Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 844

Eight thousand complete years of the Blue Star Xia calendar. Lingjing Star.

A flying vessel descended upon the ancient city of Jialan. Blue Guang emerged from the ship, leaving it hovering in the air rather than storing it.

Striding unhindered through the Jialan family's gates, Lan Guang paid no mind to the curious gazes. He fully understood the mixture of resentment, envy, and other feelings those looks conveyed.

"Father!"

A middle-aged man approached. Lan Guang addressed him in the Blue Star Huaxia language, causing the man a slight discomfort, yet he endeavored to respond in the same tongue.

"Guang'er, did my absence at your graduation displease you?"

"What are you implying, Father? Your presence was not essential. I still graduated at the pinnacle of my class. Moreover, as the esteemed City Lord of Jialan City, your duties are demanding, and the elders are understanding."

Lan Guang recounted how their Jialan Clan stood as the most venerable family in Jialan City, with ancestors who had once produced an arhat-level Buddhist cultivator, influencing the clan's affairs for generations.

However, his father's lineage was not the primary branch of the Jialan Clan but a distant offshoot. Over two decades prior, powerful entities from Blue Star descended, dismantling the main Jialan Clan branch. In the ensuing confusion, his father stepped forward, offering surrender to the Blue Star forces to ensure peace.

Yet, Lan Guang harbored gratitude for his father's calculated move. Within Modern City, he encountered a reality far removed from Lingjing Star's. He immersed himself in the Huaxia language, history, modern science and technology, and the profound methods of cultivating immortality. These past twenty years had, in his view, profoundly expanded his horizons.

"It is fortunate you comprehend, Lan Guang. Now that you have returned, do the esteemed elders have an assignment for you?"

"Indeed, Father, and it is of considerable importance."

"So, elaborate, if you would."

"I have returned to assume the crucial position of Chief of Education for Jialan City. My mandate is to oversee all educational endeavors within the city, propagating the Blue Star Huaxia language, the path of cultivating immortality, and the advancements of science and technology."

"Ah, this…"

The middle-aged man's countenance shifted drastically. He was no longer the inconsequential figure from years past. The implications of his son's new role were starkly clear. Was this a complete severance from the Buddhist path?

"Father, I am aware that over these years, you have offered sanctuary to numerous Buddhist cultivators. This is known not only to me but also to the esteemed individuals from Blue Star…"

"Guang'er, this…"

Lan Guang's single statement rendered his father's face ashen, a cold sweat beginning to bead on his brow.

Throughout the intervening years, he had adopted a dual approach: outwardly conforming to the Blue Star authorities while secretly maintaining connections with the Buddhist sect and offering covert assistance to its followers. He had believed his discretion was absolute, unaware of his exposure.

"Father, please do not be alarmed. Before my arrival, my mentor conveyed his willingness to grant you another opportunity. The Buddhist cultivator heritage of Lingjing Star has endured for millennia; it cannot be eradicated in mere decades. They comprehend this reality."

"I, I…"

"Father, are your thoughts still with the Buddhist sect?"

"Guang'er, you are aware that our Jialan Clan is deeply intertwined with the Buddhist sect. Though the main branch was obliterated, other branches persist. Had I not intervened to foster calm, Jialan City would have descended into utter chaos long ago."

"Hmph, let it descend into chaos! Those individuals remain fixated on the Buddhist sect, which is nothing more than a relic of the past."

"Guang'er, how can you speak so disrespectfully?"

"Father, you are unaware. Five years ago, my mentor led our cohort of eighty students on an investigative tour across various regions. We discovered that under the Buddhist Sect's dominion, the populace endured lives of profound hardship. Their prohibition on killing severely stunted the livestock industry, resulting in widespread malnutrition among the common people. The average lifespan barely surpassed fifty years, and maternal mortality during childbirth was appallingly high…"

Lan Guang articulated his points with gravity to his father. His personal participation in that investigation with his mentor had illuminated the obsolete and backward nature of the Buddhist Sect's governance. The simple decree against killing had spawned a cascade of problems, including pervasive malnutrition, diminished lifespans, and endemic illnesses.

For ages past, Lingjing Star had existed in this fashion, making such a life seem ordinary to Lingjing Star. However, after receiving education at school about the realities of Blue Star, the stark contrast ignited a strong resentment in Lan Guang towards the Buddhist Sect. The teachings he absorbed attributed all these discrepancies to the Buddhist Sect.

"Father, let us sever ties with the Jialan Clan. We should revert to our surname, Blue, just as I have. The Jialan Clan is mired in the past and perpetuates backwardness; we can no longer condone their barbarity."

"Father, the Buddhist Sect is a relic of a bygone era. The destiny of Lingjing Star lies with the world of Blue Star."

