Douluo Dalu: Three-Headed Dragon King

"Miss, please leave. We don't welcome outsiders here." The villagers gripping their farming tools tightened their hands and subtly shifted their steps, quietly forming a loose circle around Tang Shan.

Tang Shan calmly raised her left hand. A surge of dark light coiled within her palm, emanating a heavy, commanding aura. The Clear Sky Hammer silently appeared. "I'm not an outsider. I'm from the Clear Sky Clan. I've come to return to my roots."

The villagers halted, stunned by the appearance of the hammer. Their wariness melted away by more than half. As they looked at Tang Shan again, their gazes held only respect.

"May I ask which family you come from? I don't believe we've met."

Knowing she and her father had become pariahs in the Soul Master world, Tang Shan didn't wish to bring up Tang Hao. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she spoke calmly, "My identity cannot be revealed casually. All I can tell you is that I've come to see the clan leader, Tang Xiao."

The villagers examined her up and down. Tall, stunning, her aura elegant yet powerful—very unlike the rough, hammer-wielding brutes they were used to. Could she be Tang Xiao's illegitimate daughter?

This mountain village was merely a forward outpost for the Clear Sky Clan, inhabited by its distant branches. Perceiving Tang Shan's extraordinary status, the villagers didn't dare be negligent and promptly led her into the village, arranging a room for her to rest.

Half an hour later, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed, and several men in gray robes appeared before Tang Shan.

Their presence was strong. The one in the lead, a man in his thirties, broad-shouldered and firm-jawed, had short bristle-like hair and muscles bulging under his robe like a lion poised to spring. He exuded explosive strength and had at least Soul Emperor-level cultivation.

At such a young age, achieving the Soul Emperor level was clear evidence these men were among the elite of the younger generation in the Clear Sky Clan.

The leader looked Tang Shan over, eyes softening. "You're Tang Shan? You don't look like someone suited for hammers. More like a noble lady."

Tang Shan didn't argue under someone else's roof. She simply bowed her head and stayed silent.

"Come with us."

The three exchanged glances, said no more, and led Tang Shan out of the village to a stone mountain. This sheer cliff soared over 500 meters high, nearly vertical with only slight indentations every ten meters for footing.

The leader, Tang Long, said in a low voice, "Tang Shan, the path to the clan is steep. If you can't climb it, I can carry you."

Tang Shan caught a glimmer in their eyes that reminded her of Ma Hongjun on the Road of Hell. A wave of nausea rose in her stomach. 'Disgusting.'

"That won't be necessary. I can climb it myself."

"This wall isn't something a Soul Master under Rank 40 can handle. You're a woman, and proud and strong too. But people like that live hard lives. Once you enter the Clear Sky Clan, we're all family. If you need help, just ask. No need to carry the burden alone."

"Thanks, but I'll climb on my own. Please lead the way."

Hearing that, Tang Long stopped speaking and, together with the other two men, leapt up the rock face, stepping on the sparse indentations as they disappeared into the mist.

Once atop the mountain, Tang Long glanced down and saw Tang Shan close behind. A hint of admiration lit his eyes. "People really are hard to judge by appearances. Who would've thought such a delicate-looking girl would be this strong?"

The other two nodded, visibly more patient now that they knew who she was.

Perhaps due to the reserved nature of the Clear Sky Clan, they didn't make small talk. The group silently crossed five mountain peaks before arriving at the secluded main estate.

There, a gray stone castle crowned the mountaintop, blending seamlessly into the terrain. From a distance, it could be mistaken for part of the mountain itself.

The massive stronghold had a five-meter-tall gate. Though it couldn't compare to the Pope's Palace in grandeur, its solid stone construction exuded unshakable strength. Above the gate, three bold stone-carved characters read: Clear Sky Clan—their presence rivaling the surrounding mountains.

In front of the wide hall, Tang Long knocked gently. "Clan Leader, we've brought Tang Shan."

"Enter," came a deep voice from inside—so similar to Tang Hao's that Tang Shan's brow twitched.

She pushed open the door and walked in calmly. At the far end sat a towering man over two meters tall, his graying hair short, his shoulders broad, and his face chiseled like stone. Despite his age, he looked at least ten years younger than Tang Hao.

"Ah Yin!!"

The man, Tang Xiao, abruptly stood up. His piercing gaze locked onto Tang Shan. The pressure from a Rank 95 Super Douluo burst out like a tidal wave, engulfing the entire room. Tang Long and the others staggered back a few steps, but the already Rank 70 Tang Shan stood firm.

Realizing something, Tang Xiao quickly withdrew his aura and said to Tang Long, "Ah Long, you all may leave."

"Yes, Father."

As the doors closed, the hall grew silent, leaving only Tang Xiao and Tang Shan.

Tang Shan stepped forward, then suddenly dropped to one knee.

