The Programmer Cultivator

However, this was the normal course of things. Or perhaps, his own situation wasn’t exactly normal either. In less than two years, he had managed to learn the Spirit Water Technique and advance it to the second stage of mastery.

If not for the Spirit Nurturing Bead, given his aptitude, he might not have managed such an accomplishment even in another ten years.

It was all thanks to the Spirit Nurturing Bead, to meeting Zhang Wu, and to joining the Alliance. And because he now had hope, he was incredibly motivated.

Once he had depleted the Spirit Nurturing Bead during his seclusion and finished refining his Spirit Water Technique, he began preparing for the Duality breakthrough.

As for the Promotion Formula, he wasn’t like Zhang Deming, who had to acquire it in a short amount of time. The Qu Family had been preparing for this for many years.

To be more precise, small Noble Families like theirs were always in the process of gathering materials. Whenever they came across promotion materials they could obtain, they never passed up the opportunity.

When the time came, even if the materials weren’t for their specific path, they could be traded with allied families of a similar rank. This was far more effective than trying to buy what they needed with Spirit Stones. As a result, his materials had been fully gathered long ago.

Therefore, he only needed to adjust his condition and reach his peak state before taking that final step. His success or failure hinged on this single attempt!

If he failed this time, even if he emerged unscathed, the Qu Family’s circumstances and the current market for the Promotion Formula meant that his next attempt wouldn’t be possible for another hundred years.

He was no Zhang Deming, who would simply risk it all in the rear mountains if something wasn’t available on the market. For this reason, he was extremely cautious, striving for perfection in his preparations, both physically and mentally.

That was why when the Alliance issued its first regional mission with such tempting rewards, Qu Qingxian, on the verge of his breakthrough, had not accepted it. He planned to make his attempt in the next few days.

On this day, Qu Qingxian felt he had adjusted both his body and mind to their absolute peak. He decided that tomorrow, he would perform a ritual bath, burn incense, and begin his attempt to break through.

Once he made his decision, the slight apprehension he felt vanished.

After his long seclusion, having finally resolved to attempt his breakthrough, he opened his Cave Mansion and strolled around outside to stretch his legs.

He didn’t go far, of course, just ambled about his own small courtyard. It had taken great effort to reach his peak state, and he didn’t want to be disturbed by family trivialities.

But he had just stepped out of his Cave Mansion when a Disciple came rushing over. The Disciple had been about to open the Cave Mansion doors, but stopped in his tracks when he saw Qu Qingxian emerge. For a moment, he was stunned, then a hint of joy broke through his anxious expression.

He bowed to Qu Qingxian and said, "This descendant greets the Ancestor!"

Qu Qingxian’s brow furrowed. "Have I not given orders?" he said, his voice sharp. "Unless the clan is facing annihilation, no one is to enter my Verdant Garden. All other matters are to wait until I emerge from seclusion."

His tone was stern. If it had been anyone other than Qu Zhiwen—the leading representative of the younger generation, the Disciple with the most promise to become his successor, and one of only three Tai Chi Cultivators in the Qu Family—he would have done more than just ask a stern question. He would have delivered a direct reprimand and punishment.

As one of the handful of Tai Chi Cultivators in the family, Qu Zhiwen naturally understood the importance of the Ancestor’s current seclusion.

Seeing Qu Qingxian’s displeasure, he wasted no time on pleasantries. "Ancestor, someone arrived today demanding that you personally go out to receive them. They said... they said..."

"Said what?" Qu Qingxian frowned. "You’re a grown man. Spit it out! What is the meaning of this hesitation?"

"They said that an ancestor from the main branch of the family has arrived and that you are to go and receive them personally."

Qu Qingxian’s brows knitted together tightly at his words. Qu Zhiwen glanced at him before continuing, "This descendant has never heard of our Qu Family having a ’main branch.’ Furthermore, the man’s attitude was exceptionally arrogant."

"His Cultivation was that of an Apprentice at best, nothing noteworthy, so this descendant paid it no mind and ordered my subordinates to send him away."

Qu Zhiwen carefully raised his head to glance at Qu Qingxian. Seeing no reaction, he continued:

"The man was driven off easily enough, but he returned a short while later. And when he came back, he was a completely different person."

"His entire body was wreathed in black mist, with shrill screams echoing around him. His expression was wooden, as if he’d been possessed by a vicious spirit."

"Wherever he passed, all our Disciples collapsed in agonizing struggle, as if their Heart Spirits were under assault, and they were quickly brought under his control."

"This descendant saw from a distance that he is no benevolent figure. He resembled a Heart Soul Dao Demon Cultivator, and the power he wielded was far beyond anything a Tai Chi Cultivator could possess. That is why this descendant took the liberty of coming to you, Ancestor."

"Ancestor, you must leave at once! Go to the Sect and summon the Noble Manager. Only then should you return to assess the situation. If he is indeed a Demon Cultivator... as long as you are safe, Ancestor, the Qu Family will not be extinguished..."

Before Qu Zhiwen could finish, Qu Qingxian cut him off. He looked up at the sky and said, "There’s no need. He’s already here."

Stunned, Qu Zhiwen followed Qu Qingxian’s gaze and looked up.

In the sky, a massive Defense Array had activated, covering the entire Qu Family estate. A huge Light Curtain now enveloped them completely.

"Is this... the last-resort Clan Protection Array?" Qu Zhiwen’s expression changed drastically. "In just this short time, he’s already seized control of the clan’s forbidden grounds?!"

Qu Qingxian paid him no mind. Instead, his brow remained tightly furrowed as he turned to look in the direction from which Qu Zhiwen had come.

A young man appeared, his expression wooden and his body wreathed in black mist. His feet hovered slightly above the ground as he drifted toward them.

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