The Programmer Cultivator

The chubby Yang Changfeng frowned slightly as he looked at Zhang Deming and his companion. ”Junior Brothers, please pardon my ignorance,” he began, ”but which peak are you two from?”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”We’re just a couple of nobodies in the Sect, so it’s perfectly normal that you Senior Brothers don’t recognize us.

I’m Zhang Deming, and this is Li Shifan.”

’What’s this?’

’He didn’t answer the question directly?’

This response left everyone slightly stunned. In their social circle, asking about someone’s background was a simple matter. For Yang Changfeng himself to ask and receive such an evasive answer was quite surprising to them all.

Yang Changfeng also paused, glancing at the smiling Dang Ruyu and the stone-faced Zhou Zhixin.

He didn’t press them further about their origins. Instead, he voiced the question on everyone’s mind. ”Why didn’t you two Junior Brothers emerge from the plaza?”

At this, even Zhou Zhixin and Dang Ruyu fixed their gazes intently on Zhang Deming and Li Shifan, awaiting their answer.

Zhang Deming had already prepared his answer on the way here.

So, when Yang Changfeng posed the question, Zhang Deming showed little hesitation. He first took out a Command Token and said,

”I’m guessing it’s because of this.

I overheard just now that our Command Tokens are a little different from everyone else’s.”

Yang Changfeng stared at Zhang Deming’s Jade Command Token, his gaze focused for a moment before he spoke.

”It is indeed different. If ours are considered the rated Inner Sect Disciple Tokens...

...then yours, Junior Brothers, must be a Core Disciple Token at the very least. It might even be a Direct Disciple Token.”

As he spoke, Yang Changfeng took out a light green Command Token of his own.

The shape was similar, but in terms of overall quality and appearance, the difference was significant.

”If I may ask, how did you two Junior Brothers obtain a Command Token like this?

Of course, if it involves anything too secret, just pretend I never asked,” Yang Changfeng added.

Zhang Deming smiled. ”There’s nothing I can’t say. As for the trial itself, there’s not much to tell; we simply made it through on pure luck.”

”I believe the reason we received a different trial is likely due to the Cultivation Technique we practice.”

Dang Ruyu of the Dharma Transmission Hall raised an eyebrow slightly and cut in, ”Oh? And what Cultivation Technique might that be, Junior Brother?”

”That shouldn’t be too sensitive of a topic, I assume? It’s something that can be looked up once we return to the Sect.”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”It’s a coincidence, really. The two of us don’t practice one of the Sect’s Cultivation Techniques, but rather his family’s Inheritance Cultivation Technique.”

As he said this, Zhang Deming gestured toward Li Shifan.

Yang Changfeng tilted his head, glanced at the trio from the Peripheral Noble Families, and then asked, ”An Inheritance Cultivation Technique? Is this Junior Brother from one of the Peripheral Noble Families?”

Li Shifan nodded. ”Yes, but our family has already fallen into ruin. I’m the only one left.

Now, I’m just an Ordinary Disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect.”

At Li Shifan’s words, one of the trio from the Peripheral Noble Families muttered, ”Surname Li... fallen into ruin... Could it be the Painter Li family?”

The others glanced at the speaker, but seeing that Li Shifan didn’t respond, Yang Changfeng spoke up again, ”I wonder...”

Zhang Deming glanced at Li Shifan. ’This guy is really committed to his role,’ he thought, exasperated. ’What a drama queen.’

Still, it did make things more convenient for them, so he had no choice but to speak up. ”Senior Brother, you don’t have to be so hesitant. The Cultivation Technique we practice is no great secret.

It’s just a Tier Two Cultivation Technique that’s rather difficult to get started with, called the Cyan Wood Divine Refining Technique.”

The expressions of the crowd shifted. Yang Changfeng repeated, ”Cyan Wood?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”That’s right. The same ’Cyan Wood’ as in the Cyan Wood Secret Realm. His family’s ancestor obtained the Cultivation Technique through a fortunate encounter long ago.”

”It wasn’t anything special originally, but given the current situation, we suspect it’s because this Cultivation Technique is affiliated with the Five Elements Blessed Land. It’s very likely the same technique practiced by the Disciples of the Cyan Wood Secret Realm.

That’s probably why our Trial Order Tokens were slightly different.

However, aside from the different exit point, we’ve both tested it along the way, and it has no special effects. It’s probably because the tokens haven’t been officially registered yet.”

Several people looked toward Dang Ruyu and Zhou Zhixin as if seeking confirmation. The two nodded, verifying the truth in Zhang Deming’s words.

”So...” Before Yang Changfeng could finish, the expressions of the twenty or so people around him changed in unison.

One after another, they each pulled out a temporary, short-range Communication Array Card.

After reading the messages, their expressions changed drastically.

”It seems there’s a lead on the Earth Spirit?” Fanx Dexian said, looking at his card.

Yang Changfeng nodded. ”Looks like it!”

Dang Ruyu smiled. ”Then let’s go take a look together. Let’s hope everyone’s hard work these past few days wasn’t in vain.”

Zhou Zhixin gave a rare nod. ”Let’s go.”

With that, he led his group away, the first to depart.

Yang Changfeng and Fanx Dexian exchanged a glance, then also led their people away. The three disciples affiliated with the Peripheral Noble Families left with them.

Soon, only Dang Ruyu’s group and the duo of Zhang Deming and Li Shifan remained in the great hall.

Dang Ruyu looked at Zhang Deming with a smile. ”Junior Brother Zhang, how about we go take a look together?”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”I’d be delighted!”

Hearing Zhang Deming’s reply, Dang Ruyu smiled.

He was confident that at this point, any minor unpleasantness from earlier had been put aside and forgotten by both of them.

”Well then... after you, Junior Brothers?” Dang Ruyu said with a smile, holding his folding fan.

”After you, Senior Brother Dang,” Zhang Deming replied with a slight bow.

You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. In front of these Core Disciples from the Dharma Transmission Hall, Zhang Deming was giving Dang Ruyu plenty of face.

Maintaining his warm smile, Dang Ruyu left the great hall alongside Zhang Deming, heading toward their destination.