Her jade-like hand brushed across the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges. A black skull bone appeared in her palm. Holding it high above her head, she choked out, "Uncle, Father suffered internal injuries from long ago. After the battle at Spirit Hall, he lost his legs, and his body gradually declined… He passed not long ago."

Tang Xiao's pupils trembled. "Tang San… Tang Shan… You're Hao's child? He's… gone?"

Decades ago, after Ah Yin reformed her body, she had met the brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao during their training travels. The three had journeyed across the continent, and both men fell for her. As the elder brother, Tang Xiao had chosen to withdraw and return to the clan, leaving Ah Yin and Tang Hao together while taking on the responsibilities of leadership.

Now, twenty years later, the son of his brother stood before him, bearing his brother's head bone.

The iron man shed tears like rain.

Seeing this, Tang Shan kowtowed three times, her forehead striking the floor with clear thuds. "Uncle, Father always remembered the clan's heirloom spirit bone. Before he passed, he made me promise to return it to the clan."

"Rise." Tang Xiao wiped his face with a massive hand and said solemnly, "Keep the bone. Your father gave it to you. You've earned it."

Still kneeling, Tang Shan remained calm as seven soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—lit up under her feet. "Uncle, Father believed I had potential. He found a skull bone for me, and the rest of his spirit bones… he gave them to me too."

"A Soul Saint? You're just twenty…?" Tang Xiao's expression darkened. "Do you have a brother named Tang San? Wasn't it for his sake your father fought Spirit Hall and got wounded?"

"Uncle… I am Tang Shan. After the battle in Spirit City, something… happened, and I became like this."

The beautiful woman before him was Tang San?

Tang Xiao fell into silence. After a long pause, he asked, his voice trembling, "How was Hao in these last years?"

Tang Shan shook her head slowly. "After Mother passed, Father became increasingly disheartened. Losing his legs only worsened things. He drank every day… I hoped he could live out his life in peace, but fate had other plans."

Once, Tang Hao had been a beacon of heroism—the youngest Soul Douluo in history, the man who killed the Pope in a siege, shaming Spirit Hall like never before. And now, he had withered into a cripple dying alone in the wilderness. It was a tragic end.

Tang Xiao's eyes steadied. "Xiao San, the world calls your father a traitor, but I never believed he was wrong. If Ah Yin had chosen me, I might have done even worse than him. So no matter what others say, I don't want your father's story to become your burden. From now on, you're part of this clan. To the outside world, you'll be known as my child."

Tang Shan bowed deeply. "Thank you, Uncle."

"You look like your mother. If you grow up well, Hao would be proud. Tomorrow, we'll hold your return ceremony. Remember, the Clear Sky Clan isn't like the outside world. Here, strength is everything. You must show them your power as a Soul Saint. Only then can I entrust you with the future of our clan."

—

The next morning, urgent knocking sounded outside Tang Shan's door.

"Tang Shan, are you up yet?" It was Tang Long.

"Up." Tang Shan threw on a robe and opened the door.

"Let's eat." He entered, placing a food box on the table—steamed buns, hot porridge, eggs, and pickles. "You'll be busy today. Better eat well."

"Thanks." She didn't stand on ceremony and dug in.

As she ate, Tang Long asked carefully, "So, you're Father's daughter from outside the clan? And already one of the strongest among your generation?"

Tang Shan had long realized how this world favored women. She didn't correct his misunderstanding and simply replied, "So what if I am?"

"Nothing at all. I was adopted by Father. If you're his daughter, then from now on, I'm your big brother." Tang Long laughed heartily, though a strange glint flashed in his eyes.

After the meal, he stayed with her until the mist cleared and the sun climbed high. Then, he led Tang Shan toward the front courtyard of the Clear Sky Clan.

The front courtyard was packed—at least 150 people. Most stood on the sidelines. In the center stood Tang Xiao and five elders, all over eighty, yet full of vitality. One of them spoke to Tang Xiao in hushed tones.

Tang Long whispered, "Besides those out on errands, all core descendants are here. Those five elders… they're the First Generation. Even the Clan Leader must show them respect."

As soon as Tang Shan and Tang Long appeared, they drew everyone's attention. The younger generation murmured among themselves as Tang Shan stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings to the Clan Leader. Greetings to all elders."

One tall, slender elder stroked his beard and smiled kindly. "So you've inherited Tang Xiao's talent. Achieving Soul Saint level at such a young age is rare. But talent alone is not enough. Loyalty to the clan matters most. I hope you won't be as rebellious as Tang Hao."

Tang Shan's voice was firm. "Tang Shan is willing to serve the Clear Sky Clan, to rise and fall with the clan. I ask the Clan Leader and elders to permit my return."

The elder's tone turned cold. "You've lived outside the clan for over twenty years. How can we trust your loyalty? Today, we'll forgo the trial only because you're a woman. I hope you won't betray that trust. Tang Xiao, begin the return ceremony."

"Yes, Seventh Elder."

(End of Chapter)

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