Chapter 11 System-Assisted Cultivation
Back in the relative privacy of his corner bunk, Kai unrolled the scroll containing the Azure Cloud Qi Manual with trembling hands. The characters were elegantly written, filled with the esoteric language of cultivation – meridians, dantian, Qi gates, circulation cycles. Compared to the vague, instinctual breathing exercises taught freely, this was a detailed roadmap to power, at least at the Qi Condensation stage.
He spent hours poring over the text, cross-referencing it with the previous Kai's hazy memories and using the system's 'Earth Knowledge Archive' (specifically accessing basic translation and analogy functions) to decipher the more obscure passages. The manual described how to sense ambient spiritual energy, draw it into the body through specific acupoints, refine it into personal Qi, circulate it along designated meridian pathways, and store it within the lower dantian, gradually expanding one's capacity and control.
Excitedly, Kai sat cross-legged on his pallet and attempted the initial Qi sensing and absorption technique described in the manual. He focused his mind, extending his senses outward as instructed, trying to feel the invisible river of spiritual energy flowing through the world.
It was… difficult. Excruciatingly so. He could vaguely sense something, like static on the edge of his perception, but drawing it in felt like trying to suck sludge through a narrow straw. His meridians felt tight, resistant. After nearly an hour of intense concentration, beads of sweat dripping down his face, he had managed to absorb only a minuscule thread of Qi, leaving him frustrated and exhausted.
The previous Kai's assessment of his own talent wasn't wrong. It was abysmal. Even with a proper manual, progress felt glacially slow. At this rate, reaching Level 2 might take months, if not years – time he didn't have if he wanted to survive and thrive.
Discouraged, he turned his attention to the system notification he'd momentarily ignored in his eagerness to study the manual.
[System Analysis of 'Azure Cloud Qi Manual' Available. View Now?]
Yes! He commanded mentally.
The system interface displayed the text of the manual, but now with highlighted sections and annotations appearing alongside it.
[Analysis Complete: Azure Cloud Qi Manual (Standard Qi Condensation Technique)]
[Overall Efficiency Rating: C- (Compared to Universal Cultivation Standards)]
[Strengths: Stable foundation, low risk of Qi deviation, compatible with Azure Cloud Sect advanced techniques.]
[Weaknesses: Slow absorption rate, inefficient initial refinement, rudimentary Qi circulation pathways, lacks body tempering elements.]
[System Optimization Suggestions:]
[1. Meridian Pathway Adjustment: Minor rerouting of initial Qi flow can increase absorption efficiency by ~8%. (Requires precise control or external aid)]
[2. Refinement Enhancement: Incorporate 'Resonant Frequency Breathing' (Earth Qigong principle) during refinement stage to improve purity by ~5%. (Requires specific breathing pattern guidance - Access via Knowledge Archive?)]
[3. Compatibility Check: Manual shows high compatibility with 'Qi Attunement Pill (Low Grade)' - System Store Item. Expected synergy: ~25% increase in cultivation speed for 24 hours post-consumption.]
Kai read the analysis with rapt attention. The system hadn't just rewarded him for getting the manual; it had analyzed it, critiqued it, and offered concrete improvements! The suggestions for rerouting pathways and resonant breathing were intriguing but seemed complex to implement immediately. However, the third suggestion leaped out at him.
Compatibility with the 'Qi Attunement Pill'. He remembered seeing it in the store earlier.
He quickly navigated back to the System Store.
Qi Attunement Pill (Low Grade): Enhances Qi sensing and absorption rate significantly for a limited time. Increases affinity with ambient spiritual energy. Cost: 50 System Points.
50 points. He currently had 73. It was a steep price, nearly all his accumulated points from the manual task and his recent sales, but the potential payoff – a 25% increase in cultivation speed when combined with the manual – was incredibly tempting. Months of slow progress potentially condensed into weeks or even days?
He hesitated only for a moment. Stagnation was death in this world. Progress, even costly progress, was essential.
Purchase Qi Attunement Pill (Low Grade)!
[Purchase Confirmed. Cost: 50 Points.]
[System Points Balance: 23]
[Materializing Item…]
A small, unremarkable grey pill appeared in his dimension storage. He retrieved it mentally, materializing it in his hand. It felt slightly cool and emanated a faint, refreshing energy signature. According to the system analysis, the effect would last 24 hours after consumption, synergizing best with active cultivation using the new manual.
Taking a deep breath, Kai popped the pill into his mouth and swallowed. There was no immediate taste, but a cool, minty sensation spread down his throat and into his stomach. Within seconds, a profound change occurred.
The world seemed to brighten. Not visually, but energetically. The vague static of ambient spiritual energy he'd struggled to perceive before now felt like a tangible, flowing river all around him. His senses felt sharper, more attuned to the subtle energy currents in the air. His own sluggish meridians seemed to relax, becoming more receptive.
Wasting no time, Kai immediately sat down again and began the Azure Cloud Qi Manual's initial absorption technique. The difference was night and day. Where before he strained to draw in a trickle, now threads of spiritual energy flowed towards him almost eagerly, drawn into his body through the designated acupoints with far less resistance. The refinement process felt smoother, the Qi circulating through his meridians with noticeably less friction.
He cultivated intensely, losing track of time, completely absorbed in this newfound ease of progress. Energy flowed, refined, circulated, and settled into his dantian, which felt like a slowly filling reservoir rather than a leaky cup. Hours melted away.
Sometime deep in the night, he felt a distinct shift within his dantian. The accumulated Qi reached a threshold, coalescing and stabilizing at a higher density. A sense of clarity and subtle strength flowed through his body. His connection to the ambient energy deepened.
He had broken through.
[Host Cultivation Detected: Qi Condensation Level 2 Achieved!]
A simple notification, but it felt like a monumental victory. Kai opened his eyes, a grin stretching across his face. He could feel the difference – the increased Qi reserves, the slightly enhanced physical vitality, the clearer senses. It wasn't a huge leap, but it was tangible progress, achieved in a single night thanks to the combination of the manual and the system's pill.
The 50 points had been well spent. He was finally, truly, on the path. The Qi Attunement Pill's main effect would fade within a day, but the breakthrough was permanent. Now, he just needed to continue cultivating diligently with the manual, and perhaps save up for another pill in the future. Or maybe… maybe there was a way to address the root cause of his slow speed: his poor innate talent. He glanced towards the System Store interface again, a new, more ambitious goal forming in his mind.
Chapter 12 Talent Enhancement Gamble
Reaching Qi Condensation Level 2 was exhilarating, a concrete step forward that validated Kai's efforts and the system's potential. Cultivating with the Azure Cloud Qi Manual, even after the potent effects of the Attunement Pill wore off, was significantly more effective than the basic breathing exercises. He could feel his Qi reserves slowly but steadily increasing each day.
However, "slowly" was the operative word. While the Attunement Pill had provided a massive temporary boost, his underlying problem remained: poor innate talent. His meridians were naturally narrower, his body's affinity for spiritual energy inherently lower than those disciples born with better potential or from established cultivation families. Compared to genuinely talented peers who could advance a level in weeks or months with diligent practice, his progress still felt sluggish. He estimated reaching Level 3 might take him several more months at this rate.
Pills like the Qi Attunement Pill were temporary fixes, expensive boosts that didn't change the fundamental limitations of his body. He needed something more permanent, something that addressed the root cause. Did the system offer such a solution?
