The discreet notifications sent via the CRM worked subtly but effectively. Over the next few evenings, a slow trickle of Kai's established customers found their way to the old woodshed. They'd approach cautiously, glance around to ensure no one was watching, and utter the code phrase, "Azure Cloud?"
Kai, waiting inside the cleaned-out space, would nod and conduct the transaction quickly and quietly. He'd confirm their need – an energy boost for late-night practice, a kit for a fresh injury – mentally access his dimension storage, materialize the item, accept the spirit stone fragments, and send them on their way. The process was efficient, secure, and far less risky than random encounters in public areas.
The hidden 'shop' stabilized his income. Fragments began to accumulate in his System Balance once more, allowing him to make small, regular payments against his System Debt, preventing the interest from spiraling completely out of control. His point balance remained near zero, as almost everything he earned went towards debt repayment or restocking essentials.
However, relying solely on energy shots, first-aid kits, and chocolate bars had its limits. His customers were low-level disciples with meager funds. To significantly increase his earnings and pay off his debt faster, he needed to offer items with higher perceived value, things that could command a better price or appeal to slightly more discerning customers, without yet dipping into the expensive 'Fictional Items' category.
He browsed the 'Earth Goods (Basic)' catalogue again, thinking creatively about how mundane items could be repurposed and rebranded for the cultivation world.
He noticed [Durable Work Gloves (Leather/Reinforced Fabric)] - Cost: 2 System Points. Cultivators often handled rough materials, hot cauldrons (in alchemy), or engaged in harsh physical conditioning. He listed them as: "Anti-Abrasion Cultivation Gauntlets" - Description: "Woven with resilient beast hide fibers (simulated). Protects hands during intense weapon practice, ingredient gathering, or physique tempering. Enhances grip, prevents calluses." He priced them at 10 fragments – a reasonable price for durable hand protection.
Next, [High-Lumen LED Flashlight (Pocket Size)] - Cost: 3 System Points. Caves, nighttime missions, poorly lit sect corners – reliable light was always useful. He listed it as: "Ever-Bright Illumination Stone" - Description: "A compact artifact utilizing solidified light essence. Emits a powerful, unwavering beam capable of piercing mundane darkness and revealing hidden details. Activated by simple pressure." He priced this at 15 fragments, leveraging the 'magic light' angle.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Then, [Pocket Knife / Multi-tool (Basic Stainless Steel)] - Cost: 4 System Points. A versatile tool with many potential applications. He listed it as: "Thousand Transformations Tool" - Description: "A cultivator's essential companion crafted from refined sky-steel. Contains multiple integrated functions – cutting edge, leverage pry, tightening grip, piercing awl, and more. Compact, durable, indispensable for field missions or artifact tinkering." This he priced slightly higher at 20 fragments, emphasizing its versatility.
He invested the few points he managed to scrape together after debt payments into acquiring samples of these new items. When customers came to the woodshed, after fulfilling their initial request, he would casually showcase one of the new products.
"Suffering from rough hands after hammer practice, Senior Brother Chen? Perhaps these Anti-Abrasion Gauntlets would help?" He'd let the disciple feel the sturdy material.
"Heading into the back caves to search for Glow Moss, Junior Sister Lin? This Ever-Bright Illumination Stone might make things easier than those sputtering oil lamps." He'd demonstrate the powerful LED beam.
The new items were well-received. The gloves were practical and genuinely useful. The flashlight was vastly superior to primitive light sources. The multi-tool offered functions many disciples lacked. Sales started picking up beyond the basic consumables. Disciples might come for an energy shot but leave with a pair of gloves or a flashlight as well, significantly increasing Kai's revenue per customer.
His spirit stone fragment balance began to grow more rapidly, allowing him to pay down his debt faster. More importantly, the successful introduction of slightly more complex items boosted his confidence and the perceived legitimacy of his 'Universal Goods'.
Amidst this growing business activity, Kai didn't neglect his cultivation. Benefiting from the Body Tempering Liquid's permanent boost and the Azure Cloud Qi Manual, his practice sessions were far more productive. The Qi flowed more smoothly, absorbed more readily. He diligently cultivated every spare moment he had.
One evening, while meditating after closing his hidden shop, he felt the Qi in his dantian reach another saturation point. With a focused effort, guiding the energy according to the manual's instructions, he compressed and refined it further, breaking through the next barrier.
[Host Cultivation Detected: Qi Condensation Level 3 Achieved!]
He had reached the same level as Zhang Long. While Zhang Long likely had more combat experience and possibly better supplementary techniques, Kai was no longer fundamentally weaker in terms of raw Qi level. Combined with his system knowledge and potential access to system-provided combat aids (if he could ever afford them again), he felt a growing sense of security.
His business was growing, his cultivation was advancing, and his debt was slowly shrinking. Things were looking up. But he knew this relative peace was fragile. Success bred jealousy, and the Outer Sect was a cauldron of simmering resentments. Furthermore, he was still just selling rebranded mundane items. The true potential of the system lay in the fictional items, and eventually, perhaps even crafting or utilizing blueprints. But that required capital, points, and likely, attracting bigger customers than struggling outer disciples. His next target needed to be someone with real resources.
