Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 802

Lingjing Star, Wanfa Temple

All Buddhist cultivators from Lingjing Star who attain Arhat level return to Wanfa Temple for practice, aspiring to reach Bodhisattva stage, survive the heavenly tribulation, and ultimately head to Ling Star for supreme bliss.

Bodhisattva Kongyan, the leading Bodhisattva at Wanfa Temple, greeted the arriving Bodhisattvas with a warm smile and a glow of sacred light.

"Bodhisattva Kongyan, rumors say Arhat Huangyuan has perished. Do you have more details?"

"Indeed, Arhat Huangyuan traveled to the Eastern Star Domain to spread the Dharma but fell into an ambush by wicked forces. His true spirit was completely destroyed."

"Eastern Star Domain?"

"Bodhisattva Kongyan, we've scouted the Eastern Star Domain for years without spotting any small worlds."

"The Buddha Lord declared three hundred great realms and three thousand small realms exist in the universe. Our Lingjing World's Buddhist teachings have spread for merely thirty thousand years, so it's no surprise we haven't uncovered much yet in the Star Domain. With small worlds now emerging, we must celebrate our Buddha's profound Dharma…"

Bodhisattva Kongyan explained gently that Lingjing Star wasn't always a hub for Buddhist cultivation. Outsiders introduced it, spending millennia to convert all inhabitants into devoted Buddhist cultivators—that's the full story.

After more than twenty thousand years of rest and growth, Lingjing Star now flourishes with hundreds of Arhats and dozens of Bodhisattvas. Thus, Lingjing Star started probing nearby regions to locate additional small worlds and propagate Buddhist teachings.

"Bodhisattva Kongyan, with Arhat Huangyuan confirming worlds in the Eastern Star Domain, we must venture there to disseminate the Dharma. Our Buddha's compassion is boundless, and most worldly beings wallow in evil and filth. Let the Buddha’s radiance illuminate all, purify the masses, and lead them toward virtue."

"Excellent. Bodhisattva Puxiang, you shall investigate. Confirm the small worlds' presence and report back. Then, I'll lead numerous monks from Lingjing World to the Eastern Star Domain to preach the Dharma."

Bodhisattva Kongyan declared, and Bodhisattva Puxiang promptly pressed his palms together in reverence, accepting the assignment.

The surrounding Bodhisattvas buzzed with excitement. Buddhist cultivation differs slightly from other paths; beyond standard practice, it heavily relies on incense and prayer power sourced from myriad believers in the Buddha's doctrine. Hence, Buddhist cultivators prioritize the scale of followers under their influence.

This gives rise to the concept of fortune. For Buddhism to prosper, it demands spreading teachings and claiming domains. Greater domains mean stronger fortune, compelling constant expansion.

Now, with Lingjing World's Buddhists detecting worlds in other Star Domains, success would vastly boost their fortune. Each individual would reap substantial gains too.

········

Year 7620 of the Blue Star Xia calendar.

Seventy years flew by since the Cape III Buddhist incident; in that time, Lin Jiang finalized Huaxia society's reorganization.

First, resources poured into constructing ten Space Fleets, each featuring one Space Mother Ship, three Space Battleships, six Space Destroyers, ten Space Scout Ships, plus supporting space craft.

Meanwhile, tech advanced dramatically; the stalled nuclear fusion finally ripened. Earlier, research halted as fusion energy paled against spiritual energy, the pinnacle energy known.

War's urgency prompted Huaxia to revive and master nuclear fusion, channeling massive efforts. Primarily, it offsets spiritual energy use on Blue Star, preserving spiritual energy for space operations.

To that end, Lin Jiang shared tech aid with Qingyun, Zhou Liao, the Five Nations Alliance, and Ying Continent, helping them conserve spiritual energy.

Beyond fusion, quantum communication leaped forward. New space immigration mother ships will deploy quantum relays between Jiang Star and Blue Star, slashing communication lag by over tenfold for vastly better efficiency.

Also, ten more Interstellar Teleportation Arrays were built, shortening the Blue Star-Jiang Star flight by another hundred billion kilometers. The gap now stands under six light-years. Jiang Star's second resource batch reached Blue Star, third en route.

All this depleted Blue Star's resource stocks, even draining Huaxia under Lin Jiang. Without starving millions, no further push; only time and gradual buildup remain.

"We've formally allied with the demon race. Tianya Mountain Base on Fangzhang Continent dismantles in three months. Leftover humans there must flee to Shen Continent's fringe islands or survive alone."

Cao Ying approached Lin Jiang and added, "For demon race cooperation, mutual sincerity is key. Demons show theirs via Shenwu Demon Emperor and Demon Emperors guarding Cape III Planet; humans yield one-third of Fangzhang Continent's leftover land."

Shen Continent's edges hold numerous isles, mostly demon-held or forsaken. Fangzhang's surviving humans can relocate there; if short, they're on their own.

"Shenwu Demon Emperor reached Cape III Planet?"

"Yes, days ago. Cape III garrison reported it, and Demon Queen seeks Lingjing Star intel."

"Share Lingjing Star's language data; little else available."

Lin Jiang noted, "From Arhat Huangyuan’s memories, I compiled Lingjing Star's language. Incomplete, but study enables basic talk."

Huaxia leaders now master Lingjing Star tongue, with experts analyzing it for insights.

"Uncle, Xia Qingshan still hiding?"

"Nope, more exposure amps his nerves. He won't show casually."

Lin Jiang spoke boldly, unconcerned if Xia Qingshan eavesdropped. Initially impressive, Xia Qingshan now seemed mediocre—weak strength, flawed character at their tier. Mystery gone, utterly average.

"Curious when those Buddhist cultivators strike, and if we pinpoint their lair."

"Imminent, barring surprises—it'll hit fast. Seventy years in interstellar war? Brief. For Lingjing Star's Buddhists, research pinpoints a Star Domain west of Cape III, roughly one hundred light-years off. Counterattacking with current tech? Near impossible; distance too vast."

Lin Jiang explained: at 0.1 light speed, it'd take a millennium. No true space jumps yet, troops can't reach Lingjing Star timely, speeds far below.

"One hundred light-years—how'd those monks cross? Huangyuan recall secret arts?"

"Yes, but sealed invisibly. Legacies guard them; memory scans fail due to rule powers. Xia Qingshan withholds; else we'd match."

Lin Jiang added: Buddhists outpace here via rule powers. Xia Qingshan teachable, but distrust blocks it fully.

"Xia Qingshan's too petty."

"Not our issue. Await war's spark to settle all."

Lin Jiang noted Blue Star's development bottlenecked, conflicts brewing. War now could streamline internals, quelling most disputes.