Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 818

Blue Star, Qingyun

The definitive conclusion arrived after the three Bodhisattvas' final gambit was countered, leaving them once more severely wounded. Cao Ying and her allies seized the opportunity, surging forward to deliver a complete defeat upon their foes.

Glancing around, the other battlefields were also nearing their end. With superior numbers and the aid of formations, victory was almost assured. Had this confrontation not taken place within Qingyun's core, the casualties might have been devastatingly high. Deploying the Space Battleship, however, would have expedited the process significantly.

The battle drew to a close with the vanquishing of the last arhat. Above, only cultivators remained suspended in the sky, while Yangjiang City had been reduced to a desolate wasteland, now pockmarked with immense craters.

"Secure the battlefield. All injured personnel are to proceed for recovery."

Lin Jiang's command was issued, and instantly, half of the assembled individuals departed. Beyond the defensive perimeter, Lin Huafei stood ready, equipped with advanced healing elixirs.

"Ancestor, we have confirmed the outcome. Not a single Buddhist cultivator managed to escape. Three Bodhisattvas, twenty-five arhats, and one hundred and twenty vajras have all fallen."

"Excellent. Ensure that all their souls are utterly annihilated; do not let your guard down. We must meticulously examine all their storage bags and related items. The research into Buddhist cultivation appears more advanced than our own methods, and we cannot afford to overlook any detail."

"Understood, Ancestor."

"On the Huaxia side, we sustained the loss of three senior brothers and four Void Achievers. The demon race reports five Demon Emperors lost. From Qingyun's forces, two Void Achievers fell, and on the Ying Continent, three Void Achievers were lost. We are not accounting for other, lesser injuries at this time."

"Eight Tao Achievers and nine Void Achievers. The casualty ratio is nearly ten to one."

Lin Jiang's expression darkened considerably. Despite not being outnumbered, and in fact possessing a numerical advantage in their attack, the loss of over ten key figures represented a staggering cost.

"The physical resilience of Buddhist cultivators is exceptionally potent. They possess the ability to sustain combat even after incurring grievous injuries, a factor that placed us at a distinct disadvantage."

"I comprehend. Let us proceed with scrutinizing the materials pertaining to Buddhist cultivation; we must ascertain if any of their practices can be adapted."

Lin Jiang expressed a profound interest in acquiring the cultivation techniques of the Buddhist cultivators. His personal encounter with a Bodhisattva had starkly revealed the formidable nature of their physical bodies. Lin Jiang's own physique, enhanced through the use of rare materials, was demonstrably inferior.

The subsequent phase involved tending to the morale of the forces. All combat participants who sustained injuries would be provided with complimentary high-grade spirit pills, and every survivor would receive additional benefits. Recognizing Qingyun bore the brunt of the losses, Lin Jiang also extended compensation to the affected populace in the name of Huaxia.

In essence, a variety of compensations and benefits were distributed to mollify the troops and populace. Concurrently, instructions were given for Chen Jinfa to actively disseminate teachings related to Buddhist cultivation.

Lin Jiang harbored no doubt that the Buddhist Sect would not employ the same strategy again. The dispatch of a mere hundred individuals strongly suggested an impending, large-scale assault. Therefore, prior to their offensive, his objective was to utterly shatter the Buddhist Sect's reputation, thereby diminishing their capacity to launch a successful strike against Blue Star. This strategic foresight was indeed the very reason Lin Jiang and his contingent had spent decades in preparation.

By the time these residual tasks were concluded, three days had elapsed. Cao Ying and a contingent were diligently organizing the storage bags confiscated from the Buddhist cultivators to extract further intelligence, while Lin Jiang declared his intention to enter seclusion for recuperation. In truth, this was merely a pretext to convene with Xia Qingshan.

Xia Qingshan reappeared, his demeanor exuding a palpable sense of contentment, as if he had just accomplished a deeply gratifying feat.

"Temper that smile, or you will provoke my anger."

"What is the grave concern? Did we not reach an agreement on this matter?"

"More than ten esteemed masters from Blue Star have perished, my old comrade is gone, and you possess the audacity to dismiss it with 'what is the grave concern'?"

Lin Jiang's voice boomed with furious indignation. The Tao Achievers from Huaxia were all awakened cultivators, each constituting a crucial asset in Lin Jiang's strategic arsenal.

"Very well, very well."

Xia Qingshan offered a dismissive shrug, electing to forgo further contention with Lin Jiang. He acknowledged that his indulgence on this occasion had been excessive: three Bodhisattvas, twenty-five Arhats, coupled with three Tao Achievers and five Demon Emperors, amounted to over thirty substantial 'meals.' While the sustenance derived from beings below the Tao Achiever realm was less exquisite, it nevertheless served its purpose. After an interval of millennia, he had never experienced such profound satisfaction; he could distinctly perceive an enhancement in his own strength.

"Do not lead me to believe you absorbed their Dao and gained nothing of value. Surrender the teachings of Buddhism; I require the complete doctrine."

