Chapter 106: The Legacy of the Golden Hammer
"Is this fake?!"
The Seventh Elder was momentarily startled by Tang Xiao's thunderous shout, clearly caught off guard. Although Tang Xiao was known for his domineering presence, he had always maintained respect toward the elders.
But the elder quickly recovered.
"If he truly is Tang Hao's son, then I must object! Tang Hao brought disaster upon the sect for his selfish reasons and abandoned us in the end. And now, we're simply expected to welcome his son back as if nothing happened?"
The man speaking was the Seventh Elder. His animosity toward Tang Hao ran deep—his eldest son had died indirectly because of Tang Hao's actions.
"Seventh Elder, mind your words!" Tang Xiao's eyes widened as he glared fiercely at him.
"Sect Master, this is no minor matter. After all, he is—"
"Enough!" Tang Xiao's cold voice cut him off like a blade.
"Seventh Elder, if you are still burdened by the loss of your eldest son, then let me tell you now—Tang Hao is dead."
His voice reverberated like thunder in the hall. The Seventh Elder paled, his face a storm of anger and disbelief. Tang Hao was dead—what vengeance could remain against a corpse?
"Xiao San."
Tang Xiao gestured lightly.
Tang San stepped forward without hesitation.
"Boom—"
He extended both arms.
An oppressive aura erupted from his body like a tidal wave.
In his right hand appeared the Dark Blue Silver Grass, and in his left, the heavy, dark-golden Clear Sky Hammer.
Even more striking were his eyes—one crimson, the other jet black.
The pressure from his body was suffocating. Outside the hall, weaker disciples were immediately forced to reveal their martial spirits just to withstand the crushing aura.
"The Killing God Domain! No… this is even more than that!" gasped the long-browed elder at the front.
"Indeed!" Tang Xiao's voice rang with excitement. "Xiao San's Killing God Domain far surpasses even Tang Hao's at his peak! And he has a second innate domain!"
"Super Douluo…"
The Seventh Elder staggered, shaken to his core. Tang Hao had been a monster—but his son? Even more so.
"Hahaha!"
The long-browed elder burst into joyous laughter.
"Heaven blesses the Clear Sky Sect! A teenage Super Douluo with twin spirits and dual domains! This is divine favor!"
White hair flaring in the aura, the elder prepared to release his own pressure—until Tang Xiao appeared behind him and calmly placed a hand on his shoulder.
Tang San gradually retracted his spirits and domains, his eyes returning to their normal hue.
"A prodigy beyond compare… the Clear Sky Sect is truly blessed." The elder's voice trembled with emotion.
The Seventh Elder's face was unreadable, cycling through denial and awe. At last, he stepped forward and bowed.
"I apologize to you and your father for what I said earlier."
This bow was more than just an apology—it was recognition.
Tang Xiao stepped forward, placed a strong hand on Tang San's shoulder, and smiled faintly.
In that instant, a warm current of familial acceptance washed over Tang San. A sense of belonging settled into his heart.
"Sect Master, I propose that we hold the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony for the Young Master tomorrow," the long-browed elder said, addressing Tang San with a new title.
The other elders nodded in agreement. With such unparalleled talent, Tang San could lead the Clear Sky Sect into a future greater than they had ever imagined.
"Very well! Tomorrow, then. Tang Long—make the arrangements!" Tang Xiao commanded.
"Uncle!"
Tang San's voice rang out, deep and trembling.
"What is it, Xiao San?"
"I… I want to pay tribute to my father first."
His words were low, and his eyes dim with sorrow.
A brief silence followed.
"…We were remiss," said the Seventh Elder softly.
Haotian Sect's Ancestral Hall
At the entrance stood an ancient stone stele, etched with the worn characters of time. Within, the relics and tablets of the sect's ancestors were enshrined in solemn reverence.
Today, a rare gathering took place. Although only the sect leader and elders were traditionally required for the ritual, Tang San's power had stirred great interest.
Disciples filled the open plaza before the ancestral hall, sitting cross-legged in reverent silence.
Tang San knelt alone on a prepared cushion. His eyes filled with grief as he watched Tang Long place Tang Hao's spirit tablet upon the altar.
Tang Xiao stood quietly behind him, arms folded behind his back.
"Xiao San, after this ceremony, you will officially be part of the Clear Sky Sect. Never forget that," Tang Xiao declared solemnly.
"Yes," Tang San replied with determination.
"Begin!"
Tang Xiao's voice rang out, initiating the ceremony.
Incense rose like a serpent of smoke toward the sky. The rites proceeded with order and dignity.
After nearly thirty minutes, Tang San stepped forward and kowtowed nine times before the ancestral altar.
He was now one with the sect.
Staring at Tang Hao's spirit tablet, his eyes burned with fierce resolve.
Father… I will avenge you.
"The ceremony is over. Disperse," the Seventh Elder instructed, turning to leave.
"Uncle."
Tang San's voice rang out once more, halting Tang Xiao.
"Yes, Xiao San?"
Tang San slowly pulled a golden hammer from his robe.
"This… This resembles the Clear Sky Sect's martial spirit. I ask you to examine it—perhaps it is connected to us."
Tang Xiao took the hammer—and froze, as if struck by lightning.
"This… this is—"
The five elders turned, drawn by the astonishment in his voice.
Upon seeing the golden hammer, all of them stepped forward, expressions grave.
"Where did you get this?" one elder asked, voice low and urgent.