The first week in the Inner Sect was a study in contrasts for Kai. The opulence of his surroundings, the richness of the ambient Qi, the sheer potential hanging in the air – it was intoxicating compared to the gritty struggle of the Outer Sect. Yet, beneath the serene surface, he felt the subtle currents of hierarchy, scrutiny, and expectation that were far more intense than anything he’d faced before. This wasn’t just a gilded cage; it was a shark tank lined with silk.

  He spent the initial days focusing on complete recovery and consolidation. The Seven Treasures Healing Liquid had mended the worst of his internal damage, but the lingering Qi pathway tenderness required careful nurturing. He cultivated diligently in his private meditation room, using the superior ambient energy and the standard High-Grade Qi Gathering Pills he’d won. He didn't push for breakthroughs, instead focusing on solidifying his Level 7 foundation, smoothing out the rough edges left by his rapid, system-assisted advancements. The Azure Cloud Qi Manual, while basic, served well enough for this stabilization phase. Each cycle felt cleaner, his control more refined than it had been even during the competition finals.

  His mind, however, was already racing ahead, exploring the newfound capabilities of his Vendor Level 2 system. The expanded dimension storage (10 cubic meters!) felt cavernously large, easily holding his rewards and existing small inventory. The Remote Shop Management proved effective; Lin Fan reported steady, if small, fragment income from the Outer Sect shop, allowing Kai to slowly rebuild his point balance after clearing the debt. He now hovered around 750 points, a comfortable cushion.

  The Mid-Tier Fictional Items category beckoned. Items like the 'Shield Bracelet' or the 'Boots of Minor Speed' offered tangible power boosts, capabilities that would be invaluable in the higher-stakes environment of the Inner Sect. But their point costs were still substantial. He bookmarked them mentally, recognizing they represented future upgrades once his capital increased.

  More immediately relevant were the crafting blueprints. Basic electric motors, batteries, radio transmitters… Kai’s mind, steeped in Earth knowledge, immediately saw possibilities far beyond their mundane origins. A small motor could power a hidden projectile launcher. A battery could provide an independent power source for modified system gadgets, reducing reliance on point expenditure during use. Radio transmitters, rebranded as 'Thousand Mile Communication Stones', could revolutionize information networks within the sect, eclipsing Wang Hao’s burner phone easily. But crafting required materials, tools, and most importantly, a secure, hidden space – something his elegant but exposed courtyard didn't offer. Another long-term project.

  His immediate priority, as decided earlier, was selecting a new cultivation technique. The voucher granted him access to the Inner Sect Repository, a place spoken of in hushed, reverent tones in the Outer Sect. Following the directions provided in the orientation guide, Kai made his way towards the Repository, located in a secluded, heavily guarded pavilion near the sect's central peak.

  The journey itself was an eye-opener. He passed disciples practicing in designated training grounds – their techniques were visibly more complex, their Qi control more refined than anything commonly seen in the Outer Sect. He saw casual displays of power – a disciple lightly leaping onto a high roof, another manipulating water from a stream into intricate shapes – that underscored the gap he still needed to bridge. The stares directed his way continued, a mixture of curiosity and appraisal. He was the anomaly, the champion from nowhere, and the Inner Sect natives were clearly trying to size him up.

  The Repository Pavilion was imposing, built of dark, ancient stone etched with complex protective arrays that hummed faintly in the background. Two stern-faced Elders, both radiating the profound aura of the Foundation Establishment realm, flanked the entrance. Kai presented his disciple token and the technique selection voucher.

  One Elder inspected the voucher carefully. "Disciple Kai. The Outer Sect Champion. You may select one Qi Condensation auxiliary technique or one Foundation Establishment preparation manual. You have four hours. No copying allowed beyond your chosen technique. Disturb nothing else."

  Kai bowed. "Understood, Elder."

  He stepped inside. The interior was vast, hushed, and dimly lit by floating luminescence stones. Rows upon rows of towering shelves stretched into the distance, filled with countless scrolls, jade slips, and bound volumes, each containing cultivation knowledge accumulated by the Azure Cloud Sect over centuries. The air itself felt heavy with accumulated wisdom and power. A lone, ancient-looking librarian sat at a distant desk, seemingly oblivious.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Kai felt a thrill course through him. This was the heart of the sect's knowledge. He had access, albeit limited, to techniques far beyond the basic manual he’d traded a burner phone for. He focused on his goal: a technique to solidify his foundation before attempting the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

  Navigating the clearly marked sections, he found the area dedicated to 'Foundation Establishment Preparation'. The sheer number of techniques was daunting. 'Nine Revolutions Tempering Method', 'Solid Soul Art', 'Elemental Root Refinement', 'Azure Pillar Foundation Technique'... the names were profound, the brief descriptions promising enhanced stability, purer Qi, or stronger spiritual sense – all vital for a successful breakthrough.

