More striking than the physical luxury was the air itself. The ambient spiritual energy here was noticeably richer, denser, thrumming with a vitality that made Qi circulation feel almost effortless compared to the thin, stagnant energy of the Outer Sect grounds. Just breathing felt like cultivating, albeit slowly. It was immediately clear why Inner Disciples progressed faster – the very environment was a cultivation aid.
The kindly Elder, introducing himself as Elder Chen from the Apothecary Hall, ensured Kai was settled before departing, leaving behind a small pouch containing his initial Inner Sect disciple token – a smooth jade emblem signifying his new status – and a starter pack of resources, including basic Inner Sect robes (finer quality than the Outer Sect rags), orientation guides, and a modest allowance of spirit stones.
Alone at last, Kai slowly rose from the comfortable bedding, testing his body. The 'Seven Treasures Healing Liquid' had worked wonders. The crushing internal injuries from Li Wei’s Azure Vortex Tempest were mostly healed, leaving only a deep bone-ache and residual Qi pathway tenderness that would require time and careful cultivation to fully smooth out. He was functional, but not yet at peak condition.
First things first: rewards and debt. The Elder had mentioned the competition prizes awaited him at the Inner Sect Contribution Hall. After changing into the superior Inner Sect robes – simple grey silk that felt luxurious against his skin – Kai made his way there, navigating the winding, clean pathways of the Inner Sect district.
Inner Disciples moved with a different air. Their robes were varied – some indicating allegiance to specific Elders or Halls, others simply finer materials. Their cultivation levels were generally higher, mostly Level 7 Qi Condensation and above, with a palpable confidence bordering on arrogance in many. They glanced at Kai, their gazes sharp and assessing. News of the Outer Sect Champion, the one who used 'tricks' to beat Li Wei, had clearly spread. He received nods – some respectful, some condescending – and plenty of curious or disdainful stares. He ignored them, his face neutral.
At the Contribution Hall, a much grander building than its Outer Sect counterpart, he presented his new token. The Deacon behind the polished counter raised an eyebrow, recognizing the name, but processed the rewards efficiently.
"Disciple Kai. Outer Sect Champion rewards," the Deacon announced formally. "Three hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones." A heavy bag was placed on the counter. "Ten High-Grade Qi Gathering Pills." A jade bottle followed. "One voucher for a Standard Grade Spirit Artifact from the Sect Armory." A stamped metal token. "One voucher for selection of an Inner Sect Cultivation Technique (Qi Condensation Auxiliary or Foundation Establishment Preparation) from the Repository." A specially marked scroll.
Kai accepted the items, storing them securely in his dimension storage. The spirit stones alone were a fortune, equivalent to 30,000 Low-Grade fragments. Added to the ~3 Mid-Grade stones he had left from the Elder Liu deal, he was now, by Outer Sect standards, incredibly wealthy.
Returning to the quiet solitude of his courtyard, Kai immediately accessed the system interface. The debt, currently around 180 points, felt like a stain on his new beginning. He focused on his spirit stone balance.
Convert 4 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to System Points.
[System Exchange Rate (Vendor Level 2): 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone = 100 System Points.]
[Conversion Complete. +400 System Points.]
[System Points Balance: 500 (From Comp Reward) - 180 (Debt Paid) + 400 = 720 Points.]
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[System Debt: 0 Points.]
A wave of relief washed over him. Debt cleared. He had a substantial point balance and still retained nearly 300 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. He finally had breathing room, capital to invest in himself and his 'business'.
He briefly explored the new Vendor Level 2 system features. The [Mid-Tier Fictional Items] category now glowed invitingly. He scanned the initial offerings:
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Shield Bracelet (Minor Energy Barrier): Creates a small personal energy shield capable of deflecting low-to-mid Qi Condensation attacks. Rechargeable via Qi. Cost: 800 Points.
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Boots of Minor Speed (Hermes Facsimile): Temporarily grants +15% movement speed. Qi activated, limited charges. Cost: 650 Points.
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Berserker Brew (Diluted): Induces temporary rage state, boosting strength and pain tolerance but reducing tactical thinking. Significant side effects. Cost: 400 Points.
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Mind-Calming Incense Stick: Aids focus during meditation or stressful situations. Improves resistance to mental interference. Cost: 150 Points.
Interesting items, significantly more powerful than the low-tier ones, but also much more expensive. The crafting blueprints under [Basic Item Crafting Blueprints (Earth Tech)] were equally intriguing: schematics for simple electric motors, basic chemical batteries, water purification units, even rudimentary radio transmitters. Combining Earth tech with cultivation materials could open up entirely new product lines, but it would require resources, experimentation, and likely, a dedicated, hidden workshop.
For now, he turned his attention to the [Remote Shop Management] feature. He focused his intent, linking through the system to the consciousness of Lin Fan, who was currently organizing the small hidden space in the Outer Sect woodshed.
*Kai (mental projection):* "Lin Fan, status report."
Lin Fan jumped slightly, looking around the empty shed before realizing the voice was internal. *Lin Fan (mental reply, hesitant):* "S-Senior Brother Kai! You're alright! We heard you won! Congratulations! The shop… it's been quiet since the competition ended, but Mei Ling made a small sale of Numbing Dew yesterday. Inventory levels are moderate. No trouble from Zhang Long or anyone."
*Kai:* "Good. Maintain discretion. I am now in the Inner Sect. I can oversee things remotely. Restock 'Vigor Elixirs' and 'Recovery Salves' using the usual protocol – deduct cost from deposited fragments. Focus on steady, small sales for now. Report any unusual activity immediately."
*Lin Fan:* "Understood, Senior Brother! We'll keep things running smoothly!"
The connection felt seamless, efficient. He could manage his Outer Sect revenue stream without physically being there, ensuring a continued flow of fragments and points while he navigated the Inner Sect. His small network of loyal assistants was proving invaluable.
Finally, Kai contemplated his cultivation. Level 7 Qi Condensation was respectable here, but far from the top. Inner Disciples commonly reached Level 8 or 9, and the true elites were already preparing for, or had achieved, Foundation Establishment. He had the system's equivalent of the Foundation Establishment Assistance Pill sitting in his storage – a guaranteed ticket to the next major realm.
He retrieved the 'pill' mentally – it manifested as a shimmering, ethereal sphere of condensed energy in his storage interface, far more potent than any physical pill. The temptation to consume it immediately, to leapfrog into the Foundation Establishment realm and gain a massive power boost, was immense.
But caution prevailed. Foundation Establishment wasn't just about power; it involved reshaping one's Dantian, forming a solid 'foundation' for future growth. Rushing it, especially after his recent, rapid advancements and severe injuries, felt risky. His foundation at Level 7, achieved partially through gadgets and system boosts, might not be stable enough. Failure during Foundation Establishment could cripple his cultivation permanently.
Furthermore, he hadn't even chosen his supplementary Inner Sect technique yet. The voucher allowed him access to methods far superior to the basic Azure Cloud Qi Manual, techniques specifically designed to solidify one's foundation or enhance specific aspects before attempting the breakthrough.
He made his decision. Consolidate first. Heal fully. Choose a powerful Inner Sect technique. Learn the lay of the land in this new, more dangerous environment. Explore the potential of his Vendor Level 2 system. Only then, when fully prepared, would he attempt Foundation Establishment.
He leaned back against the silk cushions, feeling the rich Qi of the Inner Sect seeping into his recovering body. He was in a gilded cage – beautiful, resource-rich, but filled with unseen bars and potential predators. His journey had just entered a new, far more complex chapter. Survival, let alone thriving, would require all his cunning, resourcefulness, and the full potential of his Universal Drop-shipping System.