The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 129 - 11: Returning to the Sect

This scorpion was also a mutated variant. Its armor shell was covered in metallic spots, indicating incredibly strong defenses at a glance.

Zhang Deming could only start from its abdomen, the softest part, and begin stripping away the armor shell.

After a long while, Zhang Deming managed to strip off the Hundred Poisonous Scorpion’s entire back shell.

He chopped off its legs and Ao one by one.

The most valuable parts, the Poison Needle and the Poison Sac, were ironically the easiest and cleanest to remove.

But staring at the back shell, which was as large as a bed, Zhang Deming was speechless. ’How are we supposed to get this back?’

This wasn’t the outer perimeter; they were quite deep in. It was obviously impossible for a few people to carry it out.

After thinking it over with no solution, Zhang Deming decided not to bother with it for now.

A few more hours passed, and the sky began to darken.

The others got up one by one. Panx Juan’er, having been hit by the pulses multiple times, was the last to finish recuperating, even though she was at the Half-Step Tai Chi level.

By then, Feng Mingyou had finished his own recovery and had done his best to treat Hek Tuan.

Once everyone had recovered, Zhang Deming pointed at the half-processed materials and asked:

"What do we do with all this? We were only out for a day. Besides what we gathered earlier, the materials from this Tai Chi Demon Beast make up a huge portion of our haul."

Feng Mingyou said, "The Poison Needle and Poison Sac are probably worth ten to twenty Spirit Stones."

"If we can get the armor shell, legs, and Ao back, they’re likely worth another ten-plus Spirit Stones."

"But... how do we break it down?"

Hua Wei took out his dagger, scraped it a few times, and said, "No good. It’s already hardened. It’s not much easier than cutting a living Tai Chi Demon Beast."

Hearing this, they looked at each other, clearly at a loss.

"Let’s each carry a few legs and Ao. As for the most valuable part, the armor shell, we’ll just have to abandon it," Zhang Deming suggested.

"But that’s almost ten Spirit Stones," Hua Wei said, pained by the thought.

Feng Mingyou glanced at him. "If you can carry it back, it’s all yours. We won’t take a share."

Hua Wei immediately shut his mouth.

Carrying an armor shell much bigger than a bed plank, trekking through a primeval forest at night... what a joke!

Feng Mingyou’s single sentence shut Hua Wei up. The group began to divide the load.

Because of his Tea Dao and Spirit Water Technique, Feng Mingyou was responsible for carrying Hek Tuan to stabilize his injuries.

The other four gathered the scattered materials and hurried back in the direction of the Sect.

The group of five moved swiftly through the trees, the darkness having little effect on them.

The only thing they had to be careful about was that Demon Beasts were much more active at night.

However, since they hadn’t ventured too deep into the primeval forest, their journey back was fraught with minor scares but no real danger.

It was already midnight by the time the five of them returned to the Sect.

It was rather quiet, although, in a sect this massive, some parts of the Outer Sect were still operating as usual.

The group had just returned to the Sect and hadn’t had time to do anything yet.

Just as they reached the mountain gate, an Immortal Crane descended from the sky, landing directly in front of them.

Ji Ming’s anxious and boyish face appeared before Zhang Deming and the others.

"Senior Sister, where did you run off to again?"

’An Inner Sect Immortal Crane? So it’s true,’ Hua Wei thought, his eyes flickering.

Everyone instinctively looked at Panx Juan’er. She replied nonchalantly, "I just went to the back mountains for a bit."

"We have to go, quickly. Master has been looking for you for ages."

"I made an excuse, but if you didn’t come back tonight, I really wouldn’t be able to cover for you tomorrow morning," Ji Ming said anxiously.

Hearing this, Panx Juan’er turned back and looked at Zhang Deming with reluctance. Zhang Deming reached out, patted her head, and smiled. "Go on."

"Mhm!" Panx Juan’er nodded.

Ji Ming’s mouth twitched. He immediately turned his head away, pretending not to see anything, his baby-like face scrunching up.

After nodding, Panx Juan’er jumped onto the Immortal Crane and departed as the others watched.

