Selling Superpowers

The air in the stone chamber crackled, not just with the ambient Qi of the Azure Cloud Sect, but with a palpable tension.

Tian, the young guard, stood straighter, his eyes reflecting a silent gratitude and a newfound focus. The Sect Master, his face a mask of profound thought, continued to gaze at me, a blend of wonder and strategic assessment in his ancient eyes.

Lyra, Urg, and Zephyr watched us, their earlier amusement and skepticism completely gone, replaced by a mixture of intense curiosity and, in Urg's case, a flicker of grudging respect.

"Unbelievable," Urg finally grunted, breaking the silence. He nudged Tian with his elbow.

"You really feel… stronger? More efficient?"

Tian nodded, a small, reverent smile on his face.

"My Qi… it flows like a river. Before, it was like a slow stream, hitting rocks. Now, it's smooth, powerful. I can feel the spiritual energy around me, pulling it in with ease. I could cultivate for hours without fatigue!"

Zephyr's eyes gleamed. "Remarkable. A direct, non-Qi based enhancement to Qi manipulation itself. This is… revolutionary."

Lyra, ever analytical, took a step forward.

"Sect Master, if this 'system' can truly optimize Qi flow for any cultivator, regardless of their innate talent or current cultivation stage… the implications are immense."

The Sect Master nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on me. "Indeed, Lyra. Alex," he addressed me directly, his voice deep and resonant.

"Explain to me the full scope of your abilities. This 'dashboard,' these 'points,' the systems themselves. And what it would take for the Azure Cloud Sect to benefit from them. Do not hold back."

This was it. My chance. No more being dragged around as a curiosity. This was a negotiation.

And I had 200 points in the bank, plus a grumpy but apparently helpful System watching my back (or, rather, my mind).

"Sect Master," I began, adopting my most confident, salesman-like tone, the one I used to convince my friends that pineapple did belong on pizza.

"My ability, my 'Systems Trader' dashboard, allows me to perceive and acquire various 'systems.' Think of them as pre-packaged ability enhancements. They aren't tied to spiritual energy, or elements, or any of your cultivation paths here. They operate on a different… layer of reality."

I paused for dramatic effect, then continued. "Each system has a 'cost' in 'points.' These points are my true currency. When I successfully allocate a system to someone, I gain more points. The more impactful the system, or perhaps the more significant the recipient, the more points I receive."

Urg scoffed. "So, you get stronger by making others stronger? Still sounds like a trick."

"It's a symbiotic relationship, Urg," I explained patiently, trying not to roll my eyes. "The universe needs balance. For every gain, there's a cost.

My cost is the initial points. The gain is the growth of the recipient, which in turn fuels my ability to gain more points." I conveniently omitted the part where a cosmic entity calls me a doofus and bails me out.

"And how do these points appear?" Lyra asked, her ice-chip eyes piercing. "The sudden influx just now, when your 'dashboard' was empty?"

My mind raced. I couldn't tell them the System called them "mother father" Sect Master.

"Ah, well, that's… a bit more complicated. Let's just say there are… cosmic benefactors who occasionally provide startup capital for new Traders."

I tried to sound mysterious, hinting at ancient, unknowable forces, rather than a sarcastic blue screen.

The Sect Master's eyes gleamed. "Cosmic benefactors… intriguing. So, these points are your true wealth. But what about… material wealth? For yourself?"

He gestured to my decidedly non-cultivator jogging shorts.

"Ah, yes," I said, remembering Oakhaven. "Well, that's where the 'trading' part comes in.

The people who receive systems often offer payment in their local currency or resources.

For example, in Oakhaven, I received copper coins, a bolt of cloth, fish, root vegetables, and even delicious berry tarts." I visibly brightened at the memory of the tarts.

Lyra's brow furrowed. "So you accept… physical goods? Not just spiritual contributions?"

"That's right," I confirmed. "And those physical goods allow me to… well, live comfortably in this world. And perhaps, one day, fund my journey back to my own world.

That's my ultimate goal." I threw in the "way home" part to give myself a relatable motivation.

The Sect Master leaned forward. "Alex, imagine the potential. If you could enhance the Qi flow of every disciple in the Azure Cloud Sect.

