After returning home, Tang Tian remained silent. In his mind, the words of Tang Xiao
echoed: "A pity it wasn't the Clear Sky Hammer…"
He entered the house first. The wooden walls, the familiar scent of pine and tea, the
cozy warmth — everything seemed the same, but something inside the boy had
changed forever.
His grandfather followed. As always, he approached quietly and placed a hand on his
grandson's shoulder. His voice held firmness, but also a warm strength.
"Do not be disheartened," he said softly. "Yes, you didn't awaken the Clear Sky
Hammer… But your innate spirit power is level ten. That is rare — a genius, one in a
million. Reaching the rank of Titled Douluo will only be a matter of time for you."
Tang Tian was silent for a few seconds. Then he raised his eyes.
"Grandfather… I actually have another spirit."
The elder's brows furrowed in surprise, but before he could say anything, the boy slowly
extended his right hand forward.
In that moment, a powerful spirit began to form — a hammer, but unlike those of the
usual clan members.
This Clear Sky Hammer was engulfed in flames. Burning, as if forged in magma itself, it
glowed with a red-orange light, and a wave of heat instantly raised the room's
temperature. The air shimmered, and tongues of flame licked the wooden floor — yet it
didn't burn.
The old man's eyes widened. His voice was barely a whisper:
"Dual spirits… And one of them is the Clear Sky Hammer. With a fire attribute… just like
mine."
He walked around the boy, studying him in disbelief. His voice carried awe, pride… and
a touch of fear.
"Why didn't you show this during the ceremony?" he asked quietly once the flames
faded and the spirit vanished.
Tang Tian withdrew his hand, sat down, and stared into the hearth's flames.
"I want to leave this place, travel the world, train, learn… And once they know I have
dual spirits, they won't let me go — or they'll control my every step. And… I don't want
envy. I want to grow in the shadows. Without unnecessary attention."
The old man fell silent. He stared at his grandson for a long, long time. Then slowly
nodded.
"You understand more than most adults. Good. I won't tell anyone. But you must give
me your word."
"What kind of word?" Tang Tian asked, surprised.
"Never attach a spirit ring to the hammer until you become a Titled Douluo. Otherwise,
its nature will be revealed. This will be your greatest secret. For now."
Tang Tian pondered for a moment and nodded.
"I promise."
They sat in silence. The fire's warmth still lingered… but in the air, a new energy had
begun to stir. A secret only the two of them would share.
Several days passed since the awakening. Tang Tian didn't waste a moment. He trained
his body daily, improved his breathing, spirit sense — but most importantly, he studied.
The Tang Sect's library became his second home. There, among old scrolls and books,
he spent hours learning about spirit traits, compatibility, and the effects they had on
different types of martial souls.
One morning, with the sky still draped in a transparent haze and the air scented with
pine and night's chill, the seventh elder sat on a wooden bench near the house, slowly
sipping hot tea. Tang Tian returned from a morning run — light on his feet, full of
confidence.
"Well then," the elder said, glancing at him, "have you decided how to develop your
spirit?"
The boy stopped before him. His breathing was steady, his gaze — firm.
"Yes. I've thought it through, Grandfather."
"Speak," the elder said, looking him straight in the eyes.
"I choose the path of control," Tang Tian said firmly. "My spirit is the Eyes of Eternity. I
see more than others. And I want to use it not for attack or defense, but to control the
battlefield — to see weaknesses, stop, influence, predict."
"Hmm…" The elder raised an eyebrow. "A surprisingly mature decision."
"I've already picked a few suitable spirit beasts. The Tang Sect library had detailed
descriptions of many creatures. I wasn't looking for power — but abilities that grant
control: illusions, slowing, disrupting focus, weakening reaction…"
The elder was silent for a few seconds, then stood up, walked over, and placed a hand
on his grandson's shoulder.
"Well done, Tian. You're not just strong — you're smart. And that matters. For those
with sharp minds and strong hearts will always find victory. Tomorrow, we leave."
"Where to?" the boy asked, alert.
"To the Sunset Forest. Not as well-known as others, but several beasts you've probably
read about dwell there. If we're lucky, you'll find your first spirit. But know this: it will be
your first real battle."
"I'm ready," Tang Tian replied with resolve.
The elder looked into his eyes, saw the depth and calm within them. He smiled.
"Now you're truly ready."
A narrow path twisted between tall trees, where sunlight no longer shone directly, only
filtered through the canopy in a golden glow. Tang Tian walked alongside his
grandfather, carrying a small pack with only the essentials. The air in the Sunset Forest
was dense, almost stagnant — a silence reigned here, filled with the whispers of beasts
and trees.
At one point, Tang Tian glanced to the side, into the forest depths, and thought:
"This is where… the Poison Garden of Dugu Bo is said to be. But not yet. I'm not ready
to go there."
He brushed the thought aside and refocused on the conversation with his grandfather,
who walked ahead, scanning the bushes and bark.
"Remember," the elder said, "not every beast is your enemy. But each is a trial. To
choose the right one, you must not only know its strength, but feel its compatibility.
Many chase power, then collapse under the burden of a mismatched ring."
They searched for several days. The elder taught him how to find tracks, sense spirit
energy in the air, read claw marks on trees. Tang Tian absorbed everything like a
sponge.
Then, on the fourth day, deep in the underbrush, they saw her.
"Look," the elder pointed. "An Illusion Mist Fox."
She was a stunning creature. Her fur shimmered silver-violet, her ears large and sharp,
her eyes bright blue like crystal. Even at rest, she radiated an eerie power.
"She's about 400 years old," said the elder. "Perfect age for a first ring. Her power —
mental attacks, perfect for your eyes. It's time."
Tang Tian nodded. He took a deep breath — and released the Clear Sky Hammer.
Flames engulfed the weapon, the ground beneath his feet quaked. He charged forward,
holding nothing back, eager to prove to his grandfather and himself that he was ready.
The battle began.
The fox was agile as lightning. She dodged, leaving behind misty trails that disoriented
him. But Tang Tian endured. He slashed through the fog, seized moments — and
eventually cornered her.
And then…
"Ahh!" he cried out and froze.
As if an invisible blow struck his mind. His consciousness faded for a moment. His vision
blurred. His body lost orientation.
"What… happened?.."
"Haha!" his grandfather's voice came from the bushes. "Well done! But still room to
improve!"
Tang Tian refocused. His eyes lit up, and the fiery hammer rose once more. With
determination and fury, he charged forward — and with a mighty blow, defeated the
beast.
The fox's body fell limp.
Above her, a yellow spirit ring spun in the air. Warm, gentle, yet soaked in mental
power.
"Sit," said the elder. "Absorb it."
Tang Tian sat in a lotus position and focused. The ring descended, slowly circling
around him. Time stretched. Sweat dripped from his brow. The air trembled as the spirit
entered him.
After hours, Tang Tian opened his eyes. They blazed — not with strain, but
understanding.
The elder stepped closer.
"So, what's the skill?"
"It's a mental technique," Tang Tian replied. "'Fog of Memory Strike.' It momentarily
stuns the enemy's mind for a few seconds. But the interesting part — the stronger my
mental power becomes, the longer the stun effect will last."
The old man nodded, satisfied.
"An excellent choice for your first ring. Truly your path."
The boy smiled. His gaze — confident. This was only the first ring, but already — the
beginning of the journey.