Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 776

In the year 6775 of the Xia calendar, at the Space Center

A massive planetary image filled the central screen of the space center, yet the display—spanning over thirty meters in length and twenty-five meters across—appeared scarcely sufficient to encompass the entire scene.

Dozens of space center staff members gazed eagerly at the figures displayed on the auxiliary monitors, their hearts swelling with exhilaration as they beheld an epoch-making wonder.

"Results are in! New Hope Planet—scratch that, it's Jiang Star now. The equatorial circumference measures eight million four hundred thousand kilometers, and the diameter stands at…"

An enthusiastic voice announced the readings from the side screen. This world was enormous, its equator nearly matching that of Blue Star in length.

"Atmospheric analysis complete. Oxygen concentration reads…"

"Initial soil examination…"

"Hydrological assessment…"

"Climate readings…"

"Jiang Star, greetings to all. I feel somewhat sheepish about this."

Lin Jiang rubbed his nose, a touch of bashfulness crossing his face. Previously, Cao Ying had pointed out to Cao Wang that New Hope Planet sounded too ordinary. After years of deliberation, they settled on Jiang Star, a name that plainly celebrated who they regarded as the supreme contributor: Lin Jiang.

"You look thrilled; embarrassment seems far from your mind."

Cao Ying promptly called out Lin Jiang's feigned modesty. Embarrassed? She hadn't detected any sign of it.

"Haha, it's just a minor thing; no need to fuss over it."

"Cao Wang, what do you think—can this world sustain life?"

"Grandancestor, not yet, that's for sure. The surface temperature averages above seventy degrees, and that's only the mean. Oxygen levels are excessively elevated too. We cultivators could endure it, but only by depleting our reserves, which wouldn't hold out for long. Major planetary modifications remain essential."

"Do you have a concrete strategy for these changes?"

"Based on the probe's findings, some adjustments are required, but the core approach aligns with expectations. Primarily, we must hasten the breakup of the supercontinent; a single vast landmass won't suffice. It leads to extensive desert zones, severely disrupting the global ecosystem."

"Thus, step one: divide the continent. Step two: halt the volcanic activity. Step three: terminate this endless downpour that's persisted for untold millennia…"

"Out with it—what assistance do you require from me?"

"I won't mince words then. First, develop apocalyptic nuclear devices, at least three hundred, preferably more. Second, manufacture vast quantities of diverse robots. Third, construct…"

Cao Wang boldly enumerated scores of requirements, each demanding immense resources and capital, sufficient to exhaust Huaxia's entire reserves.

"Allow me to outline a few conditions. First, I'll approve all your requests, though the associated funds and materials can't be supplied in one go. Provide a comprehensive budget, and I'll schedule delivery across a defined timeframe. Second…"

Lin Jiang voiced his stipulations in turn, consenting to Cao Wang's proposals. He was prepared to slash alternative expenditures if needed, yet fulfillment couldn't happen instantly—it might span decades or centuries.

"Cao Wang, how long until we achieve meaningful interstellar relocation?"

Cao Ying interjected too, her urgency palpable. She sought a rough estimate of the schedule.

"At minimum, one thousand years."

"That lengthy?"

"Ancestor Cao, this estimate errs on the side of caution. Even with cutting-edge methods, constructing a Space Mother Ship will require two hundred years for arrival at Jiang Star. We're straining technology to its utmost. The inaugural vessel won't transport any humans; it'll convey only nukes and robots for initial terraforming. Blasting apart Jiang Star's mainland won't instantly quell those fierce storms. Hence, the opening batch needs just one Space Mother Ship."

"Subsequent ships will follow, bearing numerous vanguard personnel, experts, and engineers. They'll labor tirelessly to reshape Jiang Star into a habitable realm. Full environmental stabilization could demand additional centuries…"

"Cao Wang, suppose we erect a teleportation array to Jiang Star—could that shorten the duration and expense?"

"Certainly, though my projections show that for 7.5 light-years, the array's tech would demand more than crafting a Space Mother Ship. Does the ancestor intend to pursue this?"

