The Programmer Cultivator

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangfu said, ”Alright then. Let’s go take a look at the residences. After this, we can consider today’s mission complete.”

Yang Guangfu once again led the two out of the gathering area, through the Light Curtain, and into the Flower Sea.

In a corner of the semi-circular Flower Sea, near its edge, several clusters of buildings had been constructed amidst the endless sea of blossoms.

To avoid disturbing the Flower Sea as much as possible, the buildings were all built like stilt houses.

The space below was empty, supported by several pillars, with the structures standing tall above the flowers of the Flower Sea.

While no Flower Wood had been cultivated in this area, the existing Flowers of Flower Demons hadn’t been cleared away either. The flowers beneath the stilt houses continued to grow as usual.

”We needed to be considerate of the Flower Demon Elves’ feelings, so we didn’t rashly clear out a patch of land.

Since we’re all still unfamiliar with each other, we’re trying our best to maintain a harmonious relationship.

That’s why the accommodations are a bit simple. Fortunately, I hear you won’t need to live here for decades or centuries,” Yang Guangfu said, looking at the stilt houses.

Zhang Deming looked at the cluster of stilt houses, his brow furrowing slightly.

When Yang Guangfu turned and saw Zhang Deming’s expression, he paused for a moment. ”Senior Brother Zhang, is there something you’re not satisfied with?”

Zhang Deming said, ”Since this place is divided into four zones, why are all four of us living together? This Flower Sea is hardly small.”

Yang Guangfu’s expression cleared. ”This was the Peak Masters’ idea. They said it would make communication more convenient.”

Zhang Deming shook his head. ”I’m too lazy to run back and forth. Just build a separate one for me in my designated zone. You can use this same design.”

”Don’t tear these down, though. If someone has an idea, they can indeed come over for a chat.”

Yang Guangfu hesitated for a moment, then said, ”That’s no problem. Building these stilt houses is quick. The construction team can have it done in an hour or two.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Alright, let’s do that. Just build it in the center of my designated zone, so I don’t have to walk so far.”

Yang Guangfu paused again. ’This man and Peak Master Yuee truly have the same personality!’

’Both are such slackers, so lazy...’

”No problem, Senior Brother. I’ll give the order immediately.” With that, Yang Guangfu began tapping on his Light Screen.

A moment later, Yang Guangfu finished his task. ”All set, Senior Brother. You’ll be able to see the mock-up this afternoon. If you’re not satisfied, we can make adjustments anytime over the next three or four days.”

”After that, the area will likely be sealed off, and making changes will be more difficult.”

”So if you have any suggestions, Senior Brother, please bring them up as soon as possible within the next few days.”

”There will be a dedicated team to handle it immediately.”

”The Command Token you received earlier allows you to enter the Secret Realm at any time, as long as you’re within the Sect’s grounds. The entrance is at the gathering point we were just at.”

”As for the Departure Arrays, every gathering point has one.”

”However, only the one at that first location and the ones inside these stilt houses lead directly to Spirit Nurturing Peak.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Mm, got it.”

”Is there anything else you’d like to see, Senior Brother? I can lead the way. My only task today is to help you get settled.”

”You can call me anytime if you need anything later, too. In a few days, I’ll be assigned to be a Guardian Cliff at Flying Spring Waterfall,” Yang Guangfu said with a smile.

Zhang Deming paused, surprised. ”Didn’t you already put in your time and get promoted? Why are you still doing work for the Miscellaneous Affairs Department?”

Yang Guangfu grinned. ”Mm, it’s *because* I got promoted that I was able to choose my own post.”

Zhang Deming paused, looking at Yang Guangfu intently. ’So this guy knows a fair bit about me, huh?’

’But probably only part of it. Otherwise, our previous conversation would have been different, and he wouldn’t be calling me ’Senior Brother Zhang’ so respectfully over and over again.’

”Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.” Zhang Deming paused, then turned to Li Shifan, who had been very quiet all day. ”Is there anything you want to go see?”

Li Shifan shook his head and answered succinctly, ”No.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Right. You’re moving today, so you must be busy. Since we’re finished here, let’s head back.”

