The Programmer Cultivator

Third was the matter of the shop. When he had first opened it, his reason for establishing such a thorough process was not only caution; he was also creating a template in preparation for the future Business Alliance.

If Zhang Deming had continued to lay low, this state of affairs would have been maintained for a long time. But things had developed to their current point, his identity as a Spirit Nurturing Master was exposed, and he could finally start down the path of opening a chain of shops. Before that, however, he needed to meet a few conditions.

Fourth was the matter of his alias. He had originally planned to use Zhang Wu as the primary public face for the Alliance, openly acting as a Spirit Nurturing Master. If his interactions with the Sect went well, he would likely become affiliated with them as a Guest Minister.

However, because of the whole ”reincarnation” incident, the identity of Zhang Wu had been definitively linked to him as an alias. This meant he had to consider whether to continue using it or switch to a new one.

If he wanted to continue building the Alliance, and even meet with its members, the Zhang Wu identity would essentially function as his main body.

Under these circumstances, if he were to use the Alliance for any major undertakings in the future, it would be far too easy for his true self to be implicated. For this reason, Zhang Deming was leaning toward switching aliases.

Furthermore, the upcoming gathering presented an excellent opportunity to make the switch.

These were the few matters Zhang Deming needed to start addressing in his spare time.

After a moment of contemplation, a plan began to form in Zhang Deming’s mind. He promptly left the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower.

As for the Secret Realm, he had already completed over half his work. Even if he slacked off completely from now on, he would still finish the task well ahead of the one-year deadline. That was nothing to worry about.

After leaving Spirit Nurturing Peak, Zhang Deming activated his Tier Three Hidden Breath Skill and slipped out of the Sect unnoticed.

Upon arriving in Celestial Spirit City, Zhang Deming went through several disguises. Once he confirmed he wasn’t being followed, he used his panel to alter his physical build before finally appearing in the city under a completely new identity.

He wandered the streets for a long time before he was finally at ease. It seemed the Sect truly hadn’t sent anyone to tail him.

’It makes sense,’ he thought. ’Since the higher-ups believe I’m some old reincarnated monster, they probably wouldn’t risk doing something so rash.’

’After all, a single misstep could create lingering resentment. If they were truly sincere about winning me over, they wouldn’t act so recklessly.’

Once he was sure no one was following, Zhang Deming, under his new identity, found a discreet corner and left the Spirit Nurturing Beads he had recently crafted.

Afterward, Zhang Deming went to a Spirit Tea Tower, reserved a private room, and began to drink his tea in silence.

At the same time, his Heart Spirit entered the Spirit Nurturing Space. Inside the Cyan Jade Pavilion he had previously created, he took on the appearance of Zhang Wu. Beckoning to the sky, he summoned Qu Qizhong’s corresponding speck of light, which appeared before him.

Zhang Deming reached out and tapped the speck of light. It expanded into a portal, and with a ripple of energy, Qu Qizhong appeared before him.

”Greetings, Steward Zhang!” Qu Qizhong seemed dazed for a moment. Once he regained his senses, he immediately bowed to Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming looked at Qu Qizhong and asked, ”You said you had something to report?”

Qu Qizhong nodded. ”Yes, Steward Zhang. Ever since that last conflict, all surveillance and stakeouts on the shop have vanished.”

”It’s as if our shop in Celestial Spirit City is just selling ordinary goods now. No one is causing us any trouble.”

Qu Qizhong paused, sneaking a glance at Zhang Deming. Seeing the steward staring at him with a blank expression, he quickly lowered his head and continued.

”Since then, the shop’s reputation has grown. By now, anyone with any kind of standing in Celestial Spirit City knows about the shop that consistently sells individual Low-Level Spirit Nurturing Beads.”

”Furthermore, with various Noble Families buying and using our products, and considering we sold a Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Bead once before...”

”...people started asking me a while ago if we could make custom Glove Beads. Even the most basic ones would be acceptable, they said.”

”Many families have made very generous offers, promising profits far greater than what we make from selling individual beads.”

Hearing this, Zhang Deming shook his head. ”Didn’t I tell you two months ago that the shop doesn’t take so-called ’orders’? And that we wouldn’t be increasing the sales volume?”

”This has absolutely nothing to do with making a profit in Spirit Stones.”

”And you used the emergency contact method just to tell me this?”

Qu Qizhong hurriedly replied, ”Steward Zhang, the main reason is that many of these families aren’t just offering Spirit Stones. They’re also offering all sorts of rare materials.”

”We could use this to open up an entirely new market. I was hesitant at first, unsure if I should contact you.”

”But yesterday, a Loose Cultivator came into the shop, and what he offered left me with no choice but to contact you.”

Zhang Deming’s eyebrow rose. ”Oh? And what was that?”

Qu Qizhong took a deep breath. ”A Tier Five Cultivation Technique: the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique!”

Zhang Deming was shocked. He stared at Qu Qizhong. ”What did you just say? A what-tier cultivation technique?”

Seeing Zhang Deming’s interest, Qu Qizhong’s anxious expression eased, and he let out a small sigh of relief. He began to explain.

”He’s offering a Tier Five Cultivation Technique, the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique, in exchange for us custom-crafting him an Inheritance Bead Set of at least Tier Three.”

”If we can’t make a Tier Three set, he’s willing to accept several Tier Two sets instead. However, in that case, he would only give us a copy of the technique and keep the original for himself.”

”Coupled with the fact that the commotion from the Cyan Wood Secret Realm incident hasn’t completely died down, I felt this matter couldn’t be taken lightly. That’s why I contacted you.”

Zhang Deming asked, ”Are you certain it’s called the *Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique*?”

Qu Qizhong nodded. ”It was precisely that name that caught my attention. I decided to contact you even without having seen the actual manual.”

Zhang Deming’s expression grew distant. Ever since the Turtle Water Secret Realm incident, he had paid close attention to matters concerning the Five Elements Blessed Land.

Especially after he began cultivating the Turtle Water Defense Array, he had done a great deal of research into the cultivation techniques of the Five Elements Blessed Land.