The Programmer Cultivator

Yuxing nodded. ”In that case, let’s begin today’s lecture.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Weihai obediently sat down, as docile as a first-grader on his first day of school.

Yuxing looked at Xu Weihai, but instead of launching straight into the lecture, he started with a question.

”Yesterday, I observed that you have already reached the Entry Level in the ordinary Array Dao. Therefore, you must also know that the path of the Array is one that emphasizes adapting to the changing times.

So, do you know what’s currently in vogue for the Array Dao, and what direction it’s leaning toward?”

Hearing this, Xu Weihai glanced at Yuxing hesitantly.

Yuxing said, ”Speak your mind. Don’t tell me you see this old man and think I’ve turned into some dusty old relic, do you?

A single night of my Divine Travel is beyond your comprehension!

As for my current understanding of Hongmeng, let’s just say a little whelp like you certainly can’t compare.”

Hearing this, Xu Weihai no longer hesitated and spoke directly, ”In reply to Elder Xing, this Disciple believes that the most popular trend in the Hongmeng Array Dao today is the magic of the Outer Realm.”

After speaking, Xu Weihai carefully glanced at Yuxing.

Yuxing looked at him and said, ”Why are you sneaking glances at me again? Continue!”

Xu Weihai continued, ”This Disciple believes the Array Dao is currently dominated by Outer Realm elements. Every branch of the Array Dao is learning from the Outer Realm.

And as for the direction it’s heading, this Disciple believes it is the path of Spiritual Wisdom.

The profession of Spirit Nurturing Master originated from this path of Spiritual Wisdom, but later went astray onto the road of Inheritance, which has created the current situation in Hongmeng.

However, when it comes to fostering Spiritual Wisdom, Spirit Nurturing Masters are still supreme.

This has left countless Cultivators on other paths feeling quite resentful. It’s infuriating that people who pursue it as a side-profession can reach the apex, pushing out a whole crowd who specialize in it.

Therefore, the Outer Realm’s path of artificial intelligence has allowed the Great Cultivators of the Array Dao to see the potential in the path of Spiritual Wisdom—the possibility of surpassing Spirit Nurturing Masters.

This is what led to the current trend and the situation we see today.”

Yuxing nodded. ”Not bad. You have a modicum of insight.”

Having received praise, Xu Weihai’s apprehensive expression relaxed a little.

Yuxing continued, ”But you’re only half right. Those Array Dao Cultivators do deserve some credit for the current trend in the Hongmeng Array Dao.

But they aren’t the main reason. As for who is... hehe, it’s better for you not to know for the time being.

That is not our topic for today. Today, we will discuss the Array Dao.

Since the Array Dao currently favors the magic of the Outer Realm, you must apply yourself in this direction if you wish to achieve anything on this path.

The Array Dao must adapt to the times; otherwise, all your efforts will be in vain.”

Yuxing looked at Xu Weihai, who was nodding continuously, and went on, ”As I observed yesterday, you already have a decent foundation in the traditional Array Dao.

So let me ask you, how much do you understand about this Outer Realm Array Dao—that is, the path of code?”

Yuxing’s teaching method was completely different from that of the masters and senior disciples in the Dharma Transmission Hall.

Unconsciously, his nervousness and apprehension had already faded away.

When questioned again, he answered almost naturally, ”I know about this. The Array Department has some basic information on the subject.

The foundation of the Outer Realm Array Dao is the combination of 0s and 1s. With this minimalist approach, it forms a Heaven-Reaching Path and can be said to represent the Extreme Dao of Arrays.

Before the Outer Realm Array Dao appeared, the Hongmeng Array Dao had no Extreme Dao, because the Array Dao is inherently based on complexity.”

Yuxing said, ”Wrong!”

Xu Weihai was stunned. He had never argued with a teacher in class before. He wanted to retort but didn’t dare, especially since what he had just said was a point of knowledge from a Magic Book.

Seeing his confusion, Yuxing said, ”If you just want to be an Array Cultivator who gets by, then understanding it that way isn’t wrong. The Foreigners would be happy for you to think that.

But...”

Yuxing paused. Seeing he had captured Xu Weihai’s full attention, he continued:

”But if you want to reach a certain height in the Array Dao, then that answer is simply wrong.

The essence of the Outer Realm Array Dao is not the combination of 0s and 1s. That’s merely a superficial representation.

Its true core essence is the storage, reading, and writing of electrical states—’on’ and ’off’—on a so-called ’integrated circuit’ board. The 0 and 1 are merely the forms used to express ’on’ and ’off.’ You could use 0 and 1, but you could just as well use Yin and Yang.

Once you understand this, you can see that the so-called Array Dao revealed to you by the Celestial Universe Federation is all just for show.

Because if it were truly just that, then the Outer Realm Array Dao would only be a virtual construct, incapable of affecting the real world.

And yet?

The Outer Realm has produced Superpower items like the ’Quantum Notebook’ and ’Quantum System’ that affect reality. So, how is that accomplished?

I won’t give you the answer today. After this lesson, I want you to think about it carefully.

Ponder it, especially in the context of the fundamental principles I just explained.”

Xu Weihai’s expression faltered for a moment, but then he became unusually excited.

Yuxing’s face stiffened. ’What’s with this kid? I’m teaching a class, I assign him homework, and not only do I not get the reaction I expected, he gets this excited?’

