The Programmer Cultivator

Best not to mention it. When it came to speed, he wasn’t so much flying as he was drifting—drifting in a strong wind, perhaps!

But at least compared to the mere gliding of the Feather Fall Technique, this was a definite step up, wasn’t it?

Zhang Deming flew up to the Mountain Peak Cloud Pool and arrived at the cluster of buildings by the lake.

Over the past few days, Zhang Deming had browsed through some information and learned a fair bit about the layout of Spirit Nurturing Peak.

He was now reasonably familiar with the summit area.

Zhang Deming quickly passed through the main hall area. Once behind it, the Spiritual Qi instantly grew denser.

As Zhang Deming passed through rows of buildings and reached one side of the summit, the structures around him became sparse.

Three small courtyards were built in a ring. Between them was a small, open space containing a gazebo-like pavilion.

This was the nexus of Spirit Nurturing Peak’s Three-Star High-Grade Spirit Vein. The moment Zhang Deming stepped inside, he felt an immense density of Spiritual Qi.

He could even clearly sense the flow of Spiritual Qi.

The Spiritual Qi emanated from that rather large pavilion, but as it passed through the surrounding Isolation Array, the vast majority of it was blocked.

A small portion shot skyward, fanning out like a fountain just above the pavilion. This diluted Spiritual Qi then dispersed into the surroundings.

The majority of it suffused Spirit Nurturing Peak, with only a tiny fraction spreading to the areas beyond.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of the Qi that was intercepted by the Array was split into several streams. One part was diverted to the various halls in front, but the largest portion was channeled into the surrounding courtyards—the Cave Mansions of the three men.

The entire Mountain Peak Cloud Pool complex subsisted on this single nexus point.

And this gazebo-like pavilion was the actual, regular meeting place for Spirit Nurturing Peak.

Whether it was the main hall or the Source Pearl Hall that Zhang Deming had visited once before, the Peak Masters of Spirit Nurturing Peak rarely conducted their business there.

All in all, the three of them were the type to focus on their research.

When Zhang Deming passed through the Array, he saw that the three men were already waiting for him in the pavilion.

Having figured out the reason behind their attitude towards him, Zhang Deming’s apprehension vanished, replaced by a sense of composure.

Zhang Deming bowed slightly and said, ”Greetings, Senior Brothers.”

The men nodded in acknowledgment. Gan Zili said, ”Come, Junior Brother Zhang. We were just waiting for you.”

At Gan Zili’s gesture, Zhang Deming took a seat at the small tea table inside the pavilion.

”Since everyone is here, let’s get down to business,” Gan Zili began.

The others turned to look at him. Gan Zili continued, ”Today’s main agenda is to discuss the cultivation of the Flower Demon Elf.

”But before that, I need to ask—Junior Brother Zhang, have you ’contacted’ that Spirit Nurturing Master from Celestial Spirit City?”

Zhang Deming nodded, replying with perfect composure, ”I have.”

’Even though I’m sure they already know I’m that Spirit Nurturing Master, and that we’ll be working together later... I have no intention of admitting it out loud. We’ll just have to play this charade where we all know the truth but don’t say it.’

’If I admitted it, wouldn’t I get stuck with the daily task quotas for a Spirit Nurturing Master?’

Gan Zili smiled. ”Do you know his specific Tier, what type of Techniques he specializes in, and what level of sets he can create?”

The reason Spirit Nurturing Masters were considered a new major category, not quite belonging to the hundred Miscellaneous Arts, was not just due to their status, but also because of their unique leveling system.

For all professions in the hundred Miscellaneous Arts, the ranks started from the Non-Star Apprentice Level, then progressed to One-Star, which corresponded to Tai Chi; Two-Star, which corresponded to Duality; and so on.

Only Spirit Nurturing Masters, who were currently classified under the Miscellaneous Arts, were not rated by Star Level.

Their professional rank was determined by their Magic Level and was divided into four grades and twelve Tiers.

Once someone learned the First-Level Spirit Nurturing Technique, they could just barely manage to create an Ordinary Tier One Technique Spirit Nurturing Bead. This was known as the Entry Level for a Spirit Nurturing Master, or a Tier One Spirit Nurturing Master.

The highest Tier of Spirit Nurturing Bead one could create depended not on the Tier of the Technique they had learned, but on the Tier to which they had developed their Spirit Nurturing Technique.

The initial First-Level Spirit Nurturing Technique generally only allows one to create Spirit Nurturing Beads for Tier One Techniques.

Although there was a minuscule chance of creating a Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Bead, it was nothing more than a lucky fluke after wasting a massive amount of materials.

Therefore, the level to which the Spirit Nurturing Technique was developed determined the Spirit Nurturing Master’s professional rank.

With the First-Level Spirit Nurturing Technique, you were a Tier One Spirit Nurturing Master who created Tier One Spirit Nurturing Beads.

