The Programmer Cultivator

Nangong Cheng, however, frowned and said, "What exactly is their Cultivation? Judging by the strength of their auras, they have to be at least Duality Stage Cultivators. But I’ve been watching for a long time and still can’t discern their specific Cultivation. Instead... instead..."

After a long moment, Nangong Cheng still didn’t voice his speculation, perhaps because he felt it was too outlandish.

"How come they seem like mortals instead?" Feng Mingyou shared the same confusion, voicing the very speculation Nangong Cheng had hesitated to say.

The three of them paused. Tong Hou’s eyes widened as if he’d recalled some unpleasant memory, and his expression instantly darkened.

Just then, Feng Mingyou also seemed to realize something. "Could they be Martial Artists?" he asked in astonishment. "How is that possible? Duality Stage Martial Artists? Are they even considered mortals anymore?"

Hearing this, Nangong Cheng’s expression changed. "That’s it, Martial Artists. No wonder it felt so strange."

’Wait...’

’With my Concealing Skill, even a reconnaissance-specialized Cultivator of the same stage would have trouble sensing me if they weren’t paying close attention. Even if these two mortals are Duality Stage Martial Artists, they shouldn’t have been able to sense us.’

’And they sensed us in the middle of combat, no less. Don’t tell me Martial Artists at the Duality level undergo some sort of special transformation?’

At this, Feng Mingyou glanced at the odd expression on Tong Hou’s face and suddenly recalled the first thing Zhang Deming had said when they’d gathered: "How come you weren’t being chased by Martial Artists this time?"

Feng Mingyou looked at Tong Hou and said pointedly, "Perhaps that’s a question we should be asking Senior Brother Sacrificial Chess."

Nangong Cheng paused, also turning his gaze to Tong Hou. "Fellow Daoist Sacrificial Chess, how exactly were we discover—..."

Before Nangong Cheng could finish his question, the expressions on all three of their faces changed drastically.

The two combatants in the distance had suddenly stopped fighting. The youth glanced in their direction with a puzzled expression, but after staring for a long moment, he saw nothing.

However, a Martial Artist’s innate Perception told him that something incredibly alluring was in that direction—it felt like a man dying of thirst in a desert spotting a fresh spring.

The youth frowned and looked back at the Human Ape Elder, only to find him standing stock-still, staring in that same direction like a statue.

After a moment’s hesitation, he began to circulate his Cultivation Technique. A unique, crimson vortex materialized between his brows, and a peculiar ripple of energy spread outward.

As the youth made his move, Tong Hou, back in their hiding spot, suddenly froze. A blood-red Rune also materialized between his brows. His, however, was not a vortex, but a complex, blood-red altar.

Simultaneously, his entire aura changed. His usual flippant demeanor vanished, replaced by a sinister air. His expression grew cold, giving him the look of some vampiric noble.

As the altar emerged from his brow, his Cultivation became bizarrely erratic, fluctuating from the Tai Chi Stage to the Duality Stage, then to Duality Peak, and even showing signs of breaking through to the Three Talents Stage. His entire aura was in constant flux.

Nangong Cheng and Feng Mingyou, who had been about to speak, both froze. A moment later, all three of their expressions changed drastically.

Because as Tong Hou’s aura shifted, the motionless old man and youth in the plaza instantly pinpointed his location.

"ROAR..."

The Human Ape Elder let out a furious roar in Tong Hou’s direction. He immediately raised a fist and punched the air, sending a strange blast of concussive force hurtling directly toward the three of them.

The concealed trio’s expressions changed as they felt the powerful attack bearing down on them. Nangong Cheng instantly yelled, "Lotus Protection!"

The act of Casting revealed their figures. A pristine white lotus emerged from beneath their feet, its petals quickly folding upward to form a transparent Lotus Shield.

The complete lotus, shaped like a flower bud, enveloped the three of them. The instant the petals closed, the blast of air slammed into it, making the entire Lotus Shield tremble.

Nangong Cheng’s expression changed again. "How is it so strong?" he exclaimed in shock.

Although the trio had sensed that the two possessed auras at the Duality Stage, their ingrained habit of looking down on mortals meant they hadn’t taken them seriously, merely expressing surprise at their power.

Now, with a single, casual punch nearly shattering his Shield, Nangong Cheng’s face finally drained of color. Seeing this, Feng Mingyou and Tong Hou, who were inside the Shield with him, also grew pale.

Before the trio could react, the Human Ape Elder’s eyes locked onto them—or more accurately, onto Tong Hou. A crazed light flashed in his eyes as he charged instinctively toward him.

Meanwhile, the youth’s expression changed the instant he saw them. "Cultivators?!" he cried out in terror.

As soon as the word was out, he instinctively moved to turn and flee.

But he froze mid-motion as the Human Ape Elder charged past him. The youth watched the old man go, his own body rooted to the spot, torn by indecision.

An instinct drilled into him over many years screamed at him to run, but he couldn’t bring himself to abandon the Human Ape Elder.

And so he remained frozen in place, lost in his turmoil, unsure whether he should flee or stay.

The Human Ape Elder, having lost all reason to madness, felt no such hesitation. The instant his eyes fell on Tong Hou, he charged at the trio without a second thought.

The force of his charge was so immense that it cracked the Fire-Warming Stone beneath his feet, leaving a massive crater. His speed exploded, and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of them.

After the blast of air struck their shield, the trio had already realized the Human Ape Elder’s terrifying power. Thus, once their figures were revealed, they hadn’t just stood there waiting.