The Programmer Cultivator

Li Shifan nodded and said, "This ruin faction involves Three Talents Cultivators.

Setting aside its overall size for now, its top-tier power on public display is no weaker than that of an Upper Sect.

Even for a Cultivation Family, it couldn’t be a small one.

It would be strange if this was their only mountain.

But looking at the surrounding mountains, none of them seem to hold ruins. I guess this faction isn’t like the Celestial Spirit Sect; their territories aren’t clustered together."

Zhang Deming nodded, agreeing with Li Shifan’s assessment.

"Let’s go. This trip has been quite an experience, and the rewards have been plentiful.

Now that I have all the main materials, it’s time to head back to the Sect and prepare.

This time, I’m not coming out until I’ve safely reached the Tai Chi realm."

Hearing this, Li Shifan looked at Zhang Deming and said, "I’m still short on Spirit Stones and haven’t gathered all the supplementary materials. I’ll probably have to come out a few more times after I rest up."

Zhang Deming looked at him and said, "There’s no rush. You’re only an Advanced Apprentice. You should still have some time before your Spiritual Qi reaches its peak, so take it slow.

Now that you have the top-tier main material, everything else is easy to handle."

Li Shifan gave a heartfelt smile. This was indeed something to be happy about.

"Oh, right!" Zhang Deming suddenly tossed out a backpack. "What should we do with this?"

Li Shifan’s gaze fell upon Sha Xingping’s backpack. Setting everything else aside, it contained at least one top-tier, Bloodline-type main material.

That item alone was worth hundreds of Spirit Stones, and it was the kind of thing you couldn’t buy even if you had the money.

Though Li Shifan’s eyes burned with desire, his current condition aside, the bag’s origin really had little to do with him. It could be said he’d contributed nothing at all.

Although his ancestor had played a part in creating the opportunity for Zhang Deming to snatch the bag, the connection was tenuous at best.

Therefore, despite his covetousness, he wasn’t about to lose his mind over a few hundred Spirit Stones.

"You got that yourself through your own strength. I won’t get involved.

Besides, if it weren’t for you, I might not have escaped. If we’re really keeping score, I should be the one thanking you."

Zhang Deming looked at him. In truth, he had no intention of splitting it.

The only reason he brought it up was to avoid any lingering resentment. Clearing the air was better for both of them.

Zhang Deming slung the backpack over his shoulder, showing no intention of opening it in front of Li Shifan.

Since he wasn’t going to share, it was best not to do anything that might add temptation and damage their newly formed friendship. That was the wise decision.

’Anyway, the stuff is right here. I can check it out anytime, can’t I?’

Zhang Deming smiled and said, "Don’t say that. While I made preparations beforehand, I was only guarding against that Strange Ability Soulless, Qu Hua.

If not for your ancestor’s warning, I might have chosen to fight when he revealed his hand, especially since I’d already set a hidden trap.

If things had gone down that path, the old monster backing him might have shown up.

And in the end, if it weren’t for your ancestor, I might not have escaped so easily, let alone succeeded in snatching the bag on my way out.

So, in a way, you saved me too. We’re even. What’s there to thank me for?

Besides, aren’t we teammates? This is how it should be!"

Li Shifan gave a stiff smile and said, "Yeah, you’re right. We’re teammates."

Zhang Deming looked at Li Shifan’s pale face and said, "I have to say, you really should have a good talk with your ancestor."

Li Shifan looked completely baffled. "Talk about what?"

"About telling him to go a little easier on you when he... needs you, of course.

Look at you now. You look completely drained.

Going at it so intensely every time... that’s not good!

You may be young, but it’s still damaging to your body. It’s better to pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, you know," Zhang Deming said with a dead-serious expression.

Li Shifan was speechless.

The humorous joke eased the tension between them considerably.

After resting for a while, Zhang Deming took out his Identity Card, pulled up the map, and compared it with his surroundings before speaking.

"Let’s go. There’s a faint remnant of a Concealing Array covering the whole mountain. Once we’re out, we can get a better look and figure out exactly where we are.

By the way, are you over your bout of ’Wise Man’s Time’ and the ’Time of Relaxation’ yet?"

Li Shifan was speechless.

Li Shifan had already recovered significantly after this brief rest.

His weakness hadn’t been caused by Spiritual Power consumption in the first place, but was merely a reflexive exhaustion from his ancestor habitually drawing too much power from him.

This short rest was enough for him to bounce back.

But after Zhang Deming’s question, Li Shifan really wanted to lie right back down!

Li Shifan gave another stiff smile and said, "I’m fine. I’ve recovered."

Zhang Deming nodded. "Ah, youth is a wonderful thing! So resilient!"

Li Shifan was speechless.

With that, Zhang Deming got up and headed down the mountain.

Just as Zhang Deming stood up, he froze, his expression faltering. A familiar yet strange scene abruptly appeared before his eyes.

The scene showed a Cultivation Secret Room. Judging by its layout and decorative style, it bore a strong resemblance to those in Celestial Spirit City.

Inside the secret room, a stick of Spirit Incense was lit, its thin wisps of smoke drifting about gracefully.

A middle-aged man with graying temples sat cross-legged within.

He seemed to have been sitting quietly for some time. The lively smoke from the Spirit Incense now swirled around him, lending him a somewhat transcendent air.

Just then, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the glass bead in his palm.

Then, he gently breathed out a wisp of Spiritual Power onto the bead.

The glass bead released countless points of light, which formed a hollow sphere around him.