Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 832

In an unknown star domain, on a desolate planet, the Buddhist cultivator stood with a dim and lifeless aura before Bodhisattva Kongyan and the others. The familiar scene of Blue Star was a distant memory, casting a heavy shadow over many, as even their trump cards had been revealed.

"Senior Brother Kong Yan, the Buddha Seed plan is on the verge of failure," a Bodhisattva stated with a deep voice. "The most crucial element of the Buddha Seed plan is the statue."

The Buddha Seed is implanted within a person's heart, guiding them to comprehend the teachings of Buddha and turn towards the Buddhist path. However, the Buddha Seed's power is finite; once depleted, individuals may falter in their faith when exposed to alternative ideologies.

Therefore, the statue's blessing is indispensable. As people chant Buddha's name, their thoughts imbue the statue with power, which then reciprocates, fortifying their conviction. This establishes a virtuous cycle, ultimately leading the majority of Blue Star's inhabitants to embrace Buddhism, thereby eroding the planet's foundational beliefs.

But now, the statue has vanished – the linchpin has disappeared. After a decade, only several hundred thousand Buddhist cultivators remain on Blue Star, a minuscule fraction of its billions. Their contingency plan has been shattered.

"Prepare for a forced conversion," Bodhisattva Kongyan declared softly, acknowledging that their efforts had been in vain.

They had arrived with a standard strategy: the Buddhist order would identify a new era, typically dispatching a skilled envoy, often an Arhat or a Bodhisattva, for reconnaissance. Subsequently, a contingent of elite cultivators would be sent to establish a presence.

If the opposition proved somewhat feeble, this team would suffice to gradually subjugate the entire world. In cases of formidable resistance, a larger contingent would be deployed for a direct assault.

Should the enemy be exceedingly powerful, rendering a large-scale invasion ineffective, the order would retreat, leaving behind the Buddha Seed. Following a significant conflict, widespread psychological trauma would ensue, creating fertile ground for the Buddha Seed's proliferation. Soon, Buddhist doctrines and philosophies would permeate the globe, paving the way for a triumphant return and renewed confrontation.

These three tactics had an impeccable track record for the Buddhist order, yet this time, they had encountered an insurmountable obstacle. Despite employing their established methods, they proved futile. Arhat Huangyuan was defeated before even reaching Blue Star, and while Puxiang and Changguang managed to gather some intelligence, they failed to secure a foothold. Their main force also suffered defeat, leaving them without any backup plans.

"Brother, with only us remaining, can we succeed?"

"Are you considering seeking assistance from other worlds?"

"That is entirely out of the question. I am simply concerned..."

"Do not fret, your elder brother will assist me," Kong Yan affirmed, pinning his hopes on his brother's Buddhist relic. Should that fail, Lingjing Star would be unable to complete the mission, necessitating external aid, a prospect that filled him with resentment due to the potential loss of significant credit.

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In the year 7850 of the Blue Star Xia calendar, in Huaxia, Lin Jiang had nearly perfected the Stargate Secret Technique. For two decades, Lin Jiang had dedicated the majority of his time to secluded cultivation before imparting this technique to Zhu Bin and Cao Wang, designating them for its direct implementation, while Lin Jiang oversaw the overall strategy.

"Ancestor Lin, I have fully grasped the Stargate secret technique. It is truly a potent method, far surpassing our current Interstellar Teleportation Array," Zhu Bin remarked.

Zhu Bin had resided in Lin Jiang's villa for nearly six months, engaging in intensive discussions about the Stargate Secret Technique with Lin Jiang day and night. With Lin Jiang's guidance, he rapidly assimilated the technique.

"Zhu Bin, mastering the Immortal Language does not automatically equate to achieving optimal results. I perceive numerous shortcomings in the Stargate Secret Technique. For instance, the Buddhist sect's approach relies exclusively on the cultivators' power for activation, which significantly curtails its utility. My hope is that you can integrate it with the existing teleportation array to develop a genuine Interstellar Teleportation Array, or perhaps a cross-border teleportation array."

"Ancestor Lin speaks wisely; I harbored a similar notion. A cross-border teleportation array might be precisely what is needed," Zhu Bin concurred, having contemplated this possibility for some time. A cross-border teleportation array could represent a groundbreaking innovation, superior to the Buddhist Stargate Secret Technique.

