The Programmer Cultivator

Xu Weihai paused upon hearing this. After a moment of hesitation, he shook his head and said, "Thank you for your generous offer, Steward Zhang, but my innate Attribute aptitude is truly limited. Elder Xing already looks down on me for it.

So, I don't want to get distracted by other things and incur Elder Xing's displeasure. I'll just obediently continue to comprehend my own Dao and fulfill his expectations.

The Blue Sky Shop… While I'm very tempted, the only thing Elder Xing is satisfied with about me is my obedience. So, I'll have to pass.

But I thank you all the same, Steward Zhang. I will remember your kindness."

The others, who all belonged to Xuanhua Tower, looked at Xu Weihai with varied expressions upon hearing his words.

'What does this mean… A Venerable gets a dedicated master to teach them? Does it have to be like this? Can't we all just be lazy slackers and fail together? It's one thing that your treatment is different… but don't say it out loud! Hearing it just makes us so jealous!'

As these thoughts flashed through Li Shifan's mind, his face filled with resentment. He wasn't the only one; several others around him looked the same.

Xu Weihai grew a little flustered from their stares. Fortunately, the chaotic mist obscuring his face hid everything but his darting eyes.

Zhang Deming nodded and said, "That's fine, too. To be honest, I get nervous and a little flustered just seeing Elder Xing. I guess only someone with your temperament would suit his taste!"

Xu Weihai paused, a friendly smile forming. But the smile froze as he realized Zhang Deming couldn't see his expression. So, he said aloud, "I'll just take that as a compliment, Steward."

Zhang Deming nodded. "I was complimenting you!"

After speaking, he noticed everyone staring at Xu Weihai. He paused for a moment and said, "Stop staring. Not just anyone can become a Venerable of Duzun Tower. After all, they are part of the Guardian Alliance.

Besides, Elder Xing isn't like Elder Huang, who is so affable because he cultivates the Blessed Fortune Dao. Elder Xing's temper… AHEM… Anyone else not need a shop?"

Zhang Deming trailed off and then suddenly changed the subject. Everyone glanced at his expressionless face.

"Um… uh, Steward Zhang, can I not have one? I'm no good at business!" Pei Xiaoxiao leaned forward, raised her hand in an adorably clumsy way, and spoke timidly, looking just like an elementary school student.

Her adorably clumsy demeanor made Zhang Deming freeze for a second. After a moment, he said, "Alright. You're one."

Hearing this, Pei Xiaoxiao leaned back with a happy expression, but when she turned her head, she saw Summoning Spirit glaring fiercely at her. The glare made her stiffen slightly.

"Anyone else not need one?" Zhang Deming asked, scanning the group.

"We don't have to manage the shops ourselves, do we?" Qian Xiaogong asked.

Zhang Deming nodded. "Mm, aside from the source of the goods, you can sell them as you wish, but you can't handle all the sales internally within your family.

Oh, right. Because our district only has some basic functions right now… the beads will be shipped collectively from the Celestial Spirit Sect.

A single shop can receive a one-year supply at most in one go. Those with two shops can only receive a half-year supply, which is twelve hundred beads."

"In that case, I'll take one!" Qian Xiaogong said with certainty.

Although he was only ten, his mother was a business tycoon. He understood the business opportunities among Cultivators better than many present, having experienced for himself the process of seeking and using the beads.

Therefore, he understood better than anyone else present just how attractive a fixed monthly sale of one hundred Spirit Nurturing Beads would be, and what great benefits and connections it could bring to his family.

Zhang Deming nodded. "Alright then, the spots are tentatively decided. The requirements are unchanged, same old rules. You'll collect your quotas from Qin Shizhong (Dragon and Snake) later."

Among everyone present, Qin Shizhong's identity was probably the most clearly defined.

"Oh, right! Since we're opening eight shops this time, the pre-selection list for staff has also been updated." With a wave of his hand, Zhang Deming made a thick book appear before them.

"Inside this book are the reserve members currently screened by the Alliance for our district. Same as before, if you want to find staff for the Business Alliance, it's best to choose from this list."

Looking at the book before them, they all began to flip through it at high speed.

A moment later, the few who had seen the previous list discovered that this new one was several times larger.

Furthermore, based on the simple address information, it was centered on the Celestial Spirit Sect and radiated outwards, already reaching the territories of the Bai Shu and Hua Shui sects.

This simple list of personnel information alone gave everyone a clear understanding of the Alliance's power. Never mind what the preliminary review process for these people was—

just compiling such simple information was not a task that a few people could complete. After all, the list already contained one or two thousand names.

As the group flipped through the book for a while with various expressions, Zhang Deming finally said, "It's the same as I said before. You can look for people outside the list, but if you find someone on your own, there's no guarantee you can pull them into the Alliance later.

For example, take Summoning Spirit's internal recommendation. If the person is not a reserve member from this list, they will need to go through the complex review process all over again. Whether they pass or not is another matter.

But the opportunity for that internal recommendation is used up the moment the review begins; it won't be saved even if they don't pass. Mmm, do you all roughly understand what I mean?"

"Understood!" the group replied.

Zhang Deming nodded, his expression turning much more serious. He said, "Now for the second matter: the Five Elements Remnants.

I had originally discovered some clues and used the new district's benefits to issue a regional quest.

My original plan was to have you all investigate a bit, attract the Alliance's attention, and see if we could uncover anything to prevent a disaster before it happens. After all, the Hundred Spirits Blessed Land region suffers a calamity from the Five Elements Remnants every few years.