Chapter 30: Planning the Path Forward

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🌳 Xiao Clan Rear Garden – Post-Ceremony Silence

The gentle rustle of leaves in the Xiao Clan rear garden danced with the fading evening light. The sun, halfway buried in the western horizon, spilled golden fire across the soft grass. The breeze was soft, a whisper rather than a song.

Tianzun, Xun'er, and Yoru sat silently beneath a vast tree whose roots had long anchored the rear pavilion. The age ceremony had ended, but a quiet introspection blanketed the trio. Xiao Yan was off celebrating with the younger crowd.

Xun'er, gazing at Tianzun, finally broke the stillness.

"You didn't seem affected. Even though Xiao Yan barely looked at us. You still… looked proud of him."

Tianzun was staring at the drifting clouds, hands behind his head. "What would hate achieve? He's my brother."

Xun'er looked puzzled. "But most children our age don't think like that. They get jealous. Angry. You just... let him go."

Tianzun tilted his head. "Because he needs to grow. And I need to prepare."

"Prepare for what?" Xun'er asked, her brows furrowed.

He looked at her with that distant calm. "The world doesn't give warnings. Only consequences."

Xun'er chewed on her bottom lip. After a moment, she asked again, more softly. "How do you know all this? You speak like someone twice your age."

Tianzun smirked faintly. "I read. A lot."

"How much?"

"Every book in the Xiao Clan library."

She blinked. "All of them?"

"Mm-hm."

Yoru interjected with a grin, "He even memorized the footnotes."

Xun'er stared at him for a moment longer, then seemed to quietly accept it. She shifted the topic, asking Yoru about her favorite beasts and martial forms. The two began chatting animatedly.

Tianzun listened silently, offering the occasional nod or comment, but for the next three hours, his mind was elsewhere—navigating a maze of preparation, strategy, and destiny.

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🔄 **Tianzun's Inner Mind: time mapping **

As the sun set, his thoughts moved like chess pieces.

1. Window of Peace: ∼7 Years

> "Seven years until Xiao Yan's fate accelerates. Seven years to build alliances, consolidate strength, and ensure dominance. The world won't wait for me. I must outpace it."

**2. Advancement Timeline: Da Dou Shi in 4 Months in creating realm **

> "With crafting realm's 5x time speed, As long as I don't overstep the growth of my foundation, it's entirely feasible."

3. Cultivation Status Snapshot

Xun'er: Dou Zhe 3-Star

Yoru: Dou Shi 3-Star

> "Subordinate growth functions through my system-linked breakthroughs. Each advancement I make grants +2 stars over my level to them automatically. After that, their own talent determines trajectory."

4. Subordinate Mechanics – Internal Panel Analysis

Growth Rate:

Yoru: Strong will, adaptable, loyal. Rapid growth.

> "Once Xun'er's seal breaks... she'll eclipse most prodigies. Her current cultivation seems modest, but it's only a matter of time. Patience is the strategy here."

5. Tianzun's Personal Profile – [SYSTEM RECORD PANEL]

📂 [HOST PROFILE: TIANZUN]

Age: 3 Years

Cultivation Level: Dou Shi 3-Star

Realm Access: Crafting Realm (Time Flow x5)

Clan Role: Active Heir of Xiao Clan

Titles:

Alchemist (Tier 2) – Intermediate Rank

Technique Crafter – Rank 3 Dual Affinity

Strategic Planner (Passive Title – Enhances Decision-Making)

System Points: 92,440 pts (credit points)

Gold Balance: 6,180 coins

Celestial Shards: 88 units

Subordinates:

Yoru – Dou Shi 3-Star (High Loyalty)

Xun'er – Dou Zhe 3-Star (Dormant Potential)

Unique Techniques: Newly created by tianzun.

1. viod pulse spiral – Mastery: 100%

2. vien split pulse – Mastery: 100%

3. Shadow Chain Palm – Mastery: 87%

4. Meteoric Break Step – Mastery: 76%

5. Qi Reserve Pellet – Tianzun Style –

Description: Compresses personal Dou Qi into emergency-use capsules. Boosts recovery, aids in stamina control.

Mastery: 69%

Crafting Realm Features:

Combat Chamber (Simulated Pressure Duels)

Technique Lab (Creation Panel)

Alchemy Room (Tier 3 Facility)

Meditation Basin (Heartflow Synchronization)

Time Mapping Console (Event Forecast and Projection)

7. Mental Note: Event Markers Set in Time Mapping Console

Xiao Yan's flame decline: in ∼7 years

Yao Lao Awakening: estimated 10 years

Age Ceremony for self: in ∼1 year

> "Enough time, if well spent, is equivalent to invincibility."

Tianzun then opened the mission panel. His brows lifted as he saw a glowing mission prompt:

[SSS-RANK MISSION UNLOCKED]

Mission: Reclaim Destiny, Establish Eternal Sect Time Limit: 97 Years

Reward: ???

> "This is it. Time to build the foundation. But first—I need power. Once I reach Da Dou Shi, I'll summon subordinates suitable to bear the weight of an empire."

He smiled to himself.

Yoru, watching him silently, tilted her head. "Why are you smiling like that?"

Tianzun turned his head slowly to meet her eyes. Xun'er was also watching curiously.

"I was just thinking... it's time to start something new."

They blinked.

Tianzun stood, brushing his robe. "Let's walk."

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🌌 Evening Walk Through Xiao Clan Courtyard

The three walked in silence through the twilight-lit paths of the clan compound. Crickets chirped softly, and the distant clang of weapons from the training yard echoed faintly.

As they reached the junction outside Xun'er's residence, Tianzun nodded toward her door. "Rest well. Tomorrow begins something new."

Xun'er lingered for a moment, studying him, then nodded and turned away.

Yoru and Tianzun continued walking.

After a while, Tianzun said, "Yoru, the time has come. We begin preparations for the sect."

Yoru stopped and dropped to one knee. "As you wish, Master."

He frowned lightly. "Are you ready for it?"

Yoru nodded with conviction.

"Good. But before that, you must master all three techniques I gave you."

"Shadow Chain Palm, Meteoric Step, and the third?"

Tianzun's voice dropped low. "Void Pulse Spiral and Vein Split Pulse—combined into a new art. You'll learn it. I'll oversee your progress myself."

"Yes, Master."

"After your training, you'll receive your first mission."

She stood tall, eyes gleaming.

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🌠 Tianzun's Room – That Night

As he lay on his bed, eyes to the ceiling, he could not rest.

> "Tian Shuan Sect. A name worthy of echoing through history."

> "And I will build it, starting now."

He closed his eyes with purpose.

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End of Chapter 30