A True Systems Trader

My "upgraded quarters" were indeed a significant improvement.

No more stone walls, but rather a spacious room with a breathtaking view of the cloud-kissed mountain peaks. It even had a small, private training area – though what I would train in, besides my negotiation skills, was a mystery.

The bed was softer, the water jug perpetually full, and a steady supply of delicious "flatbreads with cheese and toppings" (which, yes, were remarkably pizza-like) materialized at regular intervals.

Life in the Azure Cloud Sect, as a valued asset, was surprisingly cushy.

The very next morning, I found myself in a massive, open-air training hall, larger even than the one where I'd made my ill-fated meteor shower debut. The air buzzed with suppressed excitement.

The Sect Master stood at the front, flanked by Lyra, Urg, and Zephyr. Before them, arrayed in neat rows, were fifty young cultivators, ranging from fresh-faced teens to seasoned-looking twenties.

These were the promising outer disciples, the first batch to receive the System's touch.

"Disciples!" the Sect Master's voice boomed, clear and strong.

"Today marks a new era for the Azure Cloud Sect. We are joined by Alex, a unique individual from beyond our world, who possesses the ability to grant 'systems' – enhancements that will optimize your Qi flow and accelerate your path to power!"

A ripple of excited whispers went through the disciples.

They glanced at me with a mix of awe and skepticism. I tried to look wise and mysterious, like I knew what I was doing.

(Spoiler: I mostly didn't, but faked it well).

"He has already demonstrated his ability on Guard Tian," the Sect Master continued, gesturing to Tian, who stood at attention, radiating a subtle new confidence.

"Tian will tell you of the profound change he has experienced."

Tian stepped forward, his voice clear.

"My fellow disciples, the Qi Flow Optimization System is truly remarkable.

My cultivation speed has doubled, and my understanding of Qi pathways is clearer than ever before. I feel… invigorated, focused. This is a true gift."

More excited murmurs. Even Urg looked impressed, though he tried to hide it with a gruff cough.

"Now," the Sect Master said, turning to me, "Alex, begin the allocation.

We will start with the first disciple in the front row."

My dashboard shimmered. Points: 200. Each [Qi Flow Optimization System] cost 100 points.

So, fifty systems would initially drain me by 5,000 points. But the bonus! My last allocation of 100 points gave me 200 back. If that trend continued, I'd be swimming in points.

I stepped forward, trying to project a calm, professional aura.

My first recipient was a stern-faced young man with sharp eyes, radiating an earnest dedication. His name was Disciple Jin.

"Disciple Jin," I said, extending my hand. The shimmering system icon appeared. "This will optimize your Qi flow. Focus on absorbing the energy."

He nodded, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes, but he held out his hand. I initiated the transfer. The green light enveloped him, and he gasped, his body stiffening momentarily before relaxing.

A subtle golden aura pulsed around him, just like Tian.

My dashboard updated:

[Qi Flow Optimization System] - STATUS: Allocated to 'Jin'

[Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +190]

[Points: 290]

Alright! Not 200, but 190 was still amazing! My points were already climbing. The System wasn't just giving me a flat bonus; it was giving me a variable bonus, perhaps based on the recipient's potential, or something more nuanced.

This made it more thrilling, like a gacha game where every pull was a surprise.

The next disciple was a quiet young woman named Mei, who seemed perpetually lost in thought. When the system flowed into her, her eyes, usually dreamy, sharpened with sudden clarity. Her Qi intake visibly increased.

My dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +180]

[Points: 370]

Hmm, the bonus was decreasing. Was it because Mei was less of a 'blank slate' than Jin? Or was it… diminishing returns? The System didn't give me any explanations. It was just a number.

I continued down the line. A burly disciple named Grok, whose Qi felt sluggish, received his system and immediately looked like he'd shed twenty pounds of internal resistance.

Dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +170]

[Points: 440]

The trend continued. 160, 150, 140… It was like a countdown. Each new disciple, while still grateful and visibly enhanced, seemed to return slightly fewer points. The initial rush of doubling my points had settled into a steady, but decreasing, climb.

By the time I reached the 25th disciple, a nervous young man named Kai who fidgeted constantly, the bonus was down to 115 points.

[Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +115]

[Points: 2500+]

(The number was too big to track precisely, but it was growing rapidly)

The Sect Master watched every allocation with rapt attention, occasionally exchanging quiet words with Lyra or Zephyr. Urg, after a while, stopped grumbling and just stared, a look of grudging awe on his face as he witnessed the consistent, undeniable improvements in each disciple.

