Kai emerged from the agonizing ordeal of the Body Tempering Liquid hours later, feeling like he'd been trampled by a herd of Iron-Hide Bulls and then reassembled incorrectly. Every muscle fiber screamed in protest, his skin felt raw, and a faint, unpleasant odour seemed to cling to him despite his best efforts to air out his small space. He had blacked out several times during the process, only dimly aware of his body spasming and purging impurities in the form of foul-smelling black grime that coated his skin.
But beneath the exhaustion and lingering soreness, there was a distinct difference. He felt… cleaner. Lighter. When he tentatively tried circulating Qi using the Azure Cloud Manual, the process felt noticeably smoother. The pathways seemed slightly wider, more receptive. His innate connection to the ambient spiritual energy, while still faint compared to true talents, was undeniably clearer than before the tempering. The system's estimated 5-10% boost felt accurate – a subtle but fundamental shift. His talent had likely crawled from 'abysmal' to solidly 'poor'. It wasn't genius level, but it was a significant improvement, hard-earned through agony and debt.
His System Points balance, however, was a grim reminder of the cost: 0 points, with a looming debt of 67 points accruing interest daily. He needed to start earning again, quickly. Relying on sporadic, hidden encounters was too slow and inefficient. He needed a more stable base of operations, a place where trusted customers could find him without him having to constantly seek them out.
He couldn't open a public stall – that would invite far too much scrutiny from the likes of Zhang Long and potentially even sect authorities wondering about his inventory source. He needed something discreet, easily accessible to his target demographic (the downtrodden outer disciples), yet hidden from casual view.
His mind went back to the disused woodshed behind the western dorms – the place where he'd first sold noodles to Lin Fan. It was dilapidated, forgotten, situated in a low-traffic area primarily frequented by those seeking solitude or avoiding trouble. Perfect.
First, the shed needed serious cleaning. It was filled with rotting wood scraps, cobwebs thick as shrouds, and layers of grime. Doing it by hand would take days and attract attention. Kai turned to the system. Despite his debt, the store was still accessible. He looked for the cheapest, most effective cleaning solutions under 'Earth Goods'.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
[Purchase: Industrial Cleaner Concentrate (1 Gallon) - Cost: 3 System Points (Added to Debt)]
[Purchase: Heavy Duty Scrub Brushes (Set of 3) - Cost: 1 System Point (Added to Debt)]
[Purchase: Disposable Cleaning Wipes (Bulk Pack) - Cost: 1 System Point (Added to Debt)]
[System Debt: 67 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 72 Points]
Wincing at the increasing debt, Kai materialized the cleaning supplies inside his dimension storage. Waiting until the dead of night, when most disciples were asleep or attempting meditation, he slipped out and made his way to the woodshed.
Working quickly and quietly under the dim moonlight, Kai put the Earth-grade cleaning supplies to work. The concentrated cleaner, diluted with water from a nearby well, cut through years of grime with astonishing efficiency compared to the lye soap and elbow grease common in the sect. The sturdy brushes and disposable wipes made short work of the cobwebs and debris. Within two hours, a significant section of the shed's interior was transformed from a filthy hovel into a relatively clean, empty space. The contrast between modern cleaning agents and the primitive state of the shed was stark.
He couldn't make it look too clean or new, which would arouse suspicion. He left some corners dusty, some stains untouched, focusing on clearing a functional space near the back wall. He used some discarded wooden planks found inside to fashion a crude but sturdy counter. It wouldn't win any design awards, but it served its purpose.
This hidden space would be his 'shop'. Not a place for browsing, but a discreet transaction point. He wouldn't keep physical stock here; his 1 cubic meter dimension storage held his inventory. Customers wouldn't come here randomly. He would use the system's CRM.
He accessed the CRM, looking at his list of established customers – now numbering around 25 disciples. He selected a few of the most reliable and least talkative ones, including Lin Fan and Mei Ling.
[CRM Function: Send Discreet Notification]
[Recipient Group: Trusted Customers (Select)]
[Message Template: Standard - New Product/Service Update]
[Customize Message:] "Greetings. For more convenient access to vitality aids and recovery tools, please seek Kai near the old western woodshed during off-peak hours (post-evening meal recommended). Mention 'Azure Cloud' for service. Utmost discretion appreciated."
He mentally sent the message. On the recipients' end, it wouldn't be a flashing screen, but perhaps a subtle nudge in their awareness, a thought seemingly their own – 'Maybe I should check near the woodshed later, see if Kai has anything new.' The system worked in mysterious ways.
He designated a simple code phrase, 'Azure Cloud', to ensure only those he notified could initiate a transaction there. He then spent a few more points (adding to his debt) to stock up on his core sellers: Energy Elixirs, Mending Kits, and Blissful Energy Bars.
His hidden shop was established. It was rudimentary, risky, and operated on borrowed time (or rather, borrowed points), but it was a crucial step towards stabilizing his income stream. Now, he just needed his customers to take the bait and show up, allowing him to start chipping away at the daunting System Debt and save for his own continued cultivation. He felt a sense of accomplishment, tempered by the weight of his obligations. The Universal Vendor was officially open for business, albeit in the shadows.
