The Programmer Cultivator

”I imagine you’re hoping that for the upcoming exchange between the twenty Upper Sects, our relations remain as they are, or perhaps grow even closer?”

Shang Tingjie, who was coughing faintly, froze. Dang Xiangjun added, ”The sects surrounding our Celestial Spirit Sect have suffered tremendous losses. If we later discover that your delegation is in any way involved, then even though the Celestial Spirit Sect is only a mid-tier Upper Sect, we still hold some sway in the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land.

After all, plenty of Cultivators in Hongmeng are already reluctant to engage with your Celestial Universe, wouldn’t you agree? If this incident gets tied to you, who knows if the Three Great Holy Lands’ stance toward outsiders will remain as resolute as it has been?”

Shang Tingjie’s expression tightened, and his coughing ceased. Even if Dang Xiangjun was bluffing, he had to take the threat seriously. ’The exchange summit cannot be allowed to fail. That’s my primary objective.’

Besides, Dang Xiangjun wasn’t just bluffing. His words carried genuine weight. On their way here, they had seen the Celestial Spirit Sect’s losses with their own eyes.

After a moment of contemplation, Shang Tingjie said, ”We truly don’t know why they went to such lengths to lure us here, just to rob us.

However... the central Main Brain core of our fleet was stolen the very instant the enemy broke through its seals.”

”The central Main Brain core? You mean that spherical, artificial Spiritual Object?” Dang Xiangjun asked skeptically.

Shang Tingjie nodded. ”Correct.”

Dang Xiangjun nodded at his words, but before he could speak, Zhang Deming interjected, his brow furrowed. ”If that’s the case, General Shang, why were you in such hot pursuit after you’d already abandoned ship and the core was stolen?

You were pushed so far that you had to use an Absolute Defense that damaged your very foundation. I hardly think you’d claim the pursuit was just a half-hearted effort, would you?”

Zhang Deming’s words brought both sides to a halt.

Shang Tingjie shot Zhang Deming a serious look. Dang Xiangjun’s brow furrowed deeply as he said, ”General Shang, your evasiveness is starting to look like you’re intentionally helping those criminals escape.”

”We have not spoken a single lie. As for why they pursued us, I imagine it’s because we were carrying a backup Main Brain!” As he spoke, Shang Tingjie flipped his hand and produced a specially made case.

He opened the case in front of them, revealing a unique metallic sphere.

”It was most likely for this,” Shang Tingjie said, presenting the sphere to the group.

Zhang Deming stared at the sphere, momentarily stunned. He sensed a familiar aura from it. Spiritual Light flashed in his eyes, but he’d only managed a single glance before a strange Magic Shield suddenly enveloped the object.

Shielding the metallic sphere, Shang Tingjie looked at Zhang Deming with a smile. ”Oh? Has Peak Master Zhang already reached the stage of an Earth-Level Spirit Nurturer, now requiring you to study the Spirit Awakening and Nurturing of Artifacts?”

Zhang Deming’s thoughts were reeling. ’That was only a quick glance, but I’m sure of it—that piece of junk is definitely not a backup Main Brain.’

’Besides, bringing a backup central Main Brain on a spaceship? Ha! Do they really take me for a Cultivator who knows nothing but cultivation?’

’I don’t doubt it’s some kind of AI brain, but it’s absolutely not backup equipment for a ship. Because inside that thing, I sense something intimately familiar.’

’The mixed code and Array Dao data I acquired and gave to Xu Weihai must be from the same family as this thing. The only difference is that what I got was basic information. The knowledge used to create this final product is on a completely different Tier.’

At Shang Tingjie’s words, Dang Xiangjun glanced over at Zhang Deming. While his thoughts were racing, Zhang Deming smiled and said, ”My apologies, General. You must find me laughable. As a Disciple who minors in the Array Dao, I am naturally quite curious about novel things like the intelligent cores from the Outer Realm.”

Shang Tingjie replied with a faint smile, ”Yes, I can see that. Peak Master Zhang is certainly quite knowledgeable about our Celestial Universe Technology. I hope we will have the chance to witness your prowess at the upcoming exchange summit.”

”Yes, I am quite curious about the exchange summit myself. I will be sure to participate earnestly,” Zhang Deming replied, also with a smile.

”COUGH, COUGH...” Shang Tingjie smiled and nodded, then let out a few more faint coughs. Turning to Dang Xiangjun, he said, ”Fellow Daoists, are you finished with your questions? With these injuries, my Heart Spirit is quite drained.”

Yang Guizhong and Dang Xiangjun exchanged a glance. Yang Guizhong then said, ”In that case, General Shang, please follow me. We will take a shortcut back to the Sect and focus on stabilizing your injuries.”

Shang Tingjie hesitated. Glancing at the wrecked escape pod, he asked uncertainly, ”And what about... all this?”

Dang Xiangjun smiled. ”Don’t worry. Our Sect will handle things here.”

Shang Tingjie paused for a moment, then looked at the three first mates beside him. He addressed one of them, ”Weiguo, your team will stay behind to help.”

First Mate Hu Weiguo saluted. ”Understood, Captain.”

With that, Yang Guizhong led Shang Tingjie and a number of Disciples back in the direction they had come from. A team from the Outer Realm and the remaining group of newly arrived Disciples were left at the scene.

...

”Well, Martial Uncle, I’ll let you get back to it. This Disciple will return to Pann City for now; there are still many things left to handle there,” Zhang Deming said. He was feeling a little nervous with the case of Spirit Crystals he’d pocketed and wanted to make a quick getaway.

Seeing Zhang Deming about to dash off, Dang Xiangjun called out, ”Wait!”

Zhang Deming froze. He glanced over at the people from the Outer Realm before turning back to Dang Xiangjun. ”Do you have further instructions, Martial Uncle?”

”You’re still going to organize the mortals?” Dang Xiangjun asked.

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Yes. The mortal populations suffered far more damage than the surrounding Minor Sects. It should still take a considerable amount of time.”

”I heard you plan on integrating the mortals by modeling their structure after the Sect’s own management system?” Dang Xiangjun pressed.