The Programmer Cultivator

”I won’t ask where you got this, nor will I ask why you didn’t turn it over to the Sect for rewards, choosing instead to take the risk and sell it out here.

Hmm, perhaps you’re planning to make a killing out here first, and then go back to the Sect for another round of rewards?

Regardless, I won’t pry. I came here to make a trade.

So, if you’re serious about this trade, just state your terms.”

At these words, Tong Hou’s nonchalant expression vanished. He looked at Zhang Deming seriously and asked, ”Senior, are you a Spirit Nurturing Master?”

Zhang Deming gave him an indifferent glance. ”Isn’t that the very reason you came? Do you think I have the time to joke around with you?”

”In that case, Senior, can you make an Inheritance Bead Set for the Chess Dao? Preferably the Yin Yang Chess Dao,” Tong Hou pressed.

Zhang Deming paused, raising an eyebrow. ”I can understand choosing the Chess Dao if you have a talent for it. After all, it’s considered an elegant path. But to pick the Yin Yang Chess Dao, of all things?

If I remember correctly, the Yin Yang Chess Dao is an Extreme Dao focused on trapping opponents, isn’t it?

At High Tiers, that’s one thing. But at Low Tiers, it traps everyone indiscriminately, friend or foe. The moment a fight breaks out, you aren’t just trapping the enemy—you’re creating a Trapped Position for everyone, including yourself.

So your plan is, whenever you run into someone who’s out to get you, you’ll both get ready to fight, and then you’ll invite them to have a nice chat about life and ideals? Or perhaps play a game of chess?

Kid, the way your brain is wired is really something else!”

But upon hearing this, Tong Hou’s face lit up. ”Yes, that’s exactly it! Since you know so much about it, Senior, can you do it?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Mm, I can. A Tier Three set should be no problem.”

’For a Tier Five technique like the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique, even if I couldn’t, I’d make it so I could. Learning a mere Technique isn’t a difficult task for me.’

Tong Hou asked, pleasantly surprised, ”To what level of mastery?”

The corner of Zhang Deming’s mouth lifted. ”Mastery Level,” he said nonchalantly.

”What? Really?” Tong Hou’s voice trembled with excitement. ”I-I don’t mean to doubt you, Senior, but... are you talking about a Mastery Level Inheritance Bead Set?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Correct.”

Tong Hou took a deep breath to compose himself. ”Senior, I’m sure you understand the value of a Tier Five Cultivation Technique.

Cultivation Techniques below Tier Three are one thing, but starting from the Tier Four Magic Level, all the major powers intentionally restrict their circulation.

In Hongmeng today, most Tier Five Cultivation Techniques are part of the Core Daoist Canon of an Upper Sect.

A single Tier Five Cultivation Technique can easily be traded for a complete Tier Five Inheritance Bead Set. It might not be at the Mastery Level, but it’s Tier Five nonetheless.

Furthermore, the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique is a core inheritance from the Five Elements Blessed Land. Its value is obviously far beyond that of an ordinary cultivation technique.

I’m sure you won’t deny that, Senior, considering how much effort you’ve put into coming here.”

Zhang Deming looked at Tong Hou with a smirk. ”And? Don’t tell me you want to trade for a Tier Five Set Beads?

Leaving aside whether I can even make one, with your current Cultivation, how long would it be before you could even use it? We’re talking ages.

Aren’t you afraid that in the meantime, someone will target you and kill you for it before you even get the chance?

Besides, you’re talking about a standard order for a set of beads. You’re asking for the Yin Yang Chess Dao, which falls under private customization. If you don’t understand the difference, you shouldn’t be making such claims.”

Tong Hou shook his head. ”I wouldn’t dare think about a Magic Level Inheritance Bead Set of Tier Four or above. After all, that’s the kind of business handled under the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land.”

’Zhang Deming’s expression shifted slightly. ’This kid isn’t as simple as he looks. The information on Spirit Nurturing Masters available in the Outer Sect definitely isn’t this detailed.’

”Senior, rest assured. If I say I’m selling this for the price of a Tier Three Set Bead, then that’s the price I’m asking.”

Zhang Deming looked at him with a smirk. ”But?”

After a slight pause, Tong Hou glanced at Zhang Deming. ”But... I need the most complete Tier Three Mastery Inheritance Bead Set. The, uh, Promotion Formula package.

The legendary kind. A set of beads that can rapidly advance my core Technique to the level of Control, or even the Mastery Level.

