The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 364 - 50: A Pair of 1000-Year-Old Foxes, No Need for Ghost Stories

Zhang Deming pondered for a moment and said, "You’re saying I don’t have to wait in line, right?"

Yang Guangfu paused slightly at his words. He quickly began operating the Light Screen. A moment later, he said, "Yes, Senior Brother Zhang. You have direct access privileges."

Zhang Deming nodded. "Alright then. Since most of the Auxiliary Materials are in stock right now, go ahead and reserve a set for me. I’ll get some Contribution points in the next few days and have the goods transferred directly then."

Yang Guangfu nodded upon hearing this. "Got it!"

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed," Zhang Deming said.

Hearing this, Yang Guangfu glanced at the silent Qu Qingxian. After a moment of hesitation, he ultimately left without saying another word.

After returning to the cliff’s edge, he frowned slightly. He hesitated for a moment before taking out his Identity Card and sending a message to Song Huidong:

"Master Song, Master Zhang had a visitor today seeking advancement resources. It was Qu Qingxian, the current patriarch of the peripheral Qu Family.

This person is somewhat tactless. From what I saw, his relationship with Master Zhang seems quite close.

Master Zhang consulted me about allocating advancement resources. I’m worried he doesn’t understand how difficult they are to obtain and, thinking his own advancement is still far off, might use his own resources to subsidize this person. I’m reporting this to inform you of the matter."

After sending the message, he entered his courtyard with a worried expression.

...

In the small courtyard of the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower, silence returned after Yang Guangfu left. Qu Qingxian quietly drank his tea, and even now, hadn’t asked a single thing about the advancement resources.

Zhang Deming couldn’t help but glance at him. ’He truly lives up to his reputation as a patriarch of several hundred years. A real old fox.’

"Senior Brother Qu, what advancement resources are you lacking?" After the two silently sipped their Spirit Tea for a moment, Zhang Deming asked.

Qu Qingxian paused briefly, then smiled and said, "For my Duality advancement, I plan to walk the path of the Shaping and Summoning Spirit Dao. Dragon Spirits will interact with each other in a shared search for longevity, which leans a bit towards Summoning.

After preparing for so many years, most of the materials are ready. I’m just missing some non-essential Auxiliary Materials and about half a portion of Essence Flower Primordial Spirit Liquid.

So, to be honest, I’m almost there. If I push my luck, I still have a chance.

People like us can’t always achieve perfection."

Throughout his speech, there was still not the slightest hint that he was after the advancement resources.

Zhang Deming raised an eyebrow slightly. "From the sound of it, Senior Brother Qu, you understand why I asked you here today?"

Qu Qingxian paused, shook his head, and said, "I do not. However, I have managed to discern a few things. You’re using me as a decoy, aren’t you, Junior Brother Zhang?"

It was phrased as a question, but spoken with the tone of a statement.

Zhang Deming paused, then nodded. "It seems nothing can escape your discerning eye, Senior Brother Qu."

Qu Qingxian gave a faint smile. "I’ve just lived a few more years. After enduring so much hardship, I’ve simply seen more of the world. Besides, this is no big deal."

Zhang Deming looked at Qu Qingxian and said, "Then I must thank you in advance, Senior Brother. For certain reasons, I need you to be the excuse. So, after today..."

Qu Qingxian said, "Rest assured, Junior Brother Zhang. Any resources you receive that I can use, I will take them all after today. I’m just an insatiably greedy man with shallow insight, after all."

Zhang Deming paused at his words. ’This old fox, he really is...’

’He’s curried a favor, and with that last sentence, while making his point, he also played the victim. I’m at a loss for words...’

’After all, if the patriarch of a Peripheral Noble Family gets labeled like that by a Sect Steward, life would certainly become difficult.’

’He’s maximized the value of this one favor, making me feel so indebted I’m embarrassed. The man has truly perfected the art.’

After a pause, a smile appeared on Zhang Deming’s face as well. "In that case, I must thank you in advance, Senior Brother.

By the way, Steward Zhang sent a message yesterday, asking me to give this to you, Senior Brother Qu."

As Zhang Deming finished speaking, he waved his hand, and a small pouch appeared on the table between them.

Qu Qingxian paused, then picked up the small pouch to inspect it.

When he saw that it contained more than ten Spirit Water Technique Spirit Nurturing Beads, a look of delight crossed his face. "Many thanks for your help, Junior Brother Zhang."

With these Spirit Nurturing Beads, although it might be difficult to push his Spirit Water Technique to the Mastery level given his aptitude...

...it would still be easy to raise it to the Control level.

This way, his chances of a successful advancement would increase by at least a full ten percent.

Zhang Deming waved his hand. "I’m just the errand boy; it has nothing to do with me. Besides, these require Spirit Stones."

Qu Qingxian smiled. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Junior Brother Zhang, to pass on a message for me. Please thank Steward Zhang for his help."

Zhang Deming smiled back. "I’ll make sure he gets the message."

After speaking, Zhang Deming paused for a moment and said, "Senior Brother Qu, are you planning to center your advancement around the Spirit Water Technique, using Water Points Dragon Spirit to achieve Enlightenment Root and break through to Duality?"

After condensing a Rune Core, during the Tai Chi Three Lives Era, a total of three Branch Runes were condensed.

When advancing to Duality, one must choose one of them to be the core of the advancement.

To put it metaphorically, Tai Chi Foundation Establishment is like a Skill Tree initially growing a foundation and a main trunk.

During the Three Lives era, a total of three buds sprouted on this trunk.

And the advancement to Duality requires choosing one of these three buds as the target and developing it into the tree’s first branch, thereby completing the advancement.

Qu Qingxian nodded. "Yes. I plan to use the Spirit Water Technique as the branch, initiating the Spiritualization of the Water Dragon Technique to walk the path of Shaping and Summoning Spirits.

A single Dragon as my companion, seeking the Longevity Path together. You could consider me half a Summoner and half a Shaping Master."