"If we had never glimpsed the light, we could have endured the darkness. But now that we have witnessed the dawn, I cannot tolerate the chains of darkness, not even for a moment."

"It’s not merely my sentiment; the entirety of Jialan City and every soul on Lingjing Star will cast aside the Buddhist Sect and embrace the civilization of Blue Star..."

Lan Guang articulated his resolve to his father. He had returned with a singular purpose: to disseminate the brilliance of Blue Star across Jialan City and the entirety of Lingjing Star.

······

Modern City

Modern City stands as the inaugural metropolis established by Liang Long and his associates on Lingjing Star, currently mirroring the design of premier cities in Blue Star's Huaxia region.

Within Modern City, hundreds of educators are bidding farewell to their pupils, who predominantly hail from the influential families of Lingjing Star. These families had submitted to Blue Star and dispatched their offspring to Modern City as a form of surety after their ancestors surrendered to Blue Star.

Liang Long and his colleagues have facilitated the enrollment of these individuals into educational institutions. Over several decades of assimilation, they have been thoroughly transformed into individuals embodying Blue Star values, exhibiting no divergence in language, attire, cultural norms, or pedagogical approaches.

"Greetings, my Daoist friend Zheng. These five thousand eight hundred students are poised to become the primary cohort for the transformation of Lingjing Star, wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed, they represent perhaps the most potent force for change. Their familial connections place them among the current elites of Lingjing Star. Having completed the full curriculum of Blue Star’s educational system, they firmly believe in its inherent superiority over the primitive ways of Lingjing Star and have renounced Buddhism. Upon their return, they will leverage their existing influence within Lingjing Star, proving far more effective and notably more loyal than our own operatives or those subjected to brief assimilation periods."

Zheng Yi recounted how their forceful takeover of Lingjing Star involved the dismantling of Buddhism's core leadership and influential figures. While many, driven by fear for their lives, offered their cooperation, it was understood that their compliance was out of duress, not genuine allegiance.

It was clear to them that these individuals were merely a temporary means to govern Lingjing Star. Subsequent short-term training programs yielded some results, but the impact was limited due to the insufficient duration. Only those who had undergone over two decades of their tutelage demonstrated unwavering loyalty.

"What is the subsequent step? The annihilation of their cultural identity?"

"Daoist friend Liang, why inquire about a matter you are already privy to? The foundational strategy for dismantling a civilization involves the eradication of its cultural heritage. Our Blue Star culture is inherently inclusive, yet time is a constraint we cannot afford to squander on protracted discourse. Consequently, decisive action is imperative."

"Come, enlighten me with your strategy; I am eager to learn."

"The approach is remarkably straightforward. Commencing next year, a decree will be issued mandating the destruction of all Buddhist scriptures and associated literature circulating in the marketplace. Any materials pertaining to Buddhist education will be strictly prohibited, and our own educational framework will be compulsorily implemented."

At that juncture, the populace of Lingjing Star will undoubtedly mount a fierce resistance. We shall simply eliminate any who dare to oppose us. However, the paramount concern is material remuneration. Those who willingly enroll their children in our academies will receive substantial benefits. Initially, all their taxes will be waived, followed by generous material provisions, including sustenance and clothing—whatever rewards we are capable of bestowing.

Given Lingjing Star's current production capacity, fewer than ten percent of the population have adequate food. The remaining ninety percent suffer from hunger. How long can the common people be expected to endure such deprivation?

"Should this policy persist for a century, Buddhism will be a shadow of its former self. The countless students we have educated will, on their own accord, bring about its downfall."

"Indeed, this strategy is sound. Is there any assistance I can provide?"

"Yes, numerous tasks require attention. For instance, we must elevate Lingjing Star's productivity. The cities under our complete jurisdiction have already adopted our advanced agricultural technologies, resulting in exceptional crop yields. They are also gradually forsaking the Buddhist dietary restriction against meat, recognizing its benefits. However, this is insufficient. As I've emphasized, material support is the cornerstone; without a robust material foundation, all our efforts will be in vain."

"Hahaha, boosting productivity is really not difficult," Liang Long chuckled, explaining that for an automated factory, crafting agricultural tools is a straightforward task. Even producing pesticides and fertilizers presents no challenge. Furthermore, he can easily replicate Blue Star's technology to enhance crop varieties. It's hardly a high-tech endeavor.

"That's excellent news. Once we conquer the productivity hurdle, all other matters will become manageable," Zheng Yi remarked. He elaborated that with sufficient material resources, resolving other issues becomes considerably simpler. For instance, when considering wealth distribution, they needn't worry about the beneficiaries on Lingjing Star. If these individuals become displeased, they can simply be eliminated. Eradicating all beneficiaries, he implied, would resolve the matter entirely.