Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 806

~5 minute read · 1,209 words

Previously on Cultivation: Being Immortal...

Bodhisattva Puxiang fled across the stars using his Step by Step Lotus technique, blooming massive Buddha lotuses to cover vast distances, but Space Battleship attacks relentlessly pursued and slowed him. Cornered, he summoned his dharma body to fight back, only to be shattered by particle cannons and captured alive in a nanotech metal net. Cao Ying interrogated the weakened bodhisattva, who expounded Buddhist doctrines claiming true immortality beyond deceptive cultivation paths, nearly swaying her until a mental warning allowed her to seal his cultivation before returning to Cape III Planet.

Year 7650 of the Xia Calendar, Cape III Planet Star Domain

For three full days, Lin Jiang meticulously wiped out the mark Puxiang had imprinted on the Shenwu Demon Emperor. The sheer potency of that mark left Lin Jiang in awe. A typical Tao Achieving cultivator would have fallen victim without resistance. Thankfully, the Shenwu Demon Emperor possessed sufficient might to resist instant corruption.

Once he escorted the Shenwu Demon Emperor and his group back to Cape III Planet, Lin Jiang encountered Bodhisattva Puxiang. He sent away everyone but Cao Ying.

"The Buddhist cultivator boasts a robust physique. His wounds have nearly mended, so stay vigilant."

Cao Ying warned Lin Jiang. For extra caution, she produced the thread from Lin Die and bound Puxiang with it.

Lin Jiang gave a nod and addressed Puxiang, "Bodhisattva Puxiang, didn’t you wish to meet me? Why the silence now?"

"I’ve learned from Master Cao that you rule this world?"

"That’s one way to put it; I hold some unyielding authority here."

"Over these past days, I’ve enjoyed deep discussions with Master Cao on many topics. Master Lin governs this realm; why not ponder this issue with gravity?"

"I grasp your points. They sound utterly reasonable on the surface, yet they’re utter drivel underneath."

Lin Jiang remarked that Cao Ying had already relayed Puxiang’s arguments to him. During their exchange, Cao Ying couldn’t hold her own; she nearly got swayed.

In truth, Lin Jiang fared no better. Each faith clings to its unbreakable doctrines, forming airtight logic. Back on real Blue Star, atheism could dismantle such claims, but not here—true deities exist.

Lin Jiang harbored scant affection for Buddhism. He acknowledged the presence of profound sages and praiseworthy Zen insights within it, yet overall, it left him cold.

All in all, it struck him as excessively esoteric and detached from reality. The world remains fundamentally material, where tangible matters reign supreme.

"I’d like to hear the full explanation."

Puxiang wore a mournful expression and inclined his head toward Lin Jiang.

He feared no discourse; no eminent Buddhist monk ever did. Indeed, he yearned to engage Lin Jiang, for through debate, he could proclaim Buddhism’s truths.

"I’m a man of action, not mere theory. If it’s debate you seek, I concede I’m no match for you. Still, I propose a simple game, should Bodhisattva Puxiang consent."

"What sort of game?"

"A fair gentleman’s wager. I’ll pose questions or demands, which you must fulfill. Success means your victory—you name one request, and I’ll grant it, even your freedom. Failure lets me claim one favor from you, which you’ll honor. Sound agreeable?"

"Very well, proceed with your queries."

"No rush—let’s savor it. First, we seal it with a vow to your Buddha Master."

"Monks utter no lies."

"Apologies, but I’m no monk. Steel yourself."

Lin Jiang offered no chance to back out. He urged readiness, while preparing his own strategy.

"Why complicate things? Even at Transmigration Stage, Puxiang can’t resist both of us soul-searching him."

Cao Ying puzzled over it. What’s this game for? Soul-searching seems straightforward.

"Buddhist arts harbor odd protections. Crucial secrets evade soul searches. They layer divine soul seals too. To win fully, we must force total surrender."

Lin Jiang explained that soul-searching isn’t infallible. Divine soul barriers are standard, removable only at Mahayana Stage.

