Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 830
Previously on Cultivation: Being Immortal...
In the year seven thousand eight hundred twenty-five of the Blue Star Xia calendar, within an uncharted Star Domain, the Sea-crossing Ark made its descent onto a desolate planet. Bodhisattva Kong Yan, using his formidable abilities, consecrated the Ark into a temple, providing a sanctuary for his disciples to reside.
The formidable Battle of Blue Star had exacted a devastating toll on the Buddhist sect, with the numbers of Buddhist cultivators plummeting by over seventy percent, and the loss of twelve Bodhisattvas and eighty-six Arhats.
Yet, this significant attrition did not deter the sect's overarching ambitions; such casualties were an anticipated, factored-in cost. The conquest of a planet like Blue Star inherently involved sacrifices, and any loss was merely indicative of an insufficient bond with the Buddhist sect.
Bodhisattva Kongyan convened the remaining Buddha statues, and a collective of skilled cultivators initiated intricate spellcasting. Swiftly, a projected screen materialized from the Buddha statues, displaying vivid scenes from Blue Star.
Upon its initial arrival at Blue Star, the Sea-crossing Ark had been accompanied by seven vessels, each bearing a Buddha statue. However, Kong Yan had deliberately allowed only six of these statues to self-destruct, dispersing their essence as Buddha Seeds across Blue Star, while retaining one statue, which he secretly concealed.
Through a highly advanced secret technique, the unison of two Buddha statues now enabled the viewing of Blue Star's unfolding events.
"Senior Brother Kong Yan, Blue Star's capacity for recovery is truly remarkable. To think it has largely healed in mere years," remarked one Bodhisattva.
"Indeed, it appears our observation reveals an increased presence of human Space Battleships on Blue Star," another added.
"If this is the state of Blue Star, our endeavor to spread the teachings there will prove far from simple," a third expressed.
The assembled Bodhisattvas gazed upon the unfolding panoramas of Blue Star, each member utterly astounded. They had witnessed countless cities reduced to rubble, yet now, most of those devastated areas were gone, replaced by burgeoning new metropolises.
"The mysteries of science and technology are profound, and we must indeed admire Blue Star for its achievements. However, regardless of Blue Star's resilience, it cannot withstand internal sabotage. I already sense the germination and growth of thousands of Buddha Seeds," Bodhisattva Kongyan declared.
He expressed genuine admiration for Blue Star's technological prowess. Had Lingjing Star endured such devastation, even surface-level recovery would have required centuries, whereas Blue Star achieved this remarkable state in just five years, a feat worthy of profound respect.
Fortunately, a contingency remained. Blue Star was now host to at least tens of thousands of Buddha Seeds, diligently taking root and blossoming, poised to systematically weaken the planet from within.
"Thud."
As the Bodhisattvas were deep in discussion, the Buddha statue erupted in a brilliant luminescence. A powerful beam of light descended, coalescing into a distinct figure.
"We pay homage to our Buddha."
"We greet Brother Kong Xiang."
A wave of stunned reverence swept through the gathered Buddhist assembly, and all bowed in unison. Kong Yan addressed the newcomer as his senior brother, for this was none other than the former abbot of Wanfa Temple, Kong Yan's own senior brother, and the last individual to attain enlightenment on Lingjing Star. He had played a pivotal role in the past dissemination of Buddhism across Lingjing Star.
"Amitabha. The Buddha Master is fully apprised of the situation on Blue Star. Kong Yan, you must ensure the propagation of Buddhist teachings onto Blue Star. Should Lingjing Star falter, the Buddha Master shall seek assistance from another Buddhist realm."
"Ah, Senior Brother, this..."
Kong Yan's countenance shifted dramatically. He found it difficult to comprehend the Buddha Master's deep concern for such a seemingly insignificant alternate world.
"Junior Brother, if you inquire as to my reasons, I cannot fully explain. The Buddha Master personally sought me out today regarding this very matter. Blue Star harbors many secrets and numerous individuals connected to our Buddhism. It is my hope that you will aid them and guide them toward our teachings."
"Senior Brother, Blue Star possesses immense power. I fear Lingjing Star may not be sufficiently equipped..."
"Within the hallowed treasure hall of Wanfa Temple on Lingjing Star lies a Buddha relic of immeasurable utility. Its power can stabilize the fortunes of Blue Star..."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Kong Yan bowed deeply to Kong Xiang, the embodiment of the true Buddha. As he raised his head, his features were alight with renewed determination.
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Blue Star, Huaxia Region
Five years following the conflict, the comprehensive reconstruction of Blue Star's surface had reached completion. The vast majority of war-torn ruins had been cleared, making way for the erection of new urban centers.
However, the deep-seated scars inflicted by the war remained unhealed, merely beginning their long process of mending. For a significant portion of Blue Star's populace, the existence of extraterrestrial beings had previously been confined to the realm of myth. Before the arrival of the Buddhist cultivators, awareness of such beings was practically non-existent.
Consequently, a vocal contingent of well-intentioned individuals began to advocate for peace, proposing that Blue Star pursue diplomatic negotiations with the Buddhist sect. They envisioned a future where, akin to past inter-nation relations, conflict could transform into amity, much like the eventual understanding reached between the Human Race and the demon race.