He delved deep into the System Store catalogue, browsing beyond the consumables and low-tier fictional items. He looked under categories like 'Bio-Enhancements', 'Genetic Modifications (Basic)', and 'Physique Refinement'. Most items listed were wildly expensive, requiring thousands of points or Vendor Levels far beyond his current reach. Items promising 'Divine Meridians' or 'Innate Sage Body' were greyed out with astronomical costs.
But then, buried under 'Physique Refinement (Low Grade)', he found something potentially within reach, though still staggeringly expensive by his current standards.
[Item: Body Tempering Liquid (Earth Grade - Minor Talent Boost)]
Description: A concoction derived from various worldly ingredients known for strengthening constitution and marginally improving meridian conductivity. Undergoes a painful refinement process upon consumption, purging impurities and slightly enhancing innate Qi affinity. Effect: Permanently increases cultivation talent aptitude by approximately 5-10%. One-time use per cultivation stage recommended. Warning: Process is intensely painful.
Cost: 150 System Points OR Equivalent Trade Value (Approx. 750 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments).
150 points. He only had 23 points remaining. 750 fragments seemed like an impossible sum. But the description… "permanently increases cultivation talent aptitude." Even a 5-10% boost, compounded over time, could shave months or years off his cultivation journey. It could elevate him from 'abysmal' to merely 'poor', or perhaps even 'below average'. It was a chance to fundamentally change his prospects.
The warning about intense pain gave him pause, but compared to the slow despair of stagnation or the constant threat from stronger disciples, physical pain seemed a small price to pay. The real barrier was the cost.
He checked his resources. 23 System Points. His dimension storage held roughly 85 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments, earned from recent sales of 'Rapid Recovery Salve' and other minor items. He was nowhere near the required amount.
Selling more low-tier items would take weeks, maybe months, to accumulate that many fragments or points. He needed a faster way. Could he sell something more valuable? He considered listing the 'Senzu Bean Fragment' or 'Mana Potion', but finding a buyer willing to pay the high point cost (which he'd need to translate into an exorbitant spirit stone price) seemed unlikely in the Outer Sect.
He looked again at the cost: "150 System Points OR Equivalent Trade Value". This implied the system could accept materials other than its own points or standard spirit stones. What did he possess that might have 'equivalent value'?
His mind went back to the first major sale – the 'Miracle Recovery Noodles' to Lin Fan. The system had accepted a spirit stone fragment then. What if he offered the system his current spirit stone fragments directly?
He accessed the 'Sell' tab, selecting 'Personal Inventory'. He focused on the 85 fragments in his dimension storage.
[Item Detected: Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragment x 85]
[Item Type: Ambient Energy Condensate (Low Purity)]
[System Purchase Offer: 1 System Point per 2 Fragments.]
[Sell 85 Fragments for 42 System Points?]
The exchange rate wasn't great (1:2 compared to the store's implied 1:5 rate when buying pills), but it was direct conversion. Selling all his fragments would give him 42 points, bringing his total to 23 + 42 = 65 points. Still far short of the 150 needed for the Body Tempering Liquid.
He needed more capital. He couldn't risk trying to sell high-value fictional items yet. He had to liquidate something else. But what? He owned nothing of value besides the system itself and his meager earnings.
Then he remembered the Azure Cloud Qi Manual scroll resting beside him. He had the knowledge ingrained now, and the system had analyzed it. Did the physical scroll itself hold value to the system?
He focused on the scroll.
[Item Detected: Azure Cloud Qi Manual (Physical Scroll - Transcribed)]
[Item Type: Cultivation Technique Information Carrier (Low Grade)]
[Data Redundancy Detected: Host already possesses knowledge and System Analysis.]
[System Purchase Offer: 10 System Points (Value derived from materials and residual Qi signature).]
10 points! The system was offering points for the physical scroll itself, even though he already knew the contents. Adding that would bring him to 65 + 10 = 75 points. Exactly half of what he needed.
He grit his teeth. It was a gamble. He would be spending literally everything he possessed – all his points, all his spirit stones, even the physical copy of his cultivation manual – for a chance at slightly better talent. If it didn't work, or if the pain was too much, he'd be back to absolute zero, with no resources and potentially injured.
But the alternative was months, maybe years, of painstakingly slow progress, always lagging behind, always vulnerable. He had to take the chance.
Sell 85 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments! [+42 Points]
Sell Azure Cloud Qi Manual Scroll! [+10 Points]
His System Balance of fragments dropped to zero. The physical scroll vanished from his bunk. His System Points balance surged to 75.
Now, for the remaining 75 points. He looked at his small inventory of Earth goods in the dimension storage – a few energy shots, some first-aid kits, chocolate bars.
Sell all remaining Earth Goods inventory back to the system!
[Inventory Liquidation: Assorted Earth Goods (Basic)]
[System Purchase Offer: 8 System Points (Bulk rate).]
8 points. It brought his total to 83. Still not enough. He needed 67 more points. He scanned the system store desperately. Was there anything he could buy cheaply and resell to the system for a higher value? Unlikely. The system set the prices.
Wait. The exchange rate. Buy points with fragments: 1 point for 2 fragments. Sell fragments for points: 1 point for 2 fragments. It was symmetrical. But buying items often had a different point-to-fragment ratio. The Qi Attunement Pill was 50 points or perhaps 250 fragments if the 1:5 ratio held. Could he leverage this? No, he had no fragments left.
What about services? He checked the task board again. No quick point-generating tasks available.
He slumped back on his pallet. He was so close, yet still impossibly far. 75 points might as well be 750 right now.
Unless… he considered the 'Equivalent Trade Value' again. Maybe the system valued specific local materials highly? He thought back to the ruins mission from his web novel reading days. What if he found some rare herb or ore? But searching for such things was dangerous and time-consuming.
No. He had to take the plunge now, while he had the momentum. He looked at the Body Tempering Liquid again. 150 points. He had 83. He was 67 points short.
He accessed the purchase screen for the liquid.
[Item: Body Tempering Liquid (Earth Grade - Minor Talent Boost)]
[Cost: 150 System Points]
[Current Balance: 83 System Points]
[Insufficient Funds. Proceed with Partial Payment and System Credit?]
[WARNING: System Credit incurs interest (1% per day, compounding). Defaulting on credit may result in penalties, including forced servitude or system function limitations.]
System credit? With interest? It was a debt trap, plain and simple. But it was also the only way. He needed that talent boost now. He could earn back the 67 points plus interest later through more sales. He had to believe he could.
Proceed with partial payment and system credit.
[Confirm Purchase using 83 System Points and 67 System Credit Points?]
[Total Debt: 67 Points. Daily Interest: 0.67 Points (Compounding).]
[Confirm?]
Confirm.
[Purchase Confirmed!]
[System Points Balance: 0]
[System Debt: 67 Points]
[Materializing Item: Body Tempering Liquid…]
A sealed ceramic vial appeared in his storage. It felt heavy, and even through the container, he could sense a volatile, almost noxious energy within. Retrieving it, he uncorked the vial. A pungent, swampy odour filled the small space around his bunk, making his eyes water. The liquid inside was thick, viscous, and murky green-brown, with unsettling bits swirling within it. It looked utterly vile.
The system warning about intense pain echoed in his mind. His newly acquired debt weighed on him. But the potential reward – a permanent improvement, a chance to truly compete – overshadowed the fear and the cost.
