Shrek Academy.
"Dean Liu Erlong has been acting really strange lately."
"I think so too. A few days ago, I passed by the dean's office and overheard Dean Flender saying she's locked herself inside for several days without coming out."
"I even heard that she scolded Yu Xiaogang in front of everyone. A lot of students overheard."
"Forget it, that's not our business…"
"…"
The students of the advanced class had gathered together, whispering about rumors and recent events.
Meanwhile, Tang San sat in a corner with a few companions. His face looked as bitter as though he'd just swallowed a fly.
After all, being beaten down brutally by Lucien… it was impossible for him to feel happy about anything.
While the classroom buzzed with chatter, the doors suddenly swung open. Four or five figures strode in, heading straight for Tang San.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
With a loud crash, they all dropped to their knees in front of him.
The entire class was struck dumb. Even Tang San froze in disbelief.
The one kneeling foremost radiated a powerful aura—far stronger than Tang San could ever hope to resist.
But… why would someone so powerful kneel before him? Was the man drunk?
"Wait, isn't that Tai Long, along with his father and grandfather?"
"Why the hell are they kneeling to Tang San?"
"The Tai family holds real standing in Heaven Dou City. Isn't Tai Long's grandfather a Contra?"
"What's going on?!"
"Shrek has been getting stranger and stranger lately…"
The class buzzed in confusion.
The old man in front, Titan, trembled with excitement as he spoke:
"The old slave Titan pays respects to the Young Master!"
The words struck Tang San like a hammer.
That day when he unleashed the Clear Sky Hammer, Tai Long had taken notice. A soul master named Tang, wielding a hammer—how could that be a coincidence? After discreet inquiries, Titan had confirmed Tang San's identity.
The son of Tang Hao!
The Titan's declaration echoed in the classroom, forcing Tang San's heart into chaos once again.
When did I become anyone's Young Master?
"Senior… could you perhaps explain yourself more clearly first?" Tang San tried to help Titan up, but the old man's body felt unyielding as iron—immovable.
"Young Master, don't you know who your honored father truly is?" Titan asked gravely, now kneeling on only one knee.
"You really… know me?" Tang San still held back, afraid to accept such a grand gesture too quickly. If this turned out to be some mistake, it would be humiliating and dangerous.
"The Master I speak of is your father—Tang Hao!"
Tang San's eyes widened in shock. He recognized that name.
His father—Tang Hao—the drunken blacksmith of Saint Soul Village who wasted his life on cheap liquor… that Tang Hao?
Could this really be the same Tang Hao these people revered as their master?
Oscar leaned in and whispered with a grin, "Little San, isn't it great to have loyal retainers? If we face Lucien again, we just bring them along to back us up."
But with Contra-level hearing, how could Titan not catch every word? His expression darkened. This brat wasn't just ungrateful—he was already plotting to cause trouble with that dangerous Lucien. What a reckless fool!
"Young Master," Titan said firmly, "this isn't the place to talk. Let us find somewhere quiet to speak alone."
Tang San hesitated. But since this man knew about his father Tang Hao, he clearly wasn't lying. This might even be a chance to learn his father's whereabouts.
"…Alright." He eventually nodded in agreement.
Heaven Dou Empire, imperial palace.
"Xuexue, come drink with me!"
Lucien had received Qian Renxue's invitation early in the morning. He had come running, excited at the thought of drinking together.
But when he arrived, she didn't drink with him at all—leaving him to drink alone.
"Brother Lucien, I won't join you this time."
If she actually got drunk again, she knew what would happen—last time, in a hazy stupor, she had secretly kissed him. If it happened again, who knew how far things would go… She couldn't act so recklessly.
"Brother Lucien, I invited you today because there's… business I need to discuss."
"Oh? What business?"
"In the near future, I'll be leading an operation here. I may find myself short on manpower, so I'll need your help."
"Haha, no problem at all!" Lucien readily agreed. "I'll be heading to Tianshui Academy soon. You can find me there when the time comes!"
He was delighted—Qian Renxue had treated him to excellent wine. So what if she needed a hand later? He could easily lend one.
"It's settled, then," she said.
But Qian Renxue still withheld key details. She herself wasn't certain whether her suspicions were correct. After returning from Spirit Hall, she had combed through its archives. Among the records, she had discovered notes on a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast: the Blue Silver Emperor.
The records were clear.
The Blue Silver Emperor possessed a special ability: the Blue Silver Domain.
Its ultimate power—immortality.
No one could kill her, and no one could obtain her spirit ring or spirit bone, unless she chose suicide.
Qian Renxue suspected that the Blue Silver Emperor who sacrificed herself for Tang Hao had not truly perished—that Tang Hao must have hidden her instead. She had already deployed countless scouts, and slowly, clues were lining up.
"The Barak Kingdom recently sent tribute wine," she added casually. "Take a few jars with you when you leave."
Lucien's eyes lit up instantly at the mention of wine.
"Got it, I'll check it out!"
He practically skipped away toward the wine cellar he already knew too well.
As soon as he left, a thin old man silently emerged behind Qian Renxue.
"Miss," the old servant asked cautiously, "are you sure this boy is reliable?"
Qian Renxue's brow furrowed sharply. "Are you questioning my judgment?"
"The old slave wouldn't dare!" he replied quickly, though confusion showed in his eyes. He hadn't accused anyone, merely asked—but her temper was strangely volatile today.
"Don't worry. He's fine," Qian Renxue said softly after a moment. "Even if he drinks all day, when the time comes, he won't let me down."
In truth, she had little choice. Even her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, absolutely forbade her from involving herself in this matter. If she relied on the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu would block her immediately.
It had taken enormous effort just to persuade Snake Lance Douluo and Dolphin Douluo to quietly lend their aid.
For everything else, she could only pin her hopes on Lucien.
Later that night, Tang San returned to Shrek Academy, lips curled in an involuntary smile.
The youngest Titled Douluo in all of Douluo Continent.
The mighty Clear Sky Hammer.
The Haotian Sect.
The strongest sect in the world.
The words echoed inside his mind like thunder.
So my father… really is that extraordinary?
The unshaven drunkard who drowned himself in cheap liquor every day… a Titled Douluo?
He could still recall Old Jack cursing at Tang Hao, calling him useless. Yet his father never fought back.
Why?
Why did his father live like that?
And who exactly was Tang Hao… really?
For Tang San, the questions had only just begun.
--
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