btth: crafting even heaven

🏯 **Gu Clan - Central Council Hall**

A solemn quiet hung over the Gu Clan's ancestral hall. Illuminated by floating soul-lamps and surrounded by jade pillars etched with the clan's illustrious lineage, the highest-ranking members of the Gu Clan convened. At the head of the room, the Gu Clan Leader sat with his hand folded beneath his chin, eyes cool and sharp.

"The Xiao Clan still holds one of the keys," Elder Gu Hao murmured. "Tuo She Ancient God's Jade."

"They are loyal dogs of the empire. Touching them directly would provoke conflict," another elder responded.

The clan leader's gaze did not move. "We won't touch them. We'll... watch them."

All eyes turned toward the young girl seated silently in the shadows—her eyes like twin stars in the dark.

"Send Xun'er to the Xiao Clan," the clan leader said.

Gasps filled the chamber.

"Patriarch, she is of direct bloodline!"

"That is why she will be safe. No one will dare suspect the Gu Clan would plant one of their own. Not there."

Xun'er lowered her eyes. She was quiet, but not passive. Her fingers coiled tightly into her sleeves.

"Let her live a normal childhood. Hide her presence. Keep the Xiao Clan ignorant."

And in his silence, the unspoken command echoed: **Get the jade.**

---

🌇 **Xiao Clan – Eastern Courtyard, One Week Later**

Tianzun sat beneath the old apricot tree, sunlight filtering through its leaves in broken patterns across his face. In his hand was a formation slate—complex and ancient, part of his latest design for energy storage. His cultivation had slowed externally, but beneath the surface, Dou Qi flowed with terrifying precision. His soul-core pulsed like a second heart.

Yoru stood to his left, arms folded, watching the path from the gate.

"They're here," she said.

Tianzun didn't look up. "Three escorts. One disguised Soul Realm practitioner. The girl is cloaked in flame-resistant Qi silk—mid-tier Gu refinement."

Yoru's eyes widened slightly. "You can sense through that?"

He finally looked up, rising slowly. "Watch her feet when she walks. The Gu clan teaches stride discipline to children of elite blood. She's not just a child."

A moment later, the wooden gates creaked open.

Xiao Zhan entered, leading a small entourage. At his side walked a delicate girl of golden eyes and long, ink-black hair, dressed in simple pale robes with a jade pendant hanging from her neck. She moved like poetry, but behind her soft steps was iron discipline.

Behind them stood two guards and an old man with deep eye sockets—Ling Ying, cloaked in plain brown. Yet his presence was anything but plain.

Tianzun's eyes narrowed.

> *"So the Gu Clan sends its phoenix into a henhouse. Bold. And calculated. Just like how it happened... but this time, they're not the only ones watching."*

The moment Xun'er entered the courtyard, her eyes instinctively found Tianzun.

Their gazes locked.

It wasn't chance. It wasn't childish curiosity. Her pupils expanded slightly, as if her body recognized something her mind did not. A faint blush touched her cheeks. Then, confusion.

> *"His eyes… not the eyes of a child. Too calm. Too sharp."*

Tianzun tilted his head slightly. Not a greeting. Not a challenge. Simply... observation.

And then he turned away.

> *"I'm not here for her. Not yet."*

She blinked, startled. For the first time in her life, someone looked through her instead of at her.

Xiao Zhan cleared his throat.

"This is Xun'er. She is... a distant cousin. Her parents passed some years ago.

Tianzun and Xiao Yan both stepped forward.

Xiao Yan grinned. "Welcome, cousin. I'm Xiao Yan."

She smiled politely. "Brother Yan."

Tianzun offered a hand—not too formal, not too casual.

"Tianzun."

She reached out.

Her fingers touched his palm.

Warm. Inhumanly smooth.

Xun'er felt a strange tremor through her arm—not Dou Qi, not fear. Something... else.

> *"He's not simple," she murmured under her breath.*

Tianzun arched a brow faintly.

> *"And she noticed."*

---

⏳ **Later That Afternoon – Xiao Zhan's Study**

Xiao Yan had long gone back to train. But Xun'er remained.

"Uncle Zhan... who is Tianzun?" she asked softly.

Xiao Zhan exhaled. Poured tea.

"My son. But not just my son. He's... something else."

She waited, curious.

He chuckled. "Even when I speak, I find myself listening to his words. He makes me hesitate before I finish a sentence. And I'm the clan head."

Xun'er's eyes gleamed. "He seems older than he looks."

"He is. Not in age. But... inside."

She nodded. Filed the thought away.

---

🌒 **Xiao Clan Guest Residence – Xun'er's Room**

Ling Ying stood by the window.

"She noticed something," he said quietly.

Xun'er looked up. "I can't explain it. I looked into his soul, I think. And it looked back."

Ling Ying closed his eyes. Searched the courtyard with his spiritual sense.

"...I can't sense it. No ripple. No residue. That's not concealment. That's... precision."

He turned to her. "Be careful, young miss. He is not part of our plans."

She turned to the window.

> *"Then maybe it's time our plans included him.

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