Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 791

In the year 7140 of the Blue Star Xia calendar, on Jiang Star.

Four massive flying vessels departed from the primary survival base on Jiang Star, scattering into the north, south, east, and west directions. During their transit, one of the hulls opened, releasing a thick cloud of fluffy spores.

These were specialized plant spores, genetically altered in our laboratories to thrive within the unique climate of Jiang Star, designed to blanket the surface in greenery rapidly.

Simultaneously, a network of ore-smelting plants sprang up across the landscape. The expedition had uncovered rare mineral veins identical to those on Blue Star, alongside various unidentified metallic elements of immense value.

Construction was swift. By intentionally bypassing specific industrial exhaust filtration systems, the factories began pumping significant quantities of carbon dioxide and other vapors into the atmosphere to effectively thin the oxygen content.

Furthermore, an array of formations was deployed to generate a perpetual cloud blanket, shielding the surface from lethal ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise annihilate all native terrestrial life.

Deep within the base’s laboratory, hundreds of biological specimens are currently under observation. Before long, these species will be introduced onto Jiang Star to bolster its fledgling biodiversity.

"Ancestor Lin Cong, Lin Guobin Senior, it is your turn to drink."

Inside the base, Liang Long sat drinking with Small Shadiao and Lin Guobin. As members of the elite five-person leadership group, they frequented these gatherings. Liang Long, acting with intent, had successfully cultivated a friendship with Small Shadiao.

Lin Guobin, a junior ضمن Small Shadiao’s inner circle, frequently joined these sessions, eventually becoming quite comfortable with the group.

"Little Liang Long, your brewing technique is truly remarkable, easily outperforming my own brother’s work."

Small Shadiao was enjoying the drink immensely; here, he felt a rare sense of liberty. Devoid of the heavy burdens of his high rank, he felt remarkably at ease.

"Ancestor Lin Cong, the spirit I brew earned the top award at the Huaxia International Wine Fair. I simply choose not to monetize it; otherwise, the major alcohol conglomerates in Huaxia would surely struggle to compete with me."

"Little Liang Long, you possess a talent for cooking as well, it seems. Have you received any honors for that?"

"I studied for mere days, mastering all eighteen regional cuisines of Huaxia. My superior, Cao Wang, dined with me twice and ended up staying for three years, utterly unable to depart."

Liang Long spoke with confidence; his goal was to become the most accomplished figure in Huaxia. He sought mastery not just in Cultivation and intense research, but across all artistic and life skills. To his mind, these were trivial matters. He mastered them with effortless speed, rapidly ascending to the pinnacle. While others dedicate their entire existence to one craft, he was vastly superior—it is truly the case that some are blessed with extraordinary aptitude.

Lin Guobin maintained a quiet demeanor, listening to the boasting while concentrating on his meal. Liang Long’s skills were indeed impressive. Even as a high-ranking official in Huaxia accustomed to luxury, Lin Guobin realized that compared to what Liang Long provided, his own previous indulgences were lackluster.

Sensing the perfect moment, Liang Long subtly pivoted the conversation toward the ancient era of Cultivation. Small Shadiao, though occasionally petty, lacked profound insight. In terms of intellect, he was no match for the brilliant Liang Long. Believing Liang Long held no ill intent, he spoke openly, blending fragments of truth with elaborate myths.

Lin Guobin recognized that Liang Long was fishing for information regarding the Cultivation era, yet he offered no resistance. To the new generation of practitioners, the legends of that period were shrouded in mystery, sparking an insatiable curiosity in many, including Liang Long.

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The year 7180 of the Xia calendar, Huaxia.

Within the space command center, Cao Wang processed a stream of data sent from Blue Star, organizing it for Lin Jiang. By this point, the initial five hundred thousand pioneers had arrived on Jiang Star after a voyage of forty-five years, now fully settled within the survival bases.

Furthermore, the terraforming project on Jiang Star was progressing smoothly. Towering flora were beginning to thrive, and a small population of fauna—transplanted from Blue Star—had taken root. This initial success confirmed the viability of the Jiang Star colonization project.

Consequently, Cao Wang submitted a proposal to Lin Jiang for large-scale immigration. This initiative had been planned for ages, and the conditions were finally ripe for execution.

"This is the dispatch from Cao Wang. The transformation of Jiang Star is essentially complete. Once our new wave of immigrants lands, the conditions should mirror those of Blue Star. Uncle, what is your judgment? Shall we initiate the process?"

