Thought Manifestation, Heading to Tiandou City

The next morning, the first light of dawn broke through the clouds.

The first rays of sunlight pierced through layers of mist, landing on the spire of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda and gilding the towering structure in a faint, golden glow.

The morning breeze blew from afar, carrying the scent of grass and dew, brushing gently over the city.

On the eighty-first floor of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda, on the rooftop.

Fang Lin and Na'er stood on the terrace, their clothes snapping in the morning wind.

From this vantage point, the entirety of Shrek City was laid out before them.

"Teacher, aren't we going to Tiandou City?"

Fang Lin asked, his face full of confusion as he looked around, "Why are we on the rooftop?"

Na'er tilted her head, her silver hair drifting gently in the wind, her clear purple eyes filled with bewilderment. "Yes, Teacher, there's nothing here on the rooftop."

"Hmm."

Han Tianyi nodded slightly, his tone as calm as water, his gaze as deep as an abyss.

Fang Lin and Na'er exchanged glances, their eyes full of perplexity. They did not understand what their teacher was planning.

"Little Lin, Na'er, watch closely."

Han Tianyi spoke slowly, "Thought Manifestation."

The next moment, the light around his body suddenly distorted.

A phantom image slowly emerged, transitioning from transparent to solid, as if an invisible brush were sketching out an outline in the void, stroke by stroke.

It was a crane.

Its body was snow-white, its wings like frost, every feather rendered in exquisite detail.

With a long, resilient neck and tail feathers that draped like flowing clouds, its posture was elegant and composed, as if it had just fluttered out of an ancient painting.

Fang Lin and Na'er were dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.

Although the crane was lifelike, it possessed no aura whatsoever.

It was not a spirit, not a martial soul, not a spirit beast; they couldn't even sense the slightest fluctuation of life force.

The crane stood quietly by Han Tianyi's side, its eyes ethereal and serene.

Its body had a slightly transparent quality, like a thought given shape—beautiful and illusory, existing somewhere between reality and non-existence.

"Teacher... what is this?"

Fang Lin regained his senses and asked, his voice unable to hide his shock.

Na'er stared at the crane without blinking, her purple eyes wide.

Her eyes were filled with curiosity and excitement as she whispered, "Teacher, this looks so fun."

"This is Thought Manifestation."

Han Tianyi said calmly, "When the level of spiritual power reaches its zenith, reality is no longer a constraint."

He paused, "When your thoughts are powerful enough, everything you imagine can become reality."

"Of course, Thought Manifestation is neither an illusion nor a summoning."

"It is the use of spiritual power to condense the fantasies of your mind into reality."

"Creating something from nothing, manifesting from thin air."

Upon hearing this, Na'er couldn't help but reach out to touch the crane.

The moment her fingertips brushed against its wings, she felt the soft texture of the feathers—warm, smooth, and supple.

The crane lowered its head and gently nudged her palm with its beak; the sensation was warm and real, no different from an ordinary spirit beast.

"Teacher... does it have life?" Na'er asked softly.

"Yes, and no."

Han Tianyi replied, his tone indifferent, "As long as my intent sustains it, it lives; it can walk, fly, perceive, and respond."

"If I withdraw my intent, it will dissipate into the purest form of spiritual energy, leaving not a trace behind."

"Its existence depends on my continuous output of thought."

Fang Lin stared blankly at the crane, countless thoughts surging through his mind.

He thought of something and asked quietly, "Teacher, doesn't that mean... as long as one's spiritual power is strong enough, one can create anything they desire?"

Han Tianyi nodded slightly, but then shook his head gently, "Theoretically, that is the case, but to reach that stage..."

"What is required is not merely the strength of spiritual power, but absolute control over it, as well as an essential understanding of the object being imagined."

"You must not only imagine its appearance, but also understand its growth, how it exists, and why it exists."

"That is the true difficulty of Thought Manifestation."

"Understood, Teacher."

Fang Lin nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

Perhaps he could become a Pokémon Master.

"Alright, come on up."

As Han Tianyi spoke, he leaped lightly, landing steadily on the back of the crane. "It's time to go."

"Mm."

Fang Lin and Na'er responded in unison, leaping onto the crane's back to sit beside Han Tianyi.

The crane's back was broader and more comfortable than it appeared, its feathers soft and warm, making it feel as though they were sitting on a cloud.

"Hold on tight."

Han Tianyi's voice rang out once more.

The next moment, the crane spread its wings, the movement stirring up a crisp, powerful breeze.

It tilted its head back and let out a clear, resonant cry.

The sound was melodious and soaring, piercing through the morning mist and echoing across the sky above Shrek City.

The crane took flight from the rooftop, darting rapidly toward the horizon.

The destination: Tiandou City!

Tiandou City.

It had existed for twenty thousand years; as far back as the era of Spirit Hall, it was already a premier metropolis on the continent.

At one point, it was even the greatest city on the continent, serving as the capital of the Tiandou Empire.

It was only later, after the Sun Moon Empire—the predecessor to the Federation—annexed the Tiandou Empire, that it became an ordinary city.

Even today, twenty thousand years later, Tiandou City remained one of the top-tier cities on the Douluo Continent.

It was economically prosperous, culturally rich, and steeped in history.

The city was not as bustling or noisy as one might imagine; instead, it gave off a sense of archaic tranquility.

Looking out, there were almost no skyscrapers in the entire city of Tiandou.

As far as the eye could see, the tallest structures were not pavilions or palaces, but ancient trees.

With their lush foliage and canopy-like crowns, they stood taller than many buildings, appearing as if they were the guardians of the city.

In the sky, a white figure arrived gracefully.

The white crane slowly descended, tucking its wings slightly as it glided over Tiandou City.

It landed steadily in front of a grey building.

The headquarters of the Blacksmith Association.

Han Tianyi stepped down with Fang Lin and Na'er.

He stood beside the crane and reached out to gently pat its neck.

The crane lowered its head, nuzzling his palm before its form gradually turned transparent, dissipating into countless tiny specks of light.

Fang Lin watched this scene, lost in thought.

Na'er retracted her hand with a hint of regret, muttering softly, "What a pity."

"Let's go."

Han Tianyi spoke, his gaze shifting toward the Blacksmith Association. "We're going in."

"Understood, Teacher."

Fang Lin and Na'er nodded.

Immediately, they followed Han Tianyi inside.

The lobby on the first floor was very spacious, with only two young women in grey professional attire at the front desk.

"My surname is Han. I am here to see President Zhen Hua."

Han Tianyi spoke in a calm tone.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two young women changed instantly. They hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "Elder Han."

"President Zhen Hua has already given instructions that he is waiting for you in his top-floor office."

"Please, follow me."

One of the young women said respectfully.

"Mm."

Han Tianyi nodded slightly.

Then, led by the young woman, the three of them crossed the lobby, boarded a soul-guided elevator, and headed toward Zhen Hua's office.