The Programmer Cultivator

Zhang Deming pointed at the documents and said, ”The Business Alliance’s shop staff will primarily be selected from these individuals.”

He paused, then continued, ”If none of these people are to your satisfaction, you can try finding your own candidates.

However, I must remind you, the individuals in these files have undergone a preliminary review by the Alliance.

Therefore, if you choose these individuals as shop staff, they may have a chance to join the Alliance in the future. Of course, it’s only a possibility. Whether they can actually join will depend on their own destiny.

If you choose someone from outside this list, however, I can’t make any guarantees.”

The others paused at his words. As they looked at the list, their eyes burned with newfound intensity.

No one present was a fool; they all understood the implication of Zhang Deming’s words. It meant they could potentially develop their own factions within the Alliance.

’Since they could pick anyone to be staff or shopkeepers, why not seize this extra opportunity?’

Zhang Deming saw it all but wasn’t bothered in the slightest. In fact, this was precisely the effect he’d been hoping for.

’Did they really expect him to build a major power all by himself, person by person?’

’What a joke!’

’From the very beginning, he had envisioned the Blue Sky Alliance as a platform.’

’If he were strong enough, he would have set his sights directly on some of the Four-Nine Sects.’

’The only reason he hadn’t made a move was his lack of strength. He was afraid of overreaching and getting burned.’

”Alright, I’ll send the files to each of you later. Are there any other questions for now?” Zhang Deming asked.

After glancing around at the four of them, he said, ”If not...

Oh, one more thing. The Business Alliance is our public face; the Blue Sky Alliance is a secret. Feel free to expand the Business Alliance and open shops as you see fit, but remember, you must not carelessly reveal anything about the Alliance.”

”Understood!”

Zhang Deming paused again. ”Also, while you’re opening shops, keep an eye out for peculiar techniques.”

The four of them looked at Zhang Deming, confused.

Zhang Deming elaborated, ”I’m talking about techniques with particularly unusual effects. The difficulty to cultivate them doesn’t matter. For example, the ancient Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Technique, things like that.”

Upon hearing this, realization dawned on the four of them. ”Noted,” they said.

Zhang Deming nodded. ”In that case, that’s all for now.”

At this, Qu Qingxian immediately spoke up, ”Steward Zhang, I was wondering if it’s possible to order Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Beads from within the Alliance.”

The others paused for a moment. Then, both Qin Shizhong and Feng Mingyou turned to Zhang Deming, their eyes filled with fiery hope.

Zhang Deming looked at Qu Qingxian, who was making his final preparations to break through to the Duality stage. An idea suddenly struck him, and his eyes lit up. He smiled faintly and said,

”This branch has just opened. The contribution system is still under review from the top and should be released soon. So let’s discuss this matter later.

After all, even if you could order them, you wouldn’t be able to just pay with Spirit Stones. Without Contribution points, it would be all for naught.

As for you... let’s talk in a bit.

Anyone else, any other business?”

Zhang Deming looked around, and seeing that no one else had anything to add, he waved his hand and sent them out.

Only he and Qu Qingxian remained in the entire All Living Beings Tower.

Zhang Deming looked at Qu Qingxian and said, ”You’re seeking a Spirit Water Technique Spirit Nurturing Bead to build up power for your breakthrough to Duality, aren’t you?”

It wasn’t a secret. Qu Qingxian nodded. ”Steward Zhang’s insight is truly remarkable.”

”Are you still short on resources for your breakthrough?” Zhang Deming asked.

Qu Qingxian paused briefly. ”I advanced to Tai Chi Three Lives fifty years ago and have been preparing for this ever since.

For fifty years, the entire Qu Family has struggled and toiled. Between their efforts and support from the Sect, I’ve gathered most of the necessary resources, aside from a few auxiliary items.”

Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed slightly. ”So you’re still short, then?”

Qu Qingxian froze for a second, then paused. He nodded and quickly changed his tune. ”That’s right. I’m still quite short on them.”

Zhang Deming smiled faintly. ”Your Qu Family is an Affiliated Family of the Celestial Spirit Sect, right?”

Qu Qingxian nodded again. ”Yes, but we are only a Tai Chi Clan, and none of our disciples have made it into the Inner Sect, so we’re just considered an outer-circle family.”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”That’s fine. As long as you are affiliated, it’s enough. When you have time, take a trip to Spirit Nurturing Peak and look for a disciple named Zhang Deming. Just tell him you’re there to purchase resources for your breakthrough.

Just prepare the Spirit Stones. After that, you don’t need to worry about the rest.”

Qu Qingxian said hesitantly, ”But the matter of the Spirit Water Technique...”

Zhang Deming smiled. ”Just get the Spirit Stones ready. You’ll understand once you go.”

Hearing this, Qu Qingxian replied, ”Understood!”

Zhang Deming was in a good mood. ”In that case, if there’s nothing else, go back and prepare.”

With that, Zhang Deming waved his hand and sent Qu Qingxian away.

Zhang Deming sat alone in the great hall, pondering for a long while. Once he was certain he hadn’t overlooked anything, he finally left the Spirit Nurturing Space.

...

「That afternoon」

While Zhang Deming was passively crafting Spirit Nurturing Beads, Song Huidong arrived.

Seeing Song Huidong enter, Zhang Deming asked in confusion, ”What is it?”

Song Huidong said, ”My master sent me to deliver something.”

As Zhang Deming watched, Song Huidong flipped his hand and took out several large packages from his storage bag.

Zhang Deming went forward, opened one, and froze. He found it was full of top-grade vine materials.

Honestly, after making Spirit Nurturing Beads for over a year, Zhang Deming had grown accustomed to just making do with whatever materials he could find. This was the first time he realized the materials could be so exquisite!

Take, for example, the bag of materials currently in his hands: Two-Star Blood-Sucking Demon Vine.

The blood-red vines were not only brimming with Spirituality but had also been meticulously processed. All the thorns had been removed, leaving them as smooth as new, and their surfaces had even been lightly polished.