The Programmer Cultivator

’So this is what they call a genius? A daily epiphany?’

’Are you kidding me!!!’

At that moment, Zhang Deming was speechless, watching Dang Xiangjun’s cultivation suddenly surge just because he’d had an emotional breakthrough.

’Okay, to be blunt, he was jealous. Other than his AFK farming, he’d never enjoyed a boost like that!’

It was a long while before Dang Xiangjun came to his senses. Seeing this, Zhang Deming said, ”Congratulations on your cultivation breakthrough, Master Dang.”

Dang Xiangjun, however, just gave a wry smile at his words. His expression was complicated, as if lost in some distant memory.

’That complicated expression revealed everything. It looks like the three of them really did have a whole melodramatic saga back in the day!’

Zhang Deming watched him for a moment, then hesitated before saying, ”I presented three options. Master Fanx chose the path of becoming a Medicine Spirit Guardian, dedicating his life to watching over and protecting her.”

Zhang Deming paused, then added, ”Yes, it’s the best choice for their current situation.”

Dang Xiangjun froze at his words. He looked up at Zhang Deming, and seeing the knowing look in the young man’s eyes, he shook his head with a wry smile. ”There’s no need for that. The matter between the three of us was settled a thousand years ago. For me, it’s just some old history that’s been hard to let go of.”

Zhang Deming let out a long sigh of relief. ’Good, as long as the melodrama doesn’t continue,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to bring up my payment.’

”I’ve written the prescription and even started the initial treatment today. The results are quite good.

What comes next will be a long process. Barring any surprises, once you prepare the medicinal ingredients according to the prescription, you can begin the full recovery process.

However, the ingredients required this time might be a bit... valuable. Well... even for the three of you Masters combined, they would be considered extremely valuable.

If this really succeeds, Master Dang, you might be able to stand as Senior Brother Fanx’s peer again,” Zhang Deming said pointedly.

Dang Xiangjun paused, seeming to guess what kind of prescription it was. He asked, ”One portion?”

Zhang Deming shook his head. ”That won’t work. It has to be two portions. Your senior sister is human, after all.”

”That will be quite troublesome, then,” Dang Xiangjun said.

’Just ’quite troublesome’? Looks like the resources of the four core families run deep indeed.’

Zhang Deming nodded. ”As long as it’s manageable.”

Dang Xiangjun paused, then asked, ”What do you want as payment this time?”

’Finally!’

’If you hadn’t asked, I was just about to find a way to bring it up myself!’

Zhang Deming didn’t beat around the bush and said frankly, ”Originally, Senior Brother Yuee asked me to do this for free, and I was planning on it. But as they say, sometimes the things that are free end up being the most expensive.”

Dang Xiangjun: ”...”

”But then I inadvertently learned about the situation between the three of you, Master Dang. I feel that if I were to do this for free, I’d get dragged into this mess too.

The three of you, Master... well, pardon my bluntness, but your situation is already a tangled mess. And now, the conflict between righteous and demonic Soul Refining has been thrown into the mix.

While I don’t particularly have a strong stance on the matter, the implications are significant. With my meager cultivation, I feel it’s best if I don’t get involved.

It’s better to draw a clear line now. That way, if you need to take certain actions later, Master, it will be easier for you to operate. Don’t you agree?”

Zhang Deming’s directness made Dang Xiangjun blink in surprise. After a moment, he nodded. ”That’s for the best. So, what do you want? It can’t be just Spirit Stones, can it?”

His tone was mild, with no hint of any other emotion, which made Zhang Deming sigh in relief.

Zhang Deming smiled. ”I have two requests, neither of which should be difficult for you, Master.”

Dang Xiangjun didn’t immediately agree. Since they were speaking so frankly, he actually felt more at ease. He looked at Zhang Deming and said, ”Whether they are difficult or not, let’s hear them first.”

Zhang Deming held up one finger. ”First, as the shops under my name expand in the future, they will likely start stepping on some people’s toes. I need you, Master, and even the entire Dang Family, to stand with me.”

Dang Xiangjun looked stunned for a moment. ”So that’s why you were in such a hurry to register as a Tier Four Law-Level Spirit Nurturer?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”You could say that.”

”That’s not difficult at all. From the moment you registered, even without this favor, I, the Dang Family, and even the Four Divisions and Four Families would have stood by you.

Many in the Sect are involved in business, but our four families don’t have any major external commercial ventures.

Therefore, there’s no conflict of interest. You don’t need to worry about that.

Even if you manage to build an enterprise on the scale of Yousheng Residence, you’ll only be affecting the interests of some of the Sect’s mid-tier families. That won’t be difficult to handle.

However, you can’t be exempt from the Sect’s share forever.

Once you’ve grown to a certain size, you’ll have to make the appropriate contributions. After all, the Sect belongs to all of us,” Dang Xiangjun said, looking at Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming nodded. ”You can rest assured about that, Master. Since I plan to open shops, I’m well aware of how to handle these matters with discretion.”

Dang Xiangjun replied, ”Then there shouldn’t be any problems. You’re backed by Spirit Nurturing Peak, so the families in the Sect, big or small, that have no conflicting interests should all be inclined to support you.

As for those with conflicting interests, as long as your methods aren’t too aggressive, most will know to back down.

And for those who don’t...

...I’ll just have my people take care of them. It’s not a big deal. For someone of your status and profession, providing support is something the Sect should do anyway.”

A brilliant smile spread across Zhang Deming’s face. ”Then I must thank you in advance, Master.”

Dang Xiangjun said, ”It’s only right. Now, what is your second request?”

Zhang Deming took a deep breath and said, ”Second, I wish to see the Fire Separation Body Cultivation Method and the Wu Earth Storage Qi Method.”