Just as the adrenaline from the confrontation with Zhang Long began to ebb, replaced by a bone-deep weariness and the lingering ache in muscles pushed harder than they were used to, the familiar, clear chime echoed in Kai’s mind, accompanied by a celebratory flash on the system interface.

  [Ding!]

  [Vendor Level Increased to 1!]

  [Requirements Met:]

  [?] System Points Earned: 50+ (Current: 62 - Includes points earned before spending)

  [?] Unique Customers: 10+ (Current: 17)

  [?] Average Customer Rating: 4+ Stars (Current: 4.6 Stars)

  [Congratulations, Vendor #1! You have successfully navigated the initial phase of market entry.]

  [New Features Unlocked:]

  [+] System Store Category: Low-Tier Fictional Items

  [+] System Function: Basic Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

  [+] System Storage: Personal Dimension Storage (Capacity: 1 Cubic Meter)

  [+] System Access: Basic Quest/Task Board (Optional)

  Kai stared at the notifications, a wide grin spreading across his face, momentarily forgetting his fatigue and the lingering threat from Zhang Long. Level 1! He had done it. Fifty points had seemed like a mountain to climb just weeks ago, scraping by with single-fragment sales.

  He eagerly explored the new features, his mind buzzing with possibilities.

  First, the System Store. He navigated to the newly unlocked category: [Low-Tier Fictional Items]. His breath hitched. This wasn't just mundane Earth stuff anymore.

  Senzu Bean (Fragment): A tiny piece of a legendary bean. Instantly restores 10% Stamina and Qi when consumed. Single use. Cost: 50 System Points.

  Mana Potion (Diluted): A faint blue liquid reminiscent of countless RPGs. Instantly restores 5% Qi when consumed. Single use. Cost: 25 System Points.

  Gamer's Health Potion (Minor): A bubbling red concoction. Heals minor cuts and bruises over the course of 1 hour. Significantly reduces pain sensation during healing. Single use. Cost: 30 System Points.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Bag of Holding (Smallest): A simple cloth pouch that can hold slightly more than its appearance suggests (approx. 0.1 cubic meter internal space). Requires minor Qi activation. Cost: 75 System Points.

  Ring of Minor Warmth: A plain metal ring that maintains a comfortable warmth against the skin. Negligible Qi cost. Cost: 15 System Points.

  Kai’s eyes widened. Senzu Beans? Mana Potions? These were items straight out of fiction, yet here they were, offered as real products by the system. The costs were significantly higher than the basic Earth goods, reflecting their presumably greater effects, but the potential was enormous. A Senzu Bean Fragment, restoring 10% Qi and Stamina instantly, could be a lifesaver in a fight or a crucial boost during cultivation. The Gamer's Health Potion offered healing superior to his 'Instant Mending Kit'. These items, marketed correctly, could fetch far higher prices than energy drinks or chocolate bars.

  Next, he checked the Basic CRM. The interface showed a list of his 17 unique customers. He could now add notes to each entry (e.g., 'Mei Ling - Needs energy, careful with funds', 'Yao Fei - Prone to sparring injuries'). The system also offered options to 'Send Discreet Notification' about new products or 'Offer Targeted Discount' based on purchase history. This would allow him to manage his growing clientele more effectively and discreetly, building loyalty.

  Then came the Personal Dimension Storage. A new icon appeared on his main interface. Focusing on it, Kai felt a strange connection open up. He visualized the small pile of spirit stone fragments he currently had hidden in his bunk – about 45 low-grade fragments. He mentally commanded: Store fragments.

  With a faint shimmer that only he could perceive, the physical fragments vanished from their hiding spot. Simultaneously, the 'Storage' interface updated to show: [Low-Grade Spirit Stone Fragments x 45]. He then focused on the remaining energy drinks and first-aid supplies he had stashed. Store items. They too vanished, appearing as icons within the storage grid, which the system described as a stable dimensional pocket linked directly to him, accessible mentally. One cubic meter wasn't huge – about the size of a small washing machine – but it was perfect for holding his inventory securely and invisibly. No more hiding things under loose floorboards!

  Finally, the Basic Quest/Task Board. Accessing it revealed a simple list of system-generated objectives, mostly related to expanding his business.

  [Ongoing Task: Reach Vendor Level 2 (Requires 500 Points, 50 Unique Customers, Avg. Rating 4.5 Stars)] Reward: Further System Upgrades.

  [New Task: Introduce a 'Fictional Item' to the Market] Goal: Successfully sell one item from the Low-Tier Fictional category. Reward: 10 System Points, +0.1 Cubic Meter Storage Space.

  [New Task: Acquire a Formal Cultivation Manual] Goal: Obtain a complete Qi Condensation level cultivation technique manual recognized by the local world. Reward: 15 System Points, System Analysis of Manual (Potential Optimization Suggestions).

  These tasks provided clear goals and tangible rewards, guiding his progress. The task to acquire a cultivation manual struck a chord. His biggest bottleneck right now, besides attracting trouble, was his own abysmal cultivation speed, still stuck at Level 1 despite the minor boost from his first earned point. He desperately needed a proper technique, not just the basic breathing exercises taught universally in the Outer Sect.

  The system upgrade felt like a massive leap forward. He had better potential products, better tools to manage his business, secure storage, and clearer objectives. The risks were still there – Zhang Long wouldn't forget the humiliation – but Kai's ability to navigate them had just increased significantly.

  He took a deep breath, the earlier tension draining away, replaced by a fresh wave of determination. Fictional items, CRM, dimension storage… the possibilities were intoxicating. First order of business: figure out how to get a real cultivation manual without spending the fortune they usually cost. He scanned the new Task Board again. The system itself was encouraging it. There had to be a way.