Steeling his nerves, Kai raised the vial to his lips and downed the foul concoction in one go. It tasted even worse than it smelled, like rotten vegetation mixed with bitter chemicals. He choked it down, gagging.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a searing heat ignited deep within his stomach, spreading outwards like wildfire through his veins, his muscles, his bones. It felt like his insides were being simultaneously boiled and scoured with sandpaper. Pain, blinding and absolute, crashed over him. He clamped his jaw shut to stifle a scream, collapsing onto his pallet, his body convulsing uncontrollably. Black spots danced in his vision. It felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside out. This was far, far worse than he had imagined.
Chapter 13 Establishing a Hidden 'Shop'
Kai emerged from the agonizing ordeal of the Body Tempering Liquid hours later, feeling like he'd been trampled by a herd of Iron-Hide Bulls and then reassembled incorrectly. Every muscle fiber screamed in protest, his skin felt raw, and a faint, unpleasant odour seemed to cling to him despite his best efforts to air out his small space. He had blacked out several times during the process, only dimly aware of his body spasming and purging impurities in the form of foul-smelling black grime that coated his skin.
But beneath the exhaustion and lingering soreness, there was a distinct difference. He felt… cleaner. Lighter. When he tentatively tried circulating Qi using the Azure Cloud Manual, the process felt noticeably smoother. The pathways seemed slightly wider, more receptive. His innate connection to the ambient spiritual energy, while still faint compared to true talents, was undeniably clearer than before the tempering. The system's estimated 5-10% boost felt accurate – a subtle but fundamental shift. His talent had likely crawled from 'abysmal' to solidly 'poor'. It wasn't genius level, but it was a significant improvement, hard-earned through agony and debt.
His System Points balance, however, was a grim reminder of the cost: 0 points, with a looming debt of 67 points accruing interest daily. He needed to start earning again, quickly. Relying on sporadic, hidden encounters was too slow and inefficient. He needed a more stable base of operations, a place where trusted customers could find him without him having to constantly seek them out.
He couldn't open a public stall – that would invite far too much scrutiny from the likes of Zhang Long and potentially even sect authorities wondering about his inventory source. He needed something discreet, easily accessible to his target demographic (the downtrodden outer disciples), yet hidden from casual view.
His mind went back to the disused woodshed behind the western dorms – the place where he'd first sold noodles to Lin Fan. It was dilapidated, forgotten, situated in a low-traffic area primarily frequented by those seeking solitude or avoiding trouble. Perfect.
First, the shed needed serious cleaning. It was filled with rotting wood scraps, cobwebs thick as shrouds, and layers of grime. Doing it by hand would take days and attract attention. Kai turned to the system. Despite his debt, the store was still accessible. He looked for the cheapest, most effective cleaning solutions under 'Earth Goods'.
[Purchase: Industrial Cleaner Concentrate (1 Gallon) - Cost: 3 System Points (Added to Debt)]
[Purchase: Heavy Duty Scrub Brushes (Set of 3) - Cost: 1 System Point (Added to Debt)]
[Purchase: Disposable Cleaning Wipes (Bulk Pack) - Cost: 1 System Point (Added to Debt)]
[System Debt: 67 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 72 Points]
Wincing at the increasing debt, Kai materialized the cleaning supplies inside his dimension storage. Waiting until the dead of night, when most disciples were asleep or attempting meditation, he slipped out and made his way to the woodshed.
Working quickly and quietly under the dim moonlight, Kai put the Earth-grade cleaning supplies to work. The concentrated cleaner, diluted with water from a nearby well, cut through years of grime with astonishing efficiency compared to the lye soap and elbow grease common in the sect. The sturdy brushes and disposable wipes made short work of the cobwebs and debris. Within two hours, a significant section of the shed's interior was transformed from a filthy hovel into a relatively clean, empty space. The contrast between modern cleaning agents and the primitive state of the shed was stark.
He couldn't make it look too clean or new, which would arouse suspicion. He left some corners dusty, some stains untouched, focusing on clearing a functional space near the back wall. He used some discarded wooden planks found inside to fashion a crude but sturdy counter. It wouldn't win any design awards, but it served its purpose.
This hidden space would be his 'shop'. Not a place for browsing, but a discreet transaction point. He wouldn't keep physical stock here; his 1 cubic meter dimension storage held his inventory. Customers wouldn't come here randomly. He would use the system's CRM.
He accessed the CRM, looking at his list of established customers – now numbering around 25 disciples. He selected a few of the most reliable and least talkative ones, including Lin Fan and Mei Ling.
[CRM Function: Send Discreet Notification]
[Recipient Group: Trusted Customers (Select)]
[Message Template: Standard - New Product/Service Update]
[Customize Message:] "Greetings. For more convenient access to vitality aids and recovery tools, please seek Kai near the old western woodshed during off-peak hours (post-evening meal recommended). Mention 'Azure Cloud' for service. Utmost discretion appreciated."
He mentally sent the message. On the recipients' end, it wouldn't be a flashing screen, but perhaps a subtle nudge in their awareness, a thought seemingly their own – 'Maybe I should check near the woodshed later, see if Kai has anything new.' The system worked in mysterious ways.
He designated a simple code phrase, 'Azure Cloud', to ensure only those he notified could initiate a transaction there. He then spent a few more points (adding to his debt) to stock up on his core sellers: Energy Elixirs, Mending Kits, and Blissful Energy Bars.
His hidden shop was established. It was rudimentary, risky, and operated on borrowed time (or rather, borrowed points), but it was a crucial step towards stabilizing his income stream. Now, he just needed his customers to take the bait and show up, allowing him to start chipping away at the daunting System Debt and save for his own continued cultivation. He felt a sense of accomplishment, tempered by the weight of his obligations. The Universal Vendor was officially open for business, albeit in the shadows.
Chapter 14 Expanding Product Line
The discreet notifications sent via the CRM worked subtly but effectively. Over the next few evenings, a slow trickle of Kai's established customers found their way to the old woodshed. They'd approach cautiously, glance around to ensure no one was watching, and utter the code phrase, "Azure Cloud?"
Kai, waiting inside the cleaned-out space, would nod and conduct the transaction quickly and quietly. He'd confirm their need – an energy boost for late-night practice, a kit for a fresh injury – mentally access his dimension storage, materialize the item, accept the spirit stone fragments, and send them on their way. The process was efficient, secure, and far less risky than random encounters in public areas.
The hidden 'shop' stabilized his income. Fragments began to accumulate in his System Balance once more, allowing him to make small, regular payments against his System Debt, preventing the interest from spiraling completely out of control. His point balance remained near zero, as almost everything he earned went towards debt repayment or restocking essentials.
However, relying solely on energy shots, first-aid kits, and chocolate bars had its limits. His customers were low-level disciples with meager funds. To significantly increase his earnings and pay off his debt faster, he needed to offer items with higher perceived value, things that could command a better price or appeal to slightly more discerning customers, without yet dipping into the expensive 'Fictional Items' category.
He browsed the 'Earth Goods (Basic)' catalogue again, thinking creatively about how mundane items could be repurposed and rebranded for the cultivation world.
He noticed [Durable Work Gloves (Leather/Reinforced Fabric)] - Cost: 2 System Points. Cultivators often handled rough materials, hot cauldrons (in alchemy), or engaged in harsh physical conditioning. He listed them as: "Anti-Abrasion Cultivation Gauntlets" - Description: "Woven with resilient beast hide fibers (simulated). Protects hands during intense weapon practice, ingredient gathering, or physique tempering. Enhances grip, prevents calluses." He priced them at 10 fragments – a reasonable price for durable hand protection.
