The Programmer Cultivator

A bag of vines, each one nearly identical in size, and their lengths were exactly the same. They looked less like materials and more like decorations.

’Using Blood-Sucking Demon Vine to make *Blood-Sucking Vine* Spirit Nurturing Beads... Talk about a perfect fit!’

’Compared to these, the materials I used before were utter crap!’

’The fact that I could make Spirit Nurturing Beads with those materials and still maintain a decent success rate... it really wasn’t easy at all!’

Zhang Deming stared at the bag of materials, speechless for a long time.

’They look nice, they’re very convenient to use, and it’s a pleasure to work with them.’

’But is it really necessary to go to all this trouble just to make Spirit Nurturing Beads?’

’People really do get more and more particular once they have the means.’

’Then again, I guess it’s a good thing. It creates jobs for a whole bunch of disciples who make their living processing materials!’

”Junior Brother Zhang, is there a problem?” Song Huidong asked, seeing Zhang Deming staring blankly at a Blood-Sucking Vine.

”Hm... Ah... It’s nothing. I was just lost in thought,” Zhang Deming replied, snapping back to his senses.

Seeing this, Song Huidong continued, ”Master said that time was a bit tight, so we couldn’t prepare the materials meticulously. For now, you’ll have to make do with these.

Use these for now. The materials that follow will definitely be the best.”

Zhang Deming: ”...”

’You call *this* ’making do’?’

’Seriously...’

’Now I finally understand how a single steak can cost ten dollars, fifty dollars, or even five thousand dollars.’

Zhang Deming nodded speechlessly and said, ”Alright, I’ll ’make do’ with these for now.”

Song Huidong smiled faintly. ”Well then, Junior Brother Zhang, I’ll let you get to it. I’ll be heading back. If you need anything, just find the disciple at the valley entrance.

These disciples were all transferred from the Secret Group, so you can rest assured, Junior Brother Zhang.”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Mm, got it.”

Upon hearing this, Song Huidong gave a slight bow and turned to leave. He didn’t show the slightest curiosity about what the materials were for.

After carrying the materials Song Huidong had left into his house one by one, Zhang Deming first took out the Blood-Sucking Demon Vines.

The Blood-Sucking Vine Technique on Zhang Deming’s order was a Tier Three Technique, so the Blood-Sucking Demon Vines they sent were Two-Star materials. This ensured there would be no issues with their Spirituality.

Zhang Deming took stock of the materials. There were a full thirty sets, yet he only needed to produce fifteen beads. ’This can’t just be to account for the success rate; otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent so many.’

’They must be accounting for the possibility that my finished products might be of a lower grade.’

’That’s why they sent so many—to ensure I can produce enough High-Quality Spirit Nurturing Pearls.’

’Setting other things aside, I could make a small fortune just from these materials paid for by the Sect.’

After a long while of letting his mind wander, Zhang Deming began to work.

As points of light appeared, Zhang Deming tossed in his enlightenment, and countless points of light flew back, coalescing before him into a Tier Three Mastery Spirit Nurturing Bead.

The process was so smooth it left Zhang Deming slightly stunned.

Zhang Deming then used one set of materials—several vines—to craft a few more times in a row. He discovered that his success rate had clearly improved.

’I have to admit, these meticulously selected and processed materials certainly have their advantages.’

’But for me, it isn’t quite worth it.’

’The processing cost and the inherent value of the materials far outweighed the savings from the increased success rate.’

’But if given the choice under the same circumstances, materials like these are obviously better.’

’But for the ones I make to sell on my own, I’ll pass. There’s no need to be so particular.’

Zhang Deming took the materials and, with his ability on auto-pilot, began crafting rapidly.

Because the materials were meticulously processed, his success rate was quite good. A single Tier Three Spirit Nurturing Bead took Zhang Deming about twenty minutes.

On average, Zhang Deming could produce two finished beads every three hours.

In about a day, Zhang Deming finished the entire batch of *Blood-Sucking Vine* beads.

Seeing that nearly half the materials were still unused, Zhang Deming’s eye couldn’t help but twitch.

’Does this mean I can make a killing just from the leftover materials when I work for the Sect?’ a shameless thought crossed his mind as he stared at the huge pile of materials.

Shaking his head, Zhang Deming moved the materials into his small storeroom. ’I’ll just turn them into Spirit Nurturing Beads slowly over time. As for returning them? Out of the question. A single set of Two-Star materials is worth at least a dozen Spirit Stones. Return them? What am I, crazy? How am I supposed to make ends meet?’

...

The next day, Zhang Deming was still engrossed in making Spirit Nurturing Beads.

At noon, Yang Guangfu from the cliff entrance sent a message, saying that Qu Qingxian from an outer family was requesting a meeting.

Zhang Deming was slightly taken aback but told him to bring the person in. A moment later, Yang Guangfu walked in with Qu Qingxian.

The moment Qu Qingxian saw Zhang Deming, he was slightly taken aback.

’Zhang Wu told me to come to the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower on Spirit Nurturing Peak to meet someone. Since this is one of the Seven Floors of Spirit Nurturing, I thought I’d be meeting a Three Talents Ancestor, or a Duality Supervisor at the very least.’

’But based on his Cultivation, this person is just a Tai Chi Disciple.’

Zhang Deming smiled. Before Qu Qingxian could speak, he said familiarly, ”Have a seat. I already know why you’re here.”

Qu Qingxian’s expression flickered. He gave an imperceptible glance at Yang Guangfu and didn’t respond immediately.

Zhang Deming looked at Qu Qingxian and continued, ”You’re here for promotion resources, aren’t you?”

Qu Qingxian nodded and said, ”Yes, Junior Brother Zhang. I’m just short a few resources for my promotion.”