This notion was met with considerable approval, as a great many individuals already harbored a deep-seated dread of conflict. The outbreak of war inevitably leads to widespread casualties, and no one can ever be certain they won't be the next to fall.
Concurrently, the doctrines of the Buddhist sect saw extensive propagation. This was facilitated both by officials within Huaxia who actively promoted them and by their own scholars who studied the enemy's tenets, resulting in the broad dissemination of Buddhist scriptures.
While it is true that Buddhist scriptures contain logical inconsistencies that can be contested, such challenges demand profound theoretical knowledge and rigorous logical reasoning, qualities conspicuously absent in the general populace.
Consequently, in the fifth year following the cessation of hostilities, a discourse commenced on the digital networks of Blue Star, debating the feasibility of peaceful coexistence with the Buddhist sect.
This initiative garnered the endorsement of Lin Jiang. Having ascended from modest origins, Lin Jiang possesses an acute understanding of the sentiments prevalent among those at the lower strata of society. His reasoning was that any attempt to suppress such ideas through overt means might inadvertently foster suspicion, leading the less privileged to believe there were hidden truths, thereby increasing their inclination towards acceptance. Therefore, he advocated for open discussion and transparent debate.
Leveraging the influence of Huaxia Officialdom, Lin Jiang assembled a cohort of intelligent individuals adept at rhetoric and possessing sharp logical faculties. These individuals engaged in online discourse, generating hundreds of articles daily, systematically dissecting and refuting Buddhist theories piece by piece.
"Ancestor Lin, here is the updated roster for today. The count of suspected Buddha Seeds has now surpassed fifteen thousand, not including the over three thousand who have come forward voluntarily."
Qiu Weidao presented a lengthy document to Lin Jiang, enumerating more than fifteen thousand individuals along with their pertinent details.
The task of identifying and apprehending Buddhist cultivators is a substantial undertaking, potentially implicating even individuals within their own ranks. To ensure fairness and impartiality, this crucial assignment was once again entrusted to Qiu Weidao.
"We still haven't reached twenty thousand; it appears a significant number of individuals remain concealed."
"Indeed, Ancestor. However, it's also possible that some are falsely accused. Others may be seeking to gain notoriety online for financial gain. It is highly probable that a substantial number of genuine Buddhist cultivators will continue to remain clandestine."
"This is precisely why your investigation is necessary. While I do not mandate the apprehension of every single Buddha Seed, it is imperative that we neutralize the majority to prevent them from impeding our subsequent operations."
"Understood, Ancestor Lin. This mission is well within our capabilities. Moving forward, high-ranking officials within Huaxia will be subjected to periodic vetting to preempt such complications."
"Indeed, the methods you have devised are effective; they are far superior to mere slander against the Buddhist sect in the past."
Lin Jiang offered a nod in agreement. Despite the widespread dissemination of Buddhist sect theories across Blue Star, their actual influence and advantages were minimal, if not entirely absent.
In other regions, such ideas might have spread like wildfire; however, on Blue Star, their propagation was effectively curbed due to a stark disparity in the level of civilization.
Blue Star possessed a multitude of strategies for countering Buddhist doctrines. Not only did it boast a wealth of talented individuals, but it also employed sophisticated tactics. For instance, should a gifted orator emerge within the Buddhist sect, they could be silenced through measures such as online gag orders, post deletion, and account suspensions, effectively making them disappear without a trace.
"Ancestor Lin, when do you intend for us to launch a counter-offensive against the Buddhist sect?"
Qiu Weidao remarked that the prevailing sentiment within Huaxia was one of retribution; grudges spanning ten generations demanded satisfaction, let alone the current circumstances. While other nations might remain unaware, the appetite for conflict within Huaxia was exceptionally robust.
Qiu Weidao himself and his trusted subordinates, who had served him for many years, were deeply affected. Half of his contingent had perished in the recent conflict, and he himself had sustained serious injuries, narrowly escaping death. Consequently, he harbored a fervent desire for vengeance.
"It will be imminent. Once we ascertain the precise location of Lingjing Star, we can commence our actions."
Lin Jiang nodded. In reality, they had already established a rough estimate of Lingjing Star's position and even calculated its approximate distance, which was estimated to be slightly over one hundred light-years. This distance presented a significant challenge; with Blue Star's current technological capabilities, interstellar travel would require at least a millennium, leaving precious little time.
Therefore, Blue Star must exercise patience. The path forward involves either a subsequent surge in scientific and technological advancement, enabling spacecraft to achieve light speed, or the successful development of wormhole technology. Alternatively, they could enhance their comprehension of the Immortal Language, thereby discovering a method for cultivation and attaining the power of rules, and mastering the Stargate Secret Technique.
In the present era, it appears that advancements in science and technology have reached a standstill, with no immediate breakthroughs foreseeable. Consequently, there is widespread anticipation for the development of Immortal Language studies. As an example, a significant amount of spoils were obtained from Buddhist cultivators during a recent encounter, and these are now under intense examination. The hope is that this research might offer a pathway to bypass the need for a figure like Xia Qingshan and directly grasp the fundamental power of the rules.