”Of course,” Yang Guangfu said. ”Miniature Departure Arrays have been installed in each of these pavilions. The exit for Pavilion Four leads to the Feiquan Small Plaza we came from.”

Hearing this, Zhang Deming led Li Shifan, and the three of them went straight to the pavilion.

The pavilion was already fully furnished and rather elegantly decorated.

Yang Guangfu walked into a separate room. ”Since it’s a miniature Array, we have to leave one by one. Allow me to go first.”

Zhang Deming nodded. Seeing this, Yang Guangfu stepped into the Array first. He gave them both a salute, and with a surge of Spiritual Light, vanished.

Zhang Deming and Li Shifan looked at each other. ”You go first,” Zhang Deming said.

Li Shifan didn’t hesitate, stepping right in and activating the Array.

Zhang Deming followed right after. Though the Array was small, he could tell its creator was highly skilled. After a brief moment of disorientation, he found himself back in Feiquan Plaza.

After they all returned to the plaza, Zhang Deming looked at Li Shifan. ”You’re probably going to be busy for the next few days. Go on, take care of your things.”

Li Shifan nodded. ”Mm. Senior Brother, call me anytime if you need anything.”

”Mm,” Zhang Deming replied. ”You can come to me if you run into trouble, too.”

With that, Li Shifan gave a slight bow and departed.

······

Li Shifan hadn’t gone far when he lightly clenched his left fist, and Li Cheng’s voice echoed in his mind.

”Tsk, tsk. This senior brother of yours is becoming more and more inscrutable. But from what I can see, it’s not like he’s devastatingly handsome or anything, is he?”

Li Shifan was silent for a moment before sighing. ”Tell me about it. That guy today from the Resources Department’s Secret Group—who’s now part of the Spirit Nurturing Peak’s Secret Group—was sucking up to Senior Brother so much.”

”It seems the rumors about Senior Brother are both true and false.”

But Li Cheng’s voice was like a shake of the head. ”If your senior brother has really mastered the art of living off a woman to the point that even Ancestor Yuee has changed her attitude... then that’s truly...”

”...truly something to be envious of...”

”Kid, why don’t you consider it? If you did, we could avoid a couple of trips to the back mountain, couldn’t we?”

”Just look at today’s arrangements. What a nice, cushy assignment.”

Li Shifan gave a bitter smile. ”I’d love to, Grandpa, but you never set me up with a childhood sweetheart who was a ’potential stock’. How am I supposed to learn?”

”Why not go to the Main Peak? In the Sect intelligence we read a few days ago, isn’t there a perfectly suitable young lady in the Dang Family?” Li Cheng suggested.

Li Shifan rolled his eyes. ”We may have gotten into Spirit Nurturing Peak, but hitting on the pearl of the Dang Family?”

”Forget it, Grandpa. I’d like to live a few more years. She’s not someone you can just approach; she’s a walking minefield in the Celestial Spirit Sect.”

”Who knows how many eyes are watching her!”

”With my status, approaching her would be like stepping on a landmine. I’d be blown to smithereens.”

”If you want to master the art of living off a woman as ’hard’ as your senior brother has, you have to take some risks since you don’t have his luck. How else will you succeed?” Li Cheng goaded.

Walking alone, Li Shifan shook his head so vigorously it was like a rattle drum, muttering to himself like a lunatic.

”I’ll stick to the back mountain. The chances of survival are better there. As for Dang Rushuang... this grandson lacks the guts, lacks the qi, and most of all, lacks the kidney essence!”

Li Cheng: ”...”

In private, when he was with Li Cheng, Li Shifan dropped his public persona. His true, unrestrained nature came out.

It really proved the old saying: behind every icy exterior beats a passionately repressed heart, regardless of whether the facade is real or fake.

And so, muttering to himself and letting his true self run wild, Li Shifan headed for the registration point.

······

After watching Li Shifan leave, Zhang Deming said to Yang Guangfu, ”I’m heading back as well.”

Yang Guangfu nodded. ”Alright, Senior Brother Zhang. Feel free to find me anytime. I’ll be moving over this afternoon. The official paperwork might take a few more days to process, though.”

Zhang Deming was slightly taken aback. ’He’s in such a hurry? Is the Flying Spring Waterfall Cliff really that great of a spot?’