Chapter 153 — The Hammer Before Heaven
Dawn broke over the Astral Forge Sect in a blaze of gold and silver.
Every disciple—outer, inner, core, elite, and direct—filled the terraces of the colossal Titan Arena, a structure carved from a fallen star and humming with condensed astral iron essence. Today would determine the sect's rising star.
Two names stirred the entire sect:
Tian of the Sky-Anvil Bloodline
vs.
Lin, the Forging Prodigy of Elder Rowan
Lin was nothing more—publicly—than the most promising forging disciple the sect had seen in centuries. An outer disciple who had shattered records, completed Rowan's training stages in months rather than years, and even produced weapons that rivaled those of inner disciples.
That alone was enough to shock the sect.
But today would reveal if he could stand against someone like Tian.
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1. Fanfare
The Titan war drums boomed. Astral fireworks cracked across the sky. The arena's star-metal floor glowed brighter as formation scripts awakened.
A herald amplified his voice through formation towers.
> "TODAY!
The challenge duel between Tian, direct disciple of Elder Ironblood—
And Lin, forging disciple of Elder Rowan—
SHALL COMMENCE!"
The crowd erupted.
Some cheered Tian.
Some whispered nervously about Lin.
Most were simply hungry to witness a duel between two ascending geniuses.
---
2. Public Perception of the Duelists
Tian
Peak of his generation among outer-inner disciples
Exceptional hammer intent
Recent breakthrough the night before
Expected future direct disciple of a Saint-level elder
Considered unbeatable by most present
He radiated confidence sharpened by ambition.
Lin
Outer disciple
Forging prodigy
Fastest to complete Rowan's training stages in sect history
Possessor of a strange, living hammer that no one understood
Rumored to have monstrous adaptability and frightening stability in his foundation
But still…
An outer disciple.
Most expected him to lose.
Except Rowan.
And a few sharp-eyed elites who had begun to suspect Lin was more than he seemed.
But none of them imagined anything close to the truth—only that he had some rare constitution or hidden technique.
---
3. Sect Discussions
Outer disciples:
> "Tian's gonna crush him!"
"Lin is strong… but he's still an outer disciple."
"I heard he finished the third forging trial in one day. ONE DAY!"
"So what? Tian has hammer intent!"
Inner disciples:
> "If Lin fights like he forges, this won't be one-sided."
"Rowan wouldn't train him personally if he were ordinary."
"Still… Tian is Tian. His bloodline carries natural dominance."
Core disciples:
> "Lin's calm is unnatural. I don't believe the rumor that he's just a forging genius."
"He has secrets."
"Everyone has secrets. The question is—are his enough to defeat Tian?"
Direct disciples:
> "Tian is expected to win."
"But that hammer Lin carries… its presence is unusual."
"Let's see what Elder Rowan's investment yields."
And then—
"ODDS ARE OPEN! PLACE YOUR BETS!"
Tian: 4:1 favorite
Lin: 1:5 underdog
The sect's formation screens lit up with betting numbers. Inner disciples hesitated. A few core disciples quietly bought small amounts of Lin.
Just in case.
---
4. Elders' Reactions — Corrected
The Sect Master spoke softly:
> "Rowan… your disciple appears composed."
Rowan snorted.
"He's too dumb to be afraid."
The Sect Master raised a brow.
"That sounded suspiciously like pride."
"No. Just… grudging acknowledgment."
Another elder muttered:
> "Even with talent, an outer disciple cannot match Tian."
Rowan didn't look away from Lin.
"We will see."
---
5. Rift Disturbance
Far beneath the arena, inside the abyssal-rift training grounds—
Guards stiffened as the spatial membrane rippled unnaturally.
> "Sir… the abyssal pressure is climbing again."
"More than usual?"
"Tenfold."
"Is something trying to… sense us?"
A commander clenched his jaw.
"Do not interrupt the duel. But send an immediate alert to the Sect Master."
None connected this disturbance to Lin—nor should they.
To them, it was simply the abyss being unpredictable again.
But deep beyond the rift…
Something ancient stirred.
---
6. Duel Setup
The herald raised both hands.
> "Tian.
Lin.
Step into the arena."
Tian stepped forward like a walking mountain.
Lin stepped forward like quiet inevitability.
Neither released killing intent.
Neither postured.
Both radiated the simplicity of determination.
Tian inhaled deeply.
Lin exhaled slowly.
Hammer vs. hammer.
Intent vs. intent.
Prodigy vs. monster genius.
> "BEGIN!"
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