The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 99: Chapter 96: Spirit Nurturing Summoning Technique

”Scared now? A little too late, isn’t it? Come on, drink up this poisoned tea!” Feng Mingyou chimed in.

Zhang Deming took Feng Mingyou’s teacup, took a light sip, and raised an eyebrow in surprise. ”Your Poison Technique has really improved. It’s getting more and more refined.”

Feng Mingyou shook his head, deciding to stop the idle banter.

Although they were joking, the underlying meaning was clear to both of them.

After all this time, once today’s decision was made, they would either be friends or enemies.

There was likely no middle ground.

The main issue was that Zhang Deming had gotten his start here. Despite his caution, it was inevitable that some of his secrets would be exposed, and this was the place where the most could be seen.

Feng Mingyou pulled an exquisite book out from under the table. It was different from the thread-bound transcribed copies on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

The transcribed copies of the Tier Two Techniques on the second floor were exquisitely bound, just like the original manuals on the first floor.

Zhang Deming looked at the exquisitely bound manual for the *Spirit Water Technique* on the table, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

He thought Feng Mingyou was only going to make his decision today. He hadn’t expected him to have already obtained the technique.

Zhang Deming looked at the *Spirit Water Technique* and asked, ”So, Steward, you plan to use the Spirit Water Technique for your Rune Core Creation? Does this mean you’ve decided to follow the Tea Dao?”

Feng Mingyou nodded. ”This is the only area I have any real talent in. If I don’t pursue this path, my chances of advancing will be even slimmer.”

Zhang Deming asked, ”Why not choose fire? The Tea Dao allows for Rune Core Creation using water, fire, or wood. And for Foundation Establishment, a fire-type Technique should grant more Combat power, shouldn’t it?”

Feng Mingyou shook his head. ”I’ve considered it. It’s true that with any of the countless Miscellaneous Arts, one can achieve great Combat power through cultivation.

”However, I think it’s best to go with the most stable option for now.

”The top priority is to ensure a successful Rune Core Creation. Anything beyond that is just a fantasy if I can’t even reach the Tai Chi stage.

”My Entry Level training was in using water for my tea. If I were to suddenly switch to fire now, it would just increase the chances of failure. There’s no need to take that risk.”

He was calm even in the midst of a gamble; it certainly suited his temperament.

Zhang Deming nodded and took the *Spirit Water Technique* manual.

Feng Mingyou said, ”I’ve already picked it up and put your name down for it. The technique is currently registered to you.

”So, how exactly will you guarantee I can master it?”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”I’ll also need you to prepare at least two sets of One-Star Water Attribute Materials, with ten units per set, Steward.”

Feng Mingyou frowned slightly. ”That’ll cost twenty Contribution Points. Of course, the materials can be bought with Spirit Stones, but that’s still twenty Spirit Stones.”

”Fifty Contribution Points to learn a Tier Two Technique. Do you think that’s a bad deal, Steward?” Zhang Deming asked in return.

Feng Mingyou shook his head. ”That’s not how it’s calculated. Right now, based on just those three words—’I trust you’—I have to fork over fifty Contribution Points. That’s five years of my savings.

”And yet, you still haven’t given me the slightest hint about your plan.

”If I really do end up learning a Tier Two Technique for free out of this, then of course it’s a huge win for me.

”But is that even possible?

”I think we both know that no matter how well we seem to get along, given our past relationship, the price I’ll have to pay when you finally show your hand will be anything but small.

”You won’t give me any hints beforehand and are relying entirely on my willingness to gamble. How could I not be worried?”

”There are some things I can’t say much about. I’m not acting alone,” Zhang Deming said.

A glint flashed in Feng Mingyou’s eyes when he heard this. ”Alright. The materials will be delivered this afternoon. When can I expect the results?”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”Tomorrow, at the latest.”

”I’ll be waiting for your good news, then,” Feng Mingyou said with a smile.

’Whatever you think you’ve figured out,’ Zhang Deming thought as he silently drank his tea, ’you’ll never guess what’s coming tomorrow.’

Looking at Feng Mingyou, a smile spread across Zhang Deming’s face. ’Underling number two is in the bag,’ he thought, ’and a soon-to-be-promoted one at that.’

He had to admit, Feng Mingyou’s skill in the Tea Dao was truly improving.

It was probably because Zhang Deming had stirred up his hopes for advancement.

After finishing his tea, Zhang Deming returned to Qingyou Pool on Little Hui Peak.

The arrival of Zong En and the servant disciples meant he no longer had to clock in for work. He finally had something resembling the privileges of a Steward, granting him much more freedom.

Back in his room, Zhang Deming took out two books: the *Summoning God Skill* and the *Spirit Water Technique*.

Zhang Deming couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at suddenly having two more Tier Two Techniques.

He hesitated for a moment before picking up the *Summoning God Skill* and opening his editing panel.

When his consciousness arrived in the repository and he touched the orb of light, Zhang Deming froze.

”Ordinary Energy: 2. Small plugin is editable.

”Editing conditions met!

”Currently, only the Dantian Disc category is enabled. Please input a command to jump to the Dantian category and begin plugin editing.”

’Do Tier Two Techniques require a minimum of two orbs of light?’

Looking at the familiar prompt, Zhang Deming entered the ’/Dantian’ command.

Zhang Deming: Dantian > if () {Summoning God Skill cast success} else {Summoning God Skill cast failure}.

Seeing that the core code was no different from that of a Tier One Technique, Zhang Deming breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn’t be fumbling around in the dark.

He skillfully got to work, starting to refine the code.

if (cast Spell and consume a certain amount of Spiritual Power)

{then, Summoning God Skill cast success}

else {then, Summoning God Skill cast failure}.

Looking at the familiar code, Zhang Deming checked it over and selected ”Complete.”

The code condensed into an orb of light and shot out of the panel.

But when it tried to form the iconic Rune for the Summoning God Skill inside his Dantian, something went wrong.

The Rune, which was supposed to form into the shape of a small, cross-legged figure, shattered the moment it began to condense.

It was as if the world itself wouldn’t allow this Rune to exist.

This change caused the entire panel to vibrate. At the core of his Dantian, the vortex script of his Cultivation Technique began to spin, absorbing all the shattered fragments of the Rune.