This includes a comprehensive set of beads for a Rune Core Technique, a Defensive Technique, an Escape Technique, a Moving Technique, and a Recovery Technique.

Plus the Tai Chi Promotion Formula and a complete set of resources for the promotion.”

Zhang Deming’s expression faltered. ’He had only just recently learned about these ”promotion packages.” Good heavens, not only had he met someone placing an order for one, but it was for a custom version.’

”Hah! You’ve got some nerve!”

Tong Hou replied, ”But this still doesn’t match the value of a Tier Five Cultivation Technique, does it? So by comparison, you’re the one getting the better deal, Senior.”

Zhang Deming retorted, ”Getting the better deal? It seems you truly don’t understand the difference between a standard order for a set of beads and a personalized, custom commission!

Forget the Celestial Spirit Sect. Search the territories of several surrounding Upper Sects and ask around. Who besides me could possibly take on an order for a Chess Dao bead set like yours?

Let alone one for the Yin Yang Extreme Chess Dao.

You must be dreaming!

Setting aside whether I can even do it, just the task of finding a Recovery Technique developed from a variant of the Yin Yang Chess Dao is exceedingly difficult.

I’m afraid you haven’t grasped the fundamental difference between a seller’s market and a buyer’s market!

Standard orders for bead sets have a market price. But private, custom commissions... kid, you can’t afford to play this game!”

Tong Hou’s expression stiffened. After a moment of contemplation, he said, ”In that case, I can concede a little.

As long as the Rune Core Technique of the bead set is the Yin Yang Chess Dao, the Defensive, Escape, Moving, and Recovery Techniques can be other types of skills. However, these skills must be basic types, without any strong, unique properties.”

Zhang Deming looked at him. ”With an Extreme Dao, dabbling in other paths makes it difficult to achieve greatness. That’s true even for the most widespread Basic Techniques.

Otherwise, why would it be called an Extreme Dao?”

The cultivation of Hongmeng Techniques is divided into the Comprehensive Dao and the Extreme Dao. The Comprehensive Dao is exactly what it sounds like. The Extreme Dao, however, is further divided into the Ultimate Extreme and the Comprehensive Extreme.

In other words, following an Extreme Dao doesn’t mean you can’t be skilled in multiple areas.

What truly defines ’Extreme’ isn’t how many different areas you master, but how many Magic Rune Balls you have within you.

If you have only one, and you use that single skill to develop it in ten thousand directions, covering all the paths of Hongmeng, that too is an Extreme Dao—just a Comprehensive Extreme Dao.

Take Zhang Deming’s Growth Rune Ball, for instance. If he were to teach it completely to a single person, that person could be considered an Extreme Vine Dao Cultivator.

But as soon as you have more than one Rune Ball, it’s no longer an Extreme Dao.

Tong Hou nodded. ”Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I was already aware of this.”

Zhang Deming watched Tong Hou with a deadpan expression. ”That has nothing to do with you,” he said calmly. ”It’s a matter of my basic professionalism.

As for your requirements, the rest isn’t difficult. But the Escape Technique... below Tier Three, the most common is the Blood Escape Technique. Are you sure you want that?

It’s not hard for me to make, but if you learn it this early, you’ll have absolutely no chance of succeeding on the Extreme Dao. I can responsibly guarantee that.”

Tong Hou hesitated. ”Then... what do you suggest, Senior?”

’The corners of Zhang Deming’s mouth lifted. ’I was waiting for you to say that. Why else would I have wasted all this time bullshitting with you?’’

”Since you want something tailor-made, why not do it right the first time?

This Tier Five Cultivation Technique of yours... its value isn’t quite enough for me to create a custom-tailored Extreme Dao bead set for you.

However... on your trip to the Cyan Wood Secret Realm, you managed to obtain a Core Daoist Canon. Your harvest couldn’t have been limited to just this Tier Five Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique, could it?

After all, I heard that the Scripture Pavilion of the Cyan Wood Secret Realm was destroyed!

Why not take it all out and let me have a look?”

Tong Hou froze, his expression stiffening. Looking at Zhang Deming’s smirking face, he was left utterly speechless.

’So after all that talk, this was all just to haggle me down?

You really are a wily old veteran!

Haggling so smoothly, without a trace... he almost had me agreeing to it willingly.

But what happened to preferring to do business directly?

I must have been crazy to believe that crap you said before!

To think I actually believed you were some straightforward old researcher!

Every single one of these old monsters is impossible to deal with!’