The world snapped into focus with a clarity Kai had never experienced before. It wasn't just sight; it was perception. Sitting in the aftermath of his breakthrough within his quiet meditation room, he could sense the intricate flow of Qi within the polished floorboards beneath him, feel the subtle energy signature of the Warding Flags humming at the edge of his courtyard, trace the path of a lone ant crawling across the gravel outside through the vibrations it sent through the earth. His Spiritual Sense, previously a vague awareness extending perhaps a dozen meters, now swept outwards easily, covering his entire residence and reaching into the bamboo grove beyond, painting a detailed energetic map in his mind.
This was Foundation Establishment.
He circulated his newly transformed Qi. It felt fundamentally different – denser, purer, carrying an inherent weight and potency that Qi Condensation energy lacked. Manipulating it felt effortless, like flexing a familiar muscle grown significantly stronger. The Myriad Rivers network, perfected before the breakthrough, hummed harmoniously, easily handling the higher throughput. The minor physical refinement mentioned by the system was subtle but noticeable – aches vanished, senses sharpened, a general feeling of vitality stronger than simple health permeated his being.
He spent three full days in quiet consolidation, doing nothing but circulating his new Qi, acclimating his body and spirit to the higher realm. He practiced basic manipulations – forming small constructs of pure Foundation Qi, infusing simple objects with energy – marveling at the ease and power compared to before. This wasn't just a step up; it was like graduating from drafting tools to a high-powered CAD station.
During this period, he meticulously checked the System Interface for any changes triggered by his realm advancement.
[System Notification: Host Realm Advancement Detected. Analyzing… Foundation Establishment Level 1 confirmed.]
[System Compatibility Update: System functions optimized for Foundation Establishment energy signatures. Qi-to-Point conversion rates remain stable. Qi-powered system items may exhibit enhanced efficiency or require FE Qi for optimal function.]
[New Tab Unlocked: Cultivation Analysis (Foundation Establishment - Basic)]
[Allows rudimentary tracking of FE Pillar stability, Core purity, and Spiritual Sense range/strength. Detailed analysis requires higher Vendor Level modules.]
[System Store Update: New filter category available - 'Foundation Establishment Suitable Consumables/Auxiliaries'. Items previously locked may now be visible if within Vendor Level 2 access range.]
[Task Board Update: New task category generated - 'Foundation Establishment Realm Objectives'.]
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Kai explored the new features. The basic Cultivation Analysis tab provided simple percentage readouts – Pillar Stability: 98% (Excellent - likely thanks to the Anchor and Assistance Pill), Core Purity: 91% (Good - reflecting his solid foundation), Spiritual Sense Range: ~75 Meters (Standard for Initial FE). It was a useful diagnostic tool.
He checked the store filter. A few new items appeared under consumables, mostly pills designed to aid initial FE consolidation or specific elemental attunement, but they were expensive (300+ points). Nothing groundbreaking immediately accessible with his current 42 points.
The new task category was more interesting:
[FE Realm Objective: Obtain a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique.] Goal: Acquire a complete FE-level technique recognized by the local world. Reward: 100 System Points, System Analysis of Technique.
[FE Realm Objective: Establish Inner Sect Income Stream.] Goal: Generate 100 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones profit via sales/services within the Inner Sect. Reward: 50 System Points, +1 Cubic Meter Storage Space.
The first task confirmed his immediate priority: the Azure Cloud Qi Manual was now effectively obsolete for advancement. He needed an FE technique. The voucher he’d won allowed for one selection, but it specified "Qi Condensation Auxiliary or Foundation Establishment Preparation". He'd used it for the Myriad Rivers Art. Did that mean he needed another way to acquire an FE technique? He'd have to visit the Repository again and inquire, or perhaps seek one through sect tasks or other means. This was a critical bottleneck.
The second task highlighted his financial vulnerability. Relying on the Outer Sect trickle wasn't sustainable. He needed to leverage his new status and the system's offerings to tap into the wealthier Inner Sect market. Selling Mind-Calming Incense sticks seemed like a safe starting point – universally useful, relatively affordable for Inner Disciples (he could price them at maybe 1 Mid-Grade Stone each, a hefty markup on the ~15 point cost), and less likely to raise eyebrows than combat gadgets.
He also reflected on the observer during his breakthrough. His enhanced Spiritual Sense easily confirmed the lingering, faint Qi signature trace just outside his warding perimeter – suppressed, but definitely belonging to a cultivator around Level 8 or 9. Jian Feng himself, or one of his remaining loyalists? Or someone else entirely, drawn by the energy fluctuations of a Foundation Establishment breakthrough? Impossible to know for sure, but it reinforced the need for vigilance and solidified his decision not to attempt the breakthrough without wards. Someone was watching him.
He checked in remotely with Lin Fan. The Outer Sect shop was stable, fragment income steady. Yao Fei had found no better price on the Sunken Bog Mineral. Kai instructed Lin Fan to keep saving the fragments; converting them to points was more valuable currently. His point balance crept up to 45.
With his initial consolidation complete, Kai felt a restless energy. Staying cooped up felt counterproductive now. He needed information, needed to acquire an FE technique, needed to start building his presence – carefully – within the Inner Sect.
He stood, adjusting the fine silk robes that still felt slightly foreign. He secured his carbon fiber bokken – still a surprisingly effective weapon even if he needed a proper FE-level artifact eventually. He ensured his dimension storage held essentials: healing salves, backup points converted from a single Mid-Grade stone (bringing him to 145 points), Mind-Calming Incense for sale, and the emergency tools like the grapnel and Lightning Wand (though using the latter now felt like swatting flies with a cannon, potentially attracting far too much attention).
Stepping out of his courtyard into the bright Inner Sect midday, the world felt different. The casual power radiating from passing disciples seemed less intimidating. The intricate formations woven into the pathways felt clearer to his senses. He was no longer just a Qi Condensation disciple playing in their pond; he was now, officially, one of them – a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
But the predators in this pond were larger, the currents swifter, and the shadows deeper. His journey had just begun anew. First stop: the Technique Repository, to understand the path to acquiring the next level of power.
