btth: crafting even heaven

🕯️ The auction house of Wu Tan City buzzed with anticipation. It wasn't the usual crowd today. Whispers filled the grand chamber—not of rare weapons or beast cores—but of a single, low-ranked alchemist whose pills had stirred intense curiosity. Word had spread fast. Ten high-grade Flame-Nourishing Body Pills, glowing with internal purity, had appeared from an anonymous source known only as "Ashroot."

🧧 The rumors were intentional.

Tianzun, seated in a private, shadowed balcony on the third tier, adjusted the black hood of his robe. Yoru sat beside him, garbed similarly. Their auras were muted, expressions unreadable.

> "No one will link these pills to the Xiao Clan," Yoru whispered.

> "That's the point. We don't just sell medicine today—we sell mystery."

The auction platform was circular, marble-white, with crystal pillars glowing faintly from within. The lead auctioneer—a silver-tongued man with sharp cheekbones and practiced calm—stepped forward. "Ladies and Gentlemen, cultivators of Wu Tan, thank you for gathering for a rare midday session."

The crowd leaned in. Dozens of clan elders, rogue cultivators, and city merchants stared down from their respective balconies. At the very front sat a low-ranking elder from the Ao Clan and a rotund merchant known for outbidding smaller rivals.

> "Today's highlight," the auctioneer continued, raising a glass case aloft, "is a bundle of ten alchemical pills. Not ordinary pills, but Flame-Nourishing Body Pills of rare refinement—each bearing over 89% purity. Created by an unknown alchemist. Codename: Ashroot."

A ripple moved through the room. An alchemist of this level operating outside known factions? It was too strange. Too tempting.

🃏 Tianzun folded his arms, watching reactions. His lips curled slightly.

> "They're already calculating how to find me."

> Let them try.

The auctioneer's smile widened. "We begin bidding at 500 silver taels per pill. Bulk only. Entire set of ten. Bids in full."

---

💰 BIDDING WAR BEGINS:

> 🪙 Merchant Zang: "700!" 💠 Ao Clan Elder: "800!" 🪙 Merchant Zang: "900!" 🔥 Black-robed stranger (Tianzun via gesture): "1,100."

Eyes turned.

"Who bids in black?" someone murmured.

The auctioneer smirked. "Anonymous guests may bid in this house. Let their coin speak."

Tianzun leaned toward Yoru. "They're too focused on the pills. Let's make them focus on me."

He signaled again.

> "1,300."

> Merchant Zang scowled. "1,400!"

Tianzun signaled once more.

> "1,600."

> Ao Elder: "1,800!"

Tianzun leaned back. "Now pause."

Yoru whispered, "You're stopping?"

> "No. I'm baiting."

The pause created tension. Zang's eyes narrowed. The Ao Elder glanced upward. All attention turned to the mysterious black-robed bidder who didn't raise his hand again.

"Gone cold?" someone muttered.

Zang raised his hand.

> "2,000."

Tianzun tapped the railing.

> "2,400."

There was silence.

That wasn't a buyer. That was someone proving they could buy.

The Ao Clan elder stood.

> "2,800."

Tianzun finally made a subtle gesture.

> "3,200."

🧨 Gasps.

The auctioneer nearly dropped his ledger.

> "3,200 silver taels! Do I hear higher?"

There was none.

"Sold!"

A sharp chime rang out.

---

📜 After the Auction:

Tianzun and Yoru descended silently into the back hall. The auction hall's coordinator—a middle-aged man with green robes and gold cuffs—greeted them with the courtesy owed to a noble.

He handed over a black envelope. Inside:

> 💳 A Black Auction Card – granting lifetime preferred access, early listing privileges, and private room usage 💰 Payment note: 3,200 silver taels—delivered via secure vault token

"On behalf of the house," the coordinator said, "we are deeply honored. Might the esteemed Ashroot accept our partnership proposal?"

Tianzun's voice dropped two octaves.

> "Not today. Observe the result. That is your answer."

He turned, cloak swirling.

Yoru followed.

> "Why did you provoke them?"

> "Because I wanted my name to be expensive. Not just my pills."

She shook her head. "You're dangerous."

He smiled faintly.

> "Not yet."

---

📈 Back at the crafting realm, Tianzun stood before the flickering interface:

🧾 Updated Asset Panel:

> 💰 Silver: 3,200 taels (banked) 🧪 Reputation Index: 42/100 (Auction Tier: Recognized) 🔥 Pill Demand: High

And beneath it:

🧠 Thought Thread:

> "That was only Tier-1. What will they bid when I reach Rank 2?"

His fingers tapped against the flame chamber.

> "Not bad for my first dance."

--