The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 299 - 23: Acquaintances, Part 2

He didn’t even know whether to call himself a Spirit Nurturing Master or a master Skill Book creator anymore.

After finishing his exercises, Zhang Deming flipped his hand and took out the Command Token he had received earlier from his storage pouch.

He gently channeled his Spiritual Power, and a half-meter-wide array emerged from beneath his feet, quickly taking shape.

In just a few moments, its form was complete. Zhang Deming felt a brief sense of disorientation, and by the time he came to his senses, he had already left the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower.

Once his senses returned, Zhang Deming looked around and found that he had arrived in the Cyan Wood Forest—in the same cluster of buildings where he had received the Command Token.

However, the construction in the area was now complete, and all the busy disciples had vanished.

Only a few disciples could be seen scattered throughout the entire settlement, all of them members of the various departments’ Secret Groups.

They were the type who couldn’t come and go as they pleased, all here in the Secret Realm to build up their seniority... er... to focus wholeheartedly on their cultivation, I suppose.

The shortest stay would be a few decades; the longest, a century before they could leave.

Zhang Deming didn’t look for anyone, instead heading straight out of the building complex and toward the Cyan Wood Flower Sea.

As Zhang Deming passed through the Flower Sea’s Light Curtain, a figure hurried over, bowed to him, and said, "Greetings, Master Zhang. Are you here to nurture the Flower Demon Elves?"

Zhang Deming looked at him, slightly taken aback. The person greeting him was a boy of only twelve or thirteen. ’To have made it into the Inner Sect and even entered the Secret Realm at such a young age?’

’You had to know, the entire Secret Realm was on par with a One-Star Spirit Vein. It wasn’t a place one could just waltz into. Was he from a powerful family?’

The thoughts flashed through Zhang Deming’s mind. But when the boy looked up and he saw his face clearly, he felt a flicker of confusion. ’He looks a little familiar,’ but for the life of him, Zhang Deming couldn’t recall where they had met.

"You are...?" Zhang Deming asked hesitantly.

Upon hearing this, Yi Huaihai bowed respectfully to Zhang Deming and said, "This disciple, Yi Huaihai, pays his respects to Master Zhang!"

"Have we met somewhere before?" Zhang Deming asked.

"Yes, Master. At the Liuzhou Inn. This disciple once had a meal with you.

"And the person who recommended this disciple for the Sect was also you, Master!" Yi Huaihai said with a smile.

Realization dawned on Zhang Deming. "Oh, so it’s you," he said. "I remember now. You’re that little brat who was nearly ambushed and killed by a group of Martial Artists before you even joined the Sect."

Yi Huaihai paused awkwardly for a moment before saying, "Thank you for the reminder, Master. This disciple will bear the lesson in mind and focus on his cultivation."

’Heh, handling that so calmly? This kid is remarkably mature for his age. His Spirit Root must be quite good.’

"You’re doing quite well for yourself," Zhang Deming said with a smile. "It’s only been a little over a year since you joined, right? Not only did you get into the Inner Sect, but you also made it into the Secret Realm."

Yi Huaihai broke into a sincere smile as well. "That is all thanks to Master Zhang’s care and support. This disciple will never forget your kindness in the future."

’Hm? What’s this all of a sudden?’

’Is this all because I happened to heal him with a Growth Technique on the road? If so, his reason for sucking up is way off base.’

Before Zhang Deming could reply, another figure came running over, calling out from a distance, "Senior Brother... I mean, Master! It really is you!"

Her voice was cheerful and full of pleasant surprise, brimming with excitement.

Zhang Deming turned to look and was once again taken aback by the newcomer. "How did you get into the Secret Realm too? Weren’t you still at the Close Combat Department on Little Hui Peak?"

Pei Xiaoxiao came up to them, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. "Thank you, Master! Xiaoxiao will definitely work hard on her cultivation!"

Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed slightly. Looking at Pei Xiaoxiao, he asked, "Are the two of you the Sweeping Boys for the Flower Sea Corner Tower?"

Pei Xiaoxiao and Yi Huaihai nodded in unison. "Yes, Master," Pei Xiaoxiao said. "My junior brother and I have been carefully looking after your assigned corner tower for the past few days."

