Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"Your Majesty, I..."

Shame covered Cheng Gang's face as the powerful soul energy of a Titled Douluo withdrew completely into his body.

"Do you still see me as the ruler of the Star Luo Empire?!" Xu Jiawei roared.

"Why don't you two argue after you go back?" Xu Cheng said with a playful smile. "Your Majesty, I'm quite curious—does the Star Luo Empire even have security in its hotels? This so-called Guardian Douluo of yours barged into my room the moment we met, shouting that I'm a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form and that he was going to take my soul ring and bones. If I had any other valuable treasures and showed them in the tournament, would I be robbed afterward too?"

Hearing these words, Xu Jiawei felt a headache coming on.

As one of the three great nations of the original continent, the Star Luo Empire prided itself on its reputation. This was an event with worldwide attention—countless teams representing the most powerful factions were watching.

Xu Cheng sighed with exaggerated disappointment. "What a shame! If I actually had those things, I might've even given them to him. But unfortunately, I don't. You can't expect me to conjure something out of thin air, can you?"

The spectators crowding around the hotel windows quickly pieced together what was happening.

They looked at Cheng Gang—who hung his head low—and the Star Luo Emperor, whose face remained unreadable.

Robbing someone of their treasures right after seeing them?

How shameless.

If this had happened outside of the tournament, no one would've cared much. After all, in the world of soul masters, the strong ruled, and all sorts of conflicts existed. Killing and robbing weren't uncommon, even among so-called righteous sects.

But this was during the tournament.

And this was Star Luo's own territory.

If they lured all these teams in and then had Titled Douluo steal from those who displayed good items in battle, what difference was there between them and bandits?

Xu Jiawei suppressed his anger and shot a cold glance at Xu Cheng.

"This was indeed a mistake on our part. Tell me, what kind of compensation do you want?"

"Your Majesty, you're overestimating me." Xu Cheng chuckled. "I'm just an ordinary participant from the Sun Moon Empire. If I offend Guardian Douluo, won't that be the end of me? I can already imagine tomorrow's announcement—'The Sun Moon contestant tragically choked to death on tofu.'"

"Huff…"

Xu Jiawei narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.

This brat is really infuriating.

But with so many eyes watching, he had to endure.

Once the tournament is over, we'll have a proper 'talk.'

"This is the last time I'll ask—what do you want as compensation?"

Xu Cheng pretended to think for a moment, then said, "Oh, I don't ask for much. I'm just really scared that Guardian Douluo might come after me later, so… how about he kneels and kowtows to me twice? You know, as an apology for the psychological damage he's caused me."

Silence.

The entire area went dead silent.

Even many of the tournament participants were stunned.

"Did I hear that right? 'I don't ask for much'—and then he says he wants a Titled Douluo to kneel and kowtow?!"

A few competitors whispered among themselves.

"Cheng Gang Douluo—the Guardian Hand of Star Luo, with the Thousand-Jin Ant Emperor as his martial soul. Does this guy really not fear revenge?"

"Who knows? But honestly, Cheng Gang disgraced himself today. He embarrassed the entire Star Luo Empire."

"A mere Titled Douluo… Look at this guy's strength. From what he showed in battle yesterday, isn't it just a matter of time before he reaches that level himself?"

"I thought Sun Moon Empire contestants were just weaklings propped up by their weird drugs?"

"Are you dumb? If medicine alone could let someone crush every tournament genius, why don't you go to the Sun Moon Empire and chug some? Hell, I'll even fund you. And by the way, only people too broke to afford resources keep whining about 'using drugs' like it's unfair."

"…"

"You brat, don't push your luck!" Cheng Gang roared.

Xu Cheng scoffed, giving him a sideways glance before turning to Xu Jiawei.

"Xu Jiawei, I've already given you enough face. From the start, your 'dog' came into my room wanting to kill me—I didn't say a word.

"And now that this has blown up, everyone knows how shameless Star Luo is. But instead of making amends, you're forcing me to just let it go? Is this how you 'ask' someone for forgiveness? He's not even willing to kneel and kowtow twice—I'm struggling to see any sincerity here."

Xu Cheng sighed, shaking his head with mock disappointment.

Again, silence fell over the crowd.

Some people quietly slipped away, wanting no part in this.

"This guy is absolutely insane," one spectator muttered.

A man wearing glasses adjusted them slightly. "Honestly… I kind of hope the Star Luo Emperor lashes out. If they deal with him before tomorrow's solo matches, Shrek's chances of winning skyrocket."

Among the Shrek Academy members, a few shared similar thoughts.

Especially Ma Xiaotao.

After yesterday's battle, her once-arrogant demeanor had vanished. She quietly observed Xu Cheng, her beautiful eyes filled with complex emotions.

Yesterday.

She had lost herself to her own evil flame, but she still had fragments of memory.

At the moment when the dark flames were about to consume Xu Cheng, he had merely touched her forehead.

And then came the searing cold…

That smiling face, looking down at her, was deeply imprinted in her mind.

And later, when she learned he hadn't killed her, a strange, frustrating sense of powerlessness took hold of her.

The Sun Moon Empire and Shrek Academy had a long-standing grudge.

On the battlefield, there was no mercy.

Last year, in a similar battle, four people had died.

If given the chance, they always went for the kill.

But Xu Cheng hadn't.

Xu Jiawei's voice finally broke the silence.

"Fine."

His expression was unreadable.

He nodded slightly, then waved his hand and turned to leave.

Cheng Gang hesitated, glaring at Xu Cheng. "Your Majesty, we're just letting this go?"

Xu Jiawei glanced at him coldly.

A chill ran down Cheng Gang's spine. He quickly lowered his head and said nothing more.

"Wasted opportunity…"

Wang Yan sighed softly.

The Shrek team felt the same.

Especially Ma Xiaotao.

Yesterday's events still echoed in her mind.

At the height of her power, she had been defeated.

By someone who didn't even finish her off.

She had been ready to kill.

But Xu Cheng had spared her.

Why?