Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 820

Year 7800 in the Blue Star Xia calendar, Huaxia.

The once prominent Blue Star People’s League Organization has resurfaced. This organization, established by the Blue Star human race to combat the demon race, encompassed all nations on Blue Star, primarily under the leadership of the Alliance of Three Countries.

Today, the People’s League Organization has evolved into the Blue Star Alliance, with the demon race now openly participating. Its assemblies dictate the destiny of the entire Blue Star.

The Blue Star Alliance is currently steered by Huaxia and the demon race, with Huaxia holding the most sway.

"A fundamental principle in military strategy is to anticipate defeat before a war begins. Therefore, our discussions prior to this engagement will center on the most dire possibilities and strategies for overcoming the impending invasion by the Buddha Sect..."

"This is a conflict that will determine the future of Blue Star; no one can remain uninvolved. I will not elaborate on the doctrines of the Buddha Sect. To avoid becoming their sustenance, we must commit every ounce of our strength..."

"Consequently, for victory, Blue Star must marshal its resources on a global scale. Irrespective of countries, races, or individuals, anyone meeting the criteria will be compelled to participate in the fight..."

"Experimental data from our scientists indicates that individuals at the Nascent Soul stage can endure brief periods in a space environment. Unassisted, they can maintain survival for several months. Thus, the initial wave of combatants must consist of those at the Nascent Soul stage or higher. All factions are required to submit their rosters of Nascent Soul cultivators within one month and reassign personnel from critical departments, with exceptions for specific individuals..."

"Those below the Nascent Soul stage, specifically cultivators at the Golden Core stage, can survive in space for a few days. They will serve as a strategic reserve, ready to deploy if the primary battle lines falter..."

At the inaugural meeting of the Blue Star Alliance, Huaxia asserted its dominance, demanding the mobilization of all cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul stage and the inclusion of the Golden Core stage as a reserve force. Cultivators below the Golden Core stage were deemed insufficient for direct engagement and thus less useful.

Attempting to rely on mortals to pilot the Space Battleships would inevitably lead to defeat. While mortals possess the technical capability to operate these vessels, their reaction times and overall effectiveness fall short compared to cultivators, resulting in a substantial decrease in combat efficiency.

"Our demon race unequivocally supports the Blue Star Alliance's directive. In the event of war, we pledge all our forces at the Fourth Level Demon King and above to the conflict."

"The Ying Continent also stands in solidarity with the Blue Star Alliance's mandates. Excluding essential technical personnel, such as pill makers, talisman crafters, item enchanters, and formation masters, the Ying Continent pledges its frontline forces to the battlefield."

The Demon Queen and Li Qing both voiced their allegiance to Huaxia. Having secured promises of significant benefits from Huaxia, their support was unwavering. They were particularly keen on conquering the Lingjing Star and claiming it as their own.

Following their lead, Qingyun and Zhou Liao also gave their assent. With their economic foundations firmly under Huaxia's control, any opposition would be futile; compliance was the more rational course.

At this juncture, the remaining nations had no alternative but to concur. Their circumstances were even more precarious, as both their economies and military powers were dominated by other entities, leaving them powerless to refuse.

The foundational resolution was passed, and representatives from Huaxia proposed conducting a war drill, essentially a series of military exercises. Given the uncertainty of the battle's location, and the possibility of conflicts similar to the one in Yangjiang City focused on interception, thorough preparations were deemed essential.

The benefits of military exercises in strengthening Blue Star's collective power were self-evident and universally acknowledged. Furthermore, the majority of the associated expenses would be shouldered by Huaxia and a few major powers like the demon race, mitigating concerns for the others.

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"This compilation represents the full extent of Blue Star’s might, the most comprehensive list available. Any omissions would be exceedingly rare."

"Indeed, Blue Star possesses considerable strength. On the human side, there are five individuals at the Transmigration Stage and forty-nine at the Dao Achieving Stage. Ye Chen's expedition to Jiang Star resulted in forty-eight there; however, with the inclusion of one Stone Emperor, the number of cultivators at the Void Achieving Stage increases to a total of one hundred thirty-five. Of these, the Ying Continent contributes sixteen, Qingyun has four, Zhou Liao boasts eight, and other nations collectively provide twelve."

Two thousand two hundred fifty-two individuals are within the Soul Changing Stage, with one hundred thirty-five from the Ying Continent, sixty-five from Qingyun, seventy from Zhou Liao, and three hundred twenty from other nations. A few dozen independent cultivators remain, all affiliated with Huaxia.