They could feel the change, the enhanced Qi flow, the subtle shift in aura.

As I approached the 49th disciple, a quiet, unassuming woman who cultivated diligently but slowly, my points stood at an impressive [Points: 6780].

This was far more than I'd ever imagined. The System, despite its grumpy personality, was a very generous, if enigmatic, benefactor.

I allocated the system to the 49th disciple.

Dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +105]

[Points: 6785]

Okay, so the bonus had almost flatlined to cost +5. Still, a net gain!

Finally, I reached the 50th disciple. This was a young woman with bright, eager eyes, whose movements were fluid and graceful, even when standing still. She seemed to possess a natural talent, but perhaps lacked the rigorous discipline of some of the older disciples.

Her name was Anya.

(not to be confused with the tart-baking Anya from Oakhaven, though I wished she had tarts).

"Anya," I said, extending my hand, the familiar system icon shimmering into existence. "This is for you. May it accelerate your path."

She nodded, a faint blush on her cheeks, and touched the icon. The green light enveloped her, and her entire body seemed to hum with a newfound harmony.

She closed her eyes, and the Qi around her didn't just flow into her; it seemed to dance around her, forming subtle, elegant patterns.

Her innate grace seemed amplified, channelled directly into her Qi absorption.

My dashboard updated for the 50th time:

[Qi Flow Optimization System] - STATUS: Allocated to 'Anya'

[Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +101]

[Points: 6786]

One hundred and one points. Just one point more than the cost. The lowest bonus yet. It seemed the System really didn't want me to get too comfortable with easy returns.

Or maybe Anya's innate talent meant she benefited less proportionally than someone struggling. Who knew? The System was a mystery wrapped in an enigma, with a side of rude commentary.

Despite the diminishing returns on individual systems, my total point count was immense: 6,786 points!

This was more than enough to get one of those powerful systems I'd eyed for the Clash-Ball, or even something grander.

The Sect Master approached me, his face glowing with quiet satisfaction. "Alex, this is truly extraordinary.

Fifty disciples, all enhanced. The Azure Cloud Sect's future shines brighter today than ever before." He looked at the rows of disciples, who were now quietly experimenting with their new, optimized Qi flows, some already entering meditative states.

"Your abilities are beyond measure."

"Thank you, Sect Master," I replied, feeling a surge of pride. My initial humiliation from the meteor shower had been washed away by this wave of successful allocations. I was a true Systems Trader.

"Now," the Sect Master said, his voice dropping slightly, "about those other systems you mentioned. The ones for enhancing physical prowess.

For combat, perhaps. And for… 'competitive sports'?" He gave me a knowing look. "Such as our 'Clash-Ball'?"

My heart did a little skip-beat. He hadn't forgotten! Oakhaven, Borin, the upcoming Clash-Ball Challenge against Stonecreek – it was all still within reach. With 6,786 points, I could afford a lot more than just a Super-Strength Kick System.

I could afford several! Maybe even something for defense, or strategy.

"Sect Master," I said, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "I have just the systems in mind. For the right price, of course. Perhaps a few… highly specialized systems, perfect for turning a talented warrior into an unstoppable Clash-Ball champion."

The Sect Master's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Name your price, Alex. For the glory of the Azure Cloud Sect, and perhaps… the thrill of victory in the Clash-Ball Challenge, no cost is too great.

But tell me, how exactly do you choose which specific systems to acquire from your… 'cosmic benefactors'?"

I shrugged, a casual confidence I hadn't possessed days ago.

"Oh, the System usually gives me a few options based on my needs. But sometimes," I leaned in conspiratorially, "if I make a really good impression, or if I'm just feeling particularly lucky… it can surprise me with something truly unique."

Just then, my dashboard, still active, flashed a tiny, almost imperceptible notification. It wasn't the main blue screen, just a tiny pop-up at the corner of my vision.

[SYSTEM HINT: USER IS NOW SUFFICIENTLY FUNDED. NEXT MAJOR UPGRADE AVAILABLE: [SYSTEM SHOP].]

[SYSTEM STATUS: STILL GRUMPY. BUT SLIGHTLY LESS DISAPPOINTED.]

A System Shop? My own shop, with more options? This was amazing!