Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Sigh, after all these years, I still haven't broken through to rank thirty. It seems I can only focus more on theoretical research." After finishing his meditation, Grandmaster discovered that his spirit power level hadn't improved at all. Feeling disheartened, he muttered to himself.

"Fortunately, I've taken in a genius with twin spirits. With Xiao San, I can definitely prove to the world of Spirit Masters that I am not a failure!"

Grandmaster's heart surged with ambition. Ever since accepting Tang San as his disciple, he felt rejuvenated, like he was entering a second spring of his life. As long as Tang San followed his theories, one day he would prove that he wasn't useless and was, in fact, a true master of spirit theory on the Douluo Continent.

Knock, knock, knock.

At that moment, the sound of knocking came from the door.

"The door's not locked, come in," Grandmaster said calmly, looking at the door.

Who could it be at this hour?

Grandmaster felt a bit puzzled. But as the door opened, a tall, burly middle-aged man walked in. He was draped in a ragged black cloak, with messy hair covering his eyes, looking every bit like a beggar.

"Who are you?" Grandmaster asked, confused.

For some reason, even though he couldn't see the man's eyes, Grandmaster felt an inexplicable sense of pressure. It was as if what stood before him wasn't a human being, but a ferocious beast.

"Grandmaster, it's been over twenty years since we last met, hasn't it?" The middle-aged man spoke slowly, his voice deep and hoarse.

"You are?" Grandmaster instinctively used an honorific tone, unsure why this beggar-like middle-aged man knew him. Moreover, it was the middle of the night, which only made things more suspicious.

The most important thing was that Grandmaster sensed faint spirit power fluctuations coming from the man. That power far surpassed his own, making it impossible to refuse the conversation even if he wanted to.

"Heh." The man smirked, his expression ambiguous. He lifted his hair away from his eyes and said in a deep voice, "It's no surprise you don't recognize me in this state. Grandmaster, I am Tang Hao."

"What?! Y-you're Tang Hao!" Upon hearing the name, Grandmaster's eyes widened in shock, his normally rigid face changing slightly. He respectfully said, "Greetings, Lord Clear Sky."

"Lord? That title belongs to the past." Tang Hao's voice was deep, and his sharp gaze fell upon Grandmaster. "I imagine you've already guessed Xiao San's background, haven't you?"

"Yes, Lord Clear Sky," Grandmaster responded nervously. "I already suspected Xiao San's father was you, because the Clear Sky Sect has been secluded for many years, and no other direct disciples have been seen in the Spirit Master world. Besides you, there are no others outside."

"Heh, you're smart." Tang Hao's eyes gleamed. "I know you took Xiao San as your disciple. Having met you today, I see that your reputation is well-deserved."

"You flatter me. Teaching is my duty, otherwise, Xiao San wouldn't have needed to take me as his master." Grandmaster said humbly.

"That's good. With a teacher like you, I believe Xiao San will become a powerful Spirit Master soon." Tang Hao nodded slightly before speaking in a low voice, "I need to take care of some matters. I'll leave Xiao San in your care."

"You're leaving?" Grandmaster frowned slightly. "You are Xiao San's 's father. Shouldn't you at least inform him?"

"No need. With you looking after him, I'm at ease," Tang Hao shook his head. His gaze suddenly turned cold, and he said, "There are some things I must handle personally. Also, the matter with the Spirit Hall, I haven't forgotten what they did to Me."

"You're going to confront the Spirit Hall alone?" Grandmaster asked in shock, realizing what Tang Hao intended.

"The Spirit Hall?" Tang Hao snorted. "I'm just going to collect some old debts, that's all."

"But don't worry, I won't do anything foolish. The only thing I care about now is Xiao San. And I hope you remember this: while he may be my son, he's also your disciple. 'A teacher for a day is a father for life.' I trust that's not just an empty phrase."

"From the day Xiao San became my disciple, I've treated him as my own son. I'll take responsibility for caring for him until the day you... return." Hearing Grandmaster's words, Tang Hao nodded in satisfaction. Then, with a wave of his hand, a black token engraved with six spirit symbols landed on the desk among Grandmaster's research papers.

"This is..." Grandmaster's pupils contracted as he stared intently at the token.

"It seems you know what this is," Tang Hao interrupted, his tone cold. "I'm reassured to leave Xiao San in your care, but there's another reason I came to see you today."

"Xiao San has a straightforward nature. Let him spend more time with that girl named Xiao Wu from the dormitory."

"Hmm? Xiao Wu?" Grandmaster was momentarily taken aback. He blurted out, "Is there something special about that girl?"

"Don't ask too much. Just know that her background isn't simple. Let Xiao San interact with her more. Ideally, their relationship should deepen. She will be a great fortune for him."

"A great fortune for Xiao San…" Grandmaster pondered for a moment and then guessed, "I see, she must be a descendant of some hidden family, right? Don't worry, I'll talk to Xiao San about it."

Tang Hao gave Grandmaster a deep look but said nothing more.

Bang!

The door closed, and Tang Hao's towering figure disappeared from the room.

Watching Tang Hao leave, Grandmaster picked up the black token in his hand. A bitter smile appeared on his lips as he sighed, "I never expected my idol to end up like this."

"But what's so special about that girl? For Lord Clear Sky to make such a request… Still, encouraging Xiao San to spend time with her couldn't hurt."

"Heh... Three children with innate full spirit power at this tiny Nuoding Academy. I'm afraid even Bibi Dong must know by now."

…

In the Spirit Hall, within the grand Pope's Hall.

A breathtakingly beautiful woman sat lazily on the Pope's throne, her violet eyes half-closed as she reviewed a document in her hands.

The document had been urgently delivered from a rural town, a place called Nuoding City. Although it came from such a small town, its contents even surprised her, the Pope herself.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, do you think a Blue Silver Grass, a spirit known for being trash, could produce a genius with innate full spirit power?" Bibi Dong's violet eyes flickered as she glanced at the man kneeling in golden armor in the hall.

"Your Holiness, with my knowledge of plants, there's absolutely no way a Blue Silver Grass spirit alone could produce someone with innate full spirit power," Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, responded in a deep voice.

Having studied flora for decades, Chrysanthemum Douluo had extensive knowledge of plants. For a trash spirit like Blue Silver Grass, even awakening spirit power was difficult, let alone producing someone with innate full spirit power.

"You're correct. But what if this genius, with innate full spirit power and a Blue Silver Grass spirit, also had a second spirit?" Bibi Dong stretched lazily, then waved her hand, sending the document she was holding over to Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"A twin spirit?" Chrysanthemum Douluo was stunned at first. Then, after quickly scanning the document's contents, he spoke with a trembling voice, "Tang San. The surname is Tang. Innate full spirit power. His spirit is Blue Silver Grass!"

"It seems you've noticed what's peculiar about this report." Bibi Dong propped her chin up with one hand and said calmly, "How could a child with a trash spirit have innate full spirit power? Unless he has another spirit, one whose quality matches that of the Blue Silver Grass."

"Your Holiness, Blue Silver Grass has no quality to speak of. And even if this child has twin spirits, what kind of spirit could have quality comparable to Blue Silver Grass?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, puzzled.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, what do you think is the potential of the Blue Silver Grass?" Bibi Dong asked.

"Your Holiness, are you suggesting..." Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes gleamed as he seemed to realize something.