Jian began the survey carrying a tray of wooden markers.
None looked like the beginning of Core Formation.
One had a chipped corner. Another bore an old inventory number that someone had crossed out without making the replacement easier to read.
He set them on the maintenance bench beside his training book.
Forty days since he had asked his teacher how to stop mistaking effort for control. Three survey days would complete the six weeks.
That was a record of practice. It was not a deadline his dantian had agreed to honor.
Felix unfolded the gallery diagram.
“If we compare these three branches together—”
