The Programmer Cultivator

After saying that, Zhang Deming rose into the air and headed toward his first target.

He needed to observe his targets for a while, making it more convenient to go by himself than to ride an Immortal Crane. Were it not for the fact that he could only manage short-distance flight, he wouldn’t have bothered riding one at all.

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Zhang Deming arrived at the Little Hui Peak Array Department, a place he had never visited before. In fact, he really hadn’t explored much of Little Hui Peak at all.

If the Celestial Spirit Sect as a whole maintained a traditional, classical style with only occasional hints of modern elements, then the Array Department was leaning into science fiction.

From the moment Zhang Deming stepped into the Array Department, all sorts of Array Light Curtains, looking just like holographic screens, were visible everywhere.

The Disciples he encountered, chatting in small groups of two or three, would casually pull up various Light Screens as they talked.

What left Zhang Deming even more speechless was the Sect’s policy of using practical necessity to incentivize learning new Techniques. He’d always been aware of it, and while he had his gripes, he found it generally acceptable.

But here, he felt they had taken it to a whole new, insane level.

If he hadn’t learned Heart Eye Numerology back when he was a servant, getting around the Little Hui Peak Array Department would have been nearly impossible.

This was especially true in the area he had entered, which appeared to be a training ground for Arrays. Low-level Arrays were everywhere, even guarding the entrances to public buildings.

Although they were low-level, allowing someone who knew Heart Eye Numerology to stumble their way through, this place would be an absolute Hell for anyone who didn’t.

Much of the scenery along the path was fantastical and dreamlike, with a variety of distinct styles on full display.

To Zhang Deming’s Tier Three perception of the Array Dao, all these things resolved into nothing but Array Talismans.

The entire Array Department, however, was steeped in a thick scholarly atmosphere—the most academic department Zhang Deming had seen yet. It felt a little like he’d stepped onto a science-fiction university campus.

If the Outer Sect was like this, he could only imagine how much more extravagant the Inner Sect’s Array Department must be.

For this reason, the Array Department had the fewest servants. Even though the compensation was supposedly among the best, not every servant was cut out for this line of work.

After all, Heart Eye Numerology was considered one of the most difficult Basic Magic Techniques.

Intrigued, Zhang Deming wandered around the Array Department for a while longer.

Just as he was about to go look for his target, Zhang Deming paused. His expression shifted slightly as he turned his head. A vividly lifelike giant python had just lunged in front of him, its blood-red maw gaping open as it let out a piercing hiss.

Its massive mouth was almost pressed against Zhang Deming’s face, but despite being incredibly realistic, it didn’t carry the slightest foul stench.

Zhang Deming just watched it quietly, appearing to any onlooker as if he were scared stiff.

”Hee hee...”

”Heh heh...”

Laughter broke out from the surrounding crowd. It wasn’t mocking, just the sound of people amused by an interesting sight.

In truth, many had already noticed Zhang Deming. Dressed in simple clothes and looking around with open curiosity, he was the spitting image of a newly transferred servant or Outer Disciple.

Zhang Deming continued to stare silently at the massive serpent. Perhaps sensing he was frozen in fear, the python let out another roar and began to slither slowly, preparing to coil itself around him.

At that, Zhang Deming shook his head. ”How boring.”

As he spoke, Runes flashed in his eyes. The incredibly realistic python instantly disintegrated into a shower of Runes that scattered across the ground before fading away as motes of Spiritual Light.

”Ngh...”

A muffled grunt sounded out, and not far from Zhang Deming, three young female Disciples materialized.

Two of them still wore mischievous expressions, but the third was pale from the backlash of her broken Technique.

As the girls appeared and the python disintegrated, many in the surrounding crowd were taken aback, their faces showing surprise.

The three female Disciples finally realized they had gotten into trouble. It wasn’t difficult to see through their Illusion Array, but to shatter their Array with a single glance was another matter entirely.

”Greetings, Martial Uncle!” the three said apprehensively, lowering their heads and fidgeting with their hands.

Zhang Deming glanced at the three of them. ”Next time you decide to play a prank, you’d best be more discerning. You won’t always be lucky enough to run into an easygoing Martial Uncle like me.”

The three sighed in relief. ”We will remember, Martial Uncle. Thank you for the lesson.”

Zhang Deming looked at the pale-faced girl. ”Your Illusion Array Skill is decent, but it lacks a sense of touch and there was no foul stench. It’s too fake.”

The girl, Kong Chunjuan, fidgeted with her hands and kept her head low. ”I will remember.”

Zhang Deming took another look at them. ”Alright, then. Farewell.”

With that, Zhang Deming turned and walked away.

As soon as he had passed the three girls, they broke into a run, as if afraid he might come after them.

Zhang Deming glanced back, shaking his head with a smile. ’This place really does remind me a bit of school life,’ he thought.

’Hmm, the main reason is probably that this is an area where many Disciples come to practice their Arrays.’

’That’s why the scholarly atmosphere feels so thick.’

Once he was some distance away, a gray mist swirled around his body, and Zhang Deming rapidly suppressed his aura.

He consulted the information again and located his first target’s residence.

When he arrived, the change in style was less dramatic. Although Light Screens were still visible in many places, the area still clearly felt like it was part of the Sect.

Using the information he had, Zhang Deming found his first target.

The target was twenty-nine years old, had been in the Sect for twenty-two years, was an Intermediate Apprentice, and still only knew one Skill.

His main job was producing basic Rune Array Cards for the Sect, a task many in the Array Department performed.

After finding the man, Zhang Deming observed him for a moment with a slight frown.

He decided to pass. While the man had some spirit left, he was mostly numb with apathy. Besides, if it took him twenty-two years to become an Intermediate Apprentice, when in the world would he ever reach Foundation Establishment Tai Chi?

With this in mind, Zhang Deming immediately struck three names from his list. Although they were the youngest candidates, their Cultivation was subpar. The minimum requirement was Advanced Apprentice.

Zhang Deming looked over the remaining seven people on his list and selected his first target.

Forty-seven years old, thirty-nine years in the Sect, had been at Apprentice Peak for many years, and knew all three basic Skills. His qualifications weren’t bad. He was worth a look.

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