The whispers were a dissonant chorus accompanying Kai’s departure from the sparring grounds. He felt the weight of hundreds of eyes, a confusing blend of awe at his demonstrated skill, envy at his meteoric rise, and lingering suspicion about the 'tricks' that had defined his earlier victories. Jian Feng's exit had been stiff with fury, a silent vow of vengeance that resonated clearer than any shouted threat. As Kai walked the clean pathways back towards his courtyard, he noted the subtle shifts in how other Inner Disciples reacted. Fewer outright sneers, more guarded curiosity, some even offering hesitant, polite nods. He passed Fang Yue near the Repository Pavilion; she met his gaze and offered a brief, inscrutable nod before continuing on her way. Small signs, perhaps, but indicative that his performance, showcasing genuine cultivation prowess rather than just gadgets, had begun to alter perceptions, however slightly.

  Back within the bamboo-screened walls of his courtyard, the quiet felt amplified. The spar was a calculated success. He had proven his Level 7 cultivation, profoundly enhanced by the now-mastered Myriad Rivers Convergence Art, was stable, responsive, and capable. He had faced down a Level 9 opponent, forcing him onto the back foot and landing a precise, disabling blow without resorting to his controversial system tools. Elder Ming’s public acknowledgment, however grudging, was invaluable – a subtle shield against immediate, overt accusations of impropriety.

  But Jian Feng wouldn’t be deterred. The public humiliation would only fuel his hatred, forcing him towards subtler, perhaps more dangerous, methods. The direct confrontation had failed; now, Kai anticipated indirect pressure, sabotage, perhaps another 'unfortunate accident' far from the Elders' watchful eyes.

  He sat in his meditation room, the resonant hum of his perfected Qi pathways a source of deep satisfaction. The Myriad Rivers Art felt fully integrated, his foundation stable and strong. The system notification echoed in his mind: [Conditions for attempting Foundation Establishment are now optimal.] The shimmering, ethereal sphere representing the Foundation Establishment Assistance 'Pill' pulsed invitingly in his dimension storage. The temptation to consume it now, to leap into the next realm and gain the power needed to crush antagonists like Jian Feng, was almost overwhelming.

  Yet, caution, hard-learned from past experiences and the system's own subtle warnings about integration, prevailed. Foundation Establishment was a qualitative transformation, not just a power boost. It required absolute stability, mental clarity, and a secure environment free from distractions or hostile interference. Haste bred failure, and failure at this stage could be permanent.

  He assessed his current resources. System Points: ~150 – a worryingly thin buffer after the expenses for the marsh mission prep. Spirit Stones: ~295 Mid-Grade – substantial capital, his main asset currently. His remote Outer Sect shop, diligently managed by Lin Fan, continued to provide a slow but steady trickle of fragments, gradually converted to points via the system, perhaps adding 3-5 points per day. It helped, but wouldn't fund major purchases quickly.

  He decided to invest slightly in maintaining his mental edge, crucial for both cultivation and navigating the political minefield.

  [System Store Purchase: Mind-Calming Incense Stick x 5. Cost: 75 Points (VL2 Discount Applied: ~7% off base price, rounded).]

  [System Points Balance: 150 - 75 = 75 Points]

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Restocking the incense felt prudent. The subtle clarity it provided during his Myriad Rivers Art mastery had been invaluable.

  He briefly browsed the Mid-Tier Fictional Items again. The 'Shield Bracelet (Minor Energy Barrier)' at 800 points seemed increasingly appealing as a defensive measure against sneak attacks, but remained out of reach. The crafting blueprints for the radio transmitter also remained a tantalizing but resource-intensive project requiring a secure workshop he didn't yet possess.

  No, the path forward was clear. Prepare meticulously for Foundation Establishment. This meant more than just having the 'pill'. He needed absolute security and peak condition. His elegant courtyard, while comfortable, felt exposed. Anyone could approach, potentially disrupt his breakthrough attempt at a critical moment.

  He needed defenses. Not weapons, but wards. Protective formations.

  [System Store Search: Defensive formations, concealment arrays, basic warding]

  [Results Found:

  Basic Qi Disturbance Warding Flags (Set of 8): Creates a perimeter that passively alerts the owner to Qi fluctuations or unauthorized entry. Minimal Qi drain. Cost: 120 Points.

  Minor Concealment Array Projector (Courtyard Scale): Projects a field that subtly blurs visual details and dampens sound/Qi signatures originating within the area. Requires dedicated Qi input or power source. Cost: 300 Points.

  Foundation Stabilizing Earth-Node Anchor: A consumable artifact buried beneath the cultivation spot, helps ground spiritual energy during breakthroughs, reducing risk of Qi deviation. Cost: 250 Points.]

  The costs were significant. The Warding Flags were affordable with his current points plus a small stone conversion. The Concealment Array and Stabilizing Anchor would require dipping into his Mid-Grade Spirit Stone reserves, converting them to points.

  [Convert 3 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to System Points. +300 Points]

  [System Points Balance: 75 + 300 = 375 Points]

  [Purchase: Basic Qi Disturbance Warding Flags x 1 Set. Cost: 120 Points.]

  [Purchase: Foundation Stabilizing Earth-Node Anchor x 1. Cost: 250 Points.]

  [System Points Balance: 375 - 120 - 250 = 5 Points]

  His points were nearly depleted again, down to single digits. But he now possessed the tools to create a relatively secure zone for his breakthrough attempt. The Concealment Array would have to wait; he didn't have the points and worried about its energy consumption signature potentially attracting unwanted attention itself. The Warding Flags and the Earth-Node Anchor felt like essential insurance.

  He spent the next day carefully placing the small, innocuous-looking flags around the perimeter of his courtyard, burying them slightly according to the system instructions. Once activated with a pulse of Qi, they became nearly invisible, forming a silent detection net. He then buried the Earth-Node Anchor deep beneath the floor of his meditation room, feeling its subtle grounding energy connect with the ambient Qi field.

  His preparations were nearing completion. He had the technique mastery, the assistance pill, and now, basic security and stabilization measures. He needed only a few more days of meditation, using the Mind-Calming Incense, to bring his mental state to absolute peak condition, ensuring no lingering anxieties or distractions from the Jian Feng situation interfered with the delicate process.

  The spar had bought him time and a measure of respect. Jian Feng would be plotting, undoubtedly, but likely wouldn't risk another direct, public confrontation immediately after being implicitly rebuked by Elder Ming. This window, however brief, was Kai’s chance. The power jump from Qi Condensation Level 7 to Foundation Establishment was immense. If he succeeded, the entire dynamic within the Inner Sect, his standing, his ability to protect himself and expand his enterprise – everything would change. The final preparations began in earnest, the silence of his courtyard now humming not with tension, but with focused anticipation.