The Programmer Cultivator

Four orbs of light were split off. Guided by the mystical pull of the Dao Mark, he tossed them at the Bean Soldier. The four orbs vanished before his eyes, entering the soldier’s body.

Zhang Deming exited the Spirit Nurturing Space once more. As he felt the Bean Soldier’s body, which was just like his own, he knew there was only one final test remaining.

He extended his right hand, holding two fingers together like a sword. The fingers dissolved into countless Silk Thread Vines, which then twisted together to form a sharp Jade Sword Tip.

Zhang Deming held out his left hand and made a light cut across his palm.

An incredibly faint pang of pain registered. A cut opened on his left hand, and blood began to flow from the wound.

But as he looked at the blood, Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed. The blood wasn’t red, but green—jade-green, to be precise!

The Bean Soldier was bleeding, which was a good sign, but he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the result. He was trying to create a true body of flesh and blood. As he frowned at the jade-colored blood, Zhang Deming froze for a moment.

”This is... a Spirit Species?”

Looking at the blood, Zhang Deming was astonished to discover that it was actually composed of Spirit Species.

’If that’s the case, does that mean... I can do this?’

As the thought surfaced, the jade-colored blood transformed, taking on the hue of a Ruby.

Even though someone might notice something was wrong if they saw his blood after an injury, it ceased to be a problem the moment he realized the blood was made of a Spirit Species. In Hongmeng, there was a class of techniques called the Body Nourishment Skill.

As the name suggests, it involved using one’s own body to nurture and manifest a technique’s effects. The most classic examples of this are the Curse Dao and the Gu Dao.

Some masters of the Gu Dao had blood composed of countless insects. At a high enough level, half their body might be made of insects. Compared to that, his Spirit Species blood was a trivial matter.

Besides, with his Spirit Seed Technique, anyone who saw his Spirit Species blood would simply assume he practiced such skills. In other words, this Bean Soldier could truly serve as a second Incarnation!

Zhang Deming glanced at his Main Body, his Heart Spirit flickering. ’I have 32 points of Qi Fortune left, only a dozen or so more needed. In that case, the next Law-Level Technique will be you... the Splitting Skill!’

Tier One allows for one split, Tier Two for two, and Tier Three can split into four. Even if the Splitting Skill doesn’t grow exponentially, upgrading it to the Law Level will still provide a significant, phased increase. The number of paths he could split would be considerable.

Once the Splitting Skill reached the Law Level, this Bean Soldier would become his regular, everyday body. He could finally lay low while simultaneously running wild as he pleased.

’Hmm... I can’t be too reckless, though. What if I run into someone who can force me to retract my split paths? After all, there are so many techniques, and their creators are a bizarre bunch. Goodness knows how many techniques actually exist in Hongmeng right now.’

Still, for now, this body was suitable for long-term use. Although its combat power was somewhat limited, the Rune Core ensured it wasn’t a significant downgrade.

With that decided, Zhang Deming glanced at his Main Body. Instead of returning to it, he waved his hand, moved his Main Body into the adjacent resting room, and had it lie down.

As for himself, he simply walked out of the room, inhabiting the Bean Soldier’s body.

...

Zhang Deming left his room, went to the edge of the cliff, and walked into the gathering area for the Guardian Cliff Disciples.

Many of the disciples were stunned by his arrival. They quickly recovered and bowed, saying, ”Greetings, Master!”

Zhang Deming nodded in acknowledgment and continued to stroll about.

Just then, Yang Guangfu hurried over, bowed to Zhang Deming, and asked, ”Master, do you have any instructions for us?”

Zhang Deming shook his head, and Yang Guangfu’s expression froze.

’Nothing?’

It had been just over a year since the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower opened, and Zhang Deming had only visited the Guardian Cliff Disciple’s residence a handful of times.

He had never come without having some task for them. So he had nothing for them today? ’Could he really be visiting just to look around for the first time ever?’

’Could it be... because of what happened the other day? No way. I didn’t see a thing!’

As these thoughts raced through Yang Guangfu’s mind, his expression grew apprehensive.

”You all seem quite relaxed,” Zhang Deming remarked to Yang Guangfu after taking a look around.

’Relaxed? Here it comes. Is it really about the other day? It can’t be. I really didn’t see anything!’

’What should I do? Should I volunteer for punishment, or just play dumb?’

As Yang Guangfu’s mind reeled, he forced an awkward, uneasy smile. ”Heh, you’re right, Master. The disciples have been a bit idle lately. Perhaps you could arrange some tasks for us?”

Zhang Deming paused, glanced at Yang Guangfu, and said, ”Isn’t this how it always is? What would I have for you to do?”

Yang Guangfu blinked. ’So he’s not looking for an excuse to punish us over that embarrassing incident from the other day?’

Zhang Deming paid him no mind. After another look around, he left the area and headed toward the other peaks.

And so, Zhang Deming spent the better part of the day wandering around Spirit Nurturing Peak. He not only revisited the few places he knew well but also explored many new areas. He found nothing out of the ordinary anywhere.

Zhang Deming had originally planned to visit the other peaks as well, and had even split off his Flying Technique for the purpose.

But before he could finish his tour of Spirit Nurturing Peak, the Identity Jade Pendant at his waist pulsed with a faint wave of Spiritual Power. Zhang Deming paused and raised his hand, opening a Light Screen.

Zhang Deming saw it was a message from Gan Zili.

”Junior Brother Zhang, please come to the Daily Affairs Pavilion at the Mountain Peak Cloud Pool at your earliest convenience.”

’So eager?’

’I’ve only been out for a short while and Gan Zili already sent a message. Has he been anxiously awaiting my reply about the Secret Realm this whole time?’

Looking at the message, Zhang Deming’s thoughts flickered for a moment before he replied, ”Alright! On my way.”