Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 785
Previously on Cultivation: Being Immortal...
In the Blue Star Xia calendar's seven thousandth year, Jiang Star…
"Data Report"
"Affirmative, my lord. Satellite imagery reveals that Jiang Star's landmass has fragmented, primarily into five continents, excluding minor debris. The primary continent constitutes roughly one-third of the total land area, with the remaining four provisionally labeled A, B, C, and D. Continent A is positioned three hundred kilometers westward from the main continent…"
"Atmospheric data examination indicates that the nitrogen levels in Jiang Star's atmosphere are…"
"Temperature assessment initiates from the main continent's surface on Jiang Star, recording a surface temperature of…"
"Biological data for Jiang Star reveals a discovery of one hundred eighty-six microorganism varieties, predominantly paramecium cells…"
Aboard the Genesis II Mother Ship, Lin Guobin absorbed the influx of reports. In the span of more than fifteen years, their team had executed three demolition operations and performed countless data analysis trials.
In the end, they succeeded in dividing Jiang Star's continent into five segments, the most distant one exceeding eight hundred kilometers from the others, while the nearest remained just beyond ten kilometers, forming a narrow strait.
"Does this signify the accomplishment of our initial strategic objective?"
"Indeed, my lord. The primary phase involved parting Jiang Star's continents to hasten the planet's evolutionary process."
"Are we able to launch straight into the second phase?"
Lin Guobin declared that now the first strategic goal was met, extra effort was required to address the next stage, since everyone shared stakes in the mission, leaving no room for slacking.
"My lord, the second Space Mother Ship requires another thirty-five years before it reaches us. Preserving sufficient energy for that duration is essential."
"I see, thus the subsequent task remains optional, executed only when feasible. A handful of nuclear weapons still remain in our arsenal."
"Six."
"Why not deploy those? What does the second phase strategy entail?"
"To lower Jiang Star's temperature and halt the relentless downpours persisting for hundreds of thousands of years. Elevated heat stands as the chief culprit."
One scientist explained that Jiang Star's persistent heavy rains stemmed mainly from soaring temperatures, causing rapid seawater evaporation and sky-high atmospheric moisture, which inevitably triggered the torrents.
"Such intense heat arises from tectonic shifts, particularly volcanic outbursts. At present, tens of thousands of volcanoes rage across Jiang Star, among them over ten supervolcanoes…"
"Key approaches to chilling Jiang Star include: firstly, direct cooling methods; secondly, hastening volcanic blasts to expend energy rapidly. Direct cooling primarily involves erecting a barrier encompassing all of Jiang Star, yet our existing tech and resources fall short, demanding an unaffordable energy expenditure. Therefore, the optimal path is to intensify volcanic activity, unleashing ten thousand years' worth of power in mere moments."
"Might this shatter Jiang Star entirely?"
"Negative; more than a hundred hydrogen bombs failed to do so…"
"That holds merit; volcanic blasts pack far greater force than hydrogen bombs, requiring precise computations."
"Very well, we'll address them sequentially, beginning with the supervolcanoes."
Lin Guobin remarked, admitting his scientific expertise was limited. Though he had studied extensively prior to launch, full comprehension eluded him, forcing reliance on the team's genuine experts.
Following days of deliberation, the group resolved to deploy the leftover hydrogen bombs against the supervolcanoes, prompting premature energy discharge. Subsequently, space-based armaments would follow for further strikes, conserving vital reserves until the second Space Mother Ship's arrival.
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Huaxia, Space Base
"Lin Guobin executed three blasts; Jiang Star now fragments into five landmasses, with one separated by over eight hundred kilometers from the central continent. Moreover, these nuclear detonations boosted crustal motion, propelling the landmasses apart at dozens of meters annually, as timed from Blue Star."
"Doesn't dozens of meters per year seem sluggish?"
"It's remarkably swift; subsequent drifts will taper off gradually yet persist. Planetary development spans millennia at minimum. These three blasts have propelled Jiang Star's progress forward by at least one hundred thousand years."
Cao Wang noted that absent human meddling, their mathematical simulations predicted no less than one hundred thousand years for an event of this magnitude.
"Our following step involves reducing Jiang Star's heat."
"Correct, Lin Guobin’s crew possesses scant resources now, chiefly awaiting the second Space Mother Ship. They plan to expedite Jiang Star's volcanic surges, aiming for full eruption in a few decades. Absent tectonic energies, cooling would span thousands of years, but our actions could achieve it in a century. The third Space Mother Ship, under Liang Long, remains pending."
"No fifth Space Mother Ship for the immediate future; we'll monitor Jiang Star's status first. This grants Huaxia some respite. Across these years, Huaxia's extraction from other nations has been excessive, branding us as villains."
Lin Jiang observed that such ruthless exploitation had eroded Huaxia's centuries-old prestige. Online debates raged fiercely, with outsiders labeling Huaxia a bloodsucker beyond its borders. Truly, the Jiang Star initiative's seamless advance rested upon the anguish and sacrifices of distant peoples.
Thus, Lin Jiang sought a pause, to temper the siphoning and rebuild their image. Allowing global unity against Huaxia was untenable.
"The Spiritual Energy Research Institute shall offer maximal aid. Research priorities will shift to release numerous advancements for everyday use, focusing on nutrition and healthcare."
Cao Wang explained that the Spiritual Energy Research Institute had concentrated on cosmic endeavors, but numerous spatial initiatives faced stalls and sluggish advances. Accumulation demanded time, necessitating adjustments.
"In my opinion, it's due to other regions' undue ease. Recall, the demon race remains our ace."
Cao Ying interjected from nearby, seething at the barbs aimed at Huaxia. She conceded the global drain, yet deemed it justified—the mighty deserved primacy.
In a cultivation era, dissenters would face swift elimination without recourse. Cao Ying once viewed it casually, but with Jiang Star's advancement so far, halting now seemed folly.
Hence, Cao Ying persistently advocated deploying the demon race wildcard. Reigniting interspecies conflict would silence all complaints.
"No sense in major losses over minor grievances. A two-race war would devour vast resources. Blue Star's assets mustn't squander on infighting; they're for external threats. I sense impending interstellar conflicts ahead."
"Interstellar wars? Ancestor Lin, surely you're jesting!"
"Do my words ring with humor?"
"No, such a war would prove immensely perilous."
Cao Wang added, "Interstellar civilizations attain peak development. Possession of annihilative armaments is standard, enabling effortless mutual destruction."
"I recognize the peril. Are you familiar with the Dark Forest theory?"
"Yes, that speculative concept from sci-fi, originated by Ancestor Lin, wasn't it?"
"It bears no relation to me, yet it risks manifesting as reality, demanding preparations and space armament development."
Lin Jiang asserted that interstellar conflict loomed inevitable, not hypothetical. Xia Qingshan's insights clarified this: alien encounters would spell domination and seizure, never harmony.
Cao Wang gazed at Lin Jiang in bewilderment. The source of Lin Jiang's intel escaped him. Was interstellar war truly assured? The Dark Forest remained speculative fiction, far from consensus, riddled with critiques and inconsistencies.
"Why the odd stare, Cao Wang?"
"Nothing, Ancestor Lin. I'll assign teams for dedicated space weapon studies; several prototypes show breakthrough promise."
"Excellent. Time draws near; let's ready our return."
Lin Jiang assented with a nod. Scientific intricacies lay beyond their grasp; personal duties awaited.