Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 815

Year 7750 of the Xia Calendar, Blue Star

Bodhisattva Changguang had hidden for numerous years before finally pinpointing Blue Star. The sight that greeted him first included endless satellites and hundreds of space battleships encircling the planet.

This sight shocked him deeply, as on Lingjing Star, Buddhist cultivators beyond arhat level could venture into space but rarely did so without cause. After all, the surrounding region for light-years brimmed with desolate planets.

Bodhisattva Changguang lingered briefly before stealthily infiltrating Blue Star. The planet's myriad technological marvels stunned him anew, transporting him to what felt like an entirely alien realm.

Amid this strange setting, Bodhisattva Changguang grew exceedingly cautious. He swiftly employed a hidden Buddhist method to contact Chengzangarhat, verified the position, and exerted great effort to locate Chengzang.

"Bodhisattva Changguang"

Spotting Bodhisattva Changguang, Chengzang's heart surged with immense delight. He prostrated himself before Bodhisattva Changguang.

"Chengzang, you've toiled relentlessly these years."

"All for the Buddha’s path—no hardship involved. Praise belongs to the Bodhisattva who journeyed from afar."

"Indeed, Chengzang, no need for such courtesies between us."

"I wonder how many the Bodhisattva has brought this time. Blue Star boasts tremendous might; too few may prove insufficient."

"Three Bodhisattva Realms, twenty-four arhats, and one hundred and twenty kings."

Bodhisattva Changguang revealed the composition of this force, modest for all of Lingjing Star yet serving as the mere vanguard.

Bodhisattva Changguang deemed this power ample, yet Chengzang's face turned grim, alerting Changguang to trouble. He inquired, "Chengzang, is this force inadequate?"

"Bodhisattva, it falls short. I've dwelled on Blue Star for years now, facing over a hundred arhats (Tao Achieving) and almost ten Bodhisattvas (Transmigration Stage). Their tech stands extraordinarily advanced; numerous battleships threaten even Bodhisattvas."

"What sort of technology? How can mortals wield such formidable might?"

"I scarcely comprehend it myself. Blue Star's history holds countless oddities. True immortals seized planetary control to rule the world, though a prolonged shift ended the cultivation age. Though legions of cultivators slumbered deeply via unique means from that era to present, their evolution twisted. Mortals' power surged abruptly. They probed nature's laws, harnessing rule-like forces dubbed science. In mortal hands, it rivals top cultivators. Yet cultivators now dominate this power, amplifying their prowess further…"

"The world brims with marvels beyond measure."

Bodhisattva Changguang absorbed these words, unsure of judgment, and could only deem it wondrous.

"Precisely, Bodhisattva."

"Chengzang, how many have embraced your teachings over the years?"

"I stand ashamed. Nearly a century on Blue Star yields but fifty thousand followers. Against four billion souls, it's a mere speck."

"Four billion? Such vast numbers!"

Bodhisattva Changguang reeled in astonishment. Blue Star appeared slightly smaller than Lingjing Star—how could it sustain so many? Lingjing Star held under one billion, perhaps mere tens of millions at peak.

"Bodhisattva, mysteries abound here; I'll elaborate in time."

"Very well, let's seek a secure haven, and I'll summon the rest."

Bodhisattva Changguang agreed with a nod. The three contingents had reunited earlier, though only he reached this spot. With Chengzang present, he yearned to assemble his followers too.

They ventured into Shu family lands, where Chengzang discoursed with Changguang on Blue Star. Long immersed here, Chengzang knew it intimately—not just daily news, but delving into history, culture, society. He even tutored Qingyun history instructors, debating eras and societal shifts.

Like a seasoned lecturer, Chengzang unveiled Blue Star's chronicle, delving into tech matters aplenty. He conceded that Lingjing Star's society paled beside Blue Star's.

The common folk on Lingjing Star endured harsh existences, particularly due to their devotion to Buddhism's precept against taking life, resulting in scant protein and rampant malnutrition. This sparked countless woes, like struggles for women with child, and they had once pinned the blame on the deeds of those from bygone eras.

