[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant":3,"chapter-titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-537":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Titan King: Ascension of the Giant",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},244657,518,"Chapter 537 537: Cheers","titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-537",537,"\u003Cp>[Sprint Crash!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James surged forward, raising his gigantic axe high. The tip of the blade lunged straight toward a Three-Tails Night Stalker of the hero-level peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mighty Sweep!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Night Stalker's tail lashed out behind it, knocking James back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James adjusted seamlessly, ramping up his strength in a sideways sweep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a spinning cleave!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep grunt and a furious roar sounded together as the colossal axe collided with the Night Stalker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more James fought, the fiercer he became, feeling his blood boiling in every vein.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he was certain the Giant King Orion was watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the advantage, James unleashed every ounce of his power. Blood coursed through him, activating his awakened bloodline skill, [Death Execution].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this state, James was fearless, his senses sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death Execution was James's most formidable move. The bloodline's energy wrapped around his massive axe, making the blade instantly triple in size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colossal axe came crashing down, splitting the Three-Tails Night Stalker clean in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WAAAGH…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James raised his axe high, saluting Orion's vantage point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping toward the Night Stalker's corpse, James removed the dark source crystal and headed back to the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finished his fight, he now became a spectator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha ha ha... Giant King Orion, do you see that giant's axe? It was forged by us dwarves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That war axe rings a bell. I recall it was crafted by one of our dwarf smiths.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harbek was thrilled. The giant who'd just taken the field was using a dwarven-forged weapon. That alone felt like free publicity for dwarven craftsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that right? It looks like your people's handiwork is indeed popular.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion didn't seem overly impressed. He remembered he had once gifted James a hero-level war axe himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why James wasn't using that weapon was something Orion had no information about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Orion was pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because James was improving!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Orion's earliest tribe, many giants had failed to keep pace with Orion's progress or with the Horde's growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They either retired, died in battle, or simply fell behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plainly put, most of the elders from his parents' and sister's generation had either stepped down or were simply gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of those who grew up alongside Orion, few remained in his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, James was one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Blackstone Tribe, genuine ascension only truly began in Rolan's generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right from the start, they enjoyed Orion's and Arch Elder's protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their potential and their environment for growth far exceeded what previous generations had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up to now, not many in the Blackstone Tribe had managed to become Alpha-level beings. In fact, they were extremely rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a reason for this: the potential of the previous two generations was exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Rolan and other younglings matured would the Blackstone Tribe experience its real surge of talents and power, triggering an era of monumental growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until then, every bit of investment was just laying groundwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing James pulled Orion into a brief moment of reflection, causing him to zone out slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Giant King Orion, are you thinking about how to buy more weapons from us dwarves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion smiled, tacitly allowing Harbek to believe what he wished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Harbek emptied his giant goblet in one gulp did Orion speak, in a casual tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dwarven people and the Stoneheart Horde's territory lie far apart. Selling more weapons to us would be beneficial for both sides.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a fact, and Orion did want to reason with Harbek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, at times, reason wouldn't necessarily work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it's beneficial for sure, but you don't understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. You have no idea. If we sell more weapons to you, humans and blood elves won't be happy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harbek, somewhat drunk, let slip some candid words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, nobody could be sure whether he did so deliberately or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion poured an entire barrel of ale down his own throat by way of reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, dwarves weren't just smiths by trade—some among them were quite astute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five-Race Alliance traded and exchanged goods with one another, but they also deliberately controlled the scale of that trade, hoping to maintain a certain equilibrium among the races' strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a stance championed by many conservative factions who valued stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, the dwarves are happy with this arrangement?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or, do the dwarves feel satisfied with the volume and scope of trade they have with the Stoneheart Horde?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Harbek could respond, Orion asked in an inscrutable tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to keep others happy, or do you want to keep yourselves happy? What would you choose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, Orion had set down his barrel, staring intently at the dwarf before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harbek, pinned by that question and that gaze, grew uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unease didn't stem from fear or danger, but from wrestling with the right or wrong of his choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere grew tense and stifling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, cheers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To the friendship between the Dwarves and the Stoneheart Horde!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe weapons forged by dwarves will surely capture the hearts of giants and every other race in the Horde.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion raised his goblet in a toast, breaking the momentary silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, knowing when enough is enough is simply the best course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cheers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harbek grinned, sidestepping the previous awkwardness. He raised his goblet to drink with Orion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This challenge is a treat from me to our guests and to my people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Harbek, don't you plan to let your people take part?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right, we mustn't forget Lord Bloodscale!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion reminded Harbek of the dwarves, and also acknowledged the dragon representative, Bloodscale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bloodscale was a blood dragon, more or less a dragon-kin mutation, only at the Alpha peak level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat among them in the capacity of a dragon emissary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, he wouldn't be qualified to sit as an equal with Orion or Harbek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Orion and Harbek both chose to overlook him most of the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High status without matching strength often leaves one feeling overshadowed, and this truth applies everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dwarves can join?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They must! But remember, our colosseum has one rule: only by killing your opponent can you walk out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion's lips curved in a faint smile. Though he claimed he was informing, he was actually goading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Giant King Orion, are you looking down on dwarves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dwarves never fear combat, for we possess the sharpest weapons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orion nodded and remained silent, a wry smile suggesting he awaited Harbek's next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tordek, step forward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Show everyone in Stoneheart City the might of the dwarves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a row of attendants emerged a solemn dwarf named Tordek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood out markedly, for his weapon was a warhammer taller than he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tordek headed for the Colosseum, dragging his warhammer along behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>",1125,"2026-05-29T15:49:27.205Z","2026-06-01T04:29:39.741Z",1,"novelbin.me","70c1b476079b7d0ca64d7f7b835b4a2b358647ee19b0477194c4034436b11034","titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-538","titan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-chapter-536",1606,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftitan-king-ascension-of-the-giant-cover.jpg"]