Next, [High-Lumen LED Flashlight (Pocket Size)] - Cost: 3 System Points. Caves, nighttime missions, poorly lit sect corners – reliable light was always useful. He listed it as: "Ever-Bright Illumination Stone" - Description: "A compact artifact utilizing solidified light essence. Emits a powerful, unwavering beam capable of piercing mundane darkness and revealing hidden details. Activated by simple pressure." He priced this at 15 fragments, leveraging the 'magic light' angle.
Then, [Pocket Knife / Multi-tool (Basic Stainless Steel)] - Cost: 4 System Points. A versatile tool with many potential applications. He listed it as: "Thousand Transformations Tool" - Description: "A cultivator's essential companion crafted from refined sky-steel. Contains multiple integrated functions – cutting edge, leverage pry, tightening grip, piercing awl, and more. Compact, durable, indispensable for field missions or artifact tinkering." This he priced slightly higher at 20 fragments, emphasizing its versatility.
He invested the few points he managed to scrape together after debt payments into acquiring samples of these new items. When customers came to the woodshed, after fulfilling their initial request, he would casually showcase one of the new products.
"Suffering from rough hands after hammer practice, Senior Brother Chen? Perhaps these Anti-Abrasion Gauntlets would help?" He'd let the disciple feel the sturdy material.
"Heading into the back caves to search for Glow Moss, Junior Sister Lin? This Ever-Bright Illumination Stone might make things easier than those sputtering oil lamps." He'd demonstrate the powerful LED beam.
The new items were well-received. The gloves were practical and genuinely useful. The flashlight was vastly superior to primitive light sources. The multi-tool offered functions many disciples lacked. Sales started picking up beyond the basic consumables. Disciples might come for an energy shot but leave with a pair of gloves or a flashlight as well, significantly increasing Kai's revenue per customer.
His spirit stone fragment balance began to grow more rapidly, allowing him to pay down his debt faster. More importantly, the successful introduction of slightly more complex items boosted his confidence and the perceived legitimacy of his 'Universal Goods'.
Amidst this growing business activity, Kai didn't neglect his cultivation. Benefiting from the Body Tempering Liquid's permanent boost and the Azure Cloud Qi Manual, his practice sessions were far more productive. The Qi flowed more smoothly, absorbed more readily. He diligently cultivated every spare moment he had.
One evening, while meditating after closing his hidden shop, he felt the Qi in his dantian reach another saturation point. With a focused effort, guiding the energy according to the manual's instructions, he compressed and refined it further, breaking through the next barrier.
[Host Cultivation Detected: Qi Condensation Level 3 Achieved!]
He had reached the same level as Zhang Long. While Zhang Long likely had more combat experience and possibly better supplementary techniques, Kai was no longer fundamentally weaker in terms of raw Qi level. Combined with his system knowledge and potential access to system-provided combat aids (if he could ever afford them again), he felt a growing sense of security.
His business was growing, his cultivation was advancing, and his debt was slowly shrinking. Things were looking up. But he knew this relative peace was fragile. Success bred jealousy, and the Outer Sect was a cauldron of simmering resentments. Furthermore, he was still just selling rebranded mundane items. The true potential of the system lay in the fictional items, and eventually, perhaps even crafting or utilizing blueprints. But that required capital, points, and likely, attracting bigger customers than struggling outer disciples. His next target needed to be someone with real resources.
Chapter 15 The Alchemist's Dilemma
Elder Liu Renshu was having a bad week. As one of the few Elders in the Azure Cloud Sect who specialized in alchemy, specifically pills relevant to the Qi Condensation and early Foundation Establishment stages, his skills were in constant demand. He took pride in his work, his meticulous approach, and the efficacy of his concoctions. However, his current project, a large batch of 'Azure Qi Pills' vital for helping peak Qi Condensation disciples attempt their breakthrough, was stalled. Utterly stalled.
The problem lay with one crucial ingredient: the Sunpetal Herb. This vibrant, sun-loving plant accumulated a specific type of solar Qi essential for stabilizing the volatile energies within the Azure Qi Pill. Unfortunately, Sunpetals only bloomed naturally during the height of summer under direct, intense sunlight. It was currently mid-autumn. His preserved, dried stockpiles lacked the vibrant, fresh solar essence required for this particular high-grade batch. Without a freshly matured herb, the entire batch risked failure, wasting precious materials and costing him significant face, not to mention delaying the progress of several promising disciples.
He paced his workshop, a stone chamber filled with bubbling cauldrons, meticulously organized shelves of dried herbs and minerals, and the pungent aroma of alchemical reagents. He had sent disciples searching the sect's herb gardens and nearby forests, consulted ancient texts for substitutes, even considered attempting a forced-growth ritual using his own Qi, but all to no avail. The specific solar resonance was missing.
"Useless! All useless!" he grumbled, kicking a stray crucible across the floor. "Decades of experience, and I'm thwarted by the season! If I could just get my hands on one fresh, peak-bloom Sunpetal..."
Unbeknownst to Elder Liu, his frustration registered within the intricate network Kai was slowly building. One of Kai's regular customers for 'Energy Elixirs' was a young disciple assigned to cleaning duties near the Alchemy Pavilion. This disciple overheard the Elder's loud complaints and later, while buying an elixir from Kai at the woodshed, mentioned it casually. "Elder Liu's in a right state. Screaming about needing a fresh Sunpetal Herb out of season. Apparently, it's holding up the next batch of Azure Qi Pills."
As the disciple spoke, a notification pinged silently on Kai's system interface.
[Potential High-Value Customer Need Detected Nearby: Elder Liu Renshu]
[Identified Need: Freshly Matured Sunpetal Herb (High Purity, Peak Solar Qi Resonance)]
[Urgency: Critical (Impacting Major Pill Batch Production)]
[Potential Payment Offer: Significant (Likely Mid-Grade Spirit Stones or High-Value Materials/Favors)]
Kai's eyes widened slightly. An Elder? Mid-Grade Spirit Stones? This was the opportunity he had been waiting for – a chance to target a customer with real resources, someone who could potentially afford items or services far beyond the reach of outer disciples.
He quickly scanned the System Store, searching under 'Cultivation Resources' and 'Botanicals'.
[System Store - Botanicals (Basic Access)]
Cultivation World Herb Seed Pack (Common Variety - Includes Sunpetal): Cost: 100 System Points.
Basic Greenhouse Module Blueprint: Cost: 200 System Points.
... (Other seeds, basic fertilizers)
Seeds weren't helpful; Elder Liu needed a mature plant now. But then Kai looked under 'System Services'.
[System Services - Materialization & Crafting]
Materialize Mature Plant from Seed Blueprint (Specific Type): Requires Seed Blueprint/Scan and relevant environmental data. Cost: Varies based on plant complexity and maturity time. Estimated cost for Sunpetal Herb (Peak Bloom): 500 System Points + Material Equivalent (Approx. 2 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones).
500 points! Plus a material cost equivalent to 2 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones! It was an astronomical price. Kai currently had barely 50 points (after meticulously paying down some debt) and zero Mid-Grade Spirit Stones (which were worth 100 Low-Grade fragments each). He couldn't possibly afford this service.
Unless...