Our sect's power would soar. Our breakthroughs would multiply. We would become unparalleled!" His voice, though still calm, resonated with a fierce ambition.

"What would be your price for such a service?"

My mind immediately flew to the most powerful systems I had seen in my catalogue, the ones that cost thousands, tens of thousands of points.

The ones that could really change things. I needed a lot of points to get anywhere near those. And this was my chance for a bulk deal.

"Sect Master," I began, my gaze sweeping over Lyra, Urg, and Zephyr, who were hanging on my every word. "To outfit an entire sect… that would require a substantial number of points. It would be a massive undertaking.

Each successful allocation would generate more points, yes, but the initial investment from my side for the most impactful systems, like the Qi Flow Optimization, is significant."

"And your personal fee?" the Sect Master pressed. "What material wealth would satisfy you?"

I thought about Oakhaven, about the Clash-Ball. I needed resources to help them. And a place to operate without being kidnapped.

"Sect Master, for the initial phase, to equip, let's say, your core disciples with the Qi Flow Optimization System, I would require access to the sect's resources to experiment and understand this world's systems better.

And… perhaps a modest, comfortable living arrangement within the sect, with no guards, of course. And… a steady supply of whatever your equivalent of 'pizza' is."

Urg snorted again. "Pizza? What is this 'pizza'?"

"It's… a glorious flatbread with melted cheese and various delicious toppings!" I explained, momentarily distracted by the sheer perfection of pizza.

"A staple of my old world!"

The Sect Master chuckled, a surprisingly warm sound.

"We have… various delicious flatbreads. Perhaps even with cheese. This can be arranged." He then grew serious again.

"And the points, Alex? How many points would be required for, say, a hundred Qi Flow Optimization Systems?"

"Each Qi Flow Optimization System costs 100 points," I stated. "So, a hundred would be 10,000 points.

But as I said, each successful allocation would return points to me. My previous allocation, which cost 100 points, returned 200. If that ratio holds, I would actually gain points in the long run."

Lyra's eyes widened fractionally. "So, he profits in points from the transaction itself?"

"That seems to be the universal mechanic," I confirmed. "It's about efficient distribution. The System rewards widespread, effective use."

The Sect Master leaned back, stroking his long beard.

"This is unprecedented. A resource that cultivates itself, as it were."

He looked at Lyra. "Commander Lyra, assess the logistical requirements.

Urg, secure the necessary resources for a trial. Zephyr, you will assist Alex in identifying suitable candidates. We will begin with a smaller group.

Perhaps fifty of our promising outer disciples."

My heart leaped. Fifty systems! That would be 5,000 points in initial investment, but potentially 10,000 points back! This was exponential growth!

"Sect Master," I interjected, a new idea forming. "If we're talking about optimizing Qi, perhaps we could also look into systems that enhance physical prowess? For specific combat roles? Or… dare I say… for certain competitive sports?" I threw in the Clash-Ball hint.

The Sect Master's eyes, already alight with ambition, sparked further.

"Sports? You speak of our 'Clash-Ball'? Indeed. Our warriors could always benefit from enhanced physicality.

Urg, I believe you would be interested in such developments."

Urg grunted, but a small, almost excited twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth. He remembered his own boosted speed.

"Excellent," the Sect Master declared, rising from his seat.

"Alex, you are no longer a prisoner. You are now an honored guest, and a vital asset to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Your 'quarters' will be upgraded, your 'pizza' shall be prepared, and you will have full access to our training grounds and a selection of our disciples."

He paused at the door. "But know this, Alex. While we value your unique abilities, we also value our secrets. You will not leave the sect without my express permission."

My heart sank a little at the last part, but it was a fair trade for the power and resources I was about to gain. I was no longer trapped; I was integrated.

My goal of helping Oakhaven still felt distant, but now I had a clear path to gaining enough power to actually make a difference.

As the Sect Master and his commanders left, Tian, the young guard, approached me, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Alex. I… I can already feel the difference. My future as a cultivator feels brighter."

I grinned. "No problem, Tian. Just remember me when you're a grand elder, okay?"

Alone in my upgraded, surprisingly comfortable new room

(complete with a steaming plate of what looked suspiciously like a cheese and herb flatbread), I stared at my dashboard. Points: 200.