The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 716: Chapter 150: A Holy Land Love Rival Melodrama?

“Impossible. Junior Brother, your Cultivation is clearly incredibly pure. There’s no way it was forcefully transferred to you through someone’s Inheritance. Forget having a Spirit Root of only twenty-something points.”

“Even someone with a High-Grade Spirit Root of over seventy-five points would need immense perseverance and fortunate opportunities to achieve your level of Cultivation at your age, to say nothing of also becoming proficient in the Spirit Nurturing Technique.”

“To reach such heights, you’d need a Top-Grade Spirit Root at the very least, or perhaps even an Immortal Spirit Root.”

“With a Spirit Root of only twenty-something points, it’s simply impossible for you to have this level of Cultivation at your age,” Luan Lirong said, shaking his head decisively.

Zhang Deming gave a wry smile. “Well, that’s precisely why I don’t have the opportunity to go to the Holy Land. The Sect has my Spirit Root data. If you don’t believe me, Senior Brother, you can take a look.”

As he spoke, Zhang Deming called up a simplified version of his basic information. With a casual push, a Light Screen floated in front of Luan Lirong.

Luan Lirong’s expression faltered. He stared at the Light Screen, and his face twitched as he read what was on it:

Spirit Root: 21

Tests: 57

Zhang Deming added, “If you still don’t believe me, Senior Brother, feel free to use your own methods to get a rough look at my Spirit Root. You might not be able to see the exact details with your eyes, but you can certainly tell the difference between twenty and ninety at a glance, can’t you?”

Hearing this, a Spiritual Light flickered in Luan Lirong’s eyes for a long moment. Finally, he said rather awkwardly, “Ha… uh, your esteemed Sect really does have a lot of ways to test Spirit Roots!”

It was a blatant attempt to change the subject. Everyone understood the result, but no one pressed the issue, nor did anyone bring up the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land again.

Zhang Deming smiled. “It’s my fault, really. The Sect didn’t know my personal circumstances before. They were a bit puzzled as to how someone with my level of Talent could become a Spirit Nurturing Master.”

“That’s why they ran so many tests; they kept thinking I might have some kind of hidden Physique. It was only after my three senior brothers learned of my situation that they stopped giving the disciples in the testing department a hard time.”

Yue Mengsheng shot Zhang Deming a dark look. Gan Zili’s mouth twitched slightly. Gu Liancai knew better than to speak out of turn; although he looked like he wanted to interject with a sarcastic comment several times, he ultimately held his tongue.

Luan Lirong was probably feeling awkward. After all, he had just made a huge promise. Now he felt a bit humiliated and extremely uncomfortable, so he didn’t press for any further explanation.

“Well then, since I’ve delivered the items and the message, I won’t disturb you any longer. With the conference approaching, I’m sure you are all very busy.” Luan Lirong stood up decisively to take his leave.

The others paused. Yue Mengsheng spoke up, “Since you’re already here, why not stay for the exchange conference before you leave?”

Luan Lirong shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I don’t Minor in the Array Artifact Dao, so I’m not particularly curious about those Daos from the Outer Realm. Besides, the last stop on their tour of this region will be the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land.”

“I can discuss the Dao with them then. There’s no need for me to join this warm-up. In any case, I’ve made it to the Celestial Spirit Sect. We’re within the Holy Land’s territory now. Their journey won’t last another decade, so we can just as easily discuss things then.”

Yue Mengsheng and the others’ faces stiffened. Luan Lirong was speaking the truth, but perhaps he didn’t realize how much of a slap in the face his words were to the disciples of an Upper Sect.

It wasn’t that he was looking down on their Sect, but that very unconsciousness was what made it so cutting…

Seeing this, Zhang Deming smiled. “In that case, we’ll see you off, Senior Brother.”

Hearing this, Yue Mengsheng and the others also bowed, no longer trying to persuade him to stay.

Luan Lirong got up and left in a hurry, not even letting anyone escort him out.

“Hmph. A Holy Land Disciple. What a grand display of prestige,” Gu Liancai said with a dark expression as he watched Luan Lirong leave.

“He was telling the truth, though. It’s just that our statuses are different, so he’s not mindful of his words,” Gan Zili said with a desolate look.

“What’s with all these emotions? Don’t tell me you actually want to compare our Sect to the Holy Land?” Yue Mengsheng said, his expression dark.

“And you, clean up this pile of junk. She’s just as clueless, going off to the Holy Land and still sending all this stuff back to the Sect. It’s as if we old-timers here have been mistreating you.”

Yue Mengsheng looked at Zhang Deming and waved a hand at the pile of Elixirs, sweeping them in front of him.

His tone was even, but all three of them could detect a sour note of jealousy. It was like watching your own daughter favor an outsider right in front of you—infuriating, but not something you could really blow up about.

Zhang Deming immediately waved his hand, putting away the whole mess of items.

He then quickly changed the subject. “I think it’s about time. The announcement of arrivals should be starting soon. Let’s go check on the disciples below and see how their preparations are coming along!”

Gan Zili immediately agreed. “Right, there’s only about half an hour left before the ceremonial announcements for the conference begin. We should go see how the preparations are going!”

“I think we can chat a little longer. Nephew Song should be able to handle things properly, don’t you think, Senior Brother?” Gu Liancai said, looking at Yue Mengsheng with an amused expression.

Gan Zili shot Gu Liancai a glare, then said to Zhang Deming, “Let’s go. We’ll stand watch. By the way, you were in charge of the Flower Demon arrangements. How are those coming along?”

Zhang Deming stood and followed him. “I took a look, and they’re mostly ready. But I’m not really the one in charge; I just lent my name to it. Xiao Xiao is handling everything.”

“As long as it’s done right, it doesn’t matter who does it. It’s been over seven hundred years since the Sect has been this lively, so just try not to drop the ball.” Gan Zili and Zhang Deming walked out of the main hall as they spoke.