What if he didn't pay the system upfront? What if he secured payment from Elder Liu first? It was risky. Approaching an Elder directly was intimidating. Elders were powerful figures, often temperamental. If Elder Liu thought Kai was mocking him or wasting his time, the consequences could be severe. But the potential reward... access to Mid-Grade Spirit Stones would be a game-changer, allowing him to clear his debt, buy better system items, maybe even afford another Body Tempering Liquid later.
He needed to calculate carefully. The service cost 500 points + 2 Mid-Grade Stones equivalent. If he charged Elder Liu, say, 5 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and the Elder paid at least part upfront, could he cover the system's cost and make a profit?
He needed a deposit. Enough to cover the system's material equivalent cost. Maybe 3 Mid-Grade Stones upfront?
He took a deep breath. This was leagues beyond selling flashlights and energy shots. This was high-stakes negotiation with a powerful figure. Failure could be disastrous, but success could catapult his progress.
He decided to take the risk. Straightening his robes, Kai left the woodshed and made his way towards the Alchemy Pavilion, mentally rehearsing his pitch. He found Elder Liu still fuming in his workshop, radiating waves of frustration.
"Elder Liu," Kai announced himself from the doorway, bowing respectfully.
Elder Liu looked up, his eyes narrowed. "What is it? Can't you see I'm occupied with important matters, disciple?" He didn't recognize Kai.
"This disciple is Kai, Elder," Kai said calmly. "I happened to overhear mention of the Elder's difficulty in procuring a fresh Sunpetal Herb for the Azure Qi Pills."
The Elder scoffed. "Overheard? The whole sect has probably overheard my frustrations! What of it? Do you have one hidden in your sleeve?" Sarcasm dripped from his voice.
"Not hidden, Elder," Kai replied steadily. "But perhaps… obtainable. Within three days."
Elder Liu stopped pacing. He stared at Kai, searching his face. "Obtainable? Out of season? Are you mocking me, boy? Do you know how rare, how specific the required Qi resonance is?"
"I understand the difficulty, Elder," Kai maintained eye contact. "However, I have… certain channels. Access to unique procurement methods. I believe I can acquire a single, perfectly matured Sunpetal Herb, brimming with fresh solar Qi, suitable for your high-grade batch."
The Elder remained deeply skeptical, yet Kai's calm confidence and the sheer impossibility of the claim made him pause. Desperation gnawed at him. "Unique methods? What methods? And what would be the price for such an impossible feat?"
"My methods are proprietary, Elder," Kai said smoothly. "As for the price… given the rarity and urgency, five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."
Elder Liu gasped. "Five! Preposterous! That's daylight robbery!"
"Is it, Elder?" Kai countered gently. "Consider the value of the Azure Qi Pill batch. The cost of the wasted ingredients if it fails. The setback for the disciples awaiting the pills. The value to your own reputation. Compared to that, is five Mid-Grade Stones truly unreasonable for a guaranteed solution within three days?"
Elder Liu fell silent, stroking his beard, his eyes calculating. Kai's logic was sound, however infuriating. The boy seemed unnervingly confident. Could he actually pull it off? Where would a mere Outer Sect disciple gain such 'channels'? It was baffling, suspicious… but tempting.
"Guaranteed?" the Elder pressed. "What if you fail?"
"If I fail to deliver the specified herb within three days, I will compensate the Elder double the deposit," Kai bluffed, praying it wouldn't come to that. "I require a deposit of three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones now to initiate the procurement process. The remaining two are payable upon successful delivery and your satisfaction with the herb's quality."
Three Mid-Grade Stones upfront. To an Outer Disciple. It was madness. But the potential reward – salvaging the pill batch – was immense. After a long, tense silence, Elder Liu made his decision.
"Fine!" he snapped, retrieving a small, heavy pouch from his robes. He counted out three luminous, significantly larger and purer crystals than the fragments Kai was used to, radiating palpable energy. "Three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. But hear me, boy – if this is a trick, if you waste my time or fail to deliver exactly what you promised in three days… there won't be a corner of this sect deep enough for you to hide in."
Kai accepted the stones, feeling their weight and energy. They vanished into his dimension storage. "Rest assured, Elder. You will have your Sunpetal Herb."
He bowed again and quickly retreated, his heart pounding. He had secured the capital. Now he just had to make the system deliver. He hurried back to the woodshed, accessing the System Services menu.
Initiate Service: Materialize Mature Plant - Sunpetal Herb (Peak Bloom).
Use Seed Blueprint (System Database).
Pay Material Equivalent Cost using System Balance.
[Service Initiated. Cost: 500 System Points + Material Equivalent (2 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones).]
[Deducting from System Balance: 2 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.]
[Remaining Balance: 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.]
[Insufficient System Points (Current: ~50). Applying Cost to System Debt.]
[System Debt: 72 (Previous) + 450 (Unpaid Point Cost) = 522 Points.]
[Materialization Process Beginning. Estimated Completion Time: 68 Hours.]
His debt had skyrocketed again, but he had one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone clear profit waiting, plus the remaining two upon delivery. More importantly, the system was working. Inside his dimension storage, a faint golden light began to coalesce, the nascent form of the Sunpetal Herb beginning its accelerated, system-driven growth cycle.
He just had to wait three days and hope Elder Liu was impressed enough to pay the rest and perhaps become a future high-value customer. This was his biggest gamble yet, but the potential rewards were worth the terrifying risk.
Chapter 16 Cultivation Boost
Three days later, precisely as promised, Kai stood before Elder Liu Renshu once more. The Elder eyed him with intense scrutiny, his impatience palpable. Without a word, Kai mentally retrieved the item from his dimension storage. A vibrant, fist-sized herb materialized in his hand with a soft golden shimmer.
It was the Sunpetal Herb, perfect in every way. Its golden-yellow petals radiated a gentle warmth, pulsing with a dense, pure solar Qi that felt like captured sunlight. The aroma was fresh, invigorating, a stark contrast to the stale scent of dried herbs.
Elder Liu gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. He snatched the herb, bringing it close, his spiritual sense probing it intensely. He examined the petal structure, the stem, the faint energy signature resonating within. "Incredible… Perfect maturity… The solar Qi concentration is even higher than naturally grown peak specimens! How… How did you…?"
"My methods are confidential, Elder," Kai repeated respectfully, keeping his expression neutral despite the relief flooding through him. "Is the herb satisfactory?"
"Satisfactory?" Elder Liu let out a booming laugh, a mixture of disbelief and sheer joy. "It's magnificent! More than satisfactory! This will elevate the entire batch! Boy, you… you truly delivered!" He looked at Kai with newfound respect, his earlier suspicion replaced by awe and curiosity.
Without further haggling, he produced another pouch. "The remaining two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, as promised! And… take this as well." He added two more Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to the pouch. "A bonus, for exceeding expectations and solving my critical problem. If you ever… acquire… such unique items again, do not hesitate to seek me out."
Kai accepted the pouch, the weight of four Mid-Grade Spirit Stones feeling substantial. "Thank you, Elder. I shall remember your generosity." He bowed and quickly took his leave before the Elder could ask more awkward questions.
[Major Sale Complete! Earned: 200 System Points, 5 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones (Net Profit after System Cost: 3 Mid-Grade Stones + Bonus 2 = 5 Mid-Grade Stones).]
[System Points Balance: ~50 + 200 = ~250]
[System Debt: 522 Points]
[New Task: Pay off System Debt (Priority High). Reward: Increased Credit Limit, System Store Discounts.]