After mastering the initial technique, once you developed your Spirit Nurturing Technique to Tier Two—or learned a Tier Two version developed by a predecessor—you could then produce Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Beads, making you a Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Master.

And so on. Corresponding to the twelve Tiers of Techniques, there were twelve professional Tiers for Spirit Nurturing Masters.

Furthermore, because the Tiers of the Spirit Nurturing Technique were so distinct, the ranks within the profession were equally clear. No test was needed; a Spirit Nurturing Master knew exactly which Tier they belonged to.

In addition to the twelve Tiers, Spirit Nurturing Masters, like Techniques, were also divided into four major levels: Secret Level Spirit Nurturer, Law-Level Spirit Nurturer, Classical Level Spirit Nurturer, and finally, Scripture-Level Spirit Nurturer.

At the same time, based on the proficiency level of their signature technique, Spirit Nurturing Masters were also graded as Entry Level, Skilled Level, Control Level, and Mastery Level.

This grade was determined by the signature Spirit Nurturing Beads they produced and, aside from their professional Tier, was the most watched-for level of attainment.

Zhang Deming had already prepared an answer for this question over the past few days, so he replied calmly, ”A Tier Three Spirit Nurturer.”

”Tier Three?!” Gan Zili exclaimed in pleasant surprise. It was worth noting that the three of them were also at this level.

Of course, outside the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land, the vast majority of Spirit Nurturing Masters were Secret Level Spirit Nurturers below Tier Three.

This was because, although the profession of Spirit Nurturing Master had existed for several thousand years, it had previously been monopolized by the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land.

The Spirit Nurturing Technique had only begun to spread in the last few hundred years; even the most basic First-Level Spirit Nurturing Technique wasn’t exactly common knowledge yet.

Techniques of Tier Two and above were even more tightly guarded by the major powers.

Developing a Tier Four Spirit Nurturing Technique on one’s own was exceedingly difficult. It would likely take several hundred, or even a thousand, years before they became even slightly more common.

Want to learn a Spirit Nurturing Technique developed by a predecessor now?

Sorry, you’ll have to sign a contract with the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land first. Basically, sign your life away.

Today, the vast majority of Tier Four Spirit Nurturing Techniques were in the hands of the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land. After all, it was a relatively new profession, and its mid-level techniques were still in a phase of technological lockdown.

Therefore, Tier Three was more or less the highest level one could find in the outside world.

Zhang Deming paused for a moment before continuing, ”He specializes in Mage-type Vine Technique Magic Set Beads. When combined, he should be able to produce three to five different exclusive sets for Tier Three Techniques.”

The three of them frowned in unison. Yuee Mengsheng couldn’t help but look at Zhang Deming in confusion and ask, ”Mage? Vine Technique? Not Summoning?”

Zhang Deming smiled faintly. ”Yes, he knows Summoning, but due to the special nature of his technique, he cannot create corresponding Spirit Nurturing Beads for it.”

’Bullshit. My Summoning *is* the Spirit Nurturing Technique. How am I supposed to make Spirit Nurturing Beads for that? It’s not like I’m an Ouroboros! Besides, Spirit Nurturing Masters can’t use Spirit Nurturing Beads. If they do, they can no longer be Spirit Nurturing Masters. If I really did make something like that, what would it even be? A paradox?’

Hearing this, the three men nodded. Since it involved someone’s core technique, they didn’t press the matter further.

Gan Zili spoke up. ”That’s fine too. At least the four of us won’t have overlapping specializations. Senior Brother Yuee is an expert in Ice Techniques, Junior Brother Guk’s specialty is Fire Skills, and I am proficient in the path of the Guardian. Now we can add the Vine Technique from your side.

”With our united force, the Celestial Spirit Sect will be able to create custom top-tier Bead Sets, even for Tier Three.

”By the way, Junior Brother Zhang, what proficiency level can the person you contacted achieve with his signature Spirit Nurturing Beads?”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”Mastery.”

”What?” Gan Zili said, stunned.

Yuee Mengsheng also spoke up. ”Junior Brother Gan was asking about... er... the signature bead set from the Spirit Nurturing Master you contacted. The entire set, not a single Technique.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”I know. A set of Spirit Nurturing Beads is graded by its weakest link.

”I was also talking about the set. That is, a full set of Spirit Nurturing Beads from Tier One to Tier Three, all at the Mastery Level.”

*Hiss...*

The three of them inwardly drew a sharp, cold breath. The way they looked at Zhang Deming was now scorching hot, yet tinged with a hint of wariness.

In the circles of Spirit Nurturing Masters, respect was generally not earned through combat strength, but through professional skill and caliber.

”Can you really create a Tier Three Mastery-level Vine Technique Inheritance Bead Set? Do you have any idea what that represents?” Guk Liancai asked in astonishment.

Yuee Mengsheng and Gan Zili’s expressions both darkened. ’Even if you’re skeptical, you can’t just ask it like that...’