Yet now, in hindsight, it might truly have been their own failing. Still, Chengzang refrained from voicing such thoughts; badmouthing Buddhism was unwise.

The pair chatted through an entire day, during which Bodhisattva Changguang came to deeply comprehend Blue Star, viewing it especially through a Buddhist disciple's lens, yielding profound insights.

"From what Chengzang Arhat says, Blue Star truly boasts many praiseworthy aspects?"

"Indeed, take Blue Star's technology and its mortals—even lifelong vegetarians suffer few health issues thanks to diverse protein sources. Thus, they minimize slaughter while booming their numbers. Should Lingjing Star host hundreds of billions too, we'd birth dozens more Bodhisattvas for sure."

Chengzang noted how Lingjing Star's faithful had splintered utterly, making Bodhisattva Realm breakthroughs ever tougher. With hundreds of billions extra souls, it wouldn't stop at dozens; hundreds more Bodhisattvas could emerge.

"Should our Buddhist fold harness Blue Star, all shall fall into place naturally."

"Precisely, Bodhisattva, though humbly I suggest we lack numbers still. Pray inform Bodhisattva Kongyan and dispatch more forces, letting Blue Star's denizens bask in our Buddhist radiance and ease their worldly grudges."

"Wise words. I'll cast a spell to relay word back to Lingjing Star, urging Bodhisattva Kongyan to craft additional Sea-crossing Arks for our swift dominion over Blue Star."

After Chengzang's clarifications, Bodhisattva Changguang grasped Blue Star's might and realized solo conquest was impossible; reinforcements from Lingjing Star remained essential.

The Sea-crossing Ark stands as their Buddhist sect's premier vessel, harboring its own vast realm and ferrying millions in one go. Rallying Lingjing Star's full might would surely crush Blue Star's lord.

·······

"My lord, Shu family has fresh arrivals again."

"How many?"

"Over a hundred, tally still in progress. They're sneaking in."

"Bald-headed ones?"

"Presence masked. Our watchers missed them, but satellites flag sky-high energy, beyond our detection limits. They can't evade; must be those Buddhist cultivators."

"Keep tabs ongoing. Crucially, leave them undisturbed. Shun our private tricks; stick to Qingyun's open channels. I'll escalate this."

Chen Jinfa explained they'd shunned scouts and tech probes alike to avoid spooking foes, opting for crude tracking via Shu household routines plus Qingyun's public feeds.

Swiftly, Chen Jinfa video-linked Lin Jiang. The stakes were dire, and Lin Jiang had authorized direct contact.

"Ancestor Lin."

"Little Chen, what's up?"

"Qingyun's stirring anew. Yesterday Chengzang ushered one through Shu doors, today over a hundred slipped in. Satellites clock their energy past max readings. Our cap's Soul Changing Stage."

"Thus, a hundred-plus Buddhist cultivators past Soul Changing Stage from the Buddhist Sect?"

"Not fully confirmed, but I urge striking now. Too many; dispersed, they're unbeatable. Prime moment."

"I'll mull it over, reply in a day. Watch them tight; none escape."

Lin Jiang nodded, cut the line quick, then summoned Cao Ying.

"Buddhist Sect dispatches mere hundreds; sheer hubris. Fine by us—we'll net them wholesale."

Cao Ying scoffed upon hearing details. Were they idiots or swollen with pride? Twice burned by Blue Star, yet sending so few? Pure self-sabotage.

"It's merely a question of intelligence. The Buddhist Sect likely remains ignorant of our real power for now, but that's about to change."

"Should we strike?"

"We're nearly set—rally the forces, while I contact Qingyun on Huaxia's behalf to cordon off the Yangjiang region and reduce the casualties."

Lin Jiang explained how the battlefield had emerged right on Blue Star, forcing the sacrifice of Yangjiang City's people—an unavoidable fate—so their only choice was to limit the destruction as much as possible.