Back in the relative safety of the woodshed, Kai let out a long breath. He had done it. His massive debt was still there, but he now had a hefty chunk of points and, more importantly, five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones – equivalent to 500 Low-Grade fragments. This was serious capital.
His first priority was the debt. He immediately accessed the system payment function.
Apply 250 System Points towards System Debt.
[Payment Received. System Debt: 522 - 250 = 272 Points.]
[System Points Balance: 0]
He had halved the point debt in one go. The remaining 272 points still loomed, but it felt manageable now, especially with the capital he held. Next, his own power. Qi Condensation Level 3 was good, but still far from dominant in the Outer Sect, let alone sufficient for the upcoming challenges he anticipated. With resources finally in hand, it was time for a serious upgrade.
He converted one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone into 100 Low-Grade fragments via the system interface (the system acted as a convenient, if slightly lossy, money changer). He then accessed the System Store, browsing the cultivation consumables.
The 'Qi Attunement Pill' had worked wonders before. But were there better options now that he had more capital?
Concentrated Qi Pill (System Synthesized): Provides a dense burst of pure Qi, directly absorbable. Significantly accelerates progress within a minor realm. Minimal impurities. Cost: 50 System Points OR 250 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments.
Cultivation Speed Enhancement Array (Personal, 7 Days): A set of small flags/discs to place around a cultivator. Creates a localized zone where ambient spiritual energy is richer and easier to absorb (~15% increase). Cost: 300 System Points OR 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone + 100 Points/500 Fragments.
The Concentrated Qi Pills offered direct energy, good for pushing through bottlenecks. The Enhancement Array offered a sustained boost over a week. Kai considered his options. He had just broken through to Level 3. A sustained boost seemed more beneficial for solidifying his foundation and pushing towards the next level than just a single burst of energy.
Purchase Cultivation Speed Enhancement Array (Personal, 7 Days)! Pay using 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone and 100 System Points (Incurred as debt).
[Purchase Confirmed.]
[System Balance: 4 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.]
[System Debt: 272 + 100 = 372 Points.]
[Item: Cultivation Speed Enhancement Array (Flags x5) added to Dimension Storage.]
He winced again at the debt increasing, but the investment felt necessary. He also decided to supplement the array with direct energy.
Purchase Concentrated Qi Pill x 2! Pay using 500 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments (converted from 1 Mid-Grade Stone).
[Purchase Confirmed.]
[System Balance: 3 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.]
[Item: Concentrated Qi Pill x 2 added to Dimension Storage.]
His remaining 3 Mid-Grade Stones (worth 300 fragments) and the few dozen loose fragments he'd earned recently were kept as operating capital. Now, for the application.
He couldn't just set up a cultivation array in the noisy, shared dormitory. He needed seclusion. The sect offered basic, low-energy seclusion huts for a small fee – usually one or two fragments per day. He paid for three days upfront, securing a small, isolated stone hut near the edge of the Outer Sect area. It wasn't ideal, lacking high energy density, but it offered privacy.
Inside the hut, he carefully placed the five small flags provided by the system in the prescribed pattern around his meditation spot. As the last flag settled, a faint, almost invisible barrier shimmered into existence, and the ambient spiritual energy within the hut immediately felt richer, more vibrant. He then consumed one of the Concentrated Qi Pills. A wave of pure, warm Qi flooded his system, ready to be refined and absorbed.
Kai sat down, closed his eyes, and began circulating Qi according to the Azure Cloud Qi Manual, amplified by the array and fueled by the pill. The speed was phenomenal. Qi flowed like a torrent, refined smoothly thanks to his tempered body, and poured into his dantian. His progress, previously measured in trickles, now felt like a rushing river.
He cultivated relentlessly for three days, barely stopping to eat basic rations (also system-bought, MREs rebranded as 'Nutrient Paste Bricks'). He used the second pill on the third day. The combination of the manual, his improved talent, the array's sustained boost, and the pills' direct energy infusion propelled his cultivation forward at an astonishing rate.
He felt the barrier to Level 4 shatter after the first day. By the end of the third day, as the array's effect began to wane slightly (though it would last four more days at diminishing returns), he pushed through another bottleneck.
[Host Cultivation Detected: Qi Condensation Level 5 Achieved!]
In just three days of intensive, resource-fueled cultivation, he had leaped from Level 3 to Level 5. The sheer speed was intoxicating, a testament to the power of the system when combined with sufficient resources. He felt significantly stronger, his Qi reserves far denser, his control more refined. He was now solidly in the upper tiers of Outer Sect disciples, at least by cultivation level alone. Emerging from the seclusion hut, Kai felt ready to face whatever came next. The investment had paid off spectacularly.
Chapter 17 Attracting Attention
Kai's emergence from three days of seclusion didn't cause an immediate stir – disciples frequently undertook short retreats. But the change in him was impossible to ignore for those with sharper senses or who had paid any attention to him before.
He carried himself differently. It wasn't just the newfound confidence from his successful dealings and self-defense, but a subtle shift in his energy signature. The weak, almost negligible presence of a Level 1 disciple, which had slowly climbed to Level 3, had suddenly surged. Instructors overseeing training drills paused, their spiritual senses detecting the distinct aura of Qi Condensation Level 5 emanating from the previously unremarkable Kai.
"Disciple Kai," one grizzled instructor, Instructor Liu (no relation to the Elder), called out during morning exercises, his eyes narrowed. "Your progress… seems rapid. Have you had a fortunate encounter recently?"
Kai bowed respectfully. "This disciple was fortunate to gain some insights during recent meditation, Instructor. And I acquired a few low-grade pills that proved helpful." He offered a partial truth, attributing it to luck and standard resources, downplaying the ridiculous speed.
Instructor Liu grunted, unconvinced but lacking evidence of wrongdoing. "Hmph. See that you solidify your foundation. Rapid advancement without stability leads to deviation." A standard warning, but his gaze lingered on Kai longer than usual.
The rumors among the disciples intensified. Kai jumping from Level 3 to Level 5 in mere days? It was unheard of for someone with his known background of poor talent. Whispers of "hidden master," "ancient legacy discovered," or "miracle treasure found" circulated wildly. His previous sales of strange-but-effective goods suddenly seemed less like scams and more like evidence of some mysterious resource backing him.
His hidden shop in the woodshed also saw increased traffic. Disciples, emboldened by his rising status and proven effectiveness, sought him out more often. His operating capital grew steadily, allowing him to completely pay off his System Debt within a week of leaving seclusion. Being debt-free felt like a massive weight lifted, even as he immediately began saving points for future upgrades.
[System Debt Cleared! Reward Applied: System Credit Limit Increased. 5% Discount on System Store Purchases (Vendor Level 1 Tier).]
This success, however, bred envy. Disciples who previously wouldn't have spared Kai a second glance now looked at him with jealousy and suspicion. How did he, the former bottom-feeder, advance so quickly? Where did his resources really come from? Established figures among the Outer Sect elite, those nearing Level 6 or 7 who had spent years getting there, felt particularly slighted.
Even some Elders took note. Elder Liu, pleased with his Sunpetal Herb, mentioned Kai's resourcefulness to a few colleagues. While intended as praise, it put Kai on the radar of other powerful figures within the sect, their interest piqued by this suddenly prominent Outer Disciple with mysterious capabilities.
