The Programmer Cultivator

After being busy for days, over half a month had now passed since Qian Ruyan placed her order. It was time for Zhang Deming to deliver.

During this time, between his own occasional thoughts and comprehensive screening from the Information Room, Zhang Deming’s custom order had slowly taken shape. Considering the recipient’s aptitude, although a comprehensive set had been requested, Zhang Deming decided to lean it slightly toward the Extreme Dao.

Almost all the Techniques began with the Growth Technique, a design choice that would greatly reduce the difficulty of the user’s Enlightenment Dao.

Of course, he couldn’t create a pure Extreme Vine Path set. While the Spirit Nurturing Bead made entry into the Extreme Dao very easy, the advancement of Techniques from Tier Three to Tier Four presented a massive chasm.

The ordinary leap to Tier Four was already difficult enough; for the Extreme Dao...

To put it this way, the reason most people didn’t pursue the Extreme Dao was because they couldn’t cross the threshold to Tier Four.

With Qian Xiaogong’s Spirit Root aptitude of a mere seventeen, if Zhang Deming made him a pure Extreme Dao Inheritance Bead Set, he would likely be stuck at that level for the rest of his life. Even if he sold Yousheng Residence and threw a fortune in Spirit Stones at the problem, he still might not be able to make the leap.

The order was nearly complete, but Zhang Deming had no intention of handing it over just yet. ’After all, this is a chance to browse the Scripture Pavilion on someone else’s dime. I even have a legitimate reason to visit the Main Pavilion, and I haven’t been there yet!’

’Why wouldn’t I take advantage of this freebie?’

’Besides, it’s not really taking advantage, right? I still have to pay with Spirit Stones!’

...

The Scripture Pavilions of the Inner Sect and Outer Sect were different. The Outer Sect had a single Scripture Pavilion established at its headquarters. The Inner Sect, on the other hand, had basic Scripture Pavilions on each peak, with Celestial Spirit Peak also hosting the Main Pavilion.

The basic Scripture Pavilions on each peak held the vast majority of their respective peak’s Inheritances, while the Main Pavilion encompassed all the Inheritances of the entire Sect.

This included everything from the Outer Sect’s trashiest text—the Basic Cultivation Technique, which read like a corporate culture handbook—to the Sect’s three supreme Core Cultivation Techniques. It had it all.

Zhang Deming left his room and walked to the edge of the cliff, his hands clasped behind his back. He paused briefly.

Just a moment later, Yang Guangfu came running out. Seeing Zhang Deming standing at the edge of the cliff, he asked, ”Senior Brother Zhang, is there anything I can help you with?”

Zhang Deming looked at Yang Guangfu and asked, ”Are you free?”

Yang Guangfu nodded without the slightest hesitation. ”I am! I’m free every day. Er, not that I’m idle, it’s just...”

”Alright, alright, I’m not here to check up on your work,” Zhang Deming said, exasperated.

Yang Guangfu gave an awkward smile and didn’t try to explain any further.

”If you’re free, come with me to the Main Pavilion of the Scripture Pavilion on Celestial Spirit Peak,” Zhang Deming said.

Yang Guangfu hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhang Deming and said, ”Junior Brother Zhang, you probably can’t get into the Main Pavilion just by pulling strings.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”I know. By the way, you came from the Resources Department. Are you familiar with the Main Pavilion?”

Yang Guangfu faltered at the question and said awkwardly, ”Junior Brother Zhang, getting into the Main Pavilion requires a very high level of clearance. Even we in the Secret Group have to go through a review process.”

Hearing this, Zhang Deming nodded. ”So that’s a no, then?”

Yang Guangfu nodded, then quickly added, ”But our Secret Group’s information on the Sect is very comprehensive. I’ve done my homework on the topic; otherwise, I wouldn’t have managed to land a spot here with you, right, Junior Brother Zhang?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Alright. It’s better than going in blind alone. And I can’t be bothered to trouble Senior Brother Song, so you can come along.”

A look of delight crossed Yang Guangfu’s face. He really had never been to the Main Pavilion before; the chance to tag along and see it for himself was a great opportunity.

The two made their way to the Flying Simurgh Immortal Crane Riding Area. The familiar disciple there saw them arrive and greeted them with his usual enthusiasm before calling for the Immortal Crane, Yoo Xiaoluan.

The two men hopped onto the Immortal Crane’s back. Yoo Xiaoluan spread its wings and took flight, heading toward the Celestial Spirit Sect Main Peak.

...

Spirit Nurturing Peak wasn’t far from Celestial Spirit Peak. Well, the flight distance as the crow flies wasn’t far, at least.

Riding the Immortal Crane, the two arrived above Celestial Spirit Peak in moments. There was no large complex of buildings at the very summit, just a few structures.

Among them was a pavilion of carved railings and jade-inlaid masonry. A plaque hung before it, upon which four large, flamboyant words were written: Celestial Spirit Scripture Pavilion.

Unlike the Scripture Pavilions of the Outer Sect or the individual peaks, the Celestial Spirit Scripture Pavilion didn’t appear very tall. It didn’t seem to be a multi-story building, and its footprint wasn’t particularly large either.

As the pair arrived before the Main Pavilion, the Immortal Crane drifted down gently. Before they had even touched the ground, Zhang Deming clearly felt several scans wash over him.

Having never experienced so many scans at once, Zhang Deming’s entire body tensed up.

The two were not far apart, and Yang Guangfu noticed Zhang Deming’s tense posture. He began to explain:

”Senior Brother Zhang, don’t be nervous. This is standard procedure. After all, besides the Scripture Pavilion, this area also houses the Treasure Pavilion, the Inheritance Hall, and other core Inheritance buildings of the Sect.

These are just the ones we can feel. There are probably even more Reconnaissance scans that we can’t detect.

Also, the instant we land here, regardless of whether we have clearance, our files have likely already appeared on a desk at Secret Group Headquarters.

Of course, as for whose desk they’ve landed on, that depends on how important the two of us are.

And I mean the really detailed files. Data from the main Sect system, the Secret Group system, and every other department’s system—it’ll all be there.

You could say the Secret Group is the most efficient department in the entire Sect.

Hmm... although, strictly speaking, the Secret Group can’t really be considered a ’department.’”

Zhang Deming’s body was rigid as he shot a strange look at Yang Guangfu.

’Are you sure you’re trying to comfort me?’

’Or have you been seeing Guk Liancai so much lately that you’re unconsciously starting to become more like him?’