Kai knew that while his cultivation had surged and the 'Lightning Wand' was a powerful surprise weapon, relying solely on them in the structured duels of the competition would be foolish. Opponents would be prepared, potentially possess defensive artifacts, and Elders would be watching closely. The rules mentioned inspection and approval of external artifacts – his Taser, if examined closely, might raise too many questions about its energy source and non-Qi nature. He needed advantages that were effective yet subtle, enhancing his own capabilities without screaming 'otherworldly technology'.

  He retreated to his woodshed 'office', tasking Lin Fan to handle any routine customer inquiries. Seated on a crude stool, Kai meticulously browsed the System Store, focusing on categories like 'Sporting Goods', 'Protective Gear', and 'Materials Science (Basic)'. He wasn't looking for magical swords; he was looking for superior mundane equipment.

  His current weapon was just a standard-issue wooden practice sword, heavy and poorly balanced. He found an alternative:

  [Item: Carbon Fiber Bokken (Reinforced Core)]

  Description: Practice sword crafted from high-tensile carbon fiber composite. Extremely lightweight yet incredibly durable and rigid. Superior balance and vibration dampening compared to wood.

  Cost: 40 System Points.

  Appearance: Simple black wooden sword (System applies cosmetic overlay).

  Perfect. It would look like a standard, perhaps slightly better quality, wooden sword, but its material properties would give him a significant edge in speed, recovery, and parrying strength. Purchase. [System Points: 80 - 40 = 40]

  Next, protection. Outer Sect robes offered negligible defense. While he couldn't wear obvious armor, something underneath might be permissible.

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  [Item: Reinforced Impact Sports Padding (Chest & Ribs)]

  Description: Lightweight, flexible padding utilizing non-Newtonian foam inserts. Soft and pliable normally, but instantly hardens upon impact to absorb and distribute force. Designed for high-contact sports.

  Cost: 60 System Points.

  Appearance: Thin, dark fabric undershirt (System applies cosmetic overlay).

  This was ideal. It would be virtually invisible under his robes but could drastically reduce the impact of physical blows or even minor Qi-based strikes, potentially surprising opponents who expected their attacks to have more effect. Purchase. [Insufficient Points! Cost: 60. Balance: 40. Applying 20 Points to System Credit.] [System Debt: 20 Points.] He grimaced at taking on debt again but deemed it essential.

  Finally, footwork. Agility was key, especially against potentially faster opponents.

  [Item: High-Grip Athletic Shoes (Cross-Training Model)]

  Description: Footwear designed for maximum traction, support, and energy return during dynamic movements. Advanced rubber composite sole, breathable mesh upper, secure lacing system.

  Cost: 30 System Points.

  Appearance: Standard cloth disciple boots (System applies cosmetic overlay).

  Again, mundane appearance hiding superior function. Better grip meant faster changes in direction, more stable stances, and less wasted energy. Purchase. [Cost: 30. Balance: 0. Adding 30 Points to System Credit.] [System Debt: 20 + 30 = 50 Points.]

  He materialized the items. The 'bokken' felt impossibly light yet firm in his hand. The 'undershirt' was thin and flexible. The 'boots' looked identical to his old ones but felt much more supportive and grippy on the shed's floor. He equipped the padding and boots under his robes and practiced a few basic stances and movements with the carbon fiber bokken. The difference was immediate. His movements felt faster, lighter, more precise. His balance was better.

  This wasn't about overwhelming power; it was about incremental advantages stacking up. Lighter weapon, better protection, superior footwork – combined with his Level 5 cultivation and Combat Module (which he'd use sparingly to conserve points), it gave him a solid foundation for the competition. He still needed to refine his use of the Azure Cloud Qi Manual and perhaps practice the system-suggested optimizations, but his gear was now sorted. He felt a surge of confidence. Let the competition come.