The attention was a double-edged sword. It brought more customers and a degree of wary respect, but it also painted a larger target on his back. He was no longer flying under the radar. His rapid rise and unorthodox methods were disrupting the established order of the Outer Sect, and disruption inevitably invited conflict. He could feel scrutiny from multiple directions – instructors, jealous peers, curious elders, and the lingering, simmering resentment of one particularly volatile bully.
Chapter 18 Dealing with Bullies - Decisively
Zhang Long watched Kai walk across the training grounds, radiating the energy signature of a Qi Condensation Level 5 cultivator, and felt a rage so intense it made his vision momentarily blur. Level 5! That piece of trash, that worm he could have crushed like an insect just weeks ago, was now two levels higher than him? How?!
The humiliation of their previous encounter still burned. Being forced to retreat, nursing a bruised foot and ego, from a Level 1 weakling using dirty tricks… it was intolerable. His lackeys, Wang Tao and Li Chen (now recovered but nursing lasting fear), still flinched whenever Kai's name was mentioned. Zhang Long's dominance, his carefully cultivated reign of terror over the weakest disciples, felt threatened.
Now, Kai wasn't just resisting; he was surpassing him. The rumors were rampant – Kai had found some legacy, some treasure, maybe even made a pact with a demon! Whatever the source, Zhang Long only saw one thing: resources and power that should rightfully belong to him. That surge from Level 3 to 5 couldn't have happened without significant external aid. Pills, elixirs, spirit stones – Kai had to be loaded.
Revenge wasn't enough anymore. Zhang Long wanted to break Kai, strip him bare, take everything he had, and understand the source of his impossible rise. He couldn't let this stand.
He spent a few days observing, confirming Kai's new cultivation level and routines. He noted Kai's increased confidence, the way other low-level disciples now looked towards him, some even greeting him with respect. He saw Kai occasionally slip away towards the western woodshed area. That had to be where he stashed his goods, his secrets.
Zhang Long, having finally scraped his way to Qi Condensation Level 4 through sheer grit and bullying weaker disciples for resources, knew he couldn't take Kai alone now, especially not after the last encounter. Kai fought dirty and unpredictably. He needed backup. Reliable backup.
He approached two other prominent bullies in the Outer Sect, disciples known for their cruelty and strength: Heishi ('Black Stone'), a burly Level 4 known for his brute strength techniques, and Ma Feng ('Horse Wind'), a wiry Level 4 skilled in basic speed techniques and notorious for his swift, vicious kicks. He also gathered his original lackeys, Wang Tao and Li Chen (both still Level 2 but useful for numbers).
"Kai," Zhang Long spat the name like poison as they gathered in a secluded corner. "He's Level 5 now. Gotten arrogant. Flaunting wealth he didn't earn. He hides his stash near the western woodshed. Tonight, we pay him a visit. We take everything. Teach him his place permanently."
Heishi grinned, cracking his thick knuckles. "Level 5? Interesting. Heard he sells strange things. Might be useful."
Ma Feng sneered. "Fast advancement means unstable foundation. And likely relies on external items. Heard he beat you with tricks, Zhang Long? We won't fall for those."
Zhang Long flushed but nodded. "Exactly. Overwhelm him. No tricks this time. We move together, pin him down, break his limbs if we have to. Find his secrets, take his stash." He promised Heishi and Ma Feng a significant cut of whatever spirit stones and valuable items they found, sealing their cooperation.
Their plan was simple: ambush Kai near the woodshed after the evening meal, when traffic was low. Five cultivators – three Level 4s and two Level 2s – against one Level 5. Even accounting for Kai's unexpected jump, the numbers and combined strength should be overwhelming. This time, there would be no escape, no lucky tricks. This time, they would crush him.
Chapter 19 System-Enhanced Combat
Kai felt the hostile stares long before the ambush was sprung. Ever since his rapid advancement, the background radiation of jealousy and suspicion had intensified. Zhang Long's particular brand of burning hatred was almost palpable whenever their paths crossed. Kai knew another confrontation was likely, and he had prepared accordingly. His hidden 'shop' near the woodshed was convenient, but also a predictable vulnerability.
As he left the woodshed that evening, having just concluded a transaction for an 'Illumination Stone', his senses, sharpened by his Level 5 cultivation, picked up furtive movements in the deepening shadows among the trees. Five distinct energy signatures, three at Level 4, two at Level 2. Zhang Long, predictable as ever, and he'd brought friends this time. Heishi and Ma Feng – known troublemakers.
Kai didn't panic. He subtly accessed the system interface. His point balance, after paying off the debt and careful reinvestment, hovered around 80 points. Enough for some tactical expenditures.
Activate Minor Combat Assistance Module!
[Module Activated. Predicts basic attack vectors, enhances reflexes (+10%), optimizes Qi flow for combat maneuvers. Cost: 10 System Points per minute.]
[System Points Balance: 70]
A cool clarity settled over his mind. The module didn't fight for him, but it processed information faster, highlighting potential threats and suggesting optimal responses like a subtle tactical overlay in his vision. His reflexes felt heightened, his connection to his own Qi more immediate.
"There he is! Get him!" Zhang Long burst from the trees, Heishi flanking him on one side, Ma Feng on the other, while Wang Tao and Li Chen scrambled out behind them, trying to cut off any retreat. They fanned out, attempting to encircle him.
They expected fear, maybe a desperate attempt to flee. Instead, Kai stood his ground, a strange, almost bored expression on his face. From his dimension storage, he materialized an object – not a sword, but a sleek black rod, about a foot long, with metallic contacts at the tip. His 'Lightning Spirit Wand'.
Activate Lightning Spirit Wand (High Voltage Taser)! Cost: 75 Points for initial charge/materialization - Already Paid during previous purchase/preparation.
[Lightning Spirit Wand Ready. Charge Level: 100%.]
Heishi, relying on brute strength, charged straight in, bellowing, aiming a powerful fist strike enhanced with thick, earthy Qi. The Combat Module highlighted the linear trajectory. Kai sidestepped easily – his agility already decent at Level 5, now enhanced by the module – letting Heishi's momentum carry him slightly past. As Heishi turned, surprised by the easy dodge, Kai jabbed the 'Lightning Spirit Wand' into his exposed flank.
ZZZZZAAAAAPPPP!
A bright blue arc of electricity crackled. Heishi let out a strangled roar as high voltage surged through his body. His muscles locked, his eyes rolled back, and the burly Level 4 cultivator crashed to the ground, twitching uncontrollably, completely incapacitated.
One down. Four remaining stared in shock. What was that artifact? Demonic lightning?
Ma Feng reacted next, living up to his name ('Horse Wind'). He darted in from the side, launching a series of rapid kicks aimed at Kai's legs and torso, his movements blurring slightly. The Combat Module tracked the attack vectors, suggesting parries and evasions. Kai flowed backwards, using minimal movements to deflect or avoid the strikes, his system-enhanced reflexes just barely keeping pace with the Level 4 speed specialist.
Seeing Ma Feng occupy Kai, Zhang Long roared and charged again, fists glowing with Qi. Wang Tao and Li Chen hesitantly moved in as well, trying to overwhelm Kai with numbers.
This was Kai's opening. He allowed one of Ma Feng's kicks to connect glancingly with his forearm (protected by his robes and dense Level 5 Qi), using the impact to pivot sharply. He lashed out not with a fist, but with a technique learned from the Earth Knowledge Archive – a precise, open-palm strike aimed directly at Zhang Long's throat as he charged in.
