Chapter 15: Shopping for Power

"Hey Wei," I called out, catching up to him after morning practice. "Quick question about those fancy techniques of yours..."

Wei Lin's eyes lit up with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for spiritual treasure discoveries. "Finally ready to invest in premium martial arts? I have an excellent selection of-"

"Slow down," I interrupted before he could launch into what was definitely a prepared sales pitch. "I'm working with a budget here. Like, a very small budget. Think 'starving outer disciple' level of resources."

"Ah." He nodded sagely. "The tragic poor protagonist approach. Very classical. Though usually they have some heaven-defying talent to make up for their lack of resources."

I glanced at my decidedly non-heaven-defying cultivation level. "Let's focus on what I can afford instead of what talents I don't have."

Wei Lin led me to his quarters, which looked like a spiritual technique merchant had exploded inside. Scrolls covered every surface, technique manuals were stacked in precarious towers, and what looked suspiciously like a price catalog lay open on his desk.

"Welcome to Wei's Premium Martial Arts Emporium!" He gestured grandly. "Where cultivation dreams come true, for the right price. Now, what's your style preference? We have the 'Graceful Immortal' line for those seeking elegance, the 'Thunder Warrior' series for more aggressive practitioners..."

"I need something fast," I said, examining a scroll labeled 'Cloud Step Technique (Budget Edition)'. "Something that lets me hit hard and get out before I get hit back. Preferably without bankrupting me."

"Ah, the swift striker archetype! Very popular among disciples who've recently experienced trauma via combat evaluation." He started pulling scrolls from various piles. "Though I should warn you, the really good speed techniques tend to be..."

"Expensive?" I guessed.

"Investment opportunities!" he corrected cheerfully. "But for you, my friend who survived Zhou's special attention, I might be willing to offer a discount."

What followed was the most aggressive martial arts sales pitch I've ever experienced. Wei Lin had techniques for everything - defensive arts that supposedly made you untouchable, attack patterns that promised devastation, even specialized techniques for specific weather conditions.

"This one," he explained, holding up an ornate scroll, "is the 'Summer Rain Sword Dance.' Perfect for humid days when you want to look dramatic while fighting."

"I'm looking for effectiveness, not dramatization," I reminded him. "Also, I don't use a sword."

"That's what makes it special! It can be adapted to any weapon! Though the dramatic effect is reduced by 47% without proper sword luminescence..."

After an hour of increasingly elaborate demonstrations (how did he fit all these techniques in one room?), we finally got down to serious negotiation.

"The Phantom Strike technique," Wei Lin said, holding up a surprisingly plain scroll. "Fast, direct, minimal energy requirement. Perfect for disciples who want to hit things very hard very quickly and then be somewhere else."

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"That... actually sounds useful." I examined the scroll. The technique diagrams were clear and practical, without the usual flowery cultivation manuscript aesthetics. It seemed to be something that would prove useful in a world like the Two Suns where he doesn’t have access to qi. "What's the catch?"

"Well..." He hesitated. "It's not very... prestigious. No flowing robes, no dramatic energy manifestations. Just pure speed and power. Most disciples prefer something more visually impressive."

"I prefer not getting hit," I countered. "How much?"

The price negotiation that followed would have made merchant sect elders proud. Wei Lin started at "reasonable investment in your future," worked his way down through "friendly discount" and "tragic protagonist special," and finally arrived at "slightly above what I can afford."

"Look," I said after another round of haggling, "I can offer basic spirit stones, three contribution points, and..." I dug through my pockets. "Half a spiritual energy bar."

"Is that the premium blend from the sect store?"

"No, it's the basic outer disciple ration kind."

"Ah." He looked pained. "You really are going for the impoverished protagonist angle."

But finally, after much dramatic sighing and references to friendship transcending mere profit, we struck a deal. The Phantom Strike technique was mine, along with Wei Lin's solemn promise to never reveal how little I'd paid for it.

"Just remember me when you become a powerful inner disciple," he said as he handed over the scroll. "Preferably remember me with lots of spirit stones."

Learning the technique proved to be... interesting. The training ground I'd found was secluded enough to avoid embarrassment, but that didn't make the initial attempts any less painful.

The first few tries sent me sprawling in various undignified positions. Phantom Strike worked by concentrating spiritual energy into brief, explosive bursts of speed and power. The key was timing - gathering power, releasing it in a precise sequence, and riding the energy wave through the strike.

Hours passed as I practiced the movements over and over. The technique wasn't fancy, but it was starting to feel... right. Like something that fit my style, or at least my style of trying not to die.

Each successful execution seemed to refine my energy channels slightly, making the next attempt smoother. It wasn't dramatic cultivation breakthrough territory, but it was progress. I could feel my body adapting to the high-speed movements, muscles and meridians strengthening with each repetition.

The sun was setting by the time I finally called it quits. My muscles ached, my spiritual energy was nearly depleted, and I'd probably created several new bruise collections. But when I checked my status...

Soul Essence: 290/300

Spiritual Essence: 246/246

Physical Essence: 219/219

My physical essence had increased by 4 points. The repeated stress of high-speed movement and energy compression was forcing my body to adapt and grow stronger. Sure, my technique execution was still rough around the edges, but it was definitely an improvement over the sect's basic arts.

As I headed back to my quarters, scroll safely stored away, I couldn't help but feel satisfied. Sure, I wasn't pulling off heaven-shaking techniques like certain mysterious young masters, but I had something that worked for me. Something fast, practical, and most importantly, something that might actually keep me alive in the next combat evaluation and maybe even let me last longer in a strange world.

The next morning's practice session was going to hurt, but that was future me's problem. Current me was just happy to have a technique that didn't involve looking dramatic while getting beaten up.

Though I did kind of wish it came with flowing robes. Maybe Wei Lin had a discount on those too...

But that could wait. One step at a time, starting with not hitting myself while using Phantom Strike. The flowing robes could wait until I actually managed to look cool while moving fast.

Besides, torn and dirty robes from training accidents probably counted as "cultivator chic" anyway. At least, that's what I kept telling myself as I limped back to my quarters, already planning tomorrow's practice session.

Who needed heaven-defying talent when you had determination and a bargain-bin technique? Though maybe I should see if Wei Lin had any discount healing arts for sale too... just in case.

Status Update:

New Technique: Acquired (Bargain Price)

Training Progress: Painful but Promising

Physical Essence: Slightly Less Pathetic

Fashion Sense: Still Pending

Probability of Survival in Next Combat Evaluation: Marginally Improved

But that was definitely a problem for tomorrow's me. Current me needed sleep, preferably before these muscles decided to stage a full rebellion.