"Fine, what’s your scheme against him?"

"In Huaxia’s mortal realm, they say: never debate fools. It means fools craft their own reality. They pull you into their madness, then overwhelm with endless folly."

"Clashing with Puxiang drags us into his domain. What do we know of Buddhism? Nothing—we’d lose."

"So, fetch a fool to dismantle him?"

"Essentially. I’ll summon stubborn, dim-witted folks to dismantle his claims—without Buddhist arts, of course."

Lin Jiang noted Huaxia’s billions yield plenty of eccentrics and simpletons. Blending both is routine. Pitting them against his doctrine proves easy.

"You’ve plotted these schemes for ages, haven’t you?"

"I covet the Humanism Bestowing Sutra, Buddhism’s pinnacle technique. I yearn to claim it."

Lin Jiang declared the Humanism Bestowing Sutra Buddhism’s ultimate secret—tricks were essential to seize it.

After one day’s setup, Huaxia dispatched a youth: a cultivator of decent talent but simple-minded, often called loose in the head. A zealous immortal cultivation devotee, famed online as a debate maestro, his location traced by the net team for invitation.

Lin Jiang and Puxiang pledged no Buddhist supernaturals—just doctrines. Converting him to Buddhism in a day sealed victory.

Brimming with assurance, Puxiang dove into debate. He opened with core tenets, nudging toward virtue, but faltered fast on defining goodness. Was abstaining from killing enough?

Puxiang held slaying as wicked, sparing as virtuous. The debate ace fired piercing queries. If sparing is good, what of meat-eaters? Skipping meat starves protein—does malnutrition death equal killing? Vegetarians drink water teeming with microbes. Humans and beasts count, but not tiny lives?

Even among humans, zero killing makes saints? You preach love’s inspiration—fine, inspire away. Yet good-evil stem from desires; desires breed division. No good-evil turns us mechanical?

The ace unleashed paradox after paradox, everyday riddles needing no physics or math. Over ten barrages left Puxiang bewildered.

"Uncle, you’re brilliant. Lingjing Star lacks true tech insight. Microbes? He’s clueless. Isn’t this hitting below the belt?"

"Precisely the point—that’s the impact I sought. His prowess falters before true chaos erupts."

Lin Jiang chuckled. He’d orchestrated it: solvable queries got no breathing room, logic smothered.

Puxiang struggled indeed. Lingjing Star’s society echoed cultivation antiquity; modern woes were alien. Cultural rifts, not doctrinal weakness.

Buddhists excel at adaptation, theories evolving timely. But unimmersed in this age? Impossible. Era’s the divide.

A day later, Puxiang barely uttered words before conceding. Unanswered queries blocked conversion. True persuasion takes time—no shortcuts sans force.

"Bodhisattva Puxiang, how fares the match?"

"The poor monk succumbed to the donor’s ruse."

"Ruse? You’re far from satisfied."

"Indeed unconvinced."

"Fair enough—now a real contest. Our world holds near four billion souls, shy of five. If your Buddha elevates all to middle-class bliss, I’ll lead your flock first. Deal?"

Lin Jiang sneered coldly, then had Cao Ying play videos: online promos of modest middle-class lives, the humbler sorts.

Puxiang fell mute. Tech lifestyles baffled him, but sustaining them demanded vast resources. Feasible for thousands, even myriads—not billions.

Human societies breed inequality, exploitation. Billions in harmony? Rich need poor to shine. Relativity rules.

"Possible?"

"Impossible."

"Convinced now?"

"Utterly. I seek to tour your world, test if feasible."

"Agreed—but yield the Humanism Bestowing Sutra first. Our pact stands; defeat demands compliance."

"·····"

"What’s that? Silence speaks volumes?"

Lin Jiang pressed, stunned by Puxiang’s hush. Scheming still?

"Amitabha, the Humanism Bestowing Sutra is Buddhism’s sacred core. Sharing it is grave sin."