Zhang Long, expecting a Qi-based block, was caught completely off guard by the targeted, vulnerable-point attack. Kai's palm connected – not with lethal force, but enough to disrupt his breathing and momentarily stun him. Zhang Long gagged, stumbling back, clutching his throat.
In that same instant, Kai spun, the Lightning Wand flashing out again. He didn't target Ma Feng, who was already reacting defensively, but instead swept the wand across the chests of Wang Tao and Li Chen who were rushing in blindly.
ZZZAP! ZZZAP!
Two more yelps, two more bodies hitting the dirt, convulsing weakly. The sheer unexpectedness and effectiveness of the 'Lightning Wand' was terrifying.
Now it was just Kai facing Ma Feng and a winded, furious Zhang Long. Ma Feng, seeing his allies drop like flies to the strange lightning weapon, looked distinctly nervous, his rapid attacks becoming more hesitant.
"What is that thing?!" Zhang Long rasped, his throat still sore.
Kai didn't answer. He advanced slowly, the tip of the Lightning Wand crackling faintly. The Combat Module highlighted Zhang Long's unstable stance and Ma Feng's flickering gaze towards escape routes.
"You yield," Kai stated calmly, his voice devoid of its usual deference. "Leave whatever spirit stones you carry as compensation for this disturbance, and you can crawl away."
Zhang Long bristled, humiliation warring with fear. Ma Feng took an involuntary step back. They had come expecting an easy mugging, a brutal beatdown. Instead, three of them were incapacitated by terrifying lightning, and Kai, wielding the strange artifact, looked utterly unfazed, even dominant. The power dynamic had irrevocably shifted.
"Never!" Zhang Long roared, gathering his Qi for one last desperate attack.
Kai sighed. Fine. He dashed forward, not towards Zhang Long, but towards Ma Feng. Ma Feng, startled, tried to unleash another flurry of kicks. Kai ignored them, activating a short burst from the 'Minor Pain Relief Spray' (cost 1 point, rebranded Numbing Dew) from a small canister materialized in his other hand, spraying it towards Ma Feng's face as he closed the distance. Ma Feng recoiled, eyes stinging, momentarily blinded. Kai brushed past him and delivered a swift chop to the back of his neck – another non-cultivator technique aimed at a nerve cluster. Ma Feng crumpled without a sound.
Now, only Zhang Long remained, standing amidst his fallen comrades, staring at Kai with wide, terrified eyes. Kai raised the Lightning Wand.
"Last chance, Zhang Long. Compensation. Now."
Defeated, terrified, and utterly humiliated, Zhang Long threw his meager pouch of spirit stone fragments onto the ground. "Take it! Just… just let me go!"
Kai deactivated the Combat Module ([Total Cost: 20 Points]). He calmly picked up Zhang Long's pouch, then efficiently relieved the unconscious Heishi, Ma Feng, Wang Tao, and Li Chen of their own fragments. It wasn't a huge amount – maybe 50 fragments total – but it was the principle.
"Consider this a lesson," Kai said, looking down at the groaning bullies. "The Outer Sect has rules. Even for bottom-feeders." He turned and walked away, leaving them scattered in the dirt, utterly broken and terrified. He hadn't killed anyone, hadn't permanently maimed them, but he had established absolute dominance in a way brute force alone never could. Word of this encounter would spread like wildfire.
Chapter 20 Establishing Dominance & Followers
News of the beatdown near the western woodshed spread through the Outer Sect with astonishing speed. The details were fragmented, exaggerated, and often contradictory, but the core elements remained consistent: Kai, the disciple who had rocketed to Level 5, had single-handedly and decisively incapacitated Zhang Long, Heishi, Ma Feng, and their lackeys using some kind of terrifying lightning artifact and strange, non-standard fighting techniques.
The effect was immediate and profound.
Fear, tinged with awe, became the dominant reaction towards Kai. Disciples who had previously viewed him with contempt or jealousy now avoided his gaze, stepping aside respectfully when he passed. Those who had bullied the original Kai, even minor tormentors, suddenly became exceedingly polite or avoided him altogether. The hierarchy of the Outer Sect's lowest rungs had been violently reshuffled overnight. Zhang Long and his crew, once feared predators, were now objects of pity and ridicule, their authority shattered.
More significantly, the disciples Kai had previously helped – Lin Fan, Mei Ling, Yao Fei, and the others who frequented his hidden shop – looked at him with something approaching reverence. He wasn't just a source of useful goods anymore; he was a protector, someone who could stand up to the bullies who made their lives miserable.
A few days after the incident, Lin Fan approached Kai hesitantly near the woodshed. Lin Fan himself had benefited from Kai's cheaper goods, managing to reach Qi Condensation Level 2 and looking significantly healthier than when Kai first met him.
"Senior Brother Kai," Lin Fan bowed deeply, a new level of respect in his voice. "What you did… Zhang Long and the others… they won't trouble us anymore."
Kai nodded simply. "They learned their lesson."
Lin Fan hesitated, then seemed to gather his courage. "Senior Brother, many of us… we owe you. For the goods you provide, and now for dealing with those thugs. If… if there's anything we can do to help you, with your… business… or anything else, we would be honored."
Kai looked at Lin Fan, seeing the genuine gratitude and loyalty in his eyes. He had considered this. Running the hidden shop alone, even with the CRM, was becoming time-consuming. Having trusted helpers could free up his time for cultivation and exploring more complex system functions. Lin Fan, Mei Ling, and a couple of others had proven reliable and discreet.
"Your loyalty is appreciated, Lin Fan," Kai said. "Perhaps there is something. My 'Universal Goods' operation requires discretion and reliability. I need trustworthy assistants to help manage inquiries, handle basic deliveries within the Outer Sect, and maintain the secrecy of our arrangement."
Lin Fan's face lit up. "We can do that, Senior Brother! Absolutely! Mei Ling, Yao Fei, we've already talked about it. We want to help!"
Kai considered. "Very well. But understand the risks. Association with me still carries potential trouble. And absolute secrecy is paramount. Can you handle that?"
"Yes, Senior Brother!" Lin Fan affirmed eagerly.
Kai decided to formalize it slightly. "Alright. Lin Fan, you will be my primary assistant here at the 'shop' location. You'll handle initial inquiries when I'm unavailable and manage the immediate vicinity. Mei Ling, your diligence is valuable; you can handle discreet deliveries to female disciples or specific locations. Yao Fei, you can assist with sourcing basic local materials if needed for future… crafting." He left that last part vague.
"I cannot pay you much initially," Kai continued, "but I will offer fair commissions in spirit stone fragments for completed tasks and provide prioritized access to 'Universal Goods' at a significant discount for your personal use." He mentally noted to use the CRM to track their tasks and commissions.
Lin Fan, Mei Ling (who had approached quietly during the conversation), and Yao Fei readily agreed, their faces showing excitement and purpose. They weren't just customers anymore; they were part of Kai's burgeoning enterprise, his first tentative 'followers'.
This small team allowed Kai to operate more efficiently. He could focus more on cultivation, exploring system blueprints, and planning his next moves, knowing that the basic day-to-day operations of his hidden trade were being managed by loyal hands. His dominance wasn't just built on fear of his lightning wand, but increasingly on the respect and loyalty of those he empowered, however modestly. The foundation of his influence was solidifying.