His Level 7 cultivation, previously feeling like a newly constructed dam holding back immense pressure but potentially riddled with unseen cracks, began to feel integrated, solid. The Art demanded he meticulously trace and widen not just the twelve primary meridians, but the hundreds of interconnecting pathways, the 'capillaries' of his Qi network. Where before there was snagging resistance or residual pain from his injuries, now the Qi flowed like quicksilver through polished channels.
He could feel the difference. His control sharpened dramatically. Guiding Qi felt less like wrestling a stubborn mule and more like conducting a symphony. Recovery time after intense cultivation sessions shortened. Even his passive Qi absorption rate seemed to tick upwards as the 'riverbeds' became more efficient conduits for the rich ambient energy of the Inner Sect. He wasn't just consolidating; he was upgrading his entire internal infrastructure. He estimated he was now eighty percent through mastering the Qi Condensation aspects of the Myriad Rivers Art, far faster than he'd initially thought possible. The Foundation Establishment realm felt less like a distant peak shrouded in fog and more like the next logical step on a clearly marked path.
This internal progress was mirrored by the silent hum of his external operations. Lin Fan, back in the Outer Sect woodshed, proved surprisingly adept at managing the 'Universal Goods' storefront. Using the Remote Shop Management function, Kai could check inventory (virtual, held in his dimension storage until materialized by Lin Fan upon sale), approve transactions, and receive updates. The daily trickle of Low-Grade Spirit Stone fragments continued, steadily converted into System Points. His balance climbed past 800 points, a comfortable buffer.
Lin Fan’s reports, delivered via brief system-linked mental messages, were concise and useful. Mostly routine sales, but occasionally, nuggets of information surfaced.
Lin Fan (mental reply): "Senior Brother Kai. Routine sales steady. Minor issue: Disciple Yao Fei reported seeing one of Jian Feng's known associates asking questions near the Contribution Board about disciples who recently acquired 'unusual artifacts'. Mentioned your competition performance specifically. Seemed to be fishing for information."
Kai frowned. So, Jian Feng was already probing his Outer Sect connections. Predictable, but annoying. He sent a directive back to Lin Fan, Mei Ling, and Yao Fei: Extreme caution. Minimize direct association. All transactions strictly at the woodshed. Report any further inquiries immediately. Their loyalty seemed firm, born from genuine gratitude and the shared experience of being downtrodden, but Jian Feng played in a different league than Zhang Long. Pressure applied correctly could make anyone talk.
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With his cultivation stabilizing nicely, Kai turned his focus back to the system's Vendor Level 2 offerings, specifically the crafting blueprints. The idea of building his own tech, combining Earth knowledge with cultivation principles, was deeply appealing. The 'Thousand Mile Communication Stone' (rebranded radio) held the most immediate potential for generating significant income within the resource-rich Inner Sect.
He spent points accessing the detailed blueprint and cross-referencing material requirements.
[System Store Purchase: Detailed Radio Transmitter/Receiver Blueprint Analysis. Cost: 25 Points.]
[System Store Purchase: Local Material Equivalency Database (Basic). Cost: 50 Points.]
[Balance: 800+ - 25 - 50 = ~725 Points]
The analysis confirmed his suspicions. It required refined copper (available in sect markets, but quality varied), quartz crystals (also available, needing careful selection for frequency), basic insulators (could be synthesized from certain plant resins or purchased), and crucially, a stable power source. The blueprint suggested a simple chemical battery, listing Earth components like zinc, carbon, and manganese dioxide. The Equivalency Database suggested local substitutes: 'Lightning Attracting Ore' for zinc, 'Black Iron Charcoal' for carbon, and 'Sunken Bog Mineral' for the manganese dioxide – all materials sometimes found in sect territories or traded, but not always common or cheap.
Then there was the assembly. The blueprint showed intricate wiring, soldering (or its Qi-based equivalent: 'Energy Fusion Joining'), and precise component placement. This wasn't slapping together parts; it required skill and dedicated tools. Could he adapt Qi for fine manipulation? Could he use system points to buy miniature tools?
[System Store Search: Micro-manipulation tools, Energy Fusion Joiner]
[Results Found:
Micro-Manipulator Toolkit (Basic): Assorted tweezers, probes, clamps for fine work. Cost: 40 Points.
Energy Fusion Pen (Low Grade): Uses focused Qi pulse to fuse metallic components (requires precise Qi control). Cost: 150 Points.]
Obtainable, but requiring further investment and practice. He decided to start simpler. Could he build just the battery first? He instructed Yao Fei, via Lin Fan, to discreetly inquire about the market prices and availability of Lightning Attracting Ore, Black Iron Charcoal, and Sunken Bog Mineral in the Outer Sect markets, promising a commission. If he could source the raw materials cheaply there, he could potentially build power sources.
Just as he was calculating material costs, his Inner Sect disciple token pulsed with light – an official sect notification. He infused it with a wisp of Qi.
Disciple Kai,
Pursuant to Inner Sect Task Rotation Protocols, you have been assigned to Mission Team 7, tasked with exploration and threat reduction in the designated western sector of the Shadowfen Marsh. Team Lead: Disciple Jian Feng. Report to the West Gate rendezvous point in three days at dawn. Acknowledge receipt.
Inner Sect Affairs Office.
Kai stared at the message, a cold knot tightening in his stomach. It had happened exactly as Jian Feng likely intended. Assigned to his team. To the Shadowfen Marsh, a place known for corrosive mud, venomous creatures, treacherous footing, and sudden fog. A perfect place for 'accidents'.
He had to acknowledge. Refusal meant immediate disciplinary action. Acknowledged. The token pulsed confirmation.
Three days. Not much time. His cultivation was stable at Level 7, the Myriad Rivers Art significantly progressed but not fully mastered. His gear was good, but perhaps not optimized for a marsh. And he would be surrounded by Jian Feng and likely his loyalists (Ming Hao and Lu Chen would almost certainly be on the team).
He couldn't back down. This was the test Jian Feng wanted, the situation designed to pressure him, isolate him, perhaps engineer his demise or the 'loss' of his secrets. Fine. If Jian Feng wanted to play games in the mud, Kai would come prepared.
He immediately accessed the System Store again, his mind racing. Forget the radio for now. Priority: survival gear for the Shadowfen Marsh, tailored to counter both the environment and potential sabotage.