’Did I explain something poorly?’

After a brief pause, Yuxing didn’t dwell on it and continued, ”Besides the core principles you need to understand that I just mentioned,

today I also need to discuss the most popular element of all: intelligence!

Do you know how artificial intelligence is created in the Outer Realm, or how many methods of creation there are?”

Xu Weihai’s face stiffened. He was completely clueless about this and could only shake his head in a daze.

Yuxing spoke as if he’d expected this. ”I figured you wouldn’t know. Not many in Hongmeng do, and most of what they think they know is false information. After all, this involves their core technology.”

Hearing this, Xu Weihai’s expression turned a bit strange.

Yuxing continued, ”The path of artificial intelligence is divided into weak artificial intelligence and intelligent life.

What Hongmeng currently knows about is weak artificial intelligence. It’s a cheap imitation, something deliberately tossed out by the Celestial Universe Federation, so it’s not even worth discussing. If you’re interested, you can research it on your own.

What I want to discuss today is the path of intelligent life, which is what the Array Cultivators of Hongmeng are most eager to create—Rune Life.

There are a total of three core methods for creating intelligent life, which is to say, three fundamental algorithms.

The first is the neural network algorithm. This Skill uses code to simulate the operations of a biological Brain Domain, constructing neural equations to build an algorithmic data brain, thereby attempting to birth Spiritual Wisdom.

The second is big data derivation. It uses immense data processing power, attempting to create a central Main Brain at the intersection of various data streams, thereby birthing Spiritual Wisdom.

The third is iterative and anthropomorphic construction. You build a data structure that simulates a human’s learning process from infancy, constantly absorbing new things. While cycling, it randomly forgets some data and selects some core data to retain, slowly accumulating until Spiritual Wisdom is born.

(The first is exemplified by the birth of Ultron, the second by the Main Brain in The Matrix, and the third by actual humans.)

These three forms of magic are the current methods for the birth of intelligent life in the Outer Realm.

Regardless of the method, the birth of such a life is extremely random. And because of the unique nature of their creation, they naturally possess incredibly powerful information processing capabilities.

This is especially true for the first type, which is the most powerful, followed by the second, with the third being the weakest.

This is different from humans. Their potential is Innately determined from the moment of their birth, making it impossible for them to surpass their initial limits.

After all, the third method—cyclical absorption and forgetting—is an inherent trait of living organisms. By simulating this biological trait, it is the easiest way to birth Spiritual Wisdom, but it also results in a life form that is the most like a biological creature.

An intelligent life that can forget things can only be considered a pseudo-intelligent life, really.

For the next six months, you will need to learn the basics of these three methods, as well as the foundational knowledge surrounding them.

You will also need to blend this with conventional Array knowledge, striving to achieve a true Fusion.”

He paused at this point, then continued, ”As for the core element of these three branches of knowledge—the algorithms—I don’t know them myself right now.

But last night, I used the Celestial Derivation Skill and divined where they can be obtained.

You were born at the right time. Hongmeng is quite a lively place these days.

And I’m going to take you to join in on the fun. If you can establish a foothold amid all this excitement, then a place among the progenitors of Rune Life will be yours for the taking.”

Upon hearing this, a bright light flashed in Xu Weihai’s eyes. Becoming an Immortal and an ancestor, founding a clan and being canonized—this was the highest pursuit of every Cultivator in Hongmeng, an ambition that surpassed even face and longevity.

Seeing this, Yuxing said coolly, ”But if your studies can’t keep pace, and when the time comes, I give you the core knowledge, yet you cannot fuse it to create a new path...

I’ve already opened the back door for you. In a hundred-step race, someone came along to give you a fifty-step head start. I intercepted it, and then I privately added another thirty steps on top of that.

Then I bundled it all up and stuffed it into your hands!

If you still can’t win a race starting from the twenty-step mark when others have to run a full hundred, then I can only say: you’re a lost cause!

If that’s the case, I might as well go back to sleep for another hundred thousand years!

A Venerable like you is beyond my ability to teach!”

Xu Weihai immediately declared, ”This Disciple will not disappoint Elder Xing.”

”Now then, let’s go into detail about the first method...” The Yuxing that Zhang Deming had transformed into began explaining the basics to Xu Weihai, using a teaching style from his past life.

Xu Weihai listened with extreme concentration. Coupled with this being his first contact with such material and this style of teaching, the effects were excellent, and his progress was gratifying.

...

”Alright, that’s all for today. Go and ruminate on what we’ve discussed.

From today onward, we will have two lessons a month. This will continue for about half a year to a year. When I have finished teaching, your opportunity will arrive.

Whether you can become a true, official Venerable of Duzun Tower will all depend on your own performance then,” Yuxing said, concluding the lesson.

Xu Weihai immediately replied, ”This Disciple will not let Elder Xing down.”

Yuxing shook his head. ”Making declarations now is of little use. The final result is all that matters.

So, kid, do your best. Whether or not you have a future in Hongmeng is now entirely in your own hands.”

With that, Yuxing wasted no more words, simply dissolving into motes of light and disappearing on the spot.

Xu Weihai stood there stunned for a long while, then suddenly pumped his fist. ”Xu Weihai, you can do this!”

A virgin of several decades, he was experiencing a second spring, his inner teenager flaring up once more.

...