The Programmer Cultivator

Zhang Deming listened to Tong Hou recount the events, his brow deeply furrowed. "A Martial Artist of the Duality stage?"

The three of them nodded in unison. Tong Hou pointed at a pile of mangled flesh not far ahead and replied, "That’s right. The one who lost his mind was killed by us. The other one, the normal-looking youth, ran off when he saw you two senior brothers arrive. We didn’t know what was going on, so we didn’t dare to pursue him rashly."

Zhang Deming took a step forward, looked at the pile of mangled flesh, and was momentarily stunned.

’Is this... a Spirit Species?’

Staring at the pile of mangled flesh, Zhang Deming was astonished. He could actually feel the fluctuations of his Spirit Species from within the gore.

Moreover, from the looks of it, the Spirit Species had been planted for at least half a year, and it had already penetrated the deepest parts of this body.

This greatly surprised Zhang Deming. Ever since he learned the Spirit Seed Technique, it had never disappointed him, often producing wondrous effects and contributing greatly to his successes.

However, most of the people he had implanted with a Spirit Species over the past two years were already dead. After all, he either didn’t act, or he made sure to leave no loose ends. Those who had a Spirit Species implanted and were still alive were few and far between.

Considering the time it was planted, along with the description from Tong Hou and the others, Zhang Deming recalled something. A flicker of recognition crossed his face as the memory surfaced.

’This pile of mangled flesh... this so-called Human Ape Elder... could it be that old man and young boy I met on the road to Huayue City?’

With a subtle change in expression, Zhang Deming beckoned with his hand. A few slightly mutated Spiritual Power Light Points flew out from the minced flesh and into his palm. The four people beside him, watching this scene, were all stunned.

Before they could ask any questions, Zhang Deming turned to Nangong Cheng and the other two and asked, "The boy who ran away, was he about fifteen years old, with a delicate face... Hmm..."

Zhang Deming paused after a brief description, then waved his hand. The power of a basic Illusion Array activated, and the still-youthful figure of Lu Yongsheng appeared before them.

Looking at the illusion, Zhang Deming asked, "Was this the person who ran away?"

The three paused for a moment, then Tong Hou nodded. "Yes. There are some differences—he looks much more mature—but his facial features haven’t changed much. That should be him."

Hearing this, Zhang Deming’s expression faltered, and he fell into deep thought.

"Senior Brother Summoning Spirit, you know this person?" Tong Hou asked, looking at the pensive Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming nodded. "I met him once by chance half a year ago, but at that time, his Cultivation was only at the Junior Apprentice Stage. If I hadn’t casually left a couple of Spirit Species in them back then and discovered them here today, I would have never remembered the matter. Just based on your description, I would have never guessed it was them. After all, this increase in strength is just too terrifying."

"What?"

"What?"

"What!"

"What!"

All four of them cried out in shock. Tong Hou’s face paled as he recalled his earlier encounter. "Senior Brother, are you sure he was only at the Junior Apprentice level half a year ago?"

Zhang Deming nodded. "Yes, I’m very sure about that. I planted a few Spirit Species in them, after all. Back then, the two of them were merely Postnatal Martial Artists."

As he spoke, Zhang Deming waved his hand, gesturing to the few Spirit Species hovering in his palm.

Strictly speaking, their level was only comparable to a Junior Apprentice. In the early stages, the gap between a Martial Artist and a Cultivator is quite large. Otherwise, Hongmeng wouldn’t have classified Martial Artists as mere mortals.

The reason for this classification is that the gap between a Grandmaster Martial Artist—and anyone below that rank—and an Advanced Apprentice is simply too vast.

In terms of lifespan, they are like mortals; in combat prowess, they can’t defeat a resourceful Apprentice; and even their survivability is far inferior.

As for Divine Power Realm Martial Artists, who are comparable to the Tai Chi Stage, none are known to exist in Hongmeng. Forget the Divine Power Realm; even Innate and Grandmaster Martial Artists are exceedingly rare, considered giants of the Martial Arts World.

Therefore, it was an inevitable conclusion for Hongmeng to classify Martial Artists as mortals.

Li Shifan’s eyes flickered as he added, "Over the past half-year... no, it’s been the last two years, it seems the number of disturbances caused by Martial Artists within the Sect’s territory has increased significantly. A while ago, I was in the Inner Sect’s Task Department and saw a lot of information about it. Could this be related...?"

The immense power of the Human Ape Elder and Lu Yongsheng shattered the group’s preconceived notions, leading to a rare, serious discussion about the matter of Martial Artists.

Through a brief exchange, they all noticed some clues regarding the Martial Artist situation and fell into contemplation. The scene suddenly became strangely silent.

Zhang Deming looked at the others and smiled. "Why overthink it? If you find it suspicious, just go back and report it. If there’s a real problem, someone reaching the Duality stage in half a year is not something we can handle. Besides, this matter with the Martial Artists... I’ve tried reporting things before, and nothing came of it. Of course, either they truly don’t care, or the Sect has other considerations in this matter. Who knows?"

Hearing this, the others paused. After a moment of thought, they nodded, deciding not to dwell on the matter any longer.

Zhang Deming closed his eyes and tried to sense the Spirit Species inside Lu Yongsheng. But in that brief moment, the boy had already fled to an unknown location, far beyond Zhang Deming’s sensory range.

Zhang Deming shook his head. He flipped his hand over and tossed the few Spirit Species—which had mutated significantly inside the host’s body over the past six months—into his Spirit Nurturing Space. This item, it seemed, could serve as the primary strain for his first Elite Bean Soldiers.

After stowing away the mutated Spirit Species, Zhang Deming turned his head and said, "Let’s go. Time to see what this place is all about."

Hearing this, Tong Hou said, "I doubt we’ll find much. Judging by how tidy this plaza is, they’ve clearly been living here for several months. They probably came here right after they met you, Senior Brother Summoning Spirit. With so much time, even if they’re just Martial Artists without any Perception Techniques, given the speed they displayed earlier, they should have finished looting this place long ago. After all, this mountain may look tall and have plenty of buildings, but it wouldn’t take long to search it thoroughly."