The Programmer Cultivator

The Huayue Spirit Tower was a multi-story building, part of a larger complex of such pavilions. Zhang Deming was staying in the high-end section, which was not very crowded.

Zhang Deming surveyed the area, then did nothing more. He clasped his hands behind his back and waited quietly.

After just a minute or two, several Cultivators arrived in the area. The leader was a Duality Cultivator, followed by three Tai Chi Cultivators.

”What happened here?” the leading Duality Cultivator asked with a frown, looking at the wreckage on the ground.

From the small, scattered crowd, the manager of the building—an Advanced Apprentice—immediately stepped forward. He was extremely nervous and began to speak with great trepidation:

”Reporting to the Ancestor, I’m not sure myself. The building was suddenly collapsed by a Technique, and then I saw this senior suddenly attack and begin fighting two other Cultivators.”

The man pointed at Zhang Deming, nervously recounting the events.

The leader listened while sizing up Zhang Deming. When he heard that Zhang Deming had unleashed the aura of a Duality Cultivator, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

After a long moment, he had heard the gist of what had happened, but he was still utterly confused.

Taking two steps forward to stand before Zhang Deming, he said, ”I am Chengg Xingchun of Huayue City’s Chengg Family, and I serve as the Steward of this Huayue Spirit Tower. Greetings, Fellow Daoist.”

Zhang Deming returned the courtesy. ”Greetings, Senior. I am Zhang Deming.”

Hearing Zhang Deming’s simple introduction, Chengg Xingchun frowned slightly. Just as he was about to speak again, his expression shifted, and he paused.

Just then, a squad of Cultivators in the uniforms of the Huayue City Law Enforcement Team hurried over to them.

The Huayue City Law Enforcement Team was composed entirely of members from the three great Noble Families of Huayue, and the Chengg Family was one of them.

Upon seeing Chengg Xingchun, the team first bowed to him before asking about the incident as well.

Once they understood the situation, they looked over at Zhang Deming but didn’t approach him rashly. Instead, they just watched Chengg Xingchun quietly.

Chengg Xingchun gestured to his men, then looked at Zhang Deming and said, ”Judging by your attire, Fellow Daoist, you must be a Disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Mm.”

Seeing Zhang Deming’s aloof demeanor, Chengg Xingchun dropped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. ”Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to tell me how this all started and what happened?”

Zhang Deming glanced at the man. ”It’s nothing that complicated. I was resting in my room at the Spirit Tower when a mouse suddenly got in. I was about to catch it and ask it a few questions when, to my surprise, it turned out to have accomplices waiting outside.

The moment I trapped the person inside, their accomplice outside panicked and brought the building down. You know the rest.

Speaking of which, I have a question for your establishment.”

Chengg Xingchun, who had been listening quietly, paused. ”Please, Fellow Daoist, go ahead.”

Zhang Deming said, ”I paid the exorbitant price of one Spirit Stone a night to stay here, and yet your establishment can’t even provide the most basic security? Is the Huayue Spirit Tower supposed to be the pride of Huayue City?”

Chengg Xingchun’s expression grew stern. He didn’t underestimate Zhang Deming just because of his Tai Chi Cultivation.

Besides, from what the others had said, this man’s true Cultivation level was still in question.

”We will get to the bottom of this. If what you say is true, we will give you a satisfactory resolution, Fellow Daoist,” Chengg Xingchun replied.

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Let’s hope so.”

They exchanged a few more words, after which Zhang Deming was led away and settled into another Spirit Tower to rest.

Meanwhile, the men Chengg Xingchun had brought, along with the Law Enforcement Team, began to search through the rubble.

Relying on the few remaining clues, they began to piece together what might have happened.

······

Once Zhang Deming was settled in his new accommodations, the attendant cautiously departed.

Zhang Deming inspected the new room, then activated its Protective Array. He also tossed out a few of his own Array Cards for good measure. Only after activating them did he take the storage bag out of his pocket.

This was also a low-grade storage bag, a Two-Star Magical Artifact with no ownership Restriction. Zhang Deming easily bypassed its security with his Array Dao Cultivation and opened it.

After searching through its contents, Zhang Deming found a Hongmeng Spirit Manor Spirit Card, similar to his own.