  He needed something compatible with his current Azure Cloud Art baseline, yet capable of significantly strengthening his foundation, which he suspected was still somewhat unstable due to his rapid, aided advancements. He spent nearly two hours carefully examining scrolls, reading introductions, sensing the faint Qi signatures left by previous masters.

  Many techniques focused on specific elemental affinities or required rare resources for practice. Others seemed overly complex, potentially conflicting with his existing circulation pathways. Then, he found it, tucked away on a lower shelf: the 'Myriad Rivers Convergence Art'.

  The description was intriguing. Unlike techniques focused on rigidly solidifying the Dantian, this art focused on enhancing the conductivity and resilience of the meridian network itself, allowing Qi to flow more smoothly, pool more densely, and withstand greater pressure. It aimed to make the entire system more robust, capable of handling the turbulent energies of Foundation Establishment. The analogy used was dredging and widening riverbeds before building a dam, ensuring the foundation could handle the eventual flood.

  It felt right. It addressed his specific concern – the stability of his pathways after rapid advancement – rather than just brute-forcing the Dantian. It was also noted as being highly compatible with the standard Azure Cloud techniques, acting as a powerful enhancer rather than a replacement. It didn't require exotic materials, only diligent practice and significant Qi control.

  Decision made, Kai took the heavy scroll detailing the 'Myriad Rivers Convergence Art' to the librarian, a wizened old man who didn't even look up as he stamped Kai's voucher and waved him away. Kai carefully stored the precious scroll in his dimension storage and exited the Repository, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

  As he walked back towards his courtyard, contemplating the intricacies of the new technique, he passed a group of elegantly dressed Inner Disciples lounging near a decorative pavilion. Their leader, a handsome youth with an arrogant smirk and cultivation clearly at Level 8 or 9, deliberately stepped into Kai’s path.

  "Well, well," the youth drawled, looking Kai up and down with mock assessment. "If it isn't the famous Outer Sect Champion. The one who won through… novel means." His companions snickered.

  Kai stopped, his expression calm. "Senior Brother," he acknowledged neutrally.

  "Senior Brother?" the youth scoffed. "I am Jian Feng. And I believe introductions are owed. Tell me, Junior Brother Kai, where does one acquire such… potent toys? That mist that blinded Zhao Feng? The fog? Perhaps you'd care to share your source?" His tone was light, but his eyes held a predatory gleam. He was clearly probing, testing Kai's reaction, perhaps looking to intimidate or extort.

  Kai met his gaze evenly. "My methods are my own, Senior Brother Jian. Just as my victory was."

  Jian Feng's smirk tightened. "Confident, aren't we? For someone whose foundation likely rests on cheap tricks rather than solid cultivation. Perhaps a 'friendly spar' is in order sometime, to see if your skills match your reputation?"

  It was a challenge, veiled but clear. Refusal would mean losing face, accepting could mean revealing more than Kai wanted, especially since he wasn't fully recovered. This was the Inner Sect welcome he'd anticipated.

  "Perhaps," Kai replied noncommittally, giving nothing away. "When this Junior Brother has fully acclimated to the richness of the Inner Sect's Qi and settled his cultivation, I would be glad to learn from Senior Brother's guidance." He framed it respectfully but deferred indefinitely.

  He made to step around Jian Feng. The arrogant disciple hesitated, clearly wanting to press further but perhaps unwilling to cause a public scene right away. He let Kai pass, but his parting shot followed Kai down the path.

  "Don't take too long acclimating, Junior Brother. Some opportunities don't wait."

  Kai didn't look back. He had his new technique, he had resources, and he had the system. But he also had rivals, scrutiny, and the constant pressure of this new environment. The gilded cage indeed. He needed to master the Myriad Rivers Convergence Art, reach peak Level 7, and prepare for the inevitable challenges ahead. His time in the Inner Sect was just beginning, and the currents were already proving treacherous.