Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 780

Haigang City, Meditation Room

A murderous gleam surged in Xia Qingshan's eyes as the light projection emerged, yet Lin Jiang displayed no trace of fear, meeting his stare head-on without flinching.

"You want to kill me."

After what felt like an eternity, Xia Qingshan finally uttered.

He wasn't an idiot; he'd witnessed Yang Luo's death firsthand. Though she lacked his power, she'd once reigned as a Transmigration Stage powerhouse. He remained uncertain if she'd endured the heavenly tribulation.

"What are you talking about? You're a celestial entity, an embodiment of heaven's might. How could I possibly slay you?"

"The entity within you terrifies me. I confess, I lack the courage to strike."

Xia Qingshan spoke bluntly; owning up to his limitations brought no shame. Falling prey to such a scheme would be the real disgrace.

"I didn't anticipate you'd yield like this."

"Recognizing the right moment to retreat marks the true power of any cultivator, and a clash between us wouldn't have dragged on to this day."

"So, your manifestation here signals a desire for alliance with me, doesn't it?"

"Indeed, I seek partnership with you."

"Over Jiang Star."

"Correct, on account of Jiang Star."

"What's the motivation? Will you share it?"

"Naturally. Jiang Star lacks entities like myself. I require you to transport my clone there and seize control of Jiang Star."

"And if I decline?"

"Refusal isn't an option for you. Without my invocation of heavenly laws, that world might never attain true eternity, and eventually, fellow immortals will claim it. You're not offspring of those immortals' laws, appearing as invaders in their eyes. They'll eradicate every one of you."

"Is that the case?"

Lin Jiang harbored skepticism. If such claims held truth, then what of Blue Star? He felt certain that prior to his transmigration, Blue Star hosted no cultivators—or rather, no existences akin to Xia Qingshan.

"I see no reason to deceive you."

"Then why spare Yang Luo in the past?"

"Back then, my abilities were incomplete, preventing me from eliminating her. Don't assume the conqueror of Jiang Star will resemble my former self."

"It looks like I'm cornered without alternatives."

"Precisely, a mutually beneficial alliance."

"Yet your proposal falls short."

"Your loved ones—your woman, your sister, your spirit beast—once they hit Transmigration Stage or level eight, have them halt their cultivation to evade heavenly tribulations, and I'll bestow upon them extended lifespans."

"How extensive will it be?"

"No less than a hundred thousand years. The human form, regardless of refinement, proves fragile. This pales against the demon race. For demons, I could offer up to three hundred thousand years."

"Such a vast gap in longevity between humans and demons?"

Lin Jiang's brow furrowed; the disparity in durability between humans and demons was immense, differing by multiples.

"Should you desire an alternative existence, I can facilitate it, such as transforming into a mechanical being, akin to advanced AI. If your form suffers damage, simply swap it out."

"Could such an existence achieve true eternity?"

"No, though it endures for an exceedingly long duration."

"That renders it pointless, then?"

"The essence of life varies for each individual."

Xia Qingshan replied with an evasive response.

"Are you truly the Xia Qingshan from those days?"

"In part yes, in part no—my circumstances are intricate. Even if explained, comprehension would elude you."

"Fine, I'll drop the inquiry. What form of cooperation do you envision?"

"Seize Jiang Star, nurture additional cultivators to achieve Tao, and press onward through the cosmos to uncover more inhabited worlds, then dominate them."

"Do you draw power from this conquest?"

Lin Jiang astutely pinpointed Xia Qingshan's intent.

"Affirmative."

"You conceal nothing."

"The mighty require no secrecy, and I've always dealt honestly with allies."

"Tao Achieving on Blue Star…"

"I won't interfere proactively. My lifespan stretches endlessly. Whether Tao achievers age away or perish in combat, I ultimately reap the gains. But for those distant from Blue Star, you'll assist in gathering their core essences post-demise."

