The Programmer Cultivator

The leader glanced at Zhang Deming and continued, "Over the past few decades, I've gathered some Resources through my own efforts and allocations from the clan. My Cultivation is now on the verge of the Tier One Divine Power Realm—what you Upper Immortals call the Tai Chi Stage.

"I originally thought I'd never live to see the day of the tribulation. After all, countless people in my clan have waited for generations, and not a single one has seen it come.

"But a while ago, we were suddenly told to get ready, that the operation could happen within a few years. Then, before I could even do anything, another message arrived saying it was about to begin. And after that, we received today's order to move out."

The leader spilled everything at once, like he was emptying a bag of beans. It was clear he was truly begging for a swift death.

Zhang Deming pressed for more details on the timeline. He put the pieces together and realized it coincided exactly with the changes in the Cyan Wood Secret Realm, back when that old ghost inside was taken down.

While Zhang Deming was contemplating this, Qin Shizhong asked, "How do you contact this clan of yours?"

The leader shook his head. "There's no way."

Zhang Deming's brow furrowed at his words.

The leader shuddered. "It's true! Once any of us leave the ancestral land, we lose all connection to it. Forget contacting them—we don't even know what prefecture it's in, let alone its exact location."

"Then how do you receive your orders?" Qin Shizhong asked, frowning.

"The Martial Alliance!" the leader said, glancing at Zhang Deming. "People from the Martial Alliance deliver the messages."

Zhang Deming's expression flickered. "You mean the Martial Alliance in each prefecture? The one that's practically nonexistent and has barely any members?"

Due to the issue with the Martial Artists, Zhang Deming had looked into the mortal Martial Arts World before, but the Sect didn't have much information on it.

The leader nodded. "That's the one. The Martial Alliance was never acknowledged by the orthodox Martial Arts World—we established it ourselves. While other Martial Artists are few and far between, there are still some out there.

"The clan doesn't care about them, though. The real purpose of the Martial Alliance is to manage and supervise us. That's why they set up a branch in each prefecture that seems like a useless front to the rest of the Martial Arts World."

"So the Martial Alliance knows where these so-called ancestral lands are?" Zhang Deming asked.

"I'm not sure. But all members of the Martial Alliance are core family members. For years, they've been in charge of most of the organized and planned Tribulation Dao affairs, so they must have a way to make contact."

"The Panzhou branch of the Martial Alliance is also in the Panzhou Main City—Pann City, right?" Zhang Deming asked.

The leader nodded immediately. "Yes. In every prefecture, it's located in the main city designated by you Upper Immortals. I don't know the official reason, but I can guess it's because the main cities you plan are the easiest places to find traces of Cultivators."

This utterly inhuman leader, now desperate for a quick death, showed no loyalty whatsoever, spilling everything he knew. Unfortunately, he didn't know much.

Zhang Deming then asked for more information, even making the man recite the *North Nether Firewood Skill*.

Then, as the man smiled in relief, Zhang Deming made the vines covering his body turn blood-red before they slowly disintegrated, scattering between Heaven and Earth.

After getting the information, Zhang Deming looked at the phalanx of Martial Artists and said, "Ten days of torture seems a little light!"

Qin Shizhong nodded. "Yes, I was thinking the same thing."

Zhang Deming shook his head. "Forget it. If I extend the duration, I'll have to continuously supply the vines with more Spiritual Power and even increase the healing effects just to keep them alive.

"I'd rather use that Spiritual Power to save another person. It's a much better use of it. When you look at it that way, torturing them longer just isn't worth the cost."

Qin Shizhong paused, stunned. He looked at the vines and said, "Martial Uncle, you haven't learned Symbiotic Vine?"

Zhang Deming nodded. "Creating these Human Fields is done with a Spirit Species parasitism Technique. I've looked into Symbiotic Vine before, but I didn't think it was very practical. Plus, it's a Tier Three Vine Path skill to start with, so I didn't bother spending time on it.

"After all, the parasitism Technique can handle most of what Symbiotic Vine does. The only major difference is the symbiotic sustenance, which doesn't require healing.

"If you're not torturing people, there's really no need for Symbiotic Vine; the Spirit Species parasitism is sufficient. That's why I never learned it. I'll check it out later when I have time."

Qin Shizhong stared at the Human Fields covering the ground. He had assumed all along it was Symbiosis, never imagining his Martial Uncle was actually spending his own Spiritual Power to maintain the parasitism.

He glanced back at Zhang Deming, gaining a new and clear appreciation for Zhang Deming's Spiritual Power Recovery rate.

"Let's go. It's time we set off as well," Zhang Deming said.

Qin Shizhong nodded. Wang Qian glanced at the Human Fields covering the ground before lowering her head again and following them in silence.

...

Zhang Deming led the two of them in the general direction of Panzhou's main city, Pann City. They didn't head straight there, of course, as there were still many cities along the way.

At the same time, his Heart Spirit stirred, and a Dream Spirit took over the task of traveling for him. His Heart Spirit then entered the Subprogram and returned to the Spirit Nurturing Space.

Upon entering, Zhang Deming paused. Something in his storage seemed to be fluctuating, but when he checked inside, the amount of Energy hadn't changed.

After a moment of contemplation, he had a rough idea why. It was probably related to the cities outside and the system he had established. It was still in its early stages, so there was no point dwelling on it now. The results would become clear in a few days.

He glanced at his reserves. Energy Merit: 18.5, Qi Fortune: 101.7, Karma: 8.4.

He had originally planned to wait until he returned to the Sect before carefully considering which Skill to upgrade. But after this series of events, his Qi Fortune gains had been quite substantial. He could already upgrade two Techniques to the Law Level.

Moreover, he was in urgent need of more combat power. After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Deming returned to the Subprogram's body. He left only the Flying Technique with it, taking all his other paths back into the Spirit Nurturing Space. He transferred the paths back to his Main Body, then opened the Cultivation Technique Script.