Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 790

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Previously on Cultivation: Being Immortal...
Lin Jiang assesses the state of the Cloud Mountain Range, where the Five Elements Bead continues its century-long process of generating a spirit vein. While coordinating with researchers to refine interstellar travel and shorten the distance to Jiang Star, he pushes his subordinates to maintain competitive progress. Meanwhile, on Jiang Star, Liang Long discovers a critical setback: spiritual plants rapidly lose their energy once harvested, forcing him to halt cultivation research while he uncovers deeper mysteries regarding Blue Star's Heavenly Way.
Blue Star Xia Calendar, year 7135, Huaxia domain. As Lin Jiang executed a spell, five radiant orbs were extracted from the core of the Cloud Mountain spirit vein, dropping directly into his grasp. He immediately sensed a surge of spiritual energy, far exceeding the purity levels of even a Premium Spirit Stone. "Such intense spiritual energy! Uncle, why not absorb these? They would surely assist you in entering the Transmigration Stage." "Absorption is unnecessary; I am capable of reaching the Transmigration Stage during my next meditation cycle." "Is your confidence truly that high?" "To be frank, I could have advanced ages ago, but I lingered to refine various secret arts. Currently, I have perfected the Taixu Divine Light, a technique transcending the Tao Achieving methods of the olden Pure Jade Sect." Lin Jiang noted that the Taixu Divine Light ranked as a premier secret art, holding its own against the legacies of the four major families. The Pure Jade Sect’s ancestors had simply failed to master their own techniques properly; in Lin Jiang’s hands, the art would easily eclipse the peak power of their former Tao Achieving cultivators. "I have also mastered a thunder technique." "The Hunyuan Divine Thunder Art?" "Naturally, if one is to pursue mastery, one must acquire the finest teachings." "That is wise. Lightning-based magic is devastating to the demon race. Perhaps you can finally overwhelm the Demon Queen next time." "The Demon Queen is no longer a threat to me." "Ha ha, we shall witness that soon enough. For now, let’s return to Haigang City." Lin Jiang noted that Huaxia’s cultivators were increasingly refining their secret skills. While their base cultivation levels remained static, their combat efficacy had surged dramatically. Even if they faced the monster race once more, the creatures would pose little challenge, ending the era where two Tao Achieving masters struggled to subdue a single Void Achieving Stage opponent. Upon entering his private quarters, Xia Qingshan manifested for the third encounter, appearing physically rather than through a mere watch projection. "The Five Elements Bead is complete. The Cloud Mountain spirit vein has been left significantly scarred for a hundred-year period. How do you intend to make amends?" "Given our extensive cooperation, is that truly necessary?" "A partnership requires transparency. Even siblings must maintain clear accounts." "Fine. How about I grant you access to several untapped mineral deposits deep underground? If I keep silent, even you would struggle to locate them for five centuries." "Excavating them seems trivial. Propose something else." "Lin Jiang, cease your attempts to pry into my affairs. Excessive knowledge will only bring you harm. It is better to practice restraint." Shaking his head, Xia Qingshan remarked on Lin Jiang’s increasing boldness in trying to extract his hidden truths. "I prefer absolute transparency. When you conceal information, the imbalance between us creates potential disadvantage. Do you comprehend?" "I comprehend your position, but matters of fate have their own flow. Passion rises and falls." "..." Lin Jiang felt speechless. Either this entity was growing more cunning, or he had truly exhausted his supply of revelations. "The instructions for the Five Elements Bead and my clone are imprinted here. Until our paths align again." Ignoring the silence, Xia Qingshan tapped his finger against Lin Jiang’s forehead, causing a stream of data to flood his consciousness. Xia Qingshan then dissolved into a beam, crystalizing into a pearl identical to the Five Elements Bead. Lin Jiang sighed and carefully secured it. "It has manifested once more." Following a signal from Lin Jiang, Cao Ying stepped into the room. "Indeed, this marks our third meeting." "Did you manage to gain any intelligence?" "None. He remains guarded and tight-lipped about the essential details." "This is unsustainable. The information gap makes it appear as though he is manipulating