Xia Qingshan explained, "A being's soul holds its vital essence as the core. Thus, mere mortals hold no value for me; they must surpass Tao Achieving, and the greater the number, the better."

"I get it, but if my kin wish to depart Blue Star, you'll refrain from blocking them henceforth."

"Negative—your innermost circle must remain bound to Blue Star, save until I've fully claimed Jiang Star; only then may they venture there."

"Can't we bargain on this?"

"Impossible. Harbor no illusions of severing ties or our pact. As I've stated, this alliance benefits both sides. Any sly maneuvers will invite your downfall alone."

"I comprehend."

"This concludes our initial encounter. Keep my presence known to few; one or two suffices. We'll reconvene later."

Xia Qingshan inclined his head, the projection then faded, and the wristwatch quieted anew, powering down once more.

········

"Did your seclusion end in failure this round?"

Cao Ying observed Lin Jiang emerging from retreat, unchanged at Transmigration Stage, prompting her question.

"Breakthrough eludes me temporarily; I encountered him."

"Him?"

"Indeed, Xia Qingshan."

"The Heavenly Dao's incarnation?"

"No, the authentic Heavenly Dao itself. It aligns somewhat with our suspicions, yet diverges as well."

"Elaborate, please."

"No true heavenly path exists, nor ascension to immortality. Planets harbor consciousnesses, entities masquerading as the heavenly way—and Xia Qingshan embodies that: not the one we recognize, but a cultivator who once carried the name Xia Qingshan. He overcame the Transmigration Stage ordeals, evolving into an alien form that permeates the planet, emerging as its very will."

"This revelation overwhelms."

Cao Ying grew quiet; assimilating this reality proved challenging. Was the path of cultivation nothing but deception?

"Grasp it simply: it's akin to Cthulhu."

"What's Cthulhu? You've referenced it before."

"It's mortals' conjecture on immortals. We common folk harbor idyllic visions of immortals as benevolent. Yet immortals may harbor profound darkness."

"Incomprehensible, indefinable, beyond imagination—that defines Cthulhu. Similarly, Cthulhu's immortals sustain themselves on the lives of beings."

"Releasing this knowledge could unravel the world; it would dismantle the foundational beliefs of cultivation."

Cao Ying noted. As a conventional cultivator herself, only her prolonged time with Lin Jiang and openness to novel concepts spared her collapse. Still, turmoil churned within her.

"Thus, this secret stays between us alone; even Lin Ying must remain silent."

"Must she conceal it as well?"

"Lin Ying clings to orthodox views; her early years lacked joy."

Lin Jiang explained that core beliefs solidify young. Cao Ying's youth, enriched by Lin Jiang, fostered adaptability to change. Lin Ying differed, shaped by Lin Batian's clan-centric rearing amid the Lin family's vulnerabilities and rigid doctrines. Her childhood's brightest days likely unfolded at Lin Jiang's domain.

"I grasp the mindset of clan heirs."

"Exactly, so we'll shoulder this burden; it's my duty as her elder brother."

"Then as her sister-in-law, I'll share that load."

"Henceforth, we'll proceed as usual, avoiding any mention of this."

"Understood. Did he reveal more?"

"Nothing further, but I harbor no faith in him."

"Can you voice that openly?"

"Absolutely—Blue Star lies entirely under his surveillance. He overhears every word we exchange. No point in evasion. I distrust him, just as he distrusts us."

"This constant vigilance exhausts."

"I realize, yet alternatives don't exist."

Lin Jiang reflected that under these constraints, ensuring Xia Qingshan's sole alliance lay with Huaxia—thus preserving its dominance—left the entity no alternatives.

"You adapt to this swiftly."

"Doesn't it match our anticipations? Frankly, I'd braced for graver outcomes. This result qualifies as favorable."

Lin Jiang admitted he'd even pondered outright confrontation, even mutual annihilation strategies, but their absence marked the optimal resolution.