btth: crafting even heaven

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🌄 Xiao Clan Training Grounds – Age Ceremony Morning

Two months passed in quiet diligence.

The sun shone warmly on the wide ceremonial plaza of the Xiao Clan. Flags bearing the clan's sigil fluttered in the wind. An enormous raised platform had been built for the Age Ceremony—where all four-year-old children would be publicly evaluated before elders, instructors, and noble representatives from nearby clans.

Tianzun stood under the canopy beside Xun'er and Yoru, all three wearing ceremonial dark-red robes trimmed in black. Though only three years old, their presence had been requested as future candidates. None of them would be evaluated today, but all eyes lingered on the trio regardless.

On the platform, Xiao Mei, Xiao Ning, and others were preparing for their tests. Today, however, all expectations rested on one name: Xiao Yan.

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📜 Recap – Tianzun's Last Two Months (Internal Monologue)

> "Dou Shi..."

Tianzun's fingers curled slightly as he watched the bustling crowd. The last two months had been anything but restful. He had immersed himself in training under Ling Yuan's strict yet cryptic guidance.

> "You need not chase power. It'll bow before you when your foundation is flawless," Ling Yuan had once said.

> "But I want more than power," Tianzun had replied. "I want precision."

From dawn to dusk in the crafting realm, he refined not just his Dou Qi, but his control, his techniques, and the fluidity of combat movement. Ling Yuan often mocked him:

> "You cultivate like a surgeon sharpens a scalpel—not for battle, but to dissect fate."

Tianzun had also succeeded in finalizing his experimental technique, the one inspired by senzu beans. By compressing Dou Qi into dense, high-efficiency storage capsules that could be quickly absorbed when needed, he created a personal emergency reservoir. It was no longer a prototype.

📘 System Notification:

> New Technique Registered: Qi Reserve Pellet: Tianzun Style – level 1 69% Mastery Initiated Entry Successful. Categorized under: External Dou Qi Storage Methods

This became his third unique contribution to the crafting realm's technique panel.

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🏛 Age Ceremony – The Moment of Spotlight

The elders took their seats atop the stage. Among them stood Elder Su and Elder Li, known for their discerning eyes. Beside them sat nobles from nearby factions—Kale Clan, Feng Association, and even a representative from the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Next," called Elder Su, "Xiao Yan."

A hush fell.

Xiao Yan walked proudly to the center, chest puffed out with youthful pride. He turned his gaze towards the audience, eyes scanning until they found Tianzun.

Tianzun raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"Place your palm on the crystal orb," the elder instructed.

Xiao Yan did as told. The orb shimmered.

"Cultivation: Dou Zhe Qi (dou disciple) one Star," Elder Li announced.

Gasps followed.

"A four-year-old Dou Zhe Qi!

"Truly worthy of Xiao Zhan's bloodline!"

Applause thundered. Xiao Yan's grin widened. He gave a small bow and leapt from the platform, walking back toward his companions with the swagger of a young king.

"Not bad, right?" he said, beaming.

Xun'er smiled softly. "You've worked hard."

Yoru leaned forward. "You're gonna be arrogant for a month now, aren't you?"

Tianzun gave a subtle nod. "Not bad at all." But his eyes were calculating.

> "Short-term cultivation increase. Likely from an external enhancement. Temporary gains. It begins now... your arc, Xiao Yan."

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🌲 After the Ceremony – In the Grass Under a Pavilion

The four sat together under a shady pine.

"Does this mean I'm the strongest in our group?" Xiao Yan asked, stretching.

Yoru snorted. "Physically? Maybe. In brains? Eh..."

Tianzun spoke softly, "Strength is relative. The moment you think you've reached the top... that's when you begin to fall."

Xiao Yan paused, the words heavier than expected.

Xun'er turned her gaze to Tianzun. "You always say things like that. Why do you sound like an old man?"

He chuckled. "Because I remember things others don't."

Their laughter was light, but Tianzun's expression briefly darkened.

> "So this is how it started for him... the admiration... the pressure... the decline."

He glanced sideways at Xiao Yan. Then closed his eyes.

> "I'll be watching. Not to compete. But to make sure the story this time... changes."

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End of Chapter 28