The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 357 - 47: Sect and Era

Zhang Deming waved his hand and said, "Senior Brother Gan, don’t misunderstand. I am short on Spirit Stones, but it’s not some small amount that I’m lacking.

"The reason I want to set up this shop is mainly so that when I get old, I won’t be all alone anymore..."

As Zhang Deming spoke, his voice grew more somber. When he finished, he stared out at the sky, his eyes deep and unfocused, as if lost in a painful memory.

The three of them were taken aback for a moment, their minds instantly filling in the blanks of Zhang Deming’s past—a life of bitter loneliness.

Yuee Mengsheng asked, "A shop like the ones in Celestial Spirit City?"

Zhang Deming nodded. "Yes."

"In that case, you’ll definitely need some backing," Yuee Mengsheng continued. "What’s the scale you’re aiming for?"

Zhang Deming smiled and said, "That depends on the situation. If it’s possible, something like what Madam Qian has would be ideal."

Gan Zili was slightly taken aback. "You certainly dream big," he said. "It’s not impossible if you use Spirit Nurturing Beads to get your foot in the door.

"But do you know how many shops she has?

"Forget you—even if the four of us put aside our daily Sect duties and worked around the clock producing Low-Level Spirit Nurturing Pearls, churning out a hundred-odd a month for a single shop wouldn’t be enough."

Zhang Deming smiled. "I’m just thinking out loud. Besides, not every shop has to sell Spirit Nurturing Beads forever. They can just be a sharp tool to carve out a niche, can’t they?"

Yuee Mengsheng heard this and said, "In that case, just make a standard set of Inheritance Beads. When the time comes, we’ll take them over and put in a word for you. That should be enough."

Zhang Deming was overjoyed. "Then I must thank you three Senior Brothers in advance."

Yuee Mengsheng and the other two smiled. "We’re all on the same side, there’s no need for such formalities. However..."

Zhang Deming looked at Yuee Mengsheng, puzzled. "Senior Brother Yuee, is there something else?"

Yuee Mengsheng nodded. "You cannot sell Spirit Nurturing Beads of Tier Two or above. And I mean selling them at scale, regardless of their specific grade."

Zhang Deming was taken aback. "And why is that?"

Yuee Mengsheng looked at Zhang Deming. "A single Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Bead goes for just a few dozen Spirit Stones on the market. Do you know why?"

Zhang Deming shook his head. "I’ve been wondering about that myself. I can sell them individually for a little over a hundred, yet the price within the Sect is lower."

Yuee Mengsheng looked at Zhang Deming. Assuming that "selling individually" was a reference to something from Zhang Deming’s past, he said:

"I can’t speak for other spheres of influence, but this market price is something we—Celestial Spirit, Hua Shui, and Bai Shu—jointly agreed upon.

"Of course, there are price hikes due to market demand, but the market is only so large, which is why the price has settled where it is.

"The current price has already hit its ceiling; it can’t go any higher.

"This is because this market excludes Loose Cultivators and powers that don’t meet the standard.

"Otherwise, if a single Tier Two bead were auctioned to a wider audience, it could easily fetch over a hundred, to say nothing of a full set.

"Among Loose Cultivators and minor powers, it wouldn’t be impossible for a set of Tier Two Magic Set Beads to be auctioned for a price equivalent to the resources needed to advance to the Tai Chi realm."

Zhang Deming’s expression froze for a moment as a possibility dawned on him.

Seeing Zhang Deming’s expression, Yuee Mengsheng smiled. "It looks like you’ve figured it out, Junior Brother. That’s right. The Sect is controlling the number of non-Sect Tai Chi Cultivators within its territory.

"The rise of the Spirit Nurturing Holy Land and the popularity of Spirit Nurturing Masters have changed low-tier cultivation from a competition of talent to a competition for resources.

"That’s why all the major powers are now vying for resources, transitioning into an era defined by them.

"Restricting the proliferation of Spirit Nurturing Masters and Spirit Nurturing Beads is an extremely effective way to reduce the intensity of resource competition within our sphere of influence.

"Therefore, you can sell Low-Level Spirit Nurturing Pearls; the Sect might even support you. Expanding the base number of low-tier cultivators is actually beneficial to the Sect.

"But when it comes to Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Beads, you absolutely must not sell them at scale.

"Doing so would dramatically increase the number of Tai Chi Cultivators within the Sect’s territory, which would in turn drastically intensify the competition for resources.

"This would not only harm the interests of our Sect, but the Hua Shui and Bai Shu sects wouldn’t stand for it either.

"Even if you operate under the Sect’s name, they will come knocking at your door demanding answers.

"They might even take their questions all the way to Celestial Spirit Peak. After all, this touches upon the very foundation of every major power. No one will show the slightest bit of tolerance."

’This is clearly a transition to a capitalist era. The major Sects are using this transitional vacuum to monopolize resources, establishing a class hierarchy before this new era even fully begins.

’Coupled with the full rollout of the "Stallion Plan," they’re building a powerful network of connections and resources.

’In a few thousand years, even when Spirit Nurturing Masters become common among the lower strata, it won’t affect the Sects.

’By then, the Sects will have already completed their transformation, becoming major capitalists in their own right, still holding a monopoly, still controlling everything.

’How similar this is to the societal shifts of my past life! One was caused by the ’net, the other by these beads. That’s the only difference!’

Zhang Deming’s thoughts raced, and his expression grew melancholic. ’Sects...’

’Thankfully, I’m at least a disciple of an Upper Sect, not a Loose Cultivator or someone from a minor family.

’Otherwise, caught in the tides of this new era, it would be incredibly difficult to find my place!

’Even with my advantage, the path forward would be incredibly arduous!’

Zhang Deming nodded seriously and said, "I understand."

Yuee Mengsheng replied, "Good that you understand. The stakes involved are enormous and the implications are far-reaching. Remember not to act rashly.

"As long as you don’t cross that line, you should have no problem operating within the territories of the Three Sects under our Sect’s banner."

Zhang Deming nodded again. "I’ll keep that in mind."

The four of them exchanged a few more pleasantries before Zhang Deming took his leave.

After Zhang Deming had left, Yuee Mengsheng and Gan Zili exchanged a knowing smile. Guk Liancai asked, confused, "What are you two smirking about?"

Gan Zili paused, then shook his head. "Junior Brother Zhang is starting to build a life for himself. Isn’t that a happy occasion?"

...