The number of cultivators at the Nascent Soul Stage has surpassed two hundred thousand. Within this, Ying Continent boasts six thousand three, a truly impressive figure. Qingyun contributed three thousand five, Zhou Yuan added three thousand seven, and other countries collectively accounted for over twenty thousand.

"Let me examine the demon race’s strength; there are three at level eight, fifty-eight at level seven—so many! Eight hundred and sixty are at level six, and [number] at level five…"

Cao Ying, holding the data, scanned the overall figures with astonishment.

Excluding the demon race, Huaxia alone represents nearly seventy percent of the human race’s total power, while other nations make up the remaining thirty percent. This percentage is slightly lower for the Nascent Soul stage, as cultivators at this level possess the advantage of time, with many having remained in this stage for extended periods.

"These forces can be considered more than eighty percent of our potential. Many individuals, like Cao Wang, Lin Huafei, and Zhu Bin, are technical experts. It would indeed be a profound loss if they were to perish on the battlefield, as they are ill-suited for direct combat."

"Precisely, which necessitates a strategic adjustment. In terms of high-end forces, we do fall short when compared to the Buddhist sect. Intelligence suggests that the number of Arhats on Lingjing Star exceeds three hundred. Even accounting for potential losses, they would still have at least over two hundred, bolstered by more than thirty Bodhisattvas."

"However, Lingjing Star cannot deploy its full might. I estimate they will commit seventy to eighty percent of their forces. With our Space Mother Ship, we stand a solid chance of victory. After all, we are defending our home turf while they are the invaders."

"In truth, I concur with the tactical recommendations from the Spiritual Energy Research Institute. Deploying low-level cultivators or genetically modified mortals to operate technological weaponry as a vanguard force would effectively deplete the enemy’s strength. Such a sacrifice is something we can afford."

Cao Ying conveyed that numerous strategic and tactical battle simulations had been conducted by experts from Huaxia.

Their recommendations proposed arming low-level cultivators and gene-enhanced mortals to serve as the front line, absorbing the initial enemy onslaught.

In simpler terms, these individuals are deemed expendable, to be used as cannon fodder. AI calculations indicate that this approach could boost Blue Star’s victory probability by approximately eight percent.

"I must reject this strategy for several critical reasons. Firstly, the immense cost and lengthy construction time of Space Battleships mean we cannot afford to deplete them early. Their continued deployment is vital for securing eventual victory. More importantly, however, is the matter of public trust.

For millennia, we high-level cultivators have benefited from Blue Star’s best resources and held a privileged status. If we falter in leadership during times of peril, we risk losing the people's faith, which would have dire consequences for our future."

"I perceive your intention to leverage this crisis to foster upward mobility by sacrificing a segment of the established elite."

"I do not refute that possibility. Blue Star has known peace for an extended period. Since the truce with the demon race, countless years have passed. Observe the current state of our cultivation academies; have they retained their former dynamism? Do extraordinary talents emerge in great numbers as they once did? The continuous cycle of exams and selections has inadvertently filtered out many true prodigies, leading to severe social stratification.

Throughout the years, my attempts at anti-corruption measures have only addressed the symptoms, not the underlying malady. Therefore, I wish to seize this opportunity to revitalize Blue Star."

Lin Jiang offered that this war necessitates a comprehensive strategic outlook, extending beyond mere combat.

Employing ordinary citizens and low-level cultivators as cannon fodder might seem viable in the short term, posing no immediate issues. However, regaining the populace's lost trust could prove an arduous, long-term endeavor.

Comparing Blue Star to an army, maintaining its combat effectiveness relies heavily on leaders setting an example. It echoes the sentiment, “Brothers, follow me!” a far more potent call than any impersonal directive.

"Your wisdom is irrefutable. I cannot dissent. Proceed as you deem fit."

"Then, disregard their misguided counsel. Our perspectives and interests diverge significantly from theirs, rendering their advice unsuitable for our complete adoption. Your immediate task is to visit the Spiritual Energy Research Institute and ascertain the availability of any new weaponry or potent artifacts. Fortify yourself; survival in this impending battle is paramount."

"Rest assured, the notion of perishing is not one I entertain."

Cao Ying offered a nod, her heart swelling with warmth at Lin Jiang’s evident concern. As for armaments and equipment, she was exceptionally well-provided, having equipped herself thoroughly. Naturally, any newly acquired superior items were always prioritized for Lin Jiang before herself.