Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Just as Tang San was thinking about how to kill the two men, the Grandmaster, without giving it much thought, stepped forward and helped Tang San up, his expression full of concern. "Xiao San, are you alright?"

Tang San was still hesitating about whether to kill the Grandmaster, but if he did, he would have to be thorough. After all, his true identity could not be revealed—no one could know that his soul didn't belong to this world.

However, seeing the worry in the Grandmaster's eyes, Tang San slowly lowered his left hand, which held his sleeve dart.

"Tang San, Grandmaster, are you both alright?" At this moment, Ma Nuo walked over, with Cheng Xiao following behind him.

"Xiao San, why did you let go just now? Do you know how dangerous that was? I couldn't even see you in the dark," the Grandmaster reprimanded.

Hearing this, Tang San's heart finally settled. If the Grandmaster had seen anything suspicious, he might have considered killing him. But since the Grandmaster hadn't noticed, Tang San decided to let it go.

Besides, the Grandmaster didn't have Tang San's Purple Demon Eyes, which granted him superior vision. Tang San had been watching the Grandmaster's expression carefully, and the worry in his eyes didn't seem to be faked.

"I'm sorry, teacher," Tang San said, beginning to play his role. He breathed heavily, pretending to be scared. "I was just wildly swinging the short sword you gave me. It seems I accidentally struck the Mandala Snake. It scared me to death."

Upon hearing this, the Grandmaster turned to look at the weakening Mandala Snake. His expression changed from panic to joy. "This is wonderful, Xiao San! You've found your spirit ring!"

"Spirit ring?" Tang San was taken aback. "Teacher, you don't mean for me to absorb the spirit ring from this snake, do you?"

"Yes. Absorbing the Mandala Snake's spirit ring will grant you a binding spirit ability, and it will also carry some of the snake's poison," the Grandmaster explained seriously.

"Tang San, you should listen to your teacher," Ma Nuo nodded in agreement. "Once you absorb the spirit ring, we'll help Cheng Xiao hunt for his spirit ring."

"Cheng Xiao?" Tang San was startled. Could it be that Cheng Xiao survived?

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao stepped out from behind Ma Nuo and smiled at Tang San. "Tang San, you should listen to the Grandmaster. His theories are never wrong."

"Yes, Xiao San, quickly absorb the Mandala Snake's spirit ring," the Grandmaster urged.

Though Tang San trusted the Grandmaster's theories, he couldn't shake the strange feeling he got from Cheng Xiao's words, as if Cheng Xiao was more eager to absorb the spirit ring than he was. Just to be cautious, Tang San voiced his doubt to the Grandmaster. "Teacher, my spirit is a plant. Wouldn't it be better for me to absorb a plant-type spirit beast's ring?"

The Grandmaster looked a bit displeased but quickly reconsidered. Tang San wasn't wrong to think that way, and it was a good opportunity to explain his theory more thoroughly.

Taking a deep breath, the Grandmaster said slowly, "One of the core theories I've researched in martial spirits is that plant-based spirits are not necessarily incompatible with absorbing spirit rings from animal-type spirit beasts. Your Blue Silver Grass needs both resilience and poison, and this Mandala Snake possesses both."

"But if I absorb it, won't there be a conflict?" Tang San still felt uneasy.

The Grandmaster gave Tang San a deep look and said seriously, "Xiao San, whether it's ordinary spirit masters or those in the Spirit Hall, no one believes in my core theories. They all scoff at them."

"But even though no one has tested my theories, the only way to prove truth is through practice. And the only way to verify that truth is to try it."

"Xiao San, are you willing to try?"

From the Grandmaster's eyes, Tang San saw a fiery passion. This was the man who had deduced that he had twin spirits just from a single martial spirit theory, a pioneer in martial spirit research. How could Tang San not trust him? Tang San had always respected the Grandmaster's theories, and the doubts he'd had earlier were merely influenced by Cheng Xiao's words. Now, he was ready to fully trust and practice the Grandmaster's theories, which was his duty as a disciple.

"Teacher, I am willing." Tang San took a deep breath and said seriously, "Let me help you validate your martial spirit theory. I believe your years of research cannot be wrong."

"Good! You are indeed my disciple." The Grandmaster's eyes were full of pride as he looked at Tang San.

See that? This is my disciple, Yu Xiaogang's disciple, who is willing to practice my martial spirit theories. Those spirit masters who don't understand my theories will see. My disciple will become one of the most powerful on the continent in the future!

Tang San took a deep breath and slowly raised his right hand. He gathered his remaining spirit power into his palm. With a faint blue glow, the Blue Silver Grass began to grow from his hand.

Under the guidance of this blue light, the Mandala Snake's spirit ring floated toward Tang San and then shrank, firmly wrapping around him.

Immediately, Tang San felt a surge of heat flow into his body. He closed his eyes, immersed in this strange sensation.

Seeing Tang San begin to absorb the spirit ring, the Grandmaster, who had been forcing himself to stay conscious, finally collapsed. His martial spirit, Luo Sanpao, had been bitten during the fight with the Mandala Snake, and the poison was now taking effect. His mind grew foggy, and he fell unconscious.

"Xiaogang!" Ma Nuo rushed to his side, helping him lean against a nearby tree. After checking his pulse, Ma Nuo let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness," Ma Nuo muttered, though his face showed concern. "It's just snake poison; he can still be saved."

"Director Ma Nuo, please detoxify the Grandmaster!" Cheng Xiao said, unable to bear looking at the Grandmaster's condition, though not out of sympathy. The Grandmaster's face, swollen and discolored, was hard to look at.

Ma Nuo prepared to help the Grandmaster but hesitated after examining him closely. The Grandmaster's leg was the most severely poisoned area, but the location was too awkward for comfort.

"How can I handle this?" Ma Nuo was caught in a dilemma. As a close friend of the Grandmaster, it felt inappropriate to treat him in such an intimate area.

"Director, let Tang San help when he's done absorbing the ring," Cheng Xiao suggested suddenly.

"No, Tang San is just a child. I can't risk it," Ma Nuo shook his head firmly.

"Director, let's believe in Tang San. He showed great potential in defeating the Mandala Snake earlier. Even though it was out of desperation, his talent is extraordinary," Cheng Xiao smiled. "Besides, he and the Grandmaster are master and disciple."