Kai left Lin Fan staring dazedly at the empty noodle cup, mumbling about "essences" and "miracles," and retreated quickly towards his own designated space within the sprawling, noisy dormitory building. Privacy was a luxury almost nonexistent in the Outer Sect, but his particular bunk, tucked away in a dim, less-trafficked corner, offered the bare minimum required. He needed time, and solitude, to truly understand the incredible tool that had fallen into his lap.

  Sitting cross-legged on the lumpy straw pallet, Kai closed his eyes, focusing his consciousness inward, calling up the translucent blue screen of the Universal Drop-shipping System. It hovered obediently in his mental vision, crisp and clear. The single point he’d earned felt like a tiny ember glowing within him, distinct from his own meager Qi reserves.

  He navigated the interface with focused intent, like a seasoned gamer exploring a new menu. The 'Sell' tab was now slightly less daunting. He could theoretically list more 'Earth Goods (Basic)' items. The 'Buy' tab, however, drew his immediate attention. Before, it had been locked, but now, with one Spirit Stone Fragment in his 'System Balance', some options might be available.

  He mentally clicked on 'Buy'. A submenu opened: [Source: System Store / Inter-Vendor Market (Locked)]. He entered the System Store.

  The initial offerings were sparse, bordering on pathetic for a supposed 'Universal' system, but to Kai in his current state, they seemed like treasures.

  [System Store - Vendor Level 0 Access]

  Consumables (Cultivation):

  Qi Gathering Pill (Lowest Grade): Enhances Qi absorption by 5% for 1 hour. Cost: 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments OR 2 System Points.

  Minor Wound Salve (Basic): Speeds healing of scratches, minor cuts. Cost: 5 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments OR 1 System Point.

  Consumables (System Specific):

  System Point: Direct purchase not recommended. Earn through sales/tasks.

  [Temporary Stat Boost (Minor - Specify: Strength/Agility/Endurance)]: +5% boost for 10 minutes. Cost: 5 System Points. (Currently Unaffordable)

  Goods (Earth - Basic):

  Instant Noodles (Various Flavors): Cost: 1 System Point per 5 units OR equivalent value trade.

  Energy Drink (Generic): Cost: 1 System Point per 2 units.

  Chocolate Bar (Generic): Cost: 1 System Point per 3 units.

  Basic First Aid Kit (Small): Cost: 2 System Points.

  ... (A few other mundane items like lighters, basic tools)

  Information:

  Earth Knowledge Archive (Trial Access - Basic Science, History, Arts): Cost: 1 System Point per hour of access.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Kai’s eyes scanned the list greedily. The Qi Gathering Pill, even the lowest grade, was something outer disciples scrambled for, often costing far more than 10 fragments if bought through official sect channels (which were largely inaccessible to those without connections or significant merit points). The System Point cost was intriguing – 2 points versus 10 fragments suggested points were significantly more valuable, perhaps five times as much in the system's internal economy. That single point he earned felt much heavier now.

  The Temporary Stat Boosts were tantalizing but out of reach. The Earth Goods section confirmed he could restock his 'inventory' using points, likely cheaper than buying with spirit stones if he could generate enough points. The Knowledge Archive… that could be invaluable, providing information this world lacked.

  He navigated back to the main screen, examining the other elements.

  Vendor Level: 0 (1/50 Points). He needed 49 more points, plus other criteria he couldn't see yet, to level up. Leveling up seemed crucial, likely unlocking better store items, more system features, maybe even better Earth goods categories.

  System Balance: 1 Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragment. His first capital. Pathetically small in the grand scheme of the cultivation world, but infinitely more than he'd had an hour ago.

  Inventory: Still empty. He hadn't used points to buy stock yet. Drop-shipping was the current model.

  Customer Base: 1 (Lin Fan). The system seemed to track his customers.

  A section labelled 'System Help & Tutorials' caught his eye. He accessed it.

  [Welcome to the Universal Drop-shipping System, Vendor #1!]

  [Objective: Facilitate commerce across myriad realities, dimensions, and timelines.]

  [Core Functionality: You, the Vendor, act as an intermediary. List items from available catalogues (System Store, scanned blueprints, personal inventory, eventually others). When a customer purchases, the System handles sourcing and fulfillment, deducting the cost from the payment.]

  [Earnings: Successful transactions yield Spirit Stones (or other accepted currencies) deposited to your System Balance, and System Points based on sale value, customer satisfaction, and item novelty.]

  [System Points: A universal meta-currency. Use to purchase items/services from the System Store, unlock features, upgrade system functions, and potentially enhance the Host.]

  [Vendor Level: Increase your level by meeting thresholds for Points Earned, Number of Unique Customers, Average Customer Rating, and potentially completing System Tasks (Unavailable at Level 0). Higher levels unlock advanced features, better store access, and increased system support.]

  [Current Goal: Reach Vendor Level 1 (Requires 50 Points, 10 Unique Customers, Avg. Rating 4+ Stars).]

  It was straightforward, elegant, and terrifyingly powerful in its implications. Commerce across realities? He was Vendor #1? Was he the first, or just the first in this specific region or world?

  The key, he realized, wasn't just selling anything. It was about marketing. Lin Fan hadn't bought noodles; he'd bought 'Miracle Recovery Noodles'. He hadn't paid for MSG and carbs; he'd paid for 'worldly essences' and 'vitality restoration'. Cultivators, especially low-level ones desperate for any edge, were the perfect marks for this kind of rebranding. They lived in a world of mystical herbs and pills; why wouldn't a strange, effective item from an unknown source be considered mystical too?

  He needed more customers. More points. More spirit stones. He needed to identify needs within the Outer Sect that common Earth goods could fulfill, disguised as cultivation aids. Fatigue? Energy drinks. Minor scrapes from training or chores? First aid kits. Low morale? Chocolate bars marketed as 'Blissful Energy' supplements.

  His own cultivation was still trash – Qi Condensation Level 1. He needed resources for himself, too. Those Qi Gathering Pills looked very tempting, but he only had 1 point and 1 fragment. He needed to reinvest, build his customer base, and earn more points.

  A plan began to form. Target the lowest rung – the bullied, the resource-poor, those desperate enough to try something unconventional. Offer low-cost, high-perceived-value items. Build reputation slowly. Earn points. Level up the system. Then, maybe, he could start thinking about his own cultivation.

  He felt a flicker of the excitement he used to get when launching a new online product, but magnified a thousand times. This wasn't about selling phone cases or novelty gadgets anymore. This was about survival, power, and maybe, just maybe, thriving in this brutal world.

  Kai took a deep breath, the musty air filling his lungs. The path forward was fraught with risks – exposure, jealousy, failure. But for the first time since waking up in this strange body, he felt a spark of genuine hope, powered by the silent, glowing blue screen only he could see. The Universal Drop-shipping System was his edge, and he would wield it with all the cunning he possessed.