Chapter 204: The Fire of Tempering, the Soul Forged in Flame

“Without light, Shadow is not merely lost—its very existence becomes an endless torment.”

Inside the Quantum Space of Steam Furnace, Tian Dao stood before the Dimensional Screen, staring at Kalolin’s solitary silhouette—the final words of the epilogue etched into his mind. His emotions were a storm of conflicting currents: sorrow? Guilt? Shame? Or perhaps all of them, tangled together.

The sudden emotional dagger thrust by the Starlight Production Team had struck even him—its creator, the one who had written every line and directed every frame. Despite knowing it was all for her own good, despite believing he’d acted out of pure intent—what if, with Kalolin’s nature, he hadn’t sealed that memory, she would have blown herself to pieces against the Ironcrown Family upon waking?

But leaving her behind—broken, memoryless, without even knowing why she should live—wasn’t that also a kind of cruelty?

He couldn’t answer that question. Not yet.

But the cruelty wouldn’t last.

Because once he completed what came next, he could finally stand before her—face to face, without hiding.

And Tian Dao believed, deep down, that she’d understand. Just like when she was a child, she’d forgive his small, reckless defiance.

“Mr. Tian Dao?”

A gentle tug at his sleeve snapped him back from his thoughts.

Dannika stood beside him, her eyes wide. They’d crossed the Brass Path, and now stood before a colossal brass gear—three stories tall, its teeth still gleaming with the faint, oily sheen of centuries-old lubricant. It radiated an aura of ancient power.

Around it, twelve figures stood motionless—like statues carved from metal. The original Twelve Brass Nobles. The most loyal enforcers and guardians of the Gear Codex. Beings created at the dawn of Steam Furnace, left here to guard this sacred relic.

Unlike the mindless steam sentinels outside, these guardians pulsed with a faint golden energy. Their eyes, cold and unwavering, exuded a sense of oppressive authority. Each one held the strength of a Third-Rank mid-tier warrior.

Dannika gripped Tian Dao’s pant leg tightly, her voice trembling.

“T-Tian Dao… they look so scary…”

Tian Dao ruffled her hair with a smile. “It’s alright. Let’s go.”

“O-Okay…”

As they stepped forward from the path, the two nearest guardians—silent as statues—suddenly turned their heads. Their gaze swept over Tian Dao, lingered on Dannika… then locked precisely onto Vivian.

“Authentication confirmed. Furnace Forging Ritual initiated.”

In unison, the guardians shifted aside—like a gate opening—revealing a path leading straight to the massive gear.

Dannika’s eyes widened. Her mouth fell open.

“Don’t just stand there—let’s go.”

“Ah! Right!”

She hurried after him, clutching his pants leg once more.

Though Tian Dao had said it was fine, she couldn’t help but steal glances at the guardians as they passed. But not a single one moved. They stood frozen—reverted to stone once more.

Finally, unable to hold back, she whispered, “Tian Dao… why aren’t they attacking us?”

Tian Dao smiled, offering an explanation—but one that was also meant for the Dimensional Audience watching from Station 13.

“Because though they appear alive, they’re just intelligent automatons bound by the Gear Codex.”

“According to the Code, any being with gear authority—so long as they don’t threaten the Central Authority—won’t be harmed.”

“But I don’t have any gear authority!” Dannika frowned. “And I don’t even know what the Gear Codex is!”

Tian Dao chuckled. “No… you do. And your authority… is greater than any of the Brass Nobles.”

“Huh?!”

Dannika froze, eyes spinning in confusion—her pupils swirling like tiny whirlpools.

Even the Dimensional Audience, watching from the other side, were baffled. They couldn’t understand why Tian Dao had brought Vivian here. After all, according to the earlier narrative, he should’ve been able to reach this place alone after collecting all twelve Quantum Keys. Why bring Vivian as a prisoner? It made no sense.

As if answering their unspoken question, Dannika tilted her head up, pointing at Vivian.

“Mr. Tian Dao… why is she okay too?”

Just then, the ground beneath them trembled.

From the shadows beneath the brass path, a massive furnace emerged—its furnace chamber glowing a deep, ominous red.

Tian Dao looked at the towering Steam Furnace before him, his voice calm.

“Because she is the one the Furnace demands as sacrifice. And only when the sacrifice appears does the Brass Gear reveal its true form.”

“I need her to guide me to the real Gear Central. Only then can I claim what I seek.”

Dannika blinked, trying to grasp it. Then her eyes lit up.

“Oh! I get it! She’s the bait, right? You’re using her to catch something!”

Tian Dao paused—then smiled. “In a way… you’re not wrong.”

“Hmph!” Dannika puffed out her chest, triumphant.

But the mood was starkly different from Vivian’s side.

As the giant Steam Furnace loomed before her, her face drained of color—pale as ash.

Tian Dao watched her, then spoke softly, with quiet weight.

“Miss Knight… the fire of tempering stands before you. It’s time for you to step into your role.”

Vivian said nothing. She didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just lowered her head.

A silent refusal. A quiet rebellion.

Tian Dao didn’t react. He simply raised his hand.

In an instant, a surge of overwhelming strength gripped Vivian. Like a tiny boat caught in an invisible tidal wave, she was swept forward—thrown into the heart of the blazing Steam Furnace.

The moment she vanished into the furnace’s depths, Dannika spoke—her voice quiet, yet cutting straight through the silence.

“Mr. Tian Dao… you’re helping her, aren’t you?”

“Huh? What made you say that?”

Dannika tilted her head, eyes bright with sudden understanding.

“Because I know you’re a kind person. And…” She pointed toward the furnace, where the Brass Gear slowly descended into its top socket. “…it just told me. The fire of tempering isn’t about replacement. It’s about evolution.”

She paused, then added firmly:

“The ones around us… they’re just failed attempts at evolution.”

She turned to Tian Dao, her expression unwavering.

“You believe she can pass through it, don’t you?”

Tian Dao’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.

“Only time will tell.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end