The Programmer Cultivator

Zhang Deming and Li Shifan looked at the two men, bowed slightly, and said, ”Senior Brother Dang, Senior Brother Zhou.”

The expressionless Zhou Zhixin looked at them but said nothing.

Dang Ruyu flashed a smile as warm as a spring breeze and spoke in a deep, magnetic voice,

”Greetings, Junior Brothers. Your attire suggests you’re Sect Disciples, yet you both seem quite unfamiliar. I wonder, to which peak are you affiliated?”

The moment Li Shifan emerged and saw the large crowd, he slipped into character. He maintained an icy expression and a wild aura, his arms crossed over his chest, cradling a Long Sword.

When faced with Dang Ruyu’s question, he simply turned his head toward Zhang Deming, staying in character.

Zhang Deming’s expression twitched. ’This drama queen,’ he thought, ’never misses a chance to perform.’

’In the year I’ve known him, he’s already gone through four different personas!’

Seeing Li Shifan’s gesture, Dang Ruyu turned to Zhang Deming with a surprised look, who at the moment appeared completely Ordinary.

Noticing all eyes were now on him, Zhang Deming smiled faintly and said,

”Of course a great figure like you wouldn’t recognize nobodies like us, Senior Brother Dang Ruyu.”

A sharp glint flashed in Dang Ruyu’s eyes. His gaze on Zhang Deming now held a flicker of probing curiosity.

For someone of his standing, his earlier words had been a clear attempt to recruit them.

If Zhang Deming were truly as Ordinary as he claimed, he would have tried to curry favor, unless he was a fool.

Instead, he had given a seemingly polite answer that cleverly dodged the question, revealing nothing of their origins.

The expressionless Zhou Zhixin also raised an eyebrow, glancing at the pair.

”It seems the Sect is truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. It is my good fortune to meet you two; it must be fate,” Dang Ruyu said with a smile, not pressing further about their background.

Zhang Deming returned the smile. ”You’re too kind, Senior Brother Dang Ruyu. You flatter us.”

Despite his words, Zhang Deming’s expression showed little humility.

The two of them were speaking to each other almost as equals.

The onlookers’ expressions turned peculiar, making the atmosphere somewhat strange.

”Who are those two? Are they Core Disciples?”

”I don’t know, I’ve never seen them! But to dare speak to Senior Brother Dang Ruyu like that, they must be Core Disciples.”

”But I’ve never heard of people like them in the Inner Sect...”

Faint murmurs of discussion rose from the crowd. Though quiet, the four of them were no Ordinary people and could hear every word clearly.

But all four of them acted as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

Dang Ruyu watched Zhang Deming with great interest. He was certain Zhang Deming was not a Core Disciple.

There were a good number of Core Disciples, but relative to the entire population of the Celestial Spirit Sect, they were still few.

While he couldn’t claim to know every single one personally, he had reviewed all of their basic profiles.

With his near-photographic memory, it was impossible that he would have seen their files and retained no impression whatsoever.

That was why he had developed such a strong interest in Zhang Deming and his companion.

Dang Ruyu laughed heartily, as if Zhang Deming had just told a hilarious joke. ”This Junior Brother is truly a fascinating character.”

He paused, then continued, ”I wonder, how did you two Junior Brothers get into this Celestial Eye Yuya Pavilion?

If it’s convenient, would you mind sharing with us all? Of course, if there’s some reason you cannot, then please just consider me to have been presumptuous.”

With that one sentence, all eyes in the crowd turned to fixate on Zhang Deming.

’Damn it,’ Zhang Deming cursed internally. ’You’ve already cornered me with your words. If I don’t give a plausible explanation, do you think I can just walk out of here?’

’We’re not in the Sect, for god’s sake!’

Though cursing internally, Zhang Deming put on a faint smile. ”It’s not inconvenient at all. To be honest, we’re completely baffled ourselves!

We don’t even know why all of you are gathered around us.”

Dang Ruyu’s expression flickered. ”Junior Brother, are you saying that when you came out, you were already in here?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”That’s right. When we completed the trial, we found ourselves inside. But there wasn’t a soul in sight, and we couldn’t operate any of the controls, so we came out.

And as soon as we stepped through the door, we saw all of you.”

Dang Ruyu pressed on, ”In that case, can you two still go back inside?”

At his words, everyone stared intently at Zhang Deming and his companion.

Zhang Deming’s expression hardened slightly. This Dang Ruyu was truly difficult to deal with. With a seemingly Ordinary question, he could always manipulate the situation to his advantage.

Of course, that was largely because his opponent held all the advantages—the timing, the location, and the support of the people.

With a grim look, Zhang Deming turned and knocked on the Light Curtain. ”See? It looks like we can’t go back in.”

But Dang Ruyu just smiled. ”You truly are a fascinating character, Junior Brother. Of course you can’t go back in if you don’t use your Command Token.”

Zhang Deming shot Dang Ruyu a dark look.

Dang Ruyu maintained his pleasant smile, his gaze on Zhang Deming as warm as a spring breeze.

Grim-faced, Zhang Deming took out a jade-like Command Token and pressed it against the Light Curtain.

The Light Curtain shimmered faintly and then showed no other effect.

Zhang Deming turned to look at Dang Ruyu. ”Are you satisfied now, Senior Brother Dang Ruyu?”

The gazes of both Dang Ruyu and Zhou Zhixin were drawn to Zhang Deming’s Jade Command Token. Dang Ruyu spoke,

”I see this Junior Brother’s Command Token is not quite the same as ours. This is...”

But before he could finish, Zhang Deming cut him off.

”Senior Brother Dang Ruyu, do you know why the Duality Masters outside don’t come in?

You must understand, this is the Cyan Wood Secret Realm, one of the Five Great Secret Realms of the Five Elements Blessed Land. It’s a very well-preserved Secret Realm, which should hold great appeal for the Duality Masters.”

Dang Ruyu was taken aback for a moment. ”I do know a little about that,” he said. ”I’ve heard that the Cyan Wood Secret Realm is one of the Five Elements Blessed Land’s training-type Secret Realms.

Therefore, outsiders are not permitted to enter if their cultivation is above the Duality realm.

According to the records, even people from the Blessed Land itself needed to meet certain conditions to allow Duality Cultivators to enter.”

Zhang Deming smiled and continued, ”And do you know what happens if a Duality Cultivator enters?”

Dang Ruyu paused. ”I’m not sure. I imagine there must be some kind of punitive mechanism.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Clever. But it’s not some punitive mechanism. It’s a Pseudo Thunder Tribulation. You’ve never witnessed the power of a Thunder Tribulation, have you, Senior Brother Dang Ruyu?

I’ve seen one with my own two eyes. Good heavens, it’s a truly terrifying sight!”

As he spoke, Zhang Deming made a gesture, and a ball of light merged directly into his body.

The Cultivation of a Half-Step Yin Yang expert instantly erupted from him.

After doing this, Zhang Deming continued, ”Oh, right, Senior Brother Dang Ruyu. What was it you wanted to ask me, in front of everyone?

I didn’t quite hear you clearly. Why don’t you go on?”