Sella laid the corrected collar beside the tabletop model and checked its dimensions one more time. The outer lip was thicker than the warped sample, and the glaze had cooled to an even gray. She set the collar in place, then checked the base plate beneath it.
“The base still needs widening,” she said. “We’re testing the collar and the flow at low load. We’re not proving the whole design.”
Pao braced the return pipe. Gu laid out the drawing with its yellow marks and red strain point. Qinghe placed temperature markers where she could read them from outside the hot zone. Han stood near the door, keeping the storeroom clear.
Yan waited beside the shutoff lever. He wanted to add power if the model began to stall, but he knew the first run would tell them more if they kept to the plan.
“Start at the lowest setting,” Sella said.
Gu opened the flow.
The small spirit stone gave a quiet hum. Current passed into the center line, then split among the branches. The new collar stayed cool. Its even glaze did not change color. Sella watched the marker at its edge while Qinghe noted the time and temperature.
