Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 814

In Year 7732 of the Xia calendar, within Huaxia

Qiu Weidao escorted Chen Jinfa before Lin Jiang to discuss the probe into the Buddhist cultivator.

"Ancestor Lin, we've located the Buddhist cultivator—he's called Chengzang…"

Cao Wang began the briefing first; they had already uncovered the Buddhist cultivator Chengzang.

The discovery unfolded in an unforeseen manner. Chengzang had covertly spread his teachings in a minor city named Yangjiang, initially seizing hold of a modest clan surnamed Shu, before extending his influence over all key figures in Yangjiang.

Yet, in the midst of this scheme, Chengzang erred. He employed the Humanism Bestowing Sutra to compel enlightenment upon these individuals. Though potent, the Humanism Bestowing Sutra carries a flaw: it fails against those with exceptionally ironclad willpower.

Certain individuals possess wills as unyielding as forged steel, impervious to external sway. The forced enlightenment from the Humanism Bestowing Sutra yields merely fleeting results. True conversion demands prolonged nurturing through Yunyue practices over countless years to shatter their resolve and forge absolute devotion.

Among Yangjiang's prominent personalities, numerous lead expansive lives, like merchants compelled to journey afar. Chengzang dared not restrain them by force, lest his facade crumble and expose him.

Thus, Chengzang slipped up. For some, willpower stood extraordinarily firm. Despite brief enlightenment, their duties soon pulled them away on travels. Overwhelmed by tasks, they neglected Chengzang's mandated dawn and dusk rituals, swiftly awakening to the manipulation.

Huaxia maintains ironclad oversight of Qingyun and Zhou Liao. Intelligence reached Huaxia promptly, prompting Chen Jinfa to dispatch agents for a discreet suppression, aiming for a secure resolution.

"Is the Shu family formidable? I recall a prominent Shu clan in Qingyun."

"Answering the elder, these Shu families share no ties. Yangjiang's Shu clan rose from humble origins, once an ordinary household centuries back. Fortune smiled during their neighborhood's redevelopment—the Shu forebears rejected home compensation, opting for commercial spaces instead. From three shops, they expanded steadily through relentless toil across generations, some even enlisting and battling on Fangzhang Continent."

"Today in Yangjiang City, they run modest enterprises. Prior to Chengzang's takeover, the Shu family ranked as mid-tier locally, their top cultivator barely reaching Golden Core…"

Chen Jinfa promptly detailed the Shu family's history; he'd delved deep into their rise, assets, prowess, even concealed secrets—all laid bare through investigation.

"Ancestor Lin, shall we close the trap?"

"Hold off on that for now. Yangjiang City's modest power level suggests the matter remains in hand. Buddhist cultivators last struck eighty years past. I suspect fresh ones near arrival. Let's observe if they link up—then we net them all in one sweep."

Lin Jiang declared, uncertain of the Buddhist cultivators' exact timing, yet convinced they wouldn't charge blindly; likely, they'd infiltrate Blue Star gradually via familiar tactics.

"Old ancestor, doesn't this court danger? It's like nurturing a tiger that bites back, particularly with Chengzang at Tao Achieving Realm."

"Blue Star holds firm under our watch—no cause for alarm. Prepare yourselves without rousing them."

Lin Jiang assured them, for Blue Star was their stronghold, bolstered by Xia Qingshan's presence.

With Lin Jiang's stance clear, Qiu Weidao held his tongue and departed alongside Chen Jinfa.

"Lord Qiu, must we truly keep ignoring this?"

"Ancestor Lin aims for a grander prize; no choice but to comply. Let's make preparations."

"The police department's might may fall short against Chengzang; we'll require Ancestor Lin's aid."

Chen Jinfa noted, as internal police forces lacked the punch of military units or Lin Jiang's own powers.

"Rest easy—Ancestor Lin won't abandon us. Handle the minutiae, but tread lightly to avoid spooking the foe."

"Understood, Lord Qiu."

Chen Jinfa gave a nod. Indeed, superiors issued commands as subordinates scurried about without end. He had assumed discovering the Buddhist cultivator's traces would conclude the matter and leave him out of it. Yet the burden clearly remained firmly on his back.

·······

"The second batch of the Space Fleet has reached Jiang Star, with their technology now enhanced as well. They can't build Space Battleships on their own, yet they can handle maintenance."

One day, a message arrived from Cao Ying to Lin Jiang. The second Space Fleet had docked at Jiang Star, prompting Lin Jiang to let out a relieved breath.

"Excellent news. Truth be told, I feared Jiang Star might get exposed. We've poured massive resources into it. Should Buddhist cultivation seize it, we'd face devastating setbacks."

Lin Jiang explained that capturing Jiang Star wouldn't cripple Blue Star severely, but the toll would be immense. That's why he dispatched two freshly constructed Space Fleets out of the ten.

For that purpose, Lin Jiang boosted Jiang Star's tech level, enabling repairs on Space Battleships while withholding production tech. This mirrored Xia Qingshan's approach; he refrained from sharing cultivation methods for power, and Lin Jiang held back top-tier technology from Jiang Star.

"Jiang Star's power now suffices to handle over ten Tao Achievers without issue. They can defend themselves adequately. Buddhists focus on propagating their doctrine, and with Jiang Star's meager population exceeding just ten million, it won't draw them in. Blue Star holds the prize, boasting four billion souls—a massive lure for the Buddhists."

"I understand. Thus, our upcoming task involves seizing the right moment for a fierce showdown with the Buddhists. Victory or defeat rests with destiny."

"You're sounding like a high-stakes gambler, set to bet everything."

"Guilty as charged, though all-in plays aren't inherently flawed. Dragging out the stalemate favors them. Blue Star's divisions run deep. A single vulnerability could spell our doom. Hence, an all-out battlefield clash plays to our strengths."

Lin Jiang noted Blue Star's disunity, riddled with nations and factions pursuing clashing agendas. Rallying the majority had already tested Lin Jiang to his limits.

········

Within the Star Domain, a Stargate materialized gradually, from which indistinct silhouettes soon poured forth. Leading were three Bodhisattvas, flanked by over twenty arhats and more than a hundred elites matching Void Achieving Vajras in might.

Once the lead Bodhisattva emerged, a spell was invoked to muffle the Stargate's operations—a hard-earned precaution.

"Bodhisattva Changguang, this marks the Star Domain, that alternate realm Chengzang described, though it's still distant. At our pace, further travel lies ahead."

"Time flows variably across Star Domains; may it not drag on excessively."

"It won't extend too far. By Lingjing Star's reckoning, five years at worst. Plus, Chengzang's true spirit endures; he persists."

"Chengzang has endured greatly these years. Of our twelve, he's the sole survivor."

"This grudge demands remembrance. Though Buddha Master urges compassion, true demons warrant no quarter."

"Well said, Junior Brother. Advance we shall. Divide into teams, and employ relics to mask our auras. This realm's true immortals wield fearsome power—evade their senses at all costs."

Bodhisattva Changguang declared, "Buddhist realms boast true Buddhas, while cultivators claim true immortals—those who triumph over heavenly tribulations. To them, this equates to ascension."

The pair of Bodhisattvas assented with nods. Dispersion was prudent; larger gatherings heightened detection risks, demanding utmost vigilance.