, I'm here now, aren't I?" Cheng Xiao turned around slowly, looking down at Xiao Wu, who had buried her face in his chest. He chuckled softly.

"You're late!" Xiao Wu looked up, her face full of grievance. "I protest this habit of showing up right on the dot."

"Ahem…" Cheng Xiao cleared his throat awkwardly, gently patting Xiao Wu's head in an attempt to change the subject. "How about we get lunch? I haven't eaten yet…"

"No." Before he could finish, Xiao Wu snuggled closer to him, arms wrapped around his waist. She muttered, "I don't want to part with you so soon. If we eat, you'll probably leave afterward. So… let me hold you for a little while longer, just a little while…"