Kai found Wang Hao the next morning near the Outer Sect's Contribution Board, still muttering darkly about unreliable cousins and lost carrier birds. Wang Hao looked stressed, his usual collector's enthusiasm replaced by anxious frustration. Perfect timing.

  "Senior Brother Wang," Kai greeted him respectfully, using the common polite address for a disciple of higher cultivation, even if only marginally so.

  Wang Hao glanced up, annoyed at being interrupted. "What is it, Junior Brother Kai? Can't you see I'm busy?"

  "Apologies, Senior Brother," Kai said smoothly. "I couldn't help but overhear your concerns yesterday regarding communication with your cousin in Willow Creek Town."

  Wang Hao snorted. "Concerns? It's a disaster! That idiot Meng probably traded the technique fragment away already. And I won't know for weeks!"

  "Perhaps," Kai lowered his voice conspiratorially, "there is a way. A faster method. Instantaneous, even."

  Wang Hao stopped fidgeting and stared at Kai, suspicion warring with desperate hope in his eyes. "Instantaneous? What are you talking about? Spirit Pigeons take half a day if you're lucky. Teleportation arrays? Don't be ridiculous, we're in the Outer Sect."

  "Not an array, Senior Brother," Kai said, carefully pulling the burner phone from his dimension storage (making it seem like he retrieved it from within his robes). He held the cheap plastic device out. It was off, a blank black screen. "This is a… Long-Range Communication Jade. A rare artifact I was fortunate enough to acquire."

  Wang Hao squinted at the object. It looked nothing like any jade slip or communication talisman he had ever seen. It was black, smooth, oddly shaped. "Communication Jade? Never heard of such a thing. Looks like polished stone… or strange lacquered wood."

  "Its appearance belies its function," Kai said mysteriously. He pressed the power button. The screen flickered to life, displaying a simple, generic startup logo followed by a basic menu with icons for calls, messages, and contacts – all in a script the system rendered comprehensible to Wang Hao.

  Wang Hao's eyes widened. "It… lights up? By itself?"

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  "It holds a unique energy signature," Kai explained vaguely. "Now, watch." He navigated to the messaging app using the simple buttons. He quickly typed a pre-prepared message: "Meng, this is Wang Hao. Urgent reply needed regarding Wind Chaser Steps fragment. Respond immediately via this Jade." He addressed it to 'Meng - Willow Creek'.

  "You just… wrote on the light?" Wang Hao breathed, fascinated.

  "I inscribed my intent," Kai corrected. "Now, I send the message." He pressed the 'Send' button. On the screen, the message showed as 'Delivered'.

  Almost instantly, simulating an incoming message via the system link, the phone chimed softly, and a new message appeared: "Cousin Hao! Apologies! Was delayed by unexpected beast encounter near town. Technique fragment is safe. Will send via fastest pigeon tomorrow! - Meng."

  Wang Hao stared, utterly dumbfounded. His jaw hung open. He snatched the phone from Kai’s hand, turning it over and over, examining the screen where the 'conversation' was displayed. "Instant? He replied… instantly? From Willow Creek?" The implications were staggering. Forget carrier pigeons, this was faster than anything he could have imagined.

  "As I said, Senior Brother. Instantaneous communication," Kai said calmly, hiding his own relief that the system simulation worked so seamlessly.

  Wang Hao looked from the phone back to Kai, his eyes gleaming with avarice and excitement. "This… this artifact… where did you get it? How much do you want for it?"

  Kai feigned thoughtful consideration. "It is indeed rare. However, I happen to have overheard your willingness yesterday… You mentioned a spare 'Azure Cloud Qi Manual'?"

  Wang Hao’s excitement dimmed slightly, replaced by a calculating look. The manual was basic, yes, but still a complete technique. This 'Jade', however… the ability to communicate instantly over such distances was revolutionary. Think of the trading opportunities, the information gathering! It was worth far more than a standard manual.

  "The Azure Cloud Qi Manual…" Wang Hao mused, then nodded decisively. "Yes! Yes, a fair trade! The manual for this Communication Jade!" He clearly thought he was getting the better end of the deal.

  "Excellent," Kai smiled inwardly. He produced a blank scroll and ink – standard items available cheaply. "If Senior Brother Wang would be so kind as to transcribe the manual now? To ensure accuracy, of course." He didn't want Wang Hao changing his mind or providing an incomplete copy later.

  Eager to get his hands on the phone, Wang Hao readily agreed. They found a quiet corner, and Wang Hao, with practiced strokes, meticulously copied the entire Azure Cloud Qi Manual onto the scroll. It detailed the nine levels of Qi Condensation according to the sect's foundational principles, specific circulation pathways, absorption techniques, and Qi control exercises.

  Once finished, Kai carefully reviewed the scroll. It seemed complete and matched the general knowledge he possessed from the previous Kai's fragmented understanding.

  "The manual seems correct," Kai declared. "A pleasure doing business with you, Senior Brother."

  He handed the burner phone to Wang Hao, who clutched it like precious treasure. In return, Kai took the freshly transcribed scroll.

  [New Task Update: Acquire a Formal Cultivation Manual - COMPLETE!]

  [Reward: 15 System Points. System Analysis of 'Azure Cloud Qi Manual' Available.]

  [System Points Balance: 58 + 15 = 73]

  Holding the scroll felt momentous. It wasn't just paper and ink; it was his key to finally stepping onto the true path of cultivation in this world. He could practically feel the Qi Condensation Level 2 beckoning him.

  Wang Hao was already fiddling with the phone, trying to send another message to his cousin, completely oblivious to the fact that the 'Jade' would never connect to anything now that the system wasn't actively simulating it for the demonstration. Kai felt a brief pang of guilt, quickly suppressed. Wang Hao got what he desired – a seemingly magical artifact – and Kai got what he needed. A fair trade, by the harsh rules of this world.

  He hurried back to his bunk, eager to study the manual and, more importantly, see what the system's 'analysis' could offer. The journey to strength had just taken a significant leap forward.