"Within centuries, teleportation array advancements will emerge."

"True, yet array technology faces inherent boundaries. It's akin to flight velocity—surpassing light speed proves immensely challenging. Without genuine spatial leaps or black hole innovations, it's unattainable currently."

"Zhu Bin mentioned that present materials cap tech at ten billion kilometers."

"Ten billion kilometers isn't vast. That's merely over three thousand light-seconds, under an hour at light speed, while our span is roughly 7.5 light-years. Ancestor, have you reckoned the number of arrays required?"

"Far too many."

Lin Jiang agreed with a nod. Even hundreds of thousands—or millions—of top-tier arrays couldn't suffice with Blue Star's total output.

"Hence, across light-year distances, teleportation arrays fall short. Advancing swifter vessels is the path forward. No need for light speed; one-tenth suffices to arrive in about a decade. That's tolerable."

"Cao Wang, I've heard the observable universe now extends past ten thousand light-years?"

"That's derived from theoretical models. I figure the cosmic boundary lies over one hundred thousand light-years distant."

"So, does that imply even light-speed travel by a Transmigration Stage cultivator can't fathom the cosmos's immensity?"

"Indeed, and power supply poses another hurdle. Though Liang Long resolved energy transformation, solar power isn't infinite. Beyond a star's reach, collection becomes impossible."

"The universe is too grand a topic; return to Jiang Star. Cao Wang, I'll redirect funds from elsewhere to bolster your efforts. You must deliver results."

"Ancestor, Huaxia's resources alone won't cut it."

Cao Wang fixed Lin Jiang with an intense stare; depending only on Huaxia's supplies fell short.

"I get it; I'll figure something out."

Lin Jiang nodded; Huaxia by itself proved inadequate, necessitating extraction—or outright seizure—from other nations, though he hesitated to decide rashly.

Lin Jiang surveyed the command hub, exchanged a few more words with Cao Wang, and departed promptly.

"Are you aiming to conquer Blue Star?"

Upon returning to Haigang City, Cao Ying's initial query to Lin Jiang concerned unifying Blue Star.

Given Huaxia's overwhelming might, this was feasible; the nation brimmed with power, and resource scarcity now demanded action.

"No, that's not viable."

"Why not?"

"Eliminating foreign leaders is straightforward, but securing loyalty? Qingyun and Zhou Liao share our heritage; their populace might yield with minimal pushback. We'd integrate them as Huaxia equals. But elsewhere? Diverse tongues and traditions complicate matters."

"Moreover, claiming territories means administration, correct? Even with compliance, managing hundreds of billions is a monumental task."

"Thus, the sole alternative is mass extermination?"

"Do you believe I'd stoop so low? This isn't dozens or millions; it's hundreds of billions."

Lin Jiang gave a wry chuckle. Did they view him as some ruthless fiend capable of such slaughter?

Absolutely, Huaxia could eradicate all opposition, yet Lin Jiang recoiled from it. No one else could either, barring a total erosion of compassion.

"So, what's your plan?"

"We counter the wicked without becoming monsters ourselves. There's a vast gulf there. Huaxia has performed virtuous deeds in the past, though future actions may veer less honorably."

Lin Jiang explained that Huaxia had long drawn from global wealth to uphold its prosperity, all while feigning benevolence through aid programs. Ahead, exploitation would intensify, siphoning greater shares—nothing more. Handling endless liabilities was unfeasible anyway.

"I see your point, but no rush. This spans millennia, and the demon race factors in. We could leverage them."

"That's already on my mind. Frankly, with Jiang Star, genuine accord with the demon race becomes possible."

"They might spurn this gesture; abandoning this place won't come easily for them."

"By then, choice may elude them. Anyway, this is distant speculation; set it aside. We must ready the announcement of Jiang Star, forging Huaxia's unity like an unbreakable bond. Only so can we advance."

Lin Jiang deemed these issues premature. For the moment, concentrate on the now. Huaxia's citizens deserved to partake in this historic revelation.