Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 813

Year 7730 of the Blue Star Xia Calendar, Huaxia

Lin Jiang gazed upon the report concerning Buddhist preaching placed before him. This so-called Buddhist preaching had been orchestrated by their group, intermingling elites among ordinary people as part of an extended scheme.

The elites were meant to preach earnestly, highlighting the virtuous aspects of Buddhism. Subsequently, the regular folks would create chaos and shatter their prestige.

"Don’t stare at it excessively; fools remain plentiful in this world. Even one in ten thousand, amid four billion souls, yields a million. Still, this counter-tactic proves brilliant; moderates at least now perceive Buddhism's true face."

Cao Ying remarked from his side that fools never cease to exist in the world. No matter Blue Star's superior education, that one-in-ten-thousand odds endures, allowing a decade of fervent Buddhism promotion to net them substantial adherents.

"Fools pose no real threat; societally, they grasp no authority. They target the middle and upper strata. External foes rarely dismantle vast powers entirely; internal rifts pose the gravest peril."

"So you refuse to cease it?"

"Indeed, no haste required. Keep expanding to unmask those figures, then crush them together."

Lin Jiang noted that Blue Star now faced chaos from within and without. Demon race internal strife was quelled, yet myriad troubles persisted.

Moreover, fresh cultivator generations surged in might, government heavyweights included. Such power swells often inflate egos, birthing personal agendas.

For such folk, Buddhist cultivation's worth mattered little; exploitability was key. Hence, Lin Jiang's angling this round spares not just Buddhist cultivators; sundry prizes tempt his hook.

"Tread carefully, avoid blunders."

"I'm assured. Blue Star stays ours to command; talks resolve all. Incidentally, Ying Continent pact sealed?

"Cooperation yes, but price they demand is steep."

"Planet on their wishlist too?"

"Precisely; demon race deal's no riddle. Ying Continent craves demon parity now. Fearing us, they seek separation. That Ying saying: ‘Ying Continent too remote from heaven, too near Huaxia’?"

Cao Ying stated, "Interstellar war demands Ying Continent's might consolidated. Five Tao Achievers, billions strong—a potent ally."

"Hehe, Li Qing grasps it not. What footing for demon equality?"

"Deny her outright?"

"Why deny? Grant it."

"No sly games, eh? Spare Puxiang confusion."

"Tch, that me? Planet mine, theirs truly. Yet heed: Ying tech, power can't breach solar system. Planets light-years off? Ours the keys. Toy with them? Endless ploys await."

Lin Jiang chuckled, adding, "Strengthless gifts? Futile. Jiang Star: Huaxia's vast outlays over ages recoup scant ten-thousandth. Ying snags planet gratis? Nay, repay Huaxia scores-fold first."

"Li Qing forever shackled to you, it seems."

"Shackles eternal; wrong allegiance her curse. Him aside. Long past, Cao Wang flung unmanned scouts westward, unearthing resource orbs ripe for delving. Me? Funds haunt my worries."

Lin Jiang mentioned that Buddhist cultivators have emerged multiple times from the west. Blue Star scientists hypothesize Lingjing Star lies to their west. Various confirmations support this, with distances potentially reaching hundreds of light-years. Blue Star dispatched an exploration spaceship; locating Lingjing Star could spark a counteroffensive. Lin Jiang refuses to suffer attacks without retaliation.

"Resource planet development can pause for now; overexploitation serves no purpose and surpasses our absorption limits. Recall that an expert warned you about it. Didn't you notice?"

"I saw it, and that's precisely why the conflict arose."

Lin Jiang revealed he'd reviewed those experts' recommendations. Resource planets primarily yield minerals, some exceedingly precious, yet Blue Star's market cannot handle the surplus.

Though Blue Star boasts four billion residents, markets operate differently. Numerous items prove too costly for common folk. Saturation grips the market, but abandoning exploration would squander vital technologies. Huaxia continues heavy investment in space tech.

······

Qingyun, Yangjiang City

Five years ago, Chengzang uncovered others spreading Buddhist teachings, seizing his full attention ever since, with relentless monitoring of related developments.

Over these years, Chengzang restrained himself from probing deeply, opting to observe instead, yet his watchfulness revealed numerous flaws.

Through Chengzang's grasp of Buddhist principles, the preaching efforts brimmed with dangers, poised to erupt and threaten the entire Buddhist sect.

Deep worry gripped Chengzang. He yearned to alter the tide but lacked a starting point. Lingjing Star's Buddhist circle stood too cohesive, and as a fresh Buddhist cultivator untouched by brutal conflicts, Chengzang remained naive to such schemes.

"Master, are you still agonizing over the preaching troubles?"

A youth drew near Chengzang and spoke. Son of the Shu family head, he'd studied at Qingyun Jingdu University, returned post-graduation, and become Chengzang's disciple.

"Shu Yun, what course do you suggest? If this persists, our Buddhist community's name will shatter. These scoundrels are utterly despicable! Our Buddhist path promotes virtue; why face such injustice?"

"Master, the world ignores the true Buddha, blinded by worldly cravings. Should a righteous soul like you personally impart the Dharma, the tide might turn."

"Yet I dare not expose myself; my strength remains insufficient."

"Master, mere concealment ill suits us. Today, our devoted Buddhist followers number only my Shu family and their thousands of kin. We ought to dispatch disciples to preach…"

Shu Yun urged Chengzang, noting his years immersed in Buddhist practice. Post-path shift, his advancement edged quicker than prior, though still agonizingly sluggish.

Thus, he pressed for Chengzang to broadcast the teachings broadly. A vast follower base would yield ample spiritual power. In Buddhism, this mystical force accelerates cultivation.

Beyond personal motives, Shu Yun eyed the Shu family's fortunes. Bound tightly to Chengzang, they'd amassed riches beyond their might, breeding unease. Rapid family expansion burned in their hearts.

Of course, Shu Yun overlooked certain realities. In Qingyun, he pondered, how could Huaxia dominate them? Perhaps their power already rivaled Qingyun and Huaxia.

Chengzang heeded Shu Yun yet shook his head mutely. Shu Yun shone brightest among the Shu clan, but fell short in Chengzang's eyes. Talent scarcity loomed as his gravest hurdle.

From thousands gathered under Chengzang, most hailed from lowly origins. The Shu family scarcely qualified as middle-tier, yet to Chengzang, they paled.

"Martial Uncle Lingjing and senior brothers, when might you arrive?"

Chengzang inwardly sighed, yearning fiercely for those senior brothers and Martial Uncle—true prodigies. With dozens bolstering him, his struggles would vanish.

"Master…"

Noting Chengzang's distraction, Shu Yun gently prodded.

"Yes, I grasp it. Mass preaching proves unfeasible, yet we must attract followers. The Shu family leads Yangjiang City's elite. Host a grand banquet, summon the city's upper crust to dine. I shall preach to them in person…"

Chengzang gave a firm nod. Grand-scale preaching lay beyond their reach; they lacked the required power. Yet stagnation was unacceptable, prompting Chengzang to target Yangjiang's elite circles. Through this, he stood to recruit thousands of fresh followers while amassing vast wealth.

Preaching demands substantial funds. The masses at the bottom won't trust mere words; consistent aid must be provided to capture their loyalty. Moreover, their cultivation consumes immense resources, making money and materials utterly essential to them.