"Indeed, there is something to be gained. I am not deceiving you, but I strongly advise against your direct cultivation of Buddhist methods. At most, you might glean some inspiration, and I shall impart certain secret techniques to you."

"This is because I have identified a fundamental flaw within the Buddhist methodologies."

"What is the difficulty?"

"I cannot discern the exact details, but my premonition is exceedingly strong. If you were to cultivate Buddhist techniques, you may find yourself unable to strike against the True Buddha, at least not the progenitor of those methods. Doing so could invite significant trouble."

"A mother-and-child technique relationship?"

That essentially captures the concept. A crucial element of Buddhist practices stems from thought power, which aids in mental clarity during cultivation and amplifies abilities, among other marvelous benefits. However, this thought power originates from their Buddha Master. When Buddhist cultivators impart teachings, the initial step involves constructing a statue of the Buddha Master, signifying that the thought power is a bestowal from the Buddha Master.

"Interpreting this through the mother-and-child method implies the Buddha Master is the ultimate authority in Buddhism. Tell me, would any other Buddhist cultivators dare to raise their hand against such a figure?"

"What intentions does this Buddha Master harbor?"

Lin Jiang felt a profound chill; merely contemplating it sent shivers down his spine. The implications were terrifying.

"I am unaware of his ultimate objective. As I mentioned previously, compared to beings like myself, I am quite feeble. Regarding the Buddha Master, I can state with certainty that he surpasses my comprehension. To illustrate with scientific fiction analogies, you are a three-dimensional entity, I might exist in three-and-a-half or four dimensions, while the Buddha Master could reside in five, six, or even seven dimensions."

"Are you genuinely so apprehensive?"

"You cannot grasp the chasm between us, but do not let fear consume you. Have faith, if the Buddha Master cannot achieve universal dominion, it implies he faces formidable adversaries. To him, I might be no more than a trivial insect. Having a true Buddha attend to me would already be an excessive display of attention."

Xia Qingshan spoke rapidly; he had no desire for Lin Jiang to be overcome with terror. His hope rested on Lin Jiang's proficiency with spells.

"It appears we will be contending with Buddhist cultivators for a considerable duration."

"Undoubtedly, but remain vigilant. Every parallel world presents itself as a potential adversary."

"Acknowledged. Enough idle chatter. Present me with the Buddhist cultivation methods, particularly the secrets of the Stargate."

"I have not yet fully deciphered the Stargate's mysteries. Allow me a modest period; one hundred years at most, and I shall provide them. This entanglement involves the power of fundamental laws, requiring the full exertion of my capabilities."

"What a waste of time; a century for such a trivial matter."

"Lin Jiang, that is somewhat excessive."

"And so what if it is? Prove it! Strike me!"

"You…"

Xia Qingshan was so incensed he nearly combusted, opting to depart rather than engage further with Lin Jiang.

Confronting Lin Jiang was out of the question for Xia Qingshan; severing ties was an impossibility. Only Lin Jiang possessed the capacity to unify the majority of Blue Star. Without him, Blue Star would inevitably fracture.

Upon witnessing Xia Qingshan's departure, Lin Jiang also exhaled in relief. In truth, he had been probing the limits of Xia Qingshan's tolerance. Thus far, the results were satisfactory; Xia Qingshan was not entirely obtuse.

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"How fares the study of Buddhist techniques?"

Emerging from the chambers, Lin Jiang encountered Cao Ying and posed his inquiry.

"While numerous Buddhist practices exist, they all lack the core foundational technique. If you intend to master them, it will likely prove unfeasible."

"Let the practices themselves be secondary; their intricacies are not our immediate concern. Our resolve must be unwavering, complemented by select secret arts."

"We have gleaned some insights. This recent confrontation resulted in significant casualties among Buddhist cultivators, particularly concerning their physical training methodologies. I have dispatched individuals to scrutinize these techniques; direct assimilation is inadvisable due to systemic incompatibilities, but absorbing select essences should be permissible."

"And what of the Stargate Secret Technique?"

"We have acquired fragments, but direct mastery eludes us. They are intrinsically linked to specific rule-based powers that we currently lack the means to manipulate. Nevertheless, I have entrusted some findings to Cao Wang, hoping he might achieve a scientific breakthrough. Stargates, wormholes, and teleportation arrays share numerous underlying principles."

"That is a sound assessment. I trust Cao Wang will deliver an unexpected triumph."

Lin Jiang offered a nod. Xia Qingshan had held him back with one hand, and Lin Jiang harbored no desire for extensive discourse. He held little faith in Xia Qingshan's capacity to aid them; ultimately, self-reliance would be paramount.

"The ensuing period may precipitate full-scale conflict, Uncle. We must be adequately prepared."

"I am aware. During this time, your efforts have been concentrated on nurturing an increased number of masters capable of Tao Achieving. The emerging generation of cultivators must also fully engage in the war, and the existing Tao Achievers must endeavor to break through to the Transmigration Stage."