Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Seeing Tang San emerge from the academy, Flender, standing behind Xiao Wu, was momentarily taken aback. He then asked in confusion, "Tang San, why are you here?"

"Dean, I think I have a way to help Xiao Wu deal with this trouble," Tang San said confidently, a smile on his face.

"You have a way?" Flender's eyes gleamed with curiosity, and as if he had an idea, he turned to look at Xiao Wu, who was visibly angry and trembling in confrontation with Tai Tan. After a brief hesitation, he said solemnly, "Xiao Wu, come back for now. Tang San says he has a way to resolve this."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu, who had been confronting Tai Tan, was stunned. She turned around in surprise, asking, "Dean, what does this have to do with Tang San?"

Flender frowned, gesturing for her to calm down. "Xiao Wu, don't worry about it. Since Tang San says he can solve it, let him handle it."

"Fine," Xiao Wu replied reluctantly, pouting as she stepped back behind Flender, watching Tang San with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

Feeling Xiao Wu's gaze, Tang San straightened up and then confidently walked over to Tai Tan. Looking up at the towering figure before him, he spoke calmly, "Elder Tai Tan, have you ever seen this?"

As he finished speaking, a powerful dark aura flashed in Tang San's right hand, and suddenly, a pitch-black hammer appeared before Tai Tan's eyes.

"The Clear Sky Hammer! It's actually the Clear Sky Hammer!" The moment he saw the dark hammer, Tai Tan was overwhelmed with excitement. Shortly after, he learned from Tang San's own mouth that his father was Tang Hao.

Upon learning that Tang Hao was Tang San's father, Tai Tan's attitude made a dramatic shift. Right in front of everyone, he knelt before Tang San, calling him "Young Master" and pledging his life to him.

"Young Master!" Hearing Tai Tan call Tang San "Young Master," Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned. She then noticed the pitch-black hammer in Tang San's hand, and her eyes narrowed. The sight of that hammer shocked her—she had seen it before, and it was the reason she came to Shrek Academy in the first place!

Seeing the hammer, Xiao Wu's expression darkened. Without making a scene, she quickly made up an excuse to Flender and then hurried back into the academy.

Tang San, meanwhile, was feeling somewhat pleased. Initially, he hadn't intended to reveal the Clear Sky Hammer in front of others. However, after Xiao Wu rejected him the other day, it seemed as if some memories had surfaced in his mind. At first, he didn't trust these memories, as they appeared from nowhere and he was, after all, a transmigrator. It was hard for him to tell if they were real.

But now, Tang San was quite certain these memories reflected events he would experience in the future. Yet, what puzzled him was that the version of him in the memories didn't seem to be in Douluo Continent but rather in a magnificent palace.

"Maybe I can use these memories to change my current situation," Tang San mused, shaking his head. He then turned back to where Xiao Wu had stood, only to be disappointed when he found that her familiar pink figure was nowhere to be seen.

…

Inside a quiet room at Shrek.

Tang San took out a letter left for him by Tang Hao, with Tai Tan standing beside him as he read.

After a moment, Tai Tan, having read the letter, was visibly shaken and muttered, "Master, oh, Master… How did you end up like this, reduced to a drunken blacksmith? Back in the day, you were a hammer…"

At this, Tai Tan's eyes filled with tears, his beard and hair trembling as he sank into a daze.

"Elder, you mentioned earlier that my father was born into the Clear Sky Clan. So, why were we living in Saint Soul Village? Could you tell me what happened between?" Tang San asked urgently, as he still only had fragmented memories and couldn't piece everything together.

"Young Master, forgive me, but I can't easily tell you that," Tai Tan replied, his eyes contemplative. After a moment of reflection, he added, "Why don't you share with me what you remember about your life so far? If Master hasn't told you, then I shouldn't say more either."

In hopes of getting answers, Tang San recounted his life's journey, including his ongoing conflict with a young man named Cheng Xiao. He had a nagging feeling that unless he dealt with this individual, who didn't exist in his memories, he might never reach the potential he sensed in those fragmented memories. Those memories had never shown him being humiliated like this.

"What? Someone actually dared to disrespect the Young Master?" Tai Tan's eyes widened in disbelief as he processed Tang San's words. His expression turned grave, and he said, "Young Master, where is this Cheng Xiao? I'll handle it immediately and restore your honor."

"No need, Elder Tai Tan," Tang San replied with a gentle smile, feigning nonchalance. "It's just a minor annoyance. I don't want to trouble you over it. But this guy holds a strong grudge against me, and right now, I haven't fully trained in the Clear Sky Hammer. I can't bring my strength out as I'd like."

"In that case, Young Master, let me stay by your side to protect you," Tai Tan suggested thoughtfully.

"I'm grateful for your kindness, Elder." Tang San bowed politely. Then, appearing hesitant, he added, "But Elder, there's something you should know. Cheng Xiao's martial spirit is quite peculiar, and I heard he once killed a spirit master with an ape-type spirit. I'm not sure if that spirit master was from your clan."

"Hmph. Don't worry, Young Master. I'll arrange for someone to hunt down this Cheng Xiao in secret and avenge your humiliation," Tai Tan said with a loyal intensity.

Tang San forced a bitter smile, "Thank you, Elder. This guy has a nasty character, so if you can eliminate him, it'll be a relief to the entire spirit master community."

"Understood." Tai Tan nodded respectfully. "Young Master, I'll head back now. Please take care while at the academy."

"Yes, I understand," Tang San replied, smiling as he watched Tai Tan and his family leave the quiet room. Only after their figures had disappeared did he let out a deep breath and leave the room.

…

A few days later, at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Martial Spirit Simulation Training Ground.

"Cheng Xiao, come over here."

In the training field, Cheng Xiao was directing his shadow soldiers in sparring with the members of the Emperor Battle Team. He nodded and then turned to the large dragon Nash beside him, saying, "Nash, I'm stepping out for a bit. Stay here and keep directing the Three-Eyed Demon Ape and the others."

"I understand, my king," Nash replied.

"Good, but make sure the soldiers don't injure my friends," Cheng Xiao said, patting Nash on the shoulder. He then followed his teacher, Sun Buyu, out of the training field.

As soon as Cheng Xiao left, Nash's respectful demeanor vanished, and he turned to the panting members of the Emperor Battle Team with a chilling tone. "If you want to get stronger, then get up and stay focused. Rest time is over!"

At Nash's words, the exhausted members of the Emperor Battle Team shuddered. In their minds, only one thought remained: The sky has fallen on Heaven Dou Imperial Academy…