The Programmer Cultivator

Both looked up to see a man, who appeared to be middle-aged, walking in from the doorway.

”Second Uncle,” Wu Xinzhuang said, rising to give a bow.

Wugong Zong nodded in acknowledgement. Wu Xinzhuang stepped forward to introduce him to Zhang Deming. ”This is the current Patriarch of our Wu Family, the Manager of the Huayue Auction House, my Second Uncle, Wugong Zong.”

Zhang Deming gave a slight bow and said, ”Greetings, Elder Wu.”

Wugong Zong nodded. He had clearly been briefed on the basic situation on his way over.

He looked at Zhang Deming and asked quite directly, ”Fellow Daoist, are you looking to auction a Magic Set or an Inheritance Set?”

A Magic Set is when several Spirit Nurturing Beads for a single Skill are auctioned together, ensuring one can learn the Technique.

An Inheritance Set is a combination of several Magic Sets, ensuring that as one cultivates to the corresponding Tier, they won’t need to learn new Techniques. Of course, there are many types of Inheritance Sets.

Zhang Deming smiled. ”Either is fine,” he said. ”It depends on the outcome of my trade.”

Wugong Zong paused. He looked at Zhang Deming and said, ”To speak with such confidence... could you be a junior Disciple of someone from the Celestial Spirit Sect’s Spirit Nurturing Peak?”

He hadn’t considered the possibility that Zhang Deming was a Spirit Nurturing Master himself. A Spirit Nurturing Master at the Tai Chi Stage shouldn’t be appearing in this region.

Besides, even in the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land, there couldn’t be a Tai Chi Stage Spirit Nurturing Master capable of creating a Mastery Spirit Nurturing Bead. There were barely even any at the Duality stage who could.

Zhang Deming chuckled. ”What? Does your esteemed house need to perform background checks before an auction?”

”My apologies,” Wugong Zong said. ”It was just a passing thought. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Zhang Deming looked at him and said, ”Elder Wu, about my proposal for a trade...”

Wugong Zong shook his head. ”If it were any other item, I could certainly consider it. If it was something of little consequence, accommodating you wouldn’t be an issue, Fellow Daoist. But for this specific item, I’m afraid I cannot agree to your request.”

”And why is that?” Zhang Deming asked, his brow furrowed slightly. He paused, then added, ”Of course, if this involves some business secret of your house, Elder Wu, you can just pretend I never asked.”

Wugong Zong chuckled. ”It’s nothing that can’t be said. I imagine that as a Disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect, you’re well aware of how tightly the various powers control resources, especially those needed for advancement.”

Zhang Deming nodded. Wugong Zong continued, ”Don’t laugh, Fellow Daoist, but we’re talking about a main ingredient for advancing to the Duality stage—a top-tier, universal one at that. If we had the chance, we would have acquired it ourselves, even at a high premium, instead of putting it up for auction.

This Infant Spirit Hollow Jade is also a top-tier main ingredient for the Summoning Category. How could we possibly give up on it so easily?

However, when I first met with the Cultivator who provided this item, they were adamant: they would not accept any private transactions.

They placed it with our house for one reason only: to be auctioned. Afterward, they will come to collect the Spirit Stones.

Their attitude was unyielding. I tried to negotiate for a moment, but I could clearly tell there was absolutely no room for discussion.”

Zhang Deming asked in confusion, ”But why? If it’s about Spirit Stones, that’s something that can always be negotiated.”

Wugong Zong shook his head. ”That, I do not know. When I asked, the Fellow Daoist replied that they didn’t want the hassle. They trust that the item will fetch a considerable price at our Huayue auction.”

Hearing this, Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed tightly. ’That’s certainly possible. Aloof and proud people like that aren’t exactly rare.’

After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Deming spoke up, ”Elder Wu, could you perhaps try to contact the owner? I am willing to trade an Inheritance Set at a premium. I believe that auctioning an Inheritance Set would be no less effective than auctioning this single ingredient—it would be a win-win for both the owner and your house.”

Wugong Zong gave a wry smile. ”I’m afraid I really can’t. When we first met, I tried various approaches, but they were absolutely resolute, dead set on holding an auction.

Their attitude was just as firm when they left; they didn’t leave any contact information whatsoever. It’s as if they just dropped the item off with us and are simply waiting for the auction to start.”

Of course, what Wugong Zong said was true—the other party really hadn’t left any contact information. What he didn’t mention, however, was that he knew the person. Well, he knew *her*.

He had a chance to secure a set of Spirit Nurturing Beads for the auction, so why would he mention it? After all, the owner hadn’t left contact information. If he revealed their identity, it could backfire, turning his efforts into a thankless, risky endeavor.

Hearing this, Zhang Deming had no choice but to nod. ”Very well,” he said. ”It seems I’ll just have to wait for the auction.”

Seeing his chance, Wugong Zong said, ”There’s no need to worry, Fellow Daoist. If you’re concerned that the bidding will become too intense and that you haven’t brought enough funds, you can always consign a set of Spirit Nurturing Beads to our house to be auctioned.

That way, it’s really not much different from a trade.

Besides, the demand for an Inheritance Bead Set is much broader than for the Infant Spirit Hollow Jade. I’m certain it won’t sell for any less.

With that kind of backing, what difference does it make whether you trade for it or not?”

Zhang Deming looked up at Wugong Zong. ”Elder Wu, you certainly know how to do business. I came here for one thing, and not only have I failed, but now I’m somehow being convinced to put up my own set of beads to bolster your auction.”

Wugong Zong smiled. ”Is this not a mutually beneficial arrangement? Besides, you were originally planning on a trade anyway, Fellow Daoist.

Since a direct trade is impossible, putting your set up for auction and then using those Spirit Stones to bid on the Infant Spirit Hollow Jade is effectively the same thing. You might even turn a nice profit in Spirit Stones.”

Zhang Deming fell into thought. ’I brought plenty of Spirit Stones this time, a full ten thousand of them, but this proposal... isn’t out of the question.’

’The people at Spirit Nurturing Peak had only told me not to use the Business Alliance to mass-distribute Tier Two or higher Spirit Nurturing Beads within the Celestial Spirit Sect’s territory.’