The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 43: Chapter 41: Information

In addition to the Energy Light Ball, the warehouse also contained a Cultivation Technique. Five powerful, vigorous words flashed on the cover of the ancient book: *Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique*.

Zhang Deming sized up the book for a moment. Since it had now become an editable material and couldn’t be physically removed, he mentally flipped through its pages.

Then, Zhang Deming targeted the book and the Energy Light Ball and initiated the editing process.

”Ordinary Energy: 3, Advanced Energy: 1, editable plug-in, small-scale script.

Editing conditions met!

Only the Dantian Disc category is currently open. Please enter a command to navigate to the Dantian category and edit the plug-in.”

The familiar prompt appeared. This time, Zhang Deming entered a new command, a code that functioned as a sub-command: ’/Dantian/Cultivation Technique’.

Zhang Deming: Dantian > Cultivation Technique >

Cultivation Technique: Basic Cultivation Technique

Cultivation: Apprentice LV2 (98/20,000)

Although it was his first time entering a third-level interface, Zhang Deming had already figured out how the editor worked, so the operation felt quite familiar.

He unequipped the Basic Cultivation Technique from the Cultivation Technique Script, consumed one Ordinary Energy Light Ball, and then equipped the new *Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique*.

After a quick check, Zhang Deming selected ’Complete’.

The script immediately began to change again. Once the swirling Cultivation Technique Script stabilized, its information had been updated.

Cultivation Technique: Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique (Tier Two)

Cultivation: Apprentice LV2 (98/9,000)

The information was sparse, but seeing that the required Experience Points had dropped by a full eleven thousand, Zhang Deming let out a long sigh of relief.

’The Tier Two Cultivation Technique must have lowered the experience cap by ten thousand,’ he reasoned. ’The extra one-thousand-point reduction is probably because of the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique’s special properties.’

’After all, it made sense that a technique with a difficult entry barrier would make future breakthroughs easier.’

He took a deep breath. ’Nine thousand Experience Points. At five points a day, that’s 1,800 days—about five years.’

’A pace like that would be considered genius-level in the Celestial Spirit Sect.’

’From the original thirty years down to less than five.’

’In the short term, there’s obviously nothing more I can do about the experience cap. The only way forward is to accumulate cultivation resources to speed up my EXP gain.’

’But in the meantime, there’s something else I need to take care of. It’s important to return a favor. I’ll deal with everything else after that’s settled.’

’Whether in his past life or this one, he had never been an idealist. Turning the other cheek? Forget it. He had always believed in an eye for an eye!’

Staring at the Cultivation Technique Script, Zhang Deming was lost in thought for a long time.

He finally closed the panel and began his Cultivation.

...

Zhang Deming cultivated until his Identity Card vibrated, at which point he got up and left his residence.

When he arrived outside his courtyard, a stout man accompanied by a servant was already waiting at the entrance to the Array.

”Senior Brother Zhang, long time no see.” The stout man, Zuo Jiagu, smiled as he greeted the approaching Zhang Deming.

”Junior Brother Zuo, long time no see,” Zhang Deming replied.

”Here are your meals for the next few days. This month’s Spiritual Food allotment has also arrived. This is five pounds of Spirit Rice, and this is three pounds of Demon Beast Flesh.”

The stout Zuo Jiagu pulled several bags from the pack on the servant’s back, laying them out one by one in front of Zhang Deming.

”Please check the items. The regular meals aren’t a major concern, but the Spiritual Food is. Once you accept the delivery, our Resources Department won’t take any complaints about standard quality issues.”

Zhang Deming took the items and began to tally the quantities. Since it was his first time receiving his monthly provisions, he was being especially thorough.

”Fresh Demon Deer Flesh?” Zhang Deming asked, surprised, as he inspected the portion of Demon Beast Flesh.

Zuo Jiagu smiled and nodded. ”Yes, the freshest Demon Deer Flesh.”

”If I’m not mistaken, the allotment for Outer Disciples is supposed to be pork, isn’t it?” Zhang Deming asked, confused.

”That’s for the other locations. The monthly provision at Qingyou Pool has always been deer flesh—the very freshest, absolutely brimming with Spiritual Power,” Zuo Jiagu explained.

Hearing this, Zhang Deming laughed. ”Heh, no wonder everyone wants to fight for this spot. It seems it’s dripping with privilege.”

Zuo Jiagu glanced at Zhang Deming but didn’t respond to the comment. Instead, he asked, ”Senior Brother Zhang, is the amount correct?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Yes, it’s all here.”

”Then please use your card to confirm the delivery,” Zuo Jiagu said with a smile.

Once the handover was complete, Zuo Jiagu spoke up. ”I received a message from you earlier, Senior Brother. You said you wanted to meet?”

The number of messages one could send with the Identity Card was limited each month, much like a monthly texting plan.

Therefore, the cards were only used for sending important messages, not for casual online chatting.

Zhang Deming nodded and glanced at the servant standing to the side.

Seeing this, Zuo Jiagu turned to the servant. ”Go wait for me at the end of the path. Senior Brother Zhang and I have some matters to discuss.”

”Yes, Senior Brother Zuo.” The servant shouldered his pack and promptly turned to leave.

Once the servant was gone, Zhang Deming finally said, ”I’ve heard that besides delivering meals, you also run a few small businesses on the side?”

A brilliant smile spread across Zuo Jiagu’s face. ”Yes, we can satisfy the vast majority of our senior brothers’ needs.

Our business model is a bit different from the flea market, though. Our goods are slightly more expensive.

However, the quality is absolutely guaranteed, and we even accept various custom orders.

Is there something you’re looking to buy, Senior Brother Zhang?”

Zhang Deming nodded. He understood now. ’So the Resources Department’s side hustles are clearly focused on a private, custom-order model.’

’Compared to the flea market, they’re targeting the high-end market.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Deming asked, ”Do you sell information?”

Zuo Jiagu froze for a second. ”We do, but the minimum charge starts at one Spirit Stone.

Even if you wanted to find out which senior sister is wearing what kind of underwear today, the price would still start at one Spirit Stone, you know.”

Zhang Deming: ”...”

”I need to find someone’s general background information and their recent movements. Roughly how many Spirit Stones would that cost?”

Zuo Jiagu faltered for a moment. His smile remained, but his eyes grew considerably more profound.

”The price for that fluctuates wildly. It can vary enormously depending on the person’s identity and the level of detail you require.

Before I can give you a price, I need to know who you want to investigate, Senior Brother.”

Zhang Deming said, ”Lu Ze.”

Upon hearing the name, Zuo Jiagu pulled out his Identity Card, swiftly conjured a screen, and tapped on it a few times. He then looked back up at Zhang Deming and said:

”Excuse me, Senior Brother Zhang, would you like this information delivered in written form or verbally?”

Zhang Deming asked, confused, ”What’s the difference?”

Zuo Jiagu smiled. ”Given the circumstances I’ve just learned about, I’m offering you two options, Senior Brother.

A written report means we will give you a detailed information file.

This is the more official route. Most of it is information that many people could look up. Of course, if you spend more, you can also access more secretive information.

In short, a written report means the request for information will go through a certain process.

In other words, should anything happen, someone with vested interests will be able to find out who looked into this information.”