The Programmer Cultivator

Moreover, the reading area here on the second floor wasn’t like the first, which was always crowded. The entire second floor was deserted.

It was mid-afternoon, and there wasn’t a soul in sight on the second floor.

Zhang Deming gazed at the bookshelves, his eyes burning with desire. ’This is all wool to be shorn.’

’Why else would I come up here to redeem such an expensive Tier Two Technique if not to shear some wool while I’m at it!’

He only had a little over one golden light orb in his inventory. To create another script this time, Zhang Deming didn’t want to be without a safety net.

’So, I’ll start by shearing some wool.’

He took out a book and opened it.

Sure enough, a golden mote of light flew into his storage, and it was clearly much denser than the ones from downstairs.

Zhang Deming flipped through the books relentlessly, absorbing the Energy. Once he was done with the books, he moved on to the Jade Scrolls, not sparing a single one.

Although the golden motes of light provided by the Tier Two Techniques were denser, there were less than half as many of them compared to the Tier One Techniques.

So, all in all, the haul wasn’t as good as on the first floor.

He’d gathered enough for more than one golden light orb, and the same for the white ones. It seemed the Qi Fortune and Merit from the Cultivation Techniques always came in equal amounts.

He checked his storage: Merit: 3.3, Qi Fortune: 6.2.

’Good, this is enough for the script this time. I can even leave at least one of each as a reserve, a little something to fall back on.’

With a smile, he returned to the bookshelves in the book section and began to search for his first Tier Two Technique.

That Spirit Water Technique from before didn’t really count.

That thing was too support-oriented. At least for now, even at the Mastery level, Zhang Deming hadn’t developed any good effects from it.

’Of course, there are no useless Techniques, especially one at Mastery level that can be freely developed. I just haven’t found the right path for it yet.’

Zhang Deming pondered for a moment, then chose the Vine section.

He had already carved out a certain specialty for himself. There was no need to abandon this path; he could continue down it as a standard method.

Of course, this wasn’t to say it would be his only path from now on.

It just meant he could maintain it.

After searching for a long time, Zhang Deming finally picked out two books. He was caught between them, finding it difficult to choose.

Blood-Sucking Vine, Vine: Spirit Species

’Clearly, if I choose the Spirit Species one, considering I’ve already half-developed a similar Tier One Technique...’

’...and my Growth Rune Ball has already gone through a Fusion with Thorny Earth Spike...’

’...then the Growth Rune Ball will definitely evolve again, becoming something far beyond an ordinary Tier Two Technique.’

But the effects of the Blood-Sucking Vine made Zhang Deming’s eyes burn with desire.

Currently, his physical recovery and Spiritual Power Recovery were both major weaknesses.

The Spiritual Power Recovery issue should be resolved soon. His physical body would then become the final bottleneck for his endurance.

After struggling with the decision for a moment, Zhang Deming finally chose Vine: Spirit Species.

’I should strengthen my offensive abilities first. Besides, what’s the point of endurance if you don’t have strong enough attacks to begin with?’

’Besides, if I’m still itching for it later, I can just use Spirit Stones to buy it in Celestial Spirit City when I’m done with this.’

’The whole point of coming here was to shear some wool, after all.’

Having thought through the key issue, Zhang Deming was no longer conflicted. He took Vine: Spirit Species and went straight downstairs.

He turned and entered the book area on the first floor again, searching for a long time in the Reconnaissance Technique section.

Finally, Zhang Deming chose a book titled Basic Reconnaissance: Spiritual Eye.

This was one of the most adaptable and most popular Techniques for those pursuing the path of Reconnaissance.

Although it lacked originality, if he were to make Spirit Nurturing Beads with it, it would also have the widest market.

Having made his choices, Zhang Deming didn’t linger. He took the two books and left the bookshelves.

Arriving at the counter, Zhang Deming placed Vine: Spirit Species and Basic Reconnaissance: Spiritual Eye on the counter and said, "Senior Brother, please make a copy."

Jiang Hongbin didn’t even look up as he mechanically reached for the books.

But as soon as he touched them, the completely different texture made him pause for a moment.

The books for Tier Two Techniques were completely different from Tier One ones, be it in craftsmanship or materials.

Even the copied versions were entirely different.

One was thread-bound, the other was hardcover.

Jiang Hongbin paused, then looked up in surprise. "A Tier Two?"

Zhang Deming replied with a smile, "Yes, Senior Brother."

The Outer Sect’s Scripture Pavilion had three floors in total. The Tier Three Techniques on the third floor were left to collect dust year after year.

As for Tier Two, they were usually chosen by a certain type of person.

Those who had failed the Inner Sect Trial and couldn’t successfully enter the Inner Sect.

But after saving up enough materials through their own hard work, they wanted to take a shot at reaching the Tai Chi realm on their own, and so would mostly choose a Tier Two Technique.

Therefore, in a given month, he wouldn’t see many people choosing Tier Two Techniques.

When Jiang Hongbin looked up and saw Zhang Deming, he was stunned again.

In the past few short months, the newcomer who had left the deepest impression on him was Zhang Deming.

It wasn’t because he was a genius or anything. It was his sheer simple-mindedness and the peculiar Techniques he chose that had left such a deep impression.

"You seem to be quite well-off!

Your Technique choices are surprisingly conventional this time, no funny business. But now you’re jumping to Tier Two.

With your Cultivation that’s just at the intermediate level, let’s not even talk about whether you can learn it or not—do you even have enough Spiritual Power to use it once?

If you actually manage to reach Entry Level with it and end up injuring your Dantian in one go, that’ll be a real laugh," Jiang Hongbin said, looking at Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming replied with a smile, "Thank you, Senior Brother. I’m aware. I’m just taking a look."

Jiang Hongbin paused. Surprisingly, unlike the last two times, he didn’t say anything more.

He placed the Tier Two book into a different copying slot and turned to size up Zhang Deming seriously and carefully for the first time.

Zhang Deming looked at him and responded again with a polite smile.

The copying was extremely fast. In no time, a hardcover book and a thread-bound book emerged from the exit slot.