Chapter 99: The Last Hammer
The soul power on the Clear Sky Hammer surged like a tsunami.
In just a breath, Tang San's Chaos Cloak Hammer Technique had reached eighty-one revolutions—its peak. The mighty Clear Sky Hammer crashed down toward the skull of the King of Slaughter.
But in that instant—
The King of Slaughter's pupils cleared.
He stared at the descending hammer. The veins of the martial spirit—its radiant lines, the indelible weight of history—it was as though every detail had been carved into his soul.
And now, that same hammer would end him.
His lips trembled. "Hao… Tian…"
But he couldn't finish.
Boom!
The hammer struck.
His skull shattered, blood gushing as his body collapsed. The crimson cloak soaked in a pool of blood made a haunting, tragic picture—beautiful and mournful.
With a cold face, Tang San picked up the Shura Demon Sword lying beside the corpse. But something near the King of Slaughter's hand caught his eye.
A small, golden hammer.
It glowed faintly. Crafted seemingly from pure gold, each end embedded with a black gem, its form delicate yet noble.
Tang San's eyes narrowed.
"This… is…" he murmured, stunned.
Though he had never seen it before, the shape resonated deeply—eerily similar to the Clear Sky Hammer. Holding it in his hand, he felt something stir within. Recognition. Memory. Destiny.
Then—
The air trembled.
"Hahaha…"
A voice echoed across the blood-stained Hell Road.
"Tang San, you've done better than I anticipated. Flawless. As expected from the one I chose."
It was the voice of Shura God.
Tang San raised the Shura Demon Sword. "This sword… I have completed your trial, haven't I?"
"Indeed," the voice responded with glee.
From thin air, a blood-red shadow condensed, manifesting a hazy figure in midair. It was Shura God. His divine pressure, even as a mere projection, was suffocating.
Tang San bowed respectfully. "Senior, what must I do now to become your successor?"
"Wait."
The blood-shadow laughed heartily. His eyes gleamed as he looked at the Shura Demon Sword.
"The sword holds immense Shura power. Once it fully fuses with your body, you will inherit my divine position."
Tang San's eyes brightened as he felt the sword's energy begin to merge into him.
It was wild. Violent. Mad. A power that urged him to pierce heaven and earth.
To kill ten thousand… a million.
His eyes burned red, soaked in killing intent.
"How long will it take?"
His voice was low, hoarse—already touched by madness.
"One year," Shura God said, raising one finger with a grin. "No more than that."
"One year?" Tang San's eyes narrowed. "Too long. I can't wait."
He clenched the sword tightly, his breathing heavy. Bloodlust roared within him like a storm.
"Hahaha!"
Shura God's laughter echoed. "There's a faster way."
Tang San's eyes snapped open. "What way?"
"KILL."
The word rang like a blade.
"Kill one and you are a criminal. Kill a hundred, and you're a hero. Kill ten thousand—you're a legend. Slay a million and become a god!"
"If you want to complete the fusion within a month—then go! Go and slaughter until heaven and earth cry blood. Until no one is left on the Douluo Continent!"
Tang San's body trembled.
A single word burned in his chest: Kill.
Yes—Shura, the god of slaughter. His path was paved in corpses.
"Hmm?"
The blood figure's gaze drifted. "That little hammer… not bad."
He raised his hand, and the golden hammer floated out of Tang San's grip.
"Give it back! It's mine!" Tang San barked, raising the Shura Demon Sword instinctively.
But Shura God waved casually, and the golden hammer returned, landing softly in Tang San's palm.
The moment he touched it again, the murderous rage in his heart diminished. His mind cleared a little.
Shura God sneered.
"The King of Slaughter wanted to restrain you with sentimentality? Laughable."
"He who would become a god must be merciless."
"Do you know what that hammer is?"
Tang San looked up, wary.
Shura God smirked. "Go to the Clear Sky Sect."
His voice was thick with meaning.
"They live in a small village outside Heaven Dou City. It won't be hard to find."
Tang San's heart shook.
Clear Sky Sect?
He looked down at the golden hammer. A gentle warmth pulsed through it—familiar and distant.
Why go to Clear Sky Sect?
What was this hammer?
He gazed at it again, then back at the broken, bloody body of the King of Slaughter.
A whisper echoed in his mind—those final words before the hammer fell: Hao… Tian…
Why did the King of Slaughter say that?
What did he have to do with Clear Sky?
Tang San's arms began to shake.
Blood-colored tears slid down his cheeks.
The crimson shadow of Shura God faded into the void, laughter echoing into silence.
Tang San knelt alone.
He carefully arranged the broken body.
The head—smashed by his own hammer—was beyond recognition. In the end, he could only carry the corpse gently… and throw it into the blood-colored river.
He didn't say a word.