In an instant, it all clicked for Zhang Deming. He understood why these two were here, and he understood the source of their baffling gratitude.

In the entire Sect, he had only ever acted as a recommender for these two.

’Looks like that Song Huidong fellow really knows how to get things done. To handle such a small matter with this much attention to detail... he must have been truly thoughtful!’

Having figured out the connection, Zhang Deming’s confusion vanished. He was, all things considered, satisfied with this outcome.

’It was better for these two to get the opportunity than some random person. At least, to some degree, they had a connection to him. That was better than strangers.’

However, what about his identity as a Peak Master? Hadn’t the three old men said it was top secret, known only to the high-ranking members?

By all rights, he was only a Core Disciple on paper. So why was everyone trying so hard to cater to his preferences, curry favor, and figure him out?

Ji Ming?

The question flashed through his mind, but he found no immediate clues. He decided not to dwell on it. As long as it wasn’t a bad thing, it was fine. He would figure it out later.

Zhang Deming looked at the two of them and asked, "Has the Flower Sea been partitioned yet?"

Yi Huaihai nodded. "It has. When we first got here, they said they would divide it based on need and were going to give us the smallest plot of land.

"But just as we were about to start, for some reason, the higher-ups called a halt to it and said it had to be divided equally.

"The whole process took two days to complete. Because of the change in plans, the Array Department said time was too tight, so they didn’t create an isolating Grand Array to completely separate the four areas.

"Instead, they used a backup plan, using four different aura-based arrays to distinguish the four areas.

"So we can still visit the other areas. I’ve taken a look around these past few days. The other three areas started their work four days ago."

’Based on need? Then an equal split? That’s probably because my profession level became known.’

Zhang Deming gave Yi Huaihai a surprised look. ’This kid has only been here for a few days and he’s already gathering intelligence?’

Seeing this, Zhang Deming asked, "Have they nurtured any Flower Demon Elves yet?"

Yi Huaihai nodded. "In area one, Peak Master Yue’s section, they say he’s using Water Wood Mutual Generation. He’s already completed three of his targets.

"In area two, Peak Master Gan is using Heart Guardian and has also completed two of his targets.

"As for area three, Peak Master Gu’s... this disciple isn’t too clear. It seems like several of his Flower Woods have exploded.

"The atmosphere over there is a little tense, and besides, Peak Master Gu’s reputation is a bit...

"...um... ’upright’...

"So, this disciple didn’t dare to rashly go over and see for himself. This is all just hearsay."

Zhang Deming had only asked as a formality and didn’t expect to receive such detailed information. He looked at Yi Huaihai with renewed surprise. "You gathered all this information in just a few days?"

Yi Huaihai nodded. "Yes."

’Damn, this kid is incredible, isn’t he? Is he really that suited for intelligence work?’

"However, they’re the ones who told me all this," Yi Huaihai added.

"???"

Zhang Deming looked at Yi Huaihai, completely confused. "What do you mean?"

Yi Huaihai paused for a moment. "Well, we received word that the three Peak Masters don’t mind anyone from our area, number four, coming to watch.

"Since you hadn’t arrived yet, Master, I would go over to watch whenever I was free.

"Every time I went over to watch the Peak Masters at work, the senior brothers assisting them would be chatting about exactly these things.

"I didn’t notice at first, but the day before yesterday, Peak Master Yue was there. A few of the senior brothers who weren’t talking at all started chattering away as soon as I got there.

"And watching them..."

Yi Huaihai trailed off, looking at Zhang Deming with a moment of hesitation.

Zhang Deming said with a deadpan expression, "Go on. What did it look like?"

Seeing this, Yi Huaihai steeled himself. "It looked like they were deliberately telling us their progress. So, I think the three Peak Masters are probably urging you, Master... to hurry up and get to work!"

After saying his piece, Yi Huaihai peeked cautiously at Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming said nonchalantly, "Mm, it seems those old fellows have been quite worried these past few days, even if they haven’t said anything on the surface."

With that, Zhang Deming looked up at the surrounding Flower Sea, paused for a moment, and then said, "Let’s go. We’ll go take a look at the section of the Flower Sea we’re responsible for. After delaying for so many days, it’s about time we got to work."

Yi Huaihai and Pei Xiaoxiao both nodded. "Yes, Master."

...