The Programmer Cultivator

After doing all this, Elder Huang once again clasped his hands behind his back and addressed the sky. ”Alright, Pu Hua Bodhisattva. You can let them down now.”

At Elder Huang’s words, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Pu Hua stared at him, astonished. He was certain the Karma had entered Elder Huang’s body, but not only was there no reaction, it had also vanished without a trace.

It wasn’t just Pu Hua. Elder Huang also sensed several gazes that had descended earlier, now scanning him relentlessly.

Elder Huang waited for a moment. The Combat had ceased, yet the observers hadn’t retreated. With a slight frown, he addressed the sky, ”I wonder which friends are so curious about me. If you’re that eager for a look, why not show yourselves?”

Pu Hua, who was descending, paused mid-air. ”My apologies,” he said. ”Two of them are my martial brothers. You notified them when the seal broke, so they should be on their way now.”

Elder Huang glanced at Pu Hua, who was landing with the group on their lotus platforms. ”That’s of no concern,” he said. ”I just don’t care for being scrutinized like this.”

”It can’t be helped,” Pu Hua replied with a smile. ”Not everyone possesses an Incarnation Technique as masterful as yours, Benefactor.”

At this point, everyone had landed, and the lotus platforms beneath their feet dissipated.

For the moment, Elder Huang paid Pu Hua no mind. He turned to the assembled disciples and said, ”Alright. This matter is now concluded, and the seal is broken.

You young ones, go and call for your elders. I imagine many of you were badly frightened.

As for those who didn’t make it...”

Elder Huang paused. Seeing the dejected expressions on many of the disciples’ faces, he sighed. ”Alas... one can only say it was their fate. In the pursuit of immortality, there will always be countless tribulations.

The moment you decided to step onto the Longevity Path, you should have understood that the road is destined to be fraught with peril. See it enough, and you get used to it.”

”Thank you, Senior!”

”Thank you for saving my life, Senior!”

”Thank you for your guidance, Senior!”

”...”

Elder Huang’s words brought many of the disciples back to their senses. They bowed and thanked him, their voices a disorganized chorus of different phrases, but their gratitude was unanimous.

Elder Huang gave no response, merely watching them with a placid expression. Once they finished their bows, he turned to Song Huidong in the crowd. ”You’re the one in charge for the Celestial Spirit Sect on this occasion, correct?”

Song Huidong hesitated for a moment before replying, ”Senior, my Martial Uncle is also here and is my superior.”

”And where is he? Why didn’t I see him earlier?” Elder Huang asked with a frown.

Song Huidong shook his head. ”I’m not sure either.”

Spiritual Light flashed in Elder Huang’s eyes as he scanned the area. Finding no sign of anyone, he said, ”He didn’t run off to ask your Sect’s Supreme Elders to demand I pay Spirit Stones because my last Technique destroyed your Celestial Spirit Sect’s Ritual Artifact, did he?”

Hearing this, Song Huidong’s expression stiffened, and he looked at Elder Huang, not knowing how to respond.

’Should I laugh?’

’The remark was biting, but was it supposed to be a joke?’

’Ugh, a joke so dry I can’t even tell if it’s a joke... yeah, that’s pretty cold.’

Completely bewildered, Song Huidong’s mind had drifted off. After a moment, he managed a stiff smile and said, ”You jest, Senior.”

Elder Huang shook his head. ”Forget it. There’s no point in asking you. I’ll make my arrangements elsewhere. You are dismissed. With all this wreckage, I’m sure you have plenty to take care of.”

Elder Huang paused, then addressed the surrounding crowd. ”All of you, go and get to it. Whether it’s collecting the remains of your comrades or tending to the injured, there is much to be done. Don’t just stand around in front of me!”

”Thank you, Senior!”

”We thank you, Senior!”

”...”

Everyone bowed once more before dispersing to attend to their duties.

After the crowd had dispersed, Elder Huang turned to look at Pu Hua, who had been watching him without speaking.

Once Elder Huang had dismissed the crowd and turned to face him, Pu Hua pressed his palms together and bowed as if they were meeting for the very first time. ”I am Pu Hua of Xuande Temple,” he said. ”Greetings, Benefactor.”

Elder Huang met his gaze, hands clasped behind his back. ”I am Huang Cunshan,” he stated impassively. ”Greetings, Pu Hua Bodhisattva.”

’His surname is Huang? A Cultivator I’ve never seen before? Possibly at the Four Symbols realm?’

Pu Hua’s expression flickered. Connecting the dots, he asked hesitantly, ”A while ago, Leiyin Temple was making inquiries at the other temples about an Elder Huang... Could that possibly be you, Benefactor...?”

Elder Huang paused for a fraction of a second. ”If you are referring to the Elder Huang that Monk Fuyuan met,” he said, ”then assuming he hasn’t met any other Elder Huangs since, yes, that would be me.”

”So it is you, Benefactor Huang. It is truly an honor,” Pu Hua said.

A faint smile touched Elder Huang’s otherwise impassive face. ”You are too kind, Pu Hua Bodhisattva,” he said.

”Benefactor Huang, are you a disciple of the Sanqing Temple?” Pu Hua asked, gazing at the Incarnation before him, which was as solid and real as a true body.

Elder Huang shook his head. ”No. I have no connection whatsoever with the Hongmeng Holy Land. I am just an ordinary Loose Cultivator.”

Pu Hua paused at his words. He saw that Elder Huang had said all he was going to say on the matter. With his thousands of years of experience, he instantly understood the man’s intention and did not press further about his origins.

Pu Hua’s gaze shifted to the objects floating beside Elder Huang: a swirling mass of black mist and a Filthy Bullet. Looking at the two items, he spoke again. ”I observed that those Five Elements Remnants were deeply wary of you, Benefactor Huang. I was wondering, how much do you know about them?”

”If you’re asking about the history of the Five Elements Remnants, Pu Hua Bodhisattva, then I imagine there’s no need for me to waste my breath. After all, you surely know more about that, and in greater detail, than I do.” Elder Huang paused, then looked at Pu Hua and continued,