The Programmer Cultivator

With a flip of her hand, Guann Zhenzhen materialized a jade-like flower from a swirl of pink mist, blocking Zhang Deming’s attack.

The two clashed, sword against flower.

As they fought, a faint floral fragrance filled the air, and Zhang Deming frowned upon smelling it.

Technique: Flower Demon Vine!

Strange vines sprouted from the surrounding ground. They swayed and bloomed with white flowers, which immediately began to absorb the strange fragrance in the air.

After a few exchanges, Zhang Deming discovered she wasn’t particularly skilled in close-quarters combat.

A glint flashed in his eyes. He slashed out with his sword again, and the instant she blocked it with her flower, the long sword shattered. It transformed into countless azure vine-like threads that shot toward Guann Zhenzhen with lightning speed, seeking to entangle her.

At the same time, Spiritual Power surged through Zhang Deming’s body, and countless sharp spikes erupted from his torso.

”Hehe... You really don’t know how to be gentle with a lady. To think you’d use such a nasty trick on a weak woman like me.”

The threads and spikes pierced and wrapped around Guann Zhenzhen, but Zhang Deming showed no hint of joy. He felt no impact, and the Spirit Species within his spikes had not been released.

As she giggled coquettishly, Zhang Deming froze. The figure before him dissolved into a puff of pink mist and drifted backward, in a manner remarkably similar to the shadow figure’s Escape Skill from before.

’Smoke Escape?’

’A pure Smoke Escape technique? Then she’s out of luck. I happen to be quite good with Water Skills!’

Zhang Deming’s expression sharpened. With a wave of his hand, a water dragon began to slowly materialize, coiling around him.

Rune Technique: Water Dragon Technique!

The moment the Water Dragon appeared, it opened its maw and spat a jet of water at the drifting mist.

The Water Dragon Breath struck the mist, which paused for an instant before re-forming. A transparent pink shield had materialized, blocking the torrent of water.

The instant she took solid form, Zhang Deming slammed both hands on the ground.

Developed Technique: Thorny Earth Spike Entanglement!

Dozens of spikes shot up from the ground beneath her.

Pinned by the force of the Water Dragon Breath, she was unable to dissolve into mist and was struck squarely by the dozens of spikes.

However, her shield was incredibly resilient. Even under the combined assault of the water torrent and the spikes, it didn’t break.

She was, however, trapped and held in place by the dozens of spikes.

The spikes then rapidly softened, transforming into vines that completely ensnared the spherical shield.

Countless thorns sprouted from the vines. As the vines tightened, they grated against the pink shield, putting it under immense pressure and causing it to flicker violently.

All the while, the Water Dragon continued its breath attack, relentlessly blasting the Vine Ball.

”Sigh, you’re such a pain!

”Water Dao, Wood Dao, Sword Dao, and even Shaping Dao... On top of that, your incredible ability to fight across tiers. In just our two short meetings, you’ve really given me quite the surprise.”

”Is that so? The real surprise is yet to come!” Staring at the Vine Ball, Zhang Deming was about to act when he suddenly froze.

Rune Charm: Charm and Heart Control - Book!

Countless motes of Spiritual Light gathered outside the Vine Ball, slowly forming a book. As the book solidified, a young man appeared with it, holding it in his hand.

The young man was composed of pure energy, like a holographic Mirror Image. He held the book in one palm while his other hand made a grasping motion, materializing a writing brush in its grip.

As he moved, the book in his hand slowly fell open. As its pages turned, countless faint voices seemed to emerge from within, all reciting:

”To establish a will for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to perpetuate the lost teachings of past sages, and to bring peace for all future generations!”

He held the brush and quickly wrote: Even the sea can be measured!

As his brush fell, a spectral funnel materialized from the void and caught the entire stream of water spewing from the Water Dragon.

The Vine Ball was suddenly empty. Wisps of pink mist seeped out from between the vines and slowly coalesced into a figure beside the book-wielding young man.

Zhang Deming stared at the ethereal young man who had suddenly appeared. He looked to be in his twenties and was quite handsome, but his eyes were vacant and his form was not solid—it was composed entirely of Energy.

’A Summoning?’

’Is her path ultimate, comprehensive Charm? Using it to control people’s hearts and minds to unlock the path of Summoning?’

’Zhang Deming instantly recalled Xue Su’s current state. So, this young man was once a real person?’

”Summoning real people? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered by the patrols from the major Blessed Holy Lands? I’m sure they’d be delighted to find a Demon Cultivator like you,” Zhang Deming said, looking at the newly re-formed Guann Zhenzhen.

”Oh, don’t worry. Once I’m done with you, Fellow Daoist Zhang, I won’t have to worry about that anymore,” Guann Zhenzhen replied with a smile.

Zhang Deming’s expression stiffened. He knew that when she said she would be ”done with” him, she meant turning him into a Summoning Object.

However, the way she phrased it, combined with what had happened to Xue Su, sent his imagination running wild with unpleasant possibilities about the ”creation” process.

Zhang Deming looked at the summoned youth, then gestured. A nimble stream of water flowed into the head of his Water Dragon, and its dull eyes instantly became sharp and lively.

Dragon Horns sprouted from the Water Dragon’s head. With a flick of its tail, it charged the young man. The summon and the Dragon were instantly locked in combat.

Seeing this, Guann Zhenzhen crossed her arms, pressing them against her ample bosom.

Rune Charm: Charm and Heart Control - Staff!

As she activated her ability, countless motes of Spiritual Light gathered once more, and another young man appeared before her.

This young man’s style was completely different from the book-wielding one. He was bare-chested, held a long staff, and wore a pair of coarse cloth shorts that looked like swim trunks.