The Programmer Cultivator

Xiangteng's (Qian Xiaogong's) chair was a specially made high chair. When he jumped down to bow, he froze for a moment, stunned to realize he wasn't as tall as when he was seated. He then bowed and said, "Xiangteng greets you, fellow Daoists!"

Perhaps because he hadn't fully recovered from his stupor, his voice sounded a bit dazed.

The last person was a graceful figure who exuded a cold aura, but what Zhang Deming saw through the gray mist was not some cold and aloof queen.

Instead, it was Pei Xiaoxiao—a woman with the face of a queen but the adorably clueless aura of someone utterly lost.

Of the ten signed disciples present, she was the only one who had never met Elder Huang in Xuanhua Tower. Zhang Deming hadn't yet gotten a full read on Pei Xiaoxiao's background, so he had only spoken with her in private.

He had tentatively presented her with a contract to sign. Zhang Deming was fully prepared for rejection. After all, judging from Pei Xiaoxiao's history, she didn't seem like a simple character; it was unlikely her ditzy exterior was genuine.

But... the moment Zhang Deming spoke and took out the document, Pei Xiaoxiao asked only one question: "Martial Uncle, did you sign it too?"

Upon receiving Zhang Deming's nod, Pei Xiaoxiao just signed it with that same ditziness, not saying another word.

Later, considering that figures from Spirit Nurturing Peak were bound to investigate Pei Xiaoxiao anyway, he hadn't rashly used his identity as Elder Huang to summon her to Xuanhua Tower.

He had originally planned to wait and see how the situation developed, but he never thought something like this would happen.

Thus, after a moment's hesitation, Zhang Deming decided to use this opportunity to pull her in. As a result—being naturally a bit ditzy and having never met Elder Huang—Pei Xiaoxiao was now completely bewildered.

If Zhang Deming hadn't given her a brief explanation beforehand, she probably would have leaped up and fled by now.

"This final member is seated to the right of fellow Daoist Summoning Spirit. It's because during the last regional mission, the information he provided was excellent, so in addition to the basic ten Contribution Points he earned, he was awarded an extra choice.

And fellow Daoist Summoning Spirit chose the internal recommendation slot. After a joint review by both the Alliance and myself, this new Daoist's application to join was approved."

As Zhang Deming spoke, the ditsy Pei Xiaoxiao tilted her head in pleasant surprise, looking at Summoning Spirit seated to her left. She almost blurted out "Martial Uncle" but managed to hold it in.

Soothed by the gaze of Zhang Deming's clone, Pei Xiaoxiao's bewilderment vanished instantly. She relaxed completely, her worries melting away. Watching this, Zhang Deming's main body, seated at the head, felt his expression twitch.

Zhang Deming paused for a moment before continuing, "This makes her our division's first true internal recommendation. By the way, her codename is Wing Blade."

Pei Xiaoxiao (Wing Blade), copying the others, rose and bowed, "Wing Blade greets you, fellow Daoists!"

Everyone nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Alright, that concludes the introductions. Now, let's move on to the main business of this meeting. To be honest, I had originally planned to discuss this at a later date.

However, since Elder Huang personally issued a regional mission and gathered all of you today, I decided to take the opportunity to hold this meeting ahead of schedule." Zhang Deming glanced around at the group and continued,

"First on the agenda is the matter of releasing additional shop slots in the Business Alliance. The Blue Sky Business Alliance is still in its startup phase, so these slots will once again be free. Each person may apply for one.

The conditions are the same as before. You can open any kind of shop you please; the Alliance will only collect thirty percent of the surplus revenue, while also setting aside a potential ten percent to be submitted to the Sect."

Qin Shizhong, being the most business-savvy member of the group, immediately perked up and interjected, "Steward Zhang, can those of us who received a shop slot before apply again?"

Zhang Deming smiled and nodded. "Yes, you can. As the Blue Sky Business Alliance in the Celestial Spirit Division is newly established, every release of new slots is a new opportunity. It won't affect your chances next time."

"I'll apply!"

"I'll apply too!"

"Steward, I'll apply for one!"

The Qu Family grandparent-and-grandchild pair and Qin Shizhong spoke almost simultaneously. Of those involved in running the shops, these two parties had the clearest understanding of the situation.

This was especially true for Qin Shizhong, whose shop was located in the Inner Sect, and on Spirit Nurturing Peak no less.

Of all the disciples in the Celestial Spirit Sect, those on this peak understood Spirit Nurturing Beads the best and were the most willing to sell everything they owned for a gamble. Opening such a shop here was practically like picking up free money, a much easier venture than the one the Qu Family pair had.

Thanks to that one shop—which sold a fixed number of Spirit Nurturing Beads each month with no one higher up managing him—Qin Shizhong not only made a fortune, but his influence on the peak began to approach that of the various Duality-realm Stewards.

Even Song Huidong would greet him politely and call him "Martial Nephew" whenever they met.

Why else would someone like Yang Guangfu—a disciple from the Yang Family, with enough seniority to join the Spirit Nurturing Peak's Secret Group and become a director at the Seven Floors of Spirit Nurturing—be willing to associate with Qin Shizhong and actively seek his favor?

It was for all these reasons that Qin Shizhong cherished this opportunity more and more, growing ever more grateful to Zhang Deming for leading him through the door in the first place.

"I'll apply!" Feng Mingyou added quickly.

When the others saw how desperately every one of the initial shop owners was scrambling for a slot, they knew it had to be a good thing, even if they didn't understand the profits involved. And so, they all turned to look at Zhang Deming in unison.

"No need to rush. It's the same old rule: one shop's share is one hundred beads. Everyone present who isn't leaving will get a slot." Zhang Deming paused, then added,

"That includes you, Wisdom Venerable (Xu Weihai) of the Supreme Tower. You may have a slot as well."