The Programmer Cultivator

The two passed the counter and arrived at the entrance to the bookshelves, where Yang Guangfu took the initiative to speak.

”Our Spirit Nurturing Peak’s Scripture Pavilion is a four-story building. This means that, at most, you can exchange Contribution Points for Law-Level Techniques.

”However, many Law-Level Techniques have additional requirements to claim them.

”As for Tier Five Techniques or Cultivation Techniques, those belong to the Sect’s Core Daoist Canon. You can only find them in the Celestial Spirit Main Pavilion. Senior Brother Zhang, what kind of Technique are you looking for?”

Zhang Deming smiled and said, ”I’ve had some things come up recently, so I need to research some Bloodline-altering Techniques. I’ll probably pick one or two Tier Two Techniques. But since it’s a rare trip, I’ll just browse around first. Why don’t you wait for me in the rest area?”

Yang Guangfu paused for a moment at his words. He had originally planned to introduce the Techniques alongside him; after all, his expertise was information, and information on Techniques was the most basic of the basics.

But with just that one sentence, he understood Zhang Deming’s meaning. He nodded immediately. ”Alright, then I’ll wait for Senior Brother Zhang in the rest area.”

With that, the two went their separate ways.

Zhang Deming first went to the book section on the first floor. Looking at the bookshelves, which were no less impressive than those at the Outer Sect Headquarters, a sincere smile spread across his face. ’My Golden Fleeces, I’m here!’

Zhang Deming walked up to the first row of shelves, touched a book, and opened it to the title page. A golden speck of light and a white speck of light flew into his storage. A blissful smile appeared on his face.

Zhang Deming then began his sweep, constantly picking up books, flipping through a page or two, and setting them back down.

To avoid arousing too much suspicion, Zhang Deming varied his methods. Sometimes he would just open the cover for a glance; other times, he’d quickly flip through a few pages, or give them a good RUSTLE.

Although it still looked strange, it also somewhat resembled someone searching for a Spell.

Just like that, Zhang Deming swept through the book section at an incredible speed and then moved on to the Jade Scroll Area.

The Jade Scroll Area was much simpler. Zhang Deming would quickly pick one up, press it to his forehead, then put it down and move on to the next.

After clearing out the first floor, Zhang Deming went up to the second floor and continued his sweep. After the better part of a day, he arrived on the third floor.

There weren’t many people on the third floor, just a sparse few. Zhang Deming continued his rapid sweep without even drawing anyone’s attention.

”Are you looking for a specific Technique, or are you using something to record the Daoist Collection’s Techniques?”

Just as Zhang Deming was completely focused on his sweep, an aged voice sounded in his ear.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Deming replied almost instinctively, ”Are you kidding me? Memorizing Techniques so brazenly, taking advantage of those slackers in the Guardian Tower? I’d be beaten to death!”

”Then what are you doing?”

Zhang Deming continued matter-of-factly, ”What else could I be doing? Clearing out the— Ah...”

Before he could finish, the script in his Dantian trembled, and his chaotic Spiritual Power quickly calmed down.

Zhang Deming snapped his head up and looked at an old man who had appeared beside him at some unknown point.

The old man wore an ancient, faded Daoist Robe. His face was aged and his hair was white as snow, yet it seemed translucent and crystalline.

Looking at him, Zhang Deming frowned. ”Elder, have I broken some rule?”

The man paused, looking at Zhang Deming with astonishment. He seemed surprised that Zhang Deming had broken free from his Heart Spirit Traction Technique so easily and without any outward sign of struggle.

He didn’t answer Zhang Deming immediately. Instead, he waved a hand, and a Light Screen appeared. He quickly began to look up Zhang Deming’s information.

But as soon as he found it and tapped the screen, a ”Permission Denied” prompt popped up.

The old man stiffened slightly. In disbelief, he tapped it again, but it was still ”Permission Denied.”

At that moment, the old man’s expression changed. A strange look on his face, he glanced at Zhang Deming, a Spiritual Light flashing in his eyes. He confirmed that Zhang Deming was a Tai Chi Cultivator, then looked back at the ”Permission Denied” prompt, his expression growing even more peculiar.

Zhang Deming could clearly feel the other man’s gaze shift from scrutiny, to investigation, to confusion, and finally, to something utterly strange.

’Hmm, how should I put it... It was like he was looking at a Plague God.’

’That’s right, the look you give a Plague God!’

The old man made no further moves. A dignified Three Talents Cultivator, faced with a ”Permission Denied” error while trying to view the file of a mere Tai Chi Cultivator, showed no agitation. He simply gave Zhang Deming another strange look and said, ”Oh, it’s nothing. I just wanted to chat. You can continue your random flipping.”

With that said, without asking a single extra word, he left with his hands behind his back.

His steps were quite rushed, as if he were afraid Zhang Deming might suddenly call out to him, strike up a conversation, and somehow entangle him in something.

It was truly the mindset of a supreme slacker who didn’t want to get involved in even the slightest bit of trouble.

With just a single glance, Zhang Deming could clearly sense it from the other man—that look, the kind you give a Plague God, as if he were looking at walking trouble.

This, Zhang Deming felt with absolute clarity.

It wasn’t that Zhang Deming was particularly perceptive. It was that after the man answered him, just as Zhang Deming was about to speak again, he looked into the man’s eyes and inexplicably understood their meaning.

Combined with the recent experience of the Heart Spirit Skill that had guided his reply, it was self-evident how this understanding had popped into his head.

To avoid any association with him, the old man had actually used a Heart Spirit Skill to directly transmit the feeling of ’I’m looking at you like you’re a Plague God’ to him!!!

Watching the man’s reaction, Zhang Deming’s expression went from a slight frown to a twitching at the corner of his mouth. Seeing the man’s hasty departure, he was left utterly speechless!

’Truly... impressive. So this is how you use the Heart Spirit Synchronizing Technique!’