After Panx Juan’er had disappeared, Hua Wei looked at Zhang Deming and asked, "Senior Brother Zhang, will you be alright?"

Zhang Deming smiled. "What could possibly happen to a good-for-nothing Outer Disciple like me, an Intermediate Apprentice?"

Hua Wei paused for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. He then smiled, "Is that so? Well, we should get together sometime when we’re free."

Zhang Deming nodded with a smile. "Of course. I couldn’t ask for more than to be looked after by my senior brothers."

After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Yuling spoke up. "You guys handle the materials. After setting aside Hek Tuan’s share, the three of you can split the rest."

"I didn’t contribute much this time, so I won’t take a share."

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back to Jixing Peak."

With that, she turned swiftly and vanished from their sight.

Zhang Deming watched her go. "What’s with her? Acting so generous?"

Hua Wei shook his head. "I don’t know. I’m not clear on her background either."

"She joined our team of her own accord on the same day Junior Brother Feng Mingyou arrived."

"It was quite similar to the day you arrived, actually."

"We needed a scout, and that’s her specialty, so of course we agreed."

Zhang Deming paused, understanding the implication.

’But what is he hinting at?’

’What is he trying to ask?’

’Sorry, but this one truly doesn’t know!’

Just then, Feng Mingyou, still carrying Hek Tuan, said, "Since they’re being so generous, we won’t be polite."

"Let’s hurry and find someone to treat him first. We can talk about the materials after."

The others nodded and ran towards the designated medical area, a place that operated around the clock.

...

In the sky, after Ji Ming flew away with Panx Juan’er, he was a little angry, sitting on the Immortal Crane’s back without saying a word.

On his boyish, baby-like face, his brow was furrowed and his lips were pursed in a pout.

Normally, given their relationship, Panx Juan’er would have teased Ji Ming a bit to cheer him up.

But today, Panx Juan’er just stared ahead, lost in a daze.

Ji Ming sulked for a while. Seeing that his senior sister was ignoring him, he cautiously turned to look at her.

He found Panx Juan’er staring blankly ahead with a sorrowful expression and couldn’t help but speak up.

"Don’t worry, Senior Sister. I specifically asked two days ago. Master is leaving in half a month."

"When that time comes, you can go play wherever you want again. I’ll definitely cover for you."

"But for this next half month, please don’t run off to the Outer Sect anymore. If Master finds out, it won’t be a laughing matter."

"You know what Master’s attitude was toward that last person. This matter is non-negotiable."

"I think you know Master’s temper better than I do. You should understand this."

"You might be fine; Master probably can’t do much to you."

"But that senior brother from the Outer Sect... Senior Sister, can you imagine the consequences for him?"

"And if something does happen, can you stop it?"

"Over the years, your influence in the Inner Sect has grown, Senior Sister, but if you really try to cross Master, you’ll definitely lose."

"No matter what you do, Master’s reputation as a Spirit Nurturing Master alone is enough to defeat all your moves."

"So, Senior Sister, please just endure for another half month, okay?"

Panx Juan’er turned her head. "Yes... only half a month left."

After speaking, she revealed a purple Jade Pendant in her palm.

Ji Ming stared at the Jade Pendant, stunned, then exclaimed joyfully, "The Spirit Nurturing Sacred Order? Senior Sister, your application to the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land was approved?!!!"

Overjoyed, Ji Ming only realized a moment later that Panx Juan’er showed no sign of happiness.

He froze, then fell silent.

After a long pause, he said, "Master wants to arrange for you to enter the Holy Land before he leaves?"

Panx Juan’er didn’t answer. Ji Ming continued, "No wonder you were running around so frantically. No wonder you still ran to the Outer Sect even though Master is here."

He fell silent again for a long time before saying, "Senior Sister, forget him. You two are from different worlds. You always have been. You should have known that from the day you joined the Sect."

"Master isn’t wrong. He might have some selfish motives, but this really is for your own good."

Panx Juan’er seemed to think of something and suddenly said with a smile, "Perhaps."

’How tragic!’

Ji Ming looked at the smiling Panx Juan’er and sighed inwardly. His lips moved, but in the end, the words he wanted to say remained unspoken.

...