Cao Ying prompted Lin Jiang as she displayed Cao Wang’s report.

"The time has come. Recently, I received word from Xia Qingshan; he is starting to pressure me for answers."

"Has he revealed himself?"

"Not yet. He prefers to maintain an air of mystery. It is how he preserves his authority."

"Then we proceed. The Demon Queen has also been persistent; she demands a continent from Jiang Star for her kin."

"Very well. Alert the Huaxia officials to prepare. This cycle, we must transport one million immigrants."

Lin Jiang delegated the logistics to the bureaucracy. Among Huaxia’s populace of ten billion, a mere million departures remained largely unnoticed by the masses.

"Is the Demon Queen truly expecting a continent?"

"Offer it to her, but do not surrender ownership."

"Aren't you merely baiting her?"

"It is not about deception; it is about commerce. The capital mobilized for the Jiang Star project is astronomical. Just the investment in Premium Spirit Stones alone reaches tens of millions, before even considering other costs. They cannot simply demand a territory and expect a handout without genuine negotiation."

"That is logical, yet the demon race is relatively destitute at present. They likely lack the wealth to meet your price."

"That is a problem for them to resolve. Tell the Demon Queen to liquidate whatever assets she must to afford the payment."

"I perceive you have also accounted for the Demon Emperor’s reaction."

"Hehe, keep that to yourself."

Lin Jiang offered a cold chuckle. Indeed, he had factored in the power of the Demon Emperor. Xia Qingshan had hinted that there were over twenty such figures; the number might even have climbed to thirty, rivaling the strength of Huaxia.

Such immense power should not be squandered; they would prove effective as cannon fodder in the future. Furthermore, this was simple business. The Demon Queen could not simply claim land; there were protocols of prestige to observe.

"The recovery of spiritual energy has endured for over a millennium; the demon race has struggled to consolidate their influence. Tsk tsk, it stirs memories of the Ying Continent affair, hehe."

"Do you truly believe the Ying Continent could evade your designs?"

Lin Jiang replied firmly, "One cannot escape the fate of the Ying Continent. Those on Blue Star are bound by his machinations; this is the destined conclusion."

Following their discussion, the directives were forwarded to Jingdu City. The authorities there regarded the immigration criteria with extreme gravity, convening panels of experts to ensure the selection process was conducted with rigorous care.

Should they favor established clans or select from the criminal population? This form of colonization mirrored ancient military campaigns where convicts were utilized as vanguard defense. It was by these very means that the five nations of the original pact were established.

Five million immigration permits were allocated, with specific provisions for individuals of unique standing, such as those among the Awakened cultivators.

Many of the Awakened expressed a desire to visit Jiang Star, particularly leaders focused on the Dao. With their extended lifespans and vast resources, many felt that reaching the Transmigration Stage was inevitable, fueling their wanderlust.

"Cao Wang, if others are permitted to visit for leisure, you too must travel to Jiang Star."

"Ancestor, consider my years of dedicated service. Regardless of my specific deeds, my effort cannot be denied. After working this long, I deserve a respite!"

"A round trip spanning hundreds of years constitutes a vacation? At most, I will allow you to send a clone."

"A clone lacks the longevity to endure such a mission."

"Then manufacture a substitute. In any case, you are staying. Furthermore, organize the retrieval of the Space Mother Ship. This will be the fifth voyage; we cannot afford to treat these vessels as disposable assets with millions of immigrants awaiting transport."

"Ancestor, I must advise against retrieving the ship. The cost of fuel for the return flight barely differs from constructing a new craft. It would be more efficient to decommission it at Jiang Star and utilize it as a permanent infrastructure component for further exploration."

"My current plan dictates that Jiang Star must not possess such independent capability."

Lin Jiang declared, "In my design, Jiang Star remains merely a source of resources. If their technological prowess approaches ours on Blue Star, there is a risk that they might attempt to seize the initiative."

"Ancestor Lin, I would argue that your perspective is unnecessarily restrictive. Utilizing Jiang Star as a space exploration hub serves our own expansion…"

Hearing this, Cao Wang’s countenance shifted as he attempted to persuade Lin Jiang. The utility of an exploration hub located on Jiang Star was undeniable. How could they abandon such an advantage?

Lin Jiang remained silent. He grasped the benefits Cao Wang outlined, yet he weighed them against his own strategic concerns. He needed to deliberate carefully on whether deepening the technological infrastructure of Jiang Star was a risk worth taking.