Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Rongrong, you've never mentioned this to us before." Ning Fengzhi's gaze landed on Ning Rongrong. He wasn't blaming her but was curious as to why his daughter hadn't told him about it. It also explained why the golden card had ended up in Cheng Xiao's possession—it was due to saving her life.

"Uh…" Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed slightly. She had intended to bring it up but decided against it when she considered that Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo might go straight to take revenge. Besides, she hadn't been harmed, and Cheng Xiao had appeared just in time. As a result, she hadn't paid much attention to the matter.

Seeing Ning Rongrong remain silent, Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. Then, turning to Cheng Xiao, he said, "Young friend Cheng Xiao, I have a request, and I hope you can agree to it."

"Please, Sect Master Ning," Cheng Xiao replied.

"I'd like Rongrong to join the academy you and Qinghe have established. That so-called Shrek Academy is not worth its reputation, and Rongrong doesn't like it there. I hope she can study at your academy instead, under your care," Ning Fengzhi said.

"Sect Master Ning, you jest. If Miss Ning is willing to join, she is more than welcome." Hearing this, Cheng Xiao smiled. He had briefly interacted with Ning Rongrong before and felt she wasn't as spoiled as rumors suggested—or at least, she hadn't been during their meeting.

Besides, Ning Fengzhi was Qinghe's teacher. Granting this request was no burden.

After a moment of consideration, Cheng Xiao added, "Sect Master Ning, there's something I must tell you. Just yesterday, the Spirit Hall began actions to suppress our academy. If Miss Ning joins us, it's possible she may clash with the Spirit Hall in the future. Please consider this carefully."

"Thank you for your concern, young friend Cheng Xiao," Ning Fengzhi replied with a calm expression. "The Spirit Hall's influence is deeply rooted on the continent, but they don't control everything. Your Seven Star Academy is under the protection of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. No matter how arrogant they are, the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare cause trouble in the academy.

"If they truly dare to act, you won't need to ask for help. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will fully support you."

Hearing this, Cheng Xiao was a bit surprised but quickly understood. Standing up, he smiled and said, "Then we welcome Miss Ning to join us."

"I hope that once Rongrong is at your academy, she'll grow and change," Ning Fengzhi said as he also stood, showing Cheng Xiao equal respect.

As a pragmatic businessman, Ning Fengzhi didn't believe Cheng Xiao was as simple as he appeared. With his keen judgment of character, Ning Fengzhi predicted that the political landscape of the continent would soon shift, and his sect needed to align itself properly.

After concluding their discussion, the group engaged in some lighthearted conversation. Xue Qinghe excused himself to use the restroom and left the meeting room. Cheng Xiao made a subtle hand gesture, prompting a shadow soldier to slip into Xue Qinghe's shadow and follow him.

As Xue Qinghe exited the room, Sword Douluo keenly sensed that his shadow seemed larger than before. However, he quickly dismissed the thought, closed his eyes, and continued to rest.

Xue Qinghe casually glanced around before moving to a secluded corner. In a low voice, he addressed the air in front of him, "Tell that woman this academy is partly mine. If she causes trouble again, she shouldn't expect my cooperation with her future plans."

The air in front of him distorted slightly, and a wrinkled face shrouded in darkness appeared. The figure gave a respectful acknowledgment before vanishing into the shadows.

As the figure disappeared, Xue Qinghe's lips curved into a faint smile. For some reason, the thought of that woman's frustrated expression amused him. With this smile still lingering, he returned to the meeting room.

Meanwhile, the shadow soldier hidden within Xue Qinghe's shadow heard everything clearly.

A Few Days Later

Spirit Hall, Pope's Palace

Bibi Dong's expression was grim as she stared at the two elders kneeling before her, one knee on the ground. In her hand was a crumpled letter, evidence of her mounting frustration.

"Elder Chrysanthemum, Elder Ghost, is this how you carry out my orders? A Rank-96 and a Rank-95 Titled Douluo couldn't even capture a Rank-91 Titled Douluo? You've truly brought glory to the Spirit Hall!" Bibi Dong's icy voice resonated in the hall.

Ghost Douluo swallowed nervously and explained, "Your Holiness, we were careless this time. It seems Dugu Bo's poison was cured, significantly enhancing his strength. His poison techniques have also become more formidable. We lacked effective countermeasures, which led to our failure…"

"Useless!" Bibi Dong's expression darkened as she snapped, "With two Titled Douluos, you couldn't even wear him down? And what happened? One of you ended up poisoned and unconscious, while the other carried him back to the Spirit Hall? What use are you, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo?"

The two elders were rendered speechless, trembling under her wrath.

"Useless!" Bibi Dong glared at them before waving her hand impatiently. "Get out of my sight! Just looking at you is infuriating."

"Yes, Your Holiness," the two elders responded hurriedly before disappearing from the hall.

Once they were gone, Bibi Dong's gaze fell on the letter in her hand. The temperature in the hall seemed to plummet as an invisible chill spread, freezing the very air. Her grip tightened on the letter.

"She's really grown bold, daring to order me around." A flicker of rage crossed Bibi Dong's eyes. The letter, sent by Qian Renxue, demanded that she stop interfering in her affairs and even contained veiled threats of non-cooperation if she continued meddling.

Though Bibi Dong harbored a deep resentment toward Qian Renxue, she couldn't deny the blood connection between them. Despite her refusal to acknowledge it, blood ties ran deep. As a mother, she was both angry and hurt by her daughter's defiance.

After venting her frustration, Bibi Dong slumped into her chair, her anger replaced by a hollow weariness. She stared blankly at the high ceiling of the Pope's Palace, mumbling to herself.

Outside the hall, the knights guarding the entrance were nearly paralyzed with fear. Initially, they thought the Pope was under attack and almost charged in. Thankfully, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo had warned them not to enter or ask questions, as the Pope was in a state of fury.

Disturbing her now would truly be a death sentence.