Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 843

Year 7975 according to the Xia Dynasty calendar on Blue Star, within the territory of Lingjing Star.

"To all inhabitants of Lingjing Star, this is a safety proclamation. For your own well-being, refrain from the following actions: Firstly, do not provoke the automated patrol units…"

Hundreds of aerial vehicles crisscross the skies of Lingjing Star, perpetually issuing safety advisories in the local dialect. Below, some Buddhist cultivators eye the ostentatious robots with thinly veiled resentment, yet they dare not voice their dissent.

Any act of aggression against these machines would invariably trigger a severe reprisal, often resulting in casualties not only for the offender but also for those in their vicinity, as a single explosive ordinance could exact a devastating toll.

Meanwhile, on the central continent of Lingjing Star, adjacent to a once-thriving metropolis, countless automated construction units are engaged in the development of a new urban center.

This nascent city is a beacon of modernity, boasting comprehensive sanitation infrastructure, advanced transit networks, verdant recreational areas, and imposing skyscrapers that symbolize technological progress.

In a parallel location, a temporary encampment houses thousands of technicians and researchers immersed in the intricate planning and subsequent re-engineering of Lingjing Star, their discussions occasionally escalating into spirited debates.

Within this temporary hub, Liang Long is engaged in discourse with a Soul Fragment originating from Lin Jiang. Lingjing Star is situated over a hundred light-years from Blue Star, rendering even quantum communication susceptible to temporal lags. However, certain cultivation techniques offer superior expediency. For instance, when Lin Jiang dispatches a Soul Fragment, his Main Soul gains direct visual and auditory access to the Fragment's perceptions.

A period of six months has now elapsed since their arrival on Lingjing Star. During this half-year span, Liang Long and his contingent have systematically dismantled 186 pivotal temples across Lingjing Star, systematically eliminated the vast majority of Buddhist cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul stage, and neutralized numerous other significant figures within the Buddhist hierarchy.

Their advanced expeditionary force has successfully established thirty-six strategic strongholds throughout Lingjing Star, tasked with comprehensive surveillance. Any congregation of Buddhist practitioners or indication of hostile intent is met with overwhelming and destructive force.

Under the shadow of this oppressive and relentless campaign, Lingjing Star has endured grievous losses, with millions perishing, and the initial wave of organized resistance from the Buddhist factions has been decisively quelled.

Concurrent with this campaign of subversion, a substantial reconstruction initiative has commenced. The new urban development nearby, for example, has already seen two-thirds of its foundational groundwork completed. Full occupancy is anticipated within approximately one year.

While the current living conditions are far from ideal, with the prospect of habitation in incomplete structures looming, these are considered secondary concerns. The paramount objective is the establishment of a robust industrial base, encompassing large-scale chemical processing facilities, vital fertilizer production plants, and essential pesticide manufacturing units.

Following their comprehensive survey of Lingjing Star, Liang Long and his associates ascertained a critically low level of local productivity, leading to widespread malnutrition among the populace. Consequently, a strategic imperative was identified: to effectively dismantle the populace's devotion to Buddhism, their fundamental material needs must first be addressed.

"We have extensive undertakings ahead, including the establishment of nuclear fusion power stations, global communication hubs, and expansive agricultural support facilities. The complexities encountered on Lingjing Star far surpass those of Jiang Star. While both worlds necessitate a complete rebuilding effort, Lingjing Star demands particular consideration for the welfare of its indigenous inhabitants."

Liang Long confided that there are moments when the idea of eradicating all life on Lingjing Star is contemplated, envisioning a complete reset akin to Jiang Star, thereby simplifying the entire reconstruction process immeasurably.

"I comprehend your perspective, yet our contention with Buddhism transcends mere physical conflict; it is fundamentally an ideological battle. If our approach is solely reliant on eradication, our long-term progress will be severely curtailed. It is imperative that we conduct our cultivation and development on Lingjing Star, with the ultimate aim of extending our influence to subjugate additional planets adherents to Buddhism."

Lin Jiang articulated that he was fully cognizant of the simpler solution of annihilation, but it was an option they could not ethically pursue. Lingjing Star serves as a crucial experimental ground for devising strategies to dismantle the pervasive influence of Buddhism.

"This is understood, which is precisely why I have delegated these responsibilities. Zheng Yi, from Ying Continent, is managing these affairs with exceptional proficiency. He now holds the primary oversight, while my focus remains confined to security and technological advancements."

Liang Long mused on the sheer complexity of daily administration, admitting its taxing nature. Lacking innate aptitude in this domain, he resolved to entrust all managerial duties to Zheng Yi, who already bore responsibility for the entirety of Ying Continent's affairs and possessed a more refined understanding of such operations.

