The Programmer Cultivator

’Living in this vat of vinegar, it doesn’t matter how tough you are or how much you’ve seen—you’ll eventually turn sour and feel the injustice of it all. If you haven’t, it just means you haven’t been here long enough.’

’That’s it, I can’t take it anymore. I’m done grinding for seniority. I’m putting in for a transfer tomorrow. Even if my seniority isn’t enough, I’ll accept the consequences. Whoever wants to stay here can have this job.’

He spaced out for a moment before he began to work quickly.

A moment later, a specially crafted Jade Talisman rose from the counter. It looked like a Jade Pendant, but it shimmered with iridescent light as Runes swirled across its surface.

He took the Jade Talisman and Zhang Deming’s Identity Card, then looked over at Zhang Deming, who was sitting and waiting nearby.

He walked out from behind the counter, approached Zhang Deming, and said, ”Peak Master Zhang, it’s all taken care of.”

Zhang Deming paused for a moment before realizing the man was addressing him. He reached out and took the Identity Card and the Jade Talisman.

The young man continued, ”Because you also have the identity of a Core Disciple, and it was specified that one identity should be public and the other hidden, I’ve kept your original Identity Card.”

”However, it only contains the permissions and information of a Core Disciple. The Jade Talisman is what holds your true identity.”

”However, due to the influence of the Outer Realm, Communication Arrays are developing at a rapid pace these days.”

”So, unless it’s absolutely necessary, Peak Master, you should use it sparingly. Otherwise, it won’t take more than a few days for many people to find out about it.”

”Of course, if you don’t mind that, Peak Master, then it’s of no consequence.”

”Oh, right. The Jade Talisman also functions as a Two-Star Defensive Magical Artifact.”

Zhang Deming listened quietly until the man finished speaking, then nodded and turned to leave.

The young man watched Zhang Deming’s back disappear. After a long moment, he murmured to himself, ”To become the Peak Master of Spirit Nurturing Peak right after reaching the Tai Chi Stage... no amount of Talent should be enough for that. I doubt even an Immortal Spirit Root would be sufficient.”

”So, is the Celestial Spirit Sect about to get its fourth ’big shot’?”

”A big shot who’s only at the Tai Chi Stage, no less. Even the Saint Son and Saintess from the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land would have a hard time matching that, wouldn’t they?”

”Why is he hiding out in our Sect, and why are the procedures being handled as if they’re terrified of the outside world finding out?”

”Are they trying to avoid the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land?”

”What are the higher-ups thinking?”

”Wouldn’t it be better to send him to the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land to compete for resources and secure a greater share for our Sect?”

”Wouldn’t that be a win-win for everyone?”

After a long moment, he shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. He began to pack his things quickly. He really didn’t intend to stay here any longer; he was done grinding for seniority.

’A hundred years of seniority? To hell with it!’

······

Zhang Deming took the two items and, with a flick of his wrist, put them away in his storage bag.

When he stepped out of the side hall, Zhang Deming paused in surprise.

The disciple who had led him here was still there, but he wasn’t alone. Standing with him was a familiar face.

”Junior Brother Ji Ming, what are you doing here?” Zhang Deming asked, surprised.

Seeing Zhang Deming emerge, Ji Ming stepped forward. ”Why else would I be here? I came for you, of course, Senior Brother.”

”Do you need something from me? Look, I’m busy today. How about we talk some other time?” Zhang Deming said, glancing at the disciple who had guided him before turning back to Ji Ming.

Ji Ming replied, ”That won’t be necessary. You can leave the rest to me. I’ve already coordinated with Senior Brother Xue.”

Zhang Deming turned his head and saw the other disciple nod in confirmation. Looking back at Ji Ming, Zhang Deming said, ”Alright, then.”

After receiving Zhang Deming’s agreement, the disciple who had led him there gave a polite smile and departed.

Zhang Deming looked at Ji Ming and asked, ”Junior Brother Ji, where are we headed now?”

Ji Ming waved a hand toward the sky, and an Immortal Crane descended. He looked at Zhang Deming and said, ”Where else could we be going? To Spirit Nurturing Peak, of course.”

With that, he leaped onto the Immortal Crane’s back.

Zhang Deming performed a lightness technique and floated gracefully onto the crane as well.

The Immortal Crane Ji Ming had summoned seemed different from the one Zhang Deming had ridden before. It was more beautiful, but more importantly, it possessed a greater degree of Spirituality.

The atmosphere in the sky was strangely quiet.

Zhang Deming didn’t know how to break the silence. For some reason, he sensed that Ji Ming was a little angry.

After a while, Zhang Deming tried to break the silence. ”The major peaks of the Inner Sect are quite grand, aren’t they?”

Ji Ming took a deep breath, as if to calm himself, before replying, ”Among the Inner Sect Fifteen Peaks, excluding the Main Peak, Spirit Nurturing Peak is held in the highest esteem. The four division peaks come next, and the remaining nine peaks serve to support them.”

Zhang Deming nodded. With a single sentence, Ji Ming had clearly outlined the general structure of the Inner Sect for him.

’Back in the Outer Sect, I’d occasionally picked up scraps of information about the Inner Sect, but I never deliberately looked into it, since my original plan was to lay low in the Outer Sect for several decades.’

’I never expected things to change so drastically. To save my own skin and seize this opportunity, I had no other choice.’

”Senior Brother, when did you reach the Tai Chi Stage?” Ji Ming asked.

Zhang Deming hesitated, not answering immediately. Instead, he asked, ”You and Juan’er...?”

Ji Ming replied, ”I wouldn’t be where I am today without Senior Sister. But rest assured, I see her as an older sister, and nothing more.”

”Before she left, she entrusted most of her affairs to me.”

Zhang Deming nodded at his words, then answered, ”Over half a year ago.”

Ji Ming was taken aback. ”Not in the Secret Realm?” he asked, astonished.

Zhang Deming smiled. ”Not in the Secret Realm.”

After he spoke, Zhang Deming paused. ’Since we’re on the topic, it’s probably best to be open about it.’ He then asked, ”Junior Brother Ji, you seemed a little displeased with me earlier?”

Ji Ming looked at Zhang Deming. ”That’s right,” he said. ”Senior Brother, your reckless actions have nearly ruined all the arrangements Senior Sister and I made. What, am I not even allowed to be angry about it?”

Zhang Deming asked, confused, ”What do you mean by that?”

”I suppose you’re unaware, Senior Brother,” Ji Ming said, ”that over the past six months, quite a few of our fellow disciples have ended up on Wanghui Peak’s Siguoya?”