---
The morning sun crept over the tiled walls of the Xiao Clan courtyard, lighting the dew that clung to the training posts. Tianzun stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the rising heat shimmer off the stone.
Behind him, Chitoge Kirisaki stood in silence.
She'd been summoned just two days ago—but the shift in her expression was obvious. Gone was the confused ramen girl. In her place stood a poised young warrior in battle uniform, hair tied back, blade resting behind her shoulder. Her aura was faint, but sharp.
Dou Zhi Qi: 3 Star.
She stared at him with narrowed eyes. "You're not normal."
Tianzun didn't respond. He stepped forward slowly, gesturing to the stone tiles around them.
> "This world doesn't care who you were. It only rewards who survives."
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
He turned, meeting her gaze fully for the first time. "Where you came from — you lived in a place without beasts that eat you alive. Where no one kills for a single pill. Where a smile means something. Here... none of that applies."
Chitoge's fists clenched.
He continued.
> "In this world, someone will offer you a flower one moment, and poison your tea the next. If you're weak, they'll enslave you. If you're strong, they'll envy you. If you're beautiful, they'll cage you. If you're rare... they'll dissect you."
She stared at him.
> "So what's my job here?"
> "To grow stronger. To obey. To protect when told, and remain silent when not. You answer to me. No one else."
> "Tch. Harsh."
> "No. Real."
---
[System Message – Private – Host Only]
> 「Notice: At current power level, summoned subordinates retain fragment memories and instincts from their source world. As Host's cultivation increases, this 'residue effect' will disappear. Total loyalty will stabilize by Dou Shi: 5 Star and above.」
Tianzun nodded subtly.
---
Later that evening, after meditation and silent flame absorption...
> [Current Cultivation: Dou Zhi Qi: 2 Star]
Daily Flame Absorption: 0.001% of Emperor Flame Seed
Note: Flame efficiency increasing. Daily refinement advancing host by leaps.
He opened the System Interface.
> Current Liquid Celestial Shards: 3,540
(Earned via scalping low-grade pills, investing in demand-surge weapons, and flipping beast core bundles.)
> Locked Balance: 1 Trillion Celestial Shards
(Not accessible until Da Dou Shi level + 3 Gold Fate Alterations complete.)
---
System Store: Live Market Overview
> 🔹 Dou Qi Recovery Pill (Tier 1 – High Grade)
Buy: 47 shards → Sell: 49 shards (trend: up)
🔹 Steel Bone Bracers (Rare-Grade)
Buy: 82 shards → Sell: 90 shards (supply shrinking)
🔹 Beast Core Bundle (Class 2)
Buy: 100 shards → Sell: 115 shards (manipulatable niche)
> "Scalping basic commodities is low gain, but stable. Once influence spreads, I can create artificial demand waves. Begin subtle crafting investment later."
He noted patterns on the interface, then paused.
---
In the corner of the system space... a faint golden panel shimmered
> 🔒 [PREMIUM STORE] – Access Denied
Tianzun's brows lifted faintly. The frame around it was not like the others—etched in ancient runes, gold so pure it nearly hurt to look at.
He reached toward it.
A pulse of rejection pushed his hand back.
> "Locked for now."
He tilted his head.
> "Curiosity is useful… but too much curiosity?"
His eyes narrowed.
> "It's a poison that kills even gods."
He turned away.
---
Later – Xiao Clan Outer Road
Xiao Yan and Tianzun walked side by side along the gravel path outside the clan walls.
Tianzun was calm, hands behind his back, eyes scanning the horizon.
Xiao Yan grinned, kicking a pebble. "Father says I'm already showing talent. Elder Lu gave me a new technique! Maybe I'll be the youngest Dou Zhe in Wu Tan City!"
Tianzun offered a small smile. "That's good."
"You know… you're really weird," Xiao Yan said. "You don't talk much. But you always seem like you know stuff no one else does."
Tianzun chuckled lightly. "Maybe I do."
Xiao Yan laughed. "One day, I'll be famous! I'll have my name in all the lands!"
Tianzun stopped walking.
He stared at his brother, soft expression unreadable.
> "Fame is a crown. But it's forged from thorns."
> "Life… is a ruthless teacher. And it always collects payment."
He said nothing, only looked at the moon.
> "May you shine, Xiao Yan… while I stay in the shadows."
---