The Programmer Cultivator

His attempt to quietly retreat failed. The moment the door shut, Zhang Deming froze, unresponsive. The phantom that had emerged from the puppet seized the opportunity, plunging into his body without any resistance.

The moment the door was shut, Zhang Deming paused for an instant, then immediately retreated into his Spirit Nurturing Space. Without a second thought, he raised his hand and executed a move.

Rune Summoning: Spirit Nurturing Summoning Technique—Dragon Turtle!

A ball of light appeared, rapidly stretching and transforming into the likeness of Elder Huang.

Before Zhang Deming could act again, the Spirit Nurturing Space began to tremble. His expression changed, and without another moment of hesitation, he dove headfirst into Elder Huang’s body.

Just as Zhang Deming disappeared, a figure appeared within the Spirit Nurturing Space. He looked to be in his forties, with a resolute face, an imposing figure, and a world-weary expression. Coupled with his handsome features, he had the distinct charm of a mature man.

Well, in Hongmeng, successful Cultivators rarely ended up with strange appearances, unless their Daoist Techniques were particularly bizarre. Though their looks might not be world-shakingly stunning, they were, at a minimum, easy on the eyes.

After the middle-aged man entered, he froze for a moment. He looked around, his eyes taking in the entire island housing Xuanhua Tower, a completely dumbfounded look on his face. His feelings at that moment could probably be summed up as follows.

Who am I?

Where am I?

What was I supposed to be doing?

...

After standing there dumbfounded for a moment, it finally came back to him. ’Wasn’t I trying to escape a predicament by possessing some junior and using Soul Control on him?’

’But why did the whole world change the moment I dove in? Has this kid already opened his Sea of Souls? Is that what this place is?’

’Are you kidding me? A Sea of Souls that can manifest physical forms... isn’t that something only Four Symbols Cultivators are just starting to do? And a Sea of Souls with this kind of grandeur... even a Four Symbols Cultivator might not be able to create this.’

’Or could it be that I’ve somehow already escaped that Cave Mansion by mistake?’

As he scanned his surroundings again, he noticed Xuanhua Tower. Before he could even float toward it, he saw an elderly figure atop the tower open his eyes.

The middle-aged man, Ding Xuesi, froze. A wave of dread washed over him. The moment he saw Elder Huang, he knew his Soul Control attempt had met with another disaster. ’Damn this Blessed Fortune Dao! Can’t it just let me catch a lucky break for once?’

’Of the three of them, I was clearly the one who should be left speechless by this!’

Ding Xuesi stood frozen, but Elder Huang did not hesitate. Upon opening his eyes, he waved his hand, mobilizing the power of the entire Spirit Nurturing Space. The space itself shifted, and in an instant, Ding Xuesi was brought directly before Elder Huang.

With a cold expression, Elder Huang looked at Ding Xuesi and said, "You have some nerve, Fellow Daoist, to so brazenly invade my Disciple’s Heart Spirit."

Ding Xuesi felt the aura of a Peak of Three Talents expert emanating from Elder Huang and gave a bitter smile. As he focused his senses, he suddenly detected a familiar fluctuation.

’Don’t tell me... I haven’t even fully shaken off the dying curse from the last unlucky wretch, and now I’ve run into a second one who cultivates the Blessed Fortune Dao?’

After sensing the familiar Blessed Fortune fluctuations from Elder Huang, Ding Xuesi’s face twitched. "Ah, Fellow Daoist, please don’t take offense," he said. "I was merely borrowing your Disciple’s body for a short while. Once I escape my confinement, I will be sure to offer a handsome reward."

Elder Huang’s face grew cold. "Hmph. What audacity. You think you can borrow him just by asking? Do you take me for a nobody?"

Ding Xuesi replied, "My sincerest apologies. I truly did not anticipate this situation. Had I known you resided within, Fellow Daoist, I would never have forced my way in without permission. But circumstances have compelled me. Since I am already here, why not just do me this favor?"

Elder Huang stared coldly at Ding Xuesi. "And what if I am unwilling?"

Ding Xuesi paused. "I suggest you reconsider, Fellow Daoist. I have already burned my boats. Now that I am in, I have no intention of leaving empty-handed.

"If you remain unwilling, I can’t guarantee what I might do when my life is on the line.

"This Sea of Souls of your Disciple’s is admittedly bizarre, but we are both visitors here. If we were to fight, even with all your prior arrangements, I would most likely lose if I went all out.

"However, if you want to capture me without damaging this Sea of Souls, your Cultivation at the Three Talents realm is likely insufficient.

"As long as you agree to have your Disciple lead me out of that Ghost Cave Mansion and help me escape my plight, I swear I will provide a generous reward afterward."

Hearing the threat, a smile actually bloomed on Elder Huang’s icy face. "If that’s the case," he said, "then I no longer need to hold back."

With that, Elder Huang raised his hand. The chaotic mist filling the sky above began to swirl and surge directly toward Ding Xuesi.

Ding Xuesi’s expression changed dramatically. "Fellow Daoist, won’t you think this through?" he cried out. "Must we really fight to the bitter end?"

"The fish will indeed die," Elder Huang replied, his face like ice, his hands never ceasing their movements. "But the net breaking? Here? You think far too highly of yourself."

Seeing this, Ding Xuesi’s expression hardened. With a surge of power, he waved his hand and scattered a sky full of dark yellow beans, each the size of a soybean.

As the beans fell, crimson seedlings sprouted from them, swaying as they grew. In an instant, they swelled into burly, muscle-bound men.

"Scattering Beans into Soldiers?" Elder Huang asked, surprised.

Ding Xuesi replied, "Since you recognize this Technique, Fellow Daoist, you must also know its power. I may not be much, but I am a Bean Soldier Six Armor Cultivator!"

Among the Earth Evil Seventy-Two Techniques, Scattering Beans into Soldiers, Six Ding and Six Jia, Outer Body Incarnation, and One Qi Transformed into the Three Pristine Ones are considered the most fundamental Techniques of the Summoning Path.

If a Demon Fiend forges their Dao Foundation with one of these Techniques, they become even more powerful and are known in Hongmeng as Divine Power Cultivators.