"The decision rests with you. The residual energy within this Soul Fragment is finite and likely insufficient for many more years. It is imperative that you expedite the documentation of Lingjing Star's current state into a visual recording. My intention is to disseminate this material on Blue Star to bolster national morale."

"Understood. However, the foremost priority must be establishing a reliable link between our respective locations. Otherwise, even if we secure Lingjing Star, the immense distance will render any obtained benefits negligible."

"Zhu Bin is already making progress on a teleportation array. Once it's completed, there will be seamless connection between our locations."

"That is wonderful news. Otherwise, I truly fear potential attacks from other Buddhist worlds. Our current strength here is quite insufficient."

"Rest assured, there are no other Buddhist worlds within dozens of light-years of Lingjing Star. They cannot possibly attack swiftly. You should seize this opportune moment."

Lin Jiang conveyed the information they had gathered. Investigations of the Space Battleship within the Lingjing Star Star Domain indicated no other inhabited planets for dozens of light-years. An attack from a Buddhist world wouldn't be easy. Of course, they knew retaliation was inevitable, making this window of time crucial. If utilized effectively, by the time other powerful experts from the Buddhist worlds arrived, they might be met with dozens of Space Fleets. The thought alone was exhilarating.

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Blue Star

A two-hour video circulated rapidly across Blue Star's internet. It documented the Blue Star expedition fleet's arrival at Lingjing Star, the subjugation of Lingjing Star's Buddhist cultivators, the demolition of their temples, and glimpses into daily life on Lingjing Star.

Upon its release, the video caused a massive stir. Although the conflict on Blue Star occurred many years prior, with most ordinary individuals involved long gone, a significant number of cultivators remained. They erupted in cheers, feeling the retribution was entirely justified. The suffering inflicted upon Blue Star by the Buddhist cultivators made this retaliatory act appear minuscule. The sentiment to eradicate all life on Lingjing Star was palpable.

Amidst the online fervor, Lin Jiang withdrew his attention. He had more pressing matters to attend to, chief among them the cross-border teleportation array under Zhu Bin's supervision. This endeavor represented the most vital technological breakthrough. Its successful development would pave the way for Blue Star's interstellar conquest. Without it, traversing vast distances would take millennia, rendering any ambition of expansion impossible.

"Stop visiting the Spiritual Energy Research Institute. Each time you go, Zhu Bin's stress levels elevate. You'll drive him to distraction."

One day, as Lin Jiang prepared for another visit to the institute, Cao Ying intercepted him. His frequent visits exacerbated Zhu Bin's anxiety, nearly pushing the venerable Dao Achieving Ancestor to his limit.

"Do I truly possess such an intimidating aura?"

"A leader's authority stems from multiple sources, but its greatest foundation is military triumph. You led Blue Star's cultivators to repel invaders and launch a counteroffensive against Lingjing Star. You are currently the most prominent figure on Blue Star. Your outward demeanor, however friendly, matters little in this regard."

Cao Ying explained that even a common individual who leads an army to victory and strikes the enemy's heart gains unparalleled authority. For Lin Jiang, the impact was magnified exponentially. Despite his familiar and approachable demeanor, the dynamics had fundamentally shifted. High-ranking officials across Blue Star grew uneasy in his presence, often averting their gaze. Lin Jiang might not have perceived this change, but Cao Ying certainly had.

"Very well, I shall refrain from visiting. We must not cause Zhu Bin undue distress."

"Precisely! If our primary concern is the cross-border teleportation array, we simply need to provide it with additional support. The scars of the Blue Star War have largely healed, and our coffers are replenished."

Cao Ying elaborated that Lingjing Star had already supplied multiple rounds of material aid, amounting to hundreds of millions of tons of resources. Coupled with Blue Star's own remarkable recovery capabilities, the impact of the war had significantly diminished. Their population had even rebounded by approximately two to three billion, and they possessed abundant resources. A modest increase in support for Zhu Bin's project would suffice.

"Understood. I will heed your counsel. My concern was perhaps a bit excessive, and I shall exercise greater discretion moving forward."

Lin Jiang acknowledged, conceding that his worry had perhaps been overblown and that he should be more mindful in the future.

"Indeed! If you find yourself with spare time, you could dedicate it to practicing Buddhist techniques. Certain techniques have undergone improvements that will significantly aid in the cultivation of the Immortal Language. Once we masters refine our skills, we can disseminate them throughout Blue Star."

"Excellent. I shall enter seclusion."

Lin Jiang declared. With every sector now managed by capable individuals, his direct oversight was less critical. This provided him the freedom to concentrate on honing his techniques or delving deeper into the comprehension of the fundamental rules governing existence.