btth: crafting even heaven

The flame flickered low, casting long shadows across the darkstone floor. Tianzun's breath was steady, but his fingers trembled faintly as he guided the flame with pinpoint precision. Soul force wrapped around the swirling contents of the cauldron. A golden line traced the perimeter, stabilizing the compound.

"Compress. Coil. Delay exhale... now."

A soft thrum pulsed from the pill forge. The smell of burning lotus root and cracked beast bone curled through the air. Tianzun narrowed his eyes, sweat beading at his brow. Every line of his face was drawn with concentration.

Across the room, Yoru sat cross-legged, watching in silence. Her usual sharp gaze was tempered by something new: respect.

Another low pulse from the cauldron. Then stillness.

A bead of golden spirit liquid rose from the mixture and compressed midair. The pill took shape, its glowing core flickering with internal heat.

Tianzun caught it on a jade tray without so much as a whisper of motion.

"Ninth pill complete," he said. His voice was hoarse.

Yoru blinked. "Already? That's three nights in a row. You haven't slept."

He stood, joints cracking from the stillness. "Sleep is for the content. I'm not content."

She smirked. "And here I thought you were just trying to impress me."

Tianzun didn't answer. He turned to the glowing interface hovering just above his palm.

🗂️ [Time Mapping Panel] — Host-Created Utility

> 📅 Day 34 since Flame Integration began

🌙 Night 12 since Pill Forging Initiated

🧒 Xiao Yan: Age 4, Cultivation onset expected in 2 months

🦋 Gu Xun'er projected arrival: ~40 days

🧪 [Pill Count: 10 / 10 Required for Auction Listing]

"Done," Tianzun murmured. Then a slow grin pulled across his face. "Let's eat."

---

🍳 Crafting Realm Kitchen

The aroma wafting from Tianzun's soul-forged skillet was divine. The ingredients shimmered faintly with spiritual essence. Tianzun was humming softly—a rare moment of ease—as he drizzled a pinch of crushed Celestial Shards over the surface of the dish. The result? A scent that was nearly addictive.

Yoru sat mesmerized by the sight. "Your cooking... this isn't normal. This is—"

"Dangerous?" he teased, flipping a flame-seared lotus root.

"It's like a pill that tastes better than heaven."

Tianzun smirked. He didn't answer. A flicker of memory passed behind his eyes—another world, another kitchen, another life. He didn't speak of it. Not yet. But somewhere, the fragments of a forgotten culinary genius resurfaced.

Yoru ate in silence, wide-eyed and hungry, entirely enchanted. Even her spirit seemed to glow.

---

🕶️ Plan Initiated: Auction Visit in Disguise

Two black robes. Concealing cloaks. Subtle face-blurring powder made from crushed void blossoms.

Tianzun stood before the mirror, adjusting his cowl. "No name, no trace, no signature."

"Black fits you," Yoru said with a grin.

They made their way through the side streets, avoiding the main merchant roads. The auction house sat in the mid-district—neither noble nor lowborn, but walked by all. Caravans lined the entrance.

Inside, the hall glowed with soft gold light.

They approached the registration desk. Tianzun, voice lowered, presented his pill box. A senior attendant took one glance—and paused.

"Tier-1 high-grade... Ten identical, flame-aligned pills? This... We'll mark them with a house seal and display early."

The marking glowed faint red—sign of auction highlights.

"Auction begins in two days. We expect a frenzy."

The attendant reached into a sealed drawer and slid a black metallic card toward Tianzun.

"Black Card status—granted to verified alchemists. Your presence at the auction will be prioritized."

Tianzun accepted it without a word.

As they turned away, his gaze swept briefly over the staff. No Ya Fei.

Of course. She won't appear until Xiao Yan is around eleven… by my current estimate, seven years minimum.

He tucked the card away.

---

⏳ Remaining Days: 2 Until Auction

Within the crafting realm, the floor scorched from repetition, Tianzun moved through the motions of his techniques again and again.

🧠 Technique Mastery Panel

> 💥 Exploding Pulse Spiral — 74% Mastery (Advanced Stage)

🔥 Vein Split Pulse — 58% Mastery (Stable Phase)

Sweat beaded. Qi surged. He pushed harder.

Yoru stood by the door, watching without speaking. Her admiration deepened.

Tianzun's thoughts swirled. This auction… it's only a stone on the path. But the ripple must be sharp. Memorable. Loud.

And so he trained. Harder. Deeper.

Until even the air in the realm began to tremble with silent power.

---