"Very well, return and conduct further research. I will assign Cao Wang to collaborate with you. You are now partners, do you understand?" Lin Jiang instructed. Despite years of competition between Zhu Bin and Cao Wang for resources, they were now required to unite their efforts.

Zhu Bin offered a nod, choosing silence over further words. Under normal circumstances, his sole focus would have been vanquishing Cao Wang for increased financial backing. However, with the looming threat of the Buddha Sect, collaboration was paramount; he fully grasped the gravity of this situation.

Lin Jiang and Cao Ying escorted Zhu Bin to the exit. As they journeyed back, Cao Ying inquired, "We've amassed quite a number of those signaling artifacts from the Buddha Sect. Should we dispatch them into the cosmos?"

"Perhaps not yet. We're currently contending with a single Buddha Sect; introducing more would be an overextension. Let's first send them to Jiang Star and establish the interstellar passage."

Lin Jiang elaborated that the octahedron discovered on Cape III Planet functioned as a signaling treasure, comprised of exceedingly complex components. The directive was to fabricate numerous such devices and launch them into space, allowing them to drift like celestial debris. A mechanism would be installed to trigger a signal, and upon discovery by a sentient entity, it would transmit confirmation of extraterrestrial civilizations.

Lin Jiang found himself uncertain about the number of civilizations in Blue Star's vicinity. This Blue Star diverged significantly from the one in his recollections; in his memory, planets teeming with life were virtually non-existent within hundreds or thousands of light-years, a stark contrast to the current reality.

"That is accurate. A single Buddha Sect has already plunged us into an existential crisis; their remaining forces possess greater strength than our own."

"Indeed, and the Buddha Sect's full might is poised to descend. Their Buddha Seed initiative has faltered, compelling them to address this immediate predicament before contemplating further actions."

Lin Jiang posited that interstellar conflicts are protracted affairs, with the majority of the duration consumed by transit. Otherwise, he would harbor suspicions that the Buddha Sect had already initiated their return.

The Buddha Seed plan orchestrated by the Buddhist sect can now be broadly considered a failure; the key artifact has been neutralized, and Buddhist cultivators on Blue Star are either in hiding or under strict observation. Even if some managed to evade capture, their capacity to inflict significant damage is negligible, as the success of the Buddha Seed plan hinged entirely on sheer numbers.

"What course of action do you intend to take regarding those Buddhist cultivators?"

"We shall deal with some, provide for others, and closely monitor a select few."

Lin Jiang articulated that the circumstances surrounding the Buddhist cultivators are exceptionally intricate. At this juncture, the remnants of the Buddha Seed contamination remain, necessitating a nuanced approach rather than a uniform policy; each case must be addressed individually.

Those whose devotion to Buddhism is unwavering and who possess the aptitude for propagation must be firmly dealt with, with a focus on incapacitating their physical capabilities to neutralize them. If their commitment is strong but their ability to spread doctrine is limited, they should be kept under quiet surveillance to gauge their potential, with the hope that they might inadvertently offer insights applicable to Immortal Language cultivation on Blue Star.

As for the rank-and-file Buddhist cultivators, they should be accommodated; they can serve as symbolic figures for public display and, on occasion, as convenient scapegoats. Regardless of their individual circumstances, the presence and activities of Buddhist cultivators on Blue Star must be subjected to stringent oversight.

The pair returned to the villa to delve into discussions concerning the Stargate Secret Technique and various Buddhist cultivation methods. With a multitude of Buddhist cultivators having fallen on Blue Star, numerous techniques originating from Lingjing Star were consequently left behind. Cao Ying assumed responsibility for this endeavor, undertaking the translation of many of these practices.

Though Buddhist techniques and those of the cultivators ostensibly share a common origin, their evolutionary paths have diverged considerably, resulting in a degree of advancement exceeding that found on Blue Star. Certain elements derived from these practices hold significant potential utility for Blue Star.

Conflict often serves as a catalyst for civilizational progress by fostering an environment conducive to learning. Given the Buddha Sect's superior standing compared to Blue Star, it is logical to incorporate their advancements. Currently, both sides recognize the value of Buddhist techniques, particularly in the realm of body cultivation, where they demonstrably surpass Blue Star's attainments by a substantial margin. Lin Jiang harbors a aspiration to further refine his physical form through these Buddhist secrets, harboring dreams of one day being capable of striking a Space Mother Ship and withstanding the impact of a nuclear detonation.