our every move." "I have yet to devise a solution." "Perhaps I should undertake the trial. Provided I attempt it…" "Do not speak such folly, you are a human of Blue Star; under no circumstances should you be the first to face the trial." Lin Jiang’s tone turned grave. Below the Transmigration Stage, their activities remained beneath Xia Qingshan’s concern. However, initiating the trial would constitute a direct threat to his agenda, forcing him to act. Lin Jiang was convinced that Cao Ying would suffer if she proceeded. "Understood, but once the Five Elements Bead reaches Jiang Star, the ensuing interstellar war weighs heavily on my mind." "Anxiety is futile; we have centuries to prepare. Focus on accelerating your own growth." Lin Jiang maintained that their interstellar foes would likely be other planets' cultivators, and they were far from destined to fail. Provoking Xia Qingshan prematurely would only invite disaster. In the year 7135 of the Blue Star Xia calendar, on Jiang Star, Liang Long and several high-ranking officials greeted the inaugural wave of official immigrants as the captain and his crew arrived. Their Space Mother Ship successfully docked alongside the previous Genesis series vessel. "Chief Liang, these represent the sleeping pods. This level contains ten sections, each housing five thousand pods, totaling half a million individuals. Per the original specifications, they have remained dormant for two decades and await awakening." "Captain, your oversight is appreciated. Jiang Star cannot currently sustain such a population, so a phased awakening is imperative." "Lead me to survey Jiang Star." "Understood, I shall prepare a transport shuttle." "Unnecessary. My cultivation allows for direct movement. We shall traverse it together." The captain, a new-generation cultivator who had achieved the Soul Changing Stage, nodded in agreement as they exited the mother ship to descend onto the planet’s surface. Jiang Star had undergone a radical transformation over the past century; the persistent global deluges had vanished, leaving only localized rain cycles. The landscape was now vibrant with flora, and indigenous life, including schools of fish, had returned to the oceans. "The local life currently flourishing was introduced from Blue Star. Decades of intensive conditioning were required for them to acclimate to Jiang Star’s specific conditions, a process that incurred considerable cost." Liang Long detailed the acclimation process. Given the variations in gravity, atmospheric composition, solar cycles, and climate compared to Blue Star, bringing creatures over without preparation would have resulted in immediate mass mortality. Years of laboratory-controlled nurturing had finally yielded success. The surface was now sustained by over thirty varieties of moss, specifically those capable of sequestering nuclear radiation, while the seas thrived with a dozen aquatic species. "The genetic mutation among these creatures is profound." "That is inevitable. The variance in oxygen levels alone is sufficient to force genetic shifts. We have ceased direct intervention, allowing natural evolution to take its course." "When will their biological states stabilize?" "That remains uncertain. Their genetic makeup needs total alignment with this environment." "But what of our people? While these five hundred thousand are cultivators, most possess negligible skills, making them quite vulnerable. We must prevent a catastrophe upon their arrival." "They shall reside within the survival base." "That is not the objective, Chief Liang. Our mandate is to terraform and develop the entirety of Jiang Star, not merely huddle in a base." "Your superior, Cao Wang, has requested that I inform you to make Jiang Star profitable as soon as possible. Upon the arrival of the next immigrant fleet, you are to consolidate resources from all arriving vessels and the mother ship, then return in one ship laden with supplies." The captain explained that Cao Wang was desperate for Jiang Star to generate wealth to subsidize Blue Star and the Spiritual Energy Research Institute, lest the project remain an endless drain on resources. "I understand." Liang Long nodded. Although his term had expired, Cao Wang’s directive effectively forced an extension. He felt a twinge of frustration; he had much yet to oversee, and the limited research infrastructure meant any personnel change would inevitably stall the terraforming momentum. Remaining silent, Liang Long guided the captain toward the sprawling survival base, a city-like structure capable of sustaining hundreds of thousands, which despite its robust agricultural output, still struggled to cultivate spiritual flora.