The Programmer Cultivator

Even the least peculiar of the bunch, the one on bloodline changes, was an extremely odd pick for Zhang Deming, a Summoning Cultivator.

Staring at the ten techniques, Dang Mengfu was speechless for a long moment before he said, “I think I get it now. You must look down on the rewards our Pavilion offers, so you picked this pile of random junk just to make a statement, is that it?”

Zhang Deming paused, then immediately waved his hands. “No, no, Senior Brother, don’t get the wrong idea. If that were the case, I would’ve just chosen material goods or Contribution rewards, right? Why would I even bother making this trip?”

“Ha! Is that so? You came all the way to the Main Pavilion just to collect techniques? Don’t even try to deny it. The Five Elements Escape Technique, Divine Separation and Thought Transformation, the one on bloodline changes, Array Dao: Combined Force… Which one of these do you actually need? Which one can you even cultivate?” Dang Mengfu demanded.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I know what I’m doing. After all, I have a decent level of Cultivation. I’m very clear on how I should walk my own path,” Zhang Deming replied with a smile, not at all offended by Dang Mengfu’s words.

‘After all, as a Guardian Tower, he was genuinely trying to do his job and help me.’

Seeing Zhang Deming’s earnest expression, Dang Mengfu shook his head, speechless. “Have it your way. It’s such a waste of an opportunity. Next time you really need something, a chance this good might not come around again.”

Zhang Deming nodded. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I know what I’m doing!”

“I hope so,” Dang Mengfu said, shaking his head. He tossed the books into a hidden compartment, and a moment later, ten copies appeared on the counter.

With a flip of his hand, Zhang Deming stored all the books away. He then looked at Dang Mengfu and asked, “Senior Brother Dang, why didn’t you attend the Two-Realms Dao Symposium?”

Dang Mengfu shook his head. “I asked about this symposium beforehand. The Sect plans to focus the discussion on the Array Artifact Dao, hoping to learn some tricks from the Outer Realm. They aren’t planning a casual discussion, so I couldn’t be bothered to join the crowd.

Spending a month aimlessly attending an Array Artifact Dao symposium… I’d learn more just by pondering things here on my own for a month. It’s a complete waste of time.”

Zhang Deming: “…”

‘This guy is something else. No wonder he ended up at the Main Pavilion. An attitude like that… he’s achieved the pinnacle of slacking! Give him a few more years, and I bet even the Main Pavilion won’t have room for a slacker of his caliber! He’s on another level!’

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Zhang Deming bowed to Dang Mengfu. “Well then, I won’t disturb your research on techniques any longer, Senior Brother.”

Dang Mengfu glanced at Zhang Deming. “Right. You should be more careful. Just look at this random junk you’ve picked!”

Zhang Deming nodded. “I know! I really do! Farewell!”

With that, the two bowed to each other once more, and Zhang Deming turned and left.

After leaving the Scripture Pavilion, he spread his wings slightly and flew toward the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower on Spirit Nurturing Peak.

Because the symposium wasn’t over, a realistic-looking Floating Island still hung at the top of the sky-like Light Curtain. Runes glittered everywhere throughout the Sect. As Zhang Deming flew through the air, he noticed the Sect was unusually bustling.

Signs of cultivator activity were everywhere: technique practice, small gatherings, Magical Combat, and more. In his ten-plus years since joining the Sect, he had never seen it so clamorous.

Zhang Deming flew back to the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower, taking in the sights along the way. He went to the Cultivation Room on the third floor and, with a flip of his hand, took out the ten techniques he had chosen.

He checked his inventory: sixty-nine points of Qi Fortune. It was more than enough to learn these techniques, but upgrading them to the Law Level was just wishful thinking.

Zhang Deming first picked up the Tier Five Cultivation Technique, the *Geng Metal Refining Essence Technique*. After suppressing his excitement, he took out a carrier medium and made a copy of the *Geng Metal Refining Essence Technique*.

It was a Tier Five Dao Canon, after all, and not easy to come by; it was best to keep the original safe. After copying the text, which lacked the original’s Dao Essence, Zhang Deming no longer hesitated. He held the copy and focused his Heart Spirit.

“Consume one point of Qi Fortune to learn the Tier Five Cultivation Technique, *Geng Metal Refining Essence Technique*?”

Just like before, it didn’t require him to unlearn his existing Cultivation Technique. A hint of joy appeared on Zhang Deming’s face.

“Yes!”

As the Qi Fortune was consumed, the copied technique in his hand slowly vanished.

“Turtle Water as the guide, Fire Separation as the bones, Wu Earth to store Qi, Cyan Wood to nurture the spirit, and Geng Metal to strengthen all things! The Five Elements in five directions, five paths becoming one, achieving the great Five Elements Path!”

As the final Cultivation Technique integrated with him, a strange incantation appeared in Zhang Deming’s mind, and he understood what he needed to do.

Four types of Energy materialized around his body. Immediately after, a transparent stream of water flowed out, carrying a strange fluctuation. It wove through them in a special formation, linking the four streams of Energy together.

As the Energies flickered, they were drawn in by the transparent stream of water, slowly fusing into a unique, five-colored ball of light. The ball of light shimmered with Spiritual Light until it turned transparent and then slowly faded away.

The instant the ball of light vanished, Zhang Deming’s entire body shuddered. Just from this single Cultivation Technique, he had undergone an earth-shattering transformation.

His body became slightly taller and more robust, his features grew considerably softer, and his long hair became a few shades darker, shimmering with a deep luster and brimming with rich Vitality.

His Cultivation level hadn’t changed, but his aura had grown several times stronger. These were just changes he could feel; the most direct change was on his status panel.

Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Secret Scripture (Tier Seven)

Cultivation: Duality Lv2 (0/5,000,000)

Rune Core: Spirit Nurturing Vine Demon Summoning Skill Lv4 (20/200)

Branch Runes: [Omitted]

Skills: [Omitted]

Spiritual Power Recovery: 700/minute

Experience Growth: 70/minute

Spirit Root: Lv22 (0/20) [Merit]

The Experience Points needed to advance had been reduced by a full three million, while his Experience Growth and Spiritual Power Recovery had doubled.