He tapped it open and took a look. ’Heh, quite a lot of Spirit Stones. A balance of over three thousand.’ Plus, there were over a thousand more Spirit Stones in the storage bag itself. In Spirit Stones alone, Zhang Deming had just scored four to five thousand for free.

He happily transferred the Spirit Stones to his own Spirit Card.

’Unregistered Spirit Cards are convenient for hiding one’s identity, but if you lose the master card, you lose everything. It’s a good thing I never carry my master card with me. It might be inconvenient sometimes, but at least I’ll never lose my fortune.’

Besides the Spirit Stones, there weren’t many things inside, just a few articles of clothing and some supplies. It was clear this fellow had come specifically for the auction.

What left Zhang Deming speechless was the pile of fur-care products among the miscellaneous items.

There were dozens of miniature combs, along with a heap of other random items, some of which Zhang Deming had no idea how to use.

Aside from all that, there were two books. Their pages were curled, a clear sign that they were carried around and read often.

One was a Magic Book titled *Mouse Body Transformation*. Surprisingly, it was a Tier Four Magic-Level Transformation Technique that relied on one’s Bloodline.

Zhang Deming gave it a quick look-through and discovered that the main prerequisites for cultivating this blasted technique were compatibility and a high-quality Bloodline.

’No wonder that fellow always stayed in his mouse form. He’s quite ambitious, it seems, planning to start cultivating this Skill once he reaches the Duality realm.’

The other book was more interesting. It was titled *Life of Jian Wuchen* and was an Artifact created by a Calligraphy Dao Cultivator.

’It was essentially an Immortal-style storybook. As he knew, these were basically the ultimate fusion of a novel and a movie.’

Just from the name, Zhang Deming could tell the author was trying to ride on the popularity of the great Hongmeng figure, Jian Cheng.

Zhang Deming set the items aside and continued sorting through the bag’s contents. There was a lot of miscellaneous junk, but it was clear the owner had cleaned out the storage bag before coming to the auction, so only these few things were of any value.

’Hmm... and this storage bag. With a few modifications, it’ll be better than my own.’

It was a peak Two-Star Magical Artifact with a full ten cubic meters of Storage Space—much better than his own, which only had three to five.

’Perfect. I’ve been feeling more and more like my current Storage Space isn’t enough.’

’Besides, he could use his old one to cast Sleeve Qiankun, giving him a dedicated storage bag to borrow Space from for the technique.’

After sorting everything out, Zhang Deming put most of the items away.

He then picked up the book he’d set aside. As soon as he opened the storybook and read the first few lines, he felt his surroundings change distinctly. He had been transported into an illusory world.

Sensing the intricately detailed world around him, Zhang Deming raised an eyebrow. ’Well now, a deluxe edition, is it?’

His interest piqued, he settled in and began to read.

······

The next morning, Zhang Deming had just finished his Swordsmanship practice when Chengg Xingchun arrived.

Watching Zhang Deming slowly complete his routine, Chengg Xingchun asked in surprise, ”Fellow Daoist Zhang, are you planning to follow the path of a Sword Cultivator?”

Zhang Deming shook his head. ”Just a habit. To warm up. Senior, what brings you here today...?”

Chengg Xingchun smiled. ”I’ve come about last night’s incident. Our preliminary investigation confirms that events transpired just as you described, Fellow Daoist. As compensation, we have decided to waive all your accommodation fees. This offer will stand for six months, which is the same period your Huayue United Auction invitation is valid for.”

Zhang Deming nodded upon hearing this. ”That’s fine.”

He showed no particular reaction. An expense of a hundred or so Spirit Stones was already small change to him.

Besides, he had no intention of staying here for six months anyway.

’The reason I brought it up last night was a matter of principle. It’s like staying in a hotel—if the service is bad and you incur a loss, you have to make your dissatisfaction known.’

’Not caring about a few Spirit Stones is one thing; their attitude is another entirely.’

Seeing his reaction, Chengg Xingchun’s expression froze for a moment. Any thought he’d had of trying to build a friendlier rapport immediately vanished.

······

PS: This is my first time on a mobile recommendation list. As a new author, the comments have affected me a little. I’m floored by some of the bizarre theories I’m seeing! It’s really soured my mood!