Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 853

In the year 8251 of the Blue Star Xia calendar, on Lingjing Star.

Lin Jiang and his entourage were taking their leisure on Lingjing Star. Their stay wasn't merely for inspection; it was also a time for relaxation, hence their unhurried departure as they decided to explore the planet.

With Liang Long occupied, Shiyi accompanied him, acting as a guide for Lin Jiang and the others, showcasing the picturesque landscapes of Lingjing Star. The planet boasted a developed industry, abundant resources, and a burgeoning tourism sector, complete with numerous attractions.

Discussions also touched upon Lingjing Star's development trajectory. Decades prior, Liang Long and his associates had bolstered the planet's industrial might and reformed its existing power structures, accomplishing two significant objectives simultaneously. Now, years later, the initial hardships of industrial expansion had faded, and Lingjing Star's overall strength had markedly increased.

Reflecting on the past, their accomplishments appeared even more profound. Despite the western continent's occupation by the demon race, displacing its inhabitants, Lingjing Star's population had still grown by over a billion. Furthermore, residents' health had seen remarkable improvements, with the average lifespan for ordinary individuals extending from their forties to approximately eighty years.

The pool of talent had also been substantially reinforced. Though Buddhist cultivators had vanished from the scene, local cultivators on Lingjing Star had already attained the Nascent Soul stage, marking considerable advancement.

Lin Jiang listened attentively to Shiyi's narrative, offering little in the way of commentary. He was keenly aware that Shiyi and his group had committed questionable acts and taken lives on Lingjing Star, yet they had also performed beneficial deeds and preserved numerous lives.

Human beings are intricate creatures, not easily categorized as purely good or evil. All actions are ultimately evaluated by their consequences. What Shiyi and his group undertook ultimately benefited Blue Star and Huaxia, thus cementing their status as heroes to both.

Following his tour of the Central Continent, Lin Jiang proceeded to the Eastern Continent, which fell under the jurisdiction of Ying Continent. On Lingjing Star, Huaxia had rescinded the technological restrictions imposed on the people of Ying Continent, though this applied solely to civilian technology. Certain military and space-related technologies remained under strict confidentiality.

Deprived of these advanced technologies, Ying Continent would have little recourse but to cooperate with Huaxia. Otherwise, should Huaxia sever the cross-border teleportation array, Ying Continent would face complete ruin.

Li Qing concluded her inspection of the Eastern Continent, expressing her satisfaction. The Eastern Continent surpassed even Blue Star's Ying Continent in size, housing a population exceeding a billion and possessing vast natural resources. They also held a stake in Lingjing Star's oceans, though these marine expanses remained largely undeveloped.

Currently, Jiang Star faces a similar situation. The continent's full potential remains untapped, and oceanic development proceeds at a sluggish pace, indicating immense room for future growth.

"Ancestor Lin, how will we manage the acquisition of resources from Lingjing Star moving forward, and what will be the frequency of these operations?"

"An annual retrieval should be appropriate. Lingjing Star's development must follow its unique path, and we need to ensure good coordination. We should complement Blue Star, and to maintain balance, select personnel from Lingjing Star will undergo training on Blue Star each year, while Blue Star will also dispatch individuals for rotational assignments here."

Lin Jiang explained that rotating personnel would serve as a preventative measure against the emergence of any potential warlord factions. He wished to avoid any scenario where someone might attempt to seize control of Lingjing Star, thereby creating needless complications.

"That sounds reasonable. I propose implementing a governor system, with no governor serving beyond a century."

After a brief deliberation, Li Qing suggested that given the longevity of cultivators, the governors she appointed would possess at least the Soul Changing Stage cultivation. A hundred-year tenure would be insufficient for them to amass enough power to pose a threat to Blue Star's Ying Continent.

"That seems adequate. You may have Zheng Yi and Shiyi deliberate on the finer points."

Lin Jiang noted that Jiang Star was also employing a governor system. He had partitioned Jiang Star into ten administrative regions; however, a figurehead named Ye Chen remained in overarching command above the governors. Lin Jiang had yet to identify a suitable successor for Ye Chen, as talent remained a scarce commodity.

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After Lingjing Star had been occupied for slightly over half its allotted time, and once the energy accumulation at each teleportation array transfer station reached completion, Lin Jiang and his companions departed Lingjing Star. They also secured the inaugural shipment of resources from Lingjing Star, filling hundreds of substantial storage bags.

Upon their return to Blue Star, Lin Jiang and his team initiated adjustments to existing policies. Henceforth, resources from Lingjing Star and Jiang Star would be consistently transported back, heralding a significant transformation in the overall landscape of Blue Star.

Time elapsed rapidly, and as the large-scale delivery of resources from Jiang Star and Lingjing Star commenced, the advantages for Huaxia became markedly apparent.

For instance, spiritual paddy stands as the most fundamental resource for cultivation. It provides the gentlest influx of spiritual energy for a cultivator, offering numerous benefits with prolonged consumption. For ordinary individuals, its effects are even more pronounced, akin to the finest health supplement for replenishing spiritual energy. Regular intake fortifies the body, enhances vitality, and aids in warding off numerous common ailments.

Prior to the development of Jiang Star and Lingjing Star, Huaxia's domestic production of spiritual paddy could only sustain approximately one-third of its cultivators. Currently, Lingjing Star is capable of supplying millions of tons annually, sufficient for all cultivators and over a third of the general populace.

While the immediate impact of these gains might not be overtly visible, their long-term advantages are virtually boundless. At the very least, a healthier populace translates to reduced consumption of other resources, such as medical supplies.

The interests of the Ying Continent and the demon race have also been secured. The Ying Continent has benefited from Lingjing Star's resources and the open technological exchange with Huaxia. Consequently, the development of the Ying Continent has accelerated, showing marked improvement year after year.

As for the demon race, they now possess expanded territories for their Demon Kings to govern. With increased numbers, the need for inter-tribal conflict or aggression towards human territories has diminished.

The three factions cohabiting Lingjing Star have undeniably reaped considerable benefits. However, this has cast a shadow of discontent over Qingyun and Zhou Liao. What was once expected to be a second or third-tier position among Blue Star's human factions has now been eclipsed by the Ying Continent, leaving them far behind.

They naturally feel a sense of helplessness in contending with Huaxia for resources and influence. Consequently, within their respective nations, discussions regarding the integration of Qingyun and Zhou Liao into Huaxia, forming a unified entity, have resurfaced with even greater urgency than before.

"I believe the opportune moment has arrived to assimilate Qingyun and Zhou Liao. Given our current scale, we can readily absorb and integrate them."

Cao Ying, swayed by numerous arguments, conveyed this sentiment to Lin Jiang.

"A friendship spanning millennia exists between Zhou Liao, Qingyun, and Huaxia. While their absorption is feasible, I've learned that the Five Nations of the Alliance and the western regions of the Shen Continent harbor similar ambitions. If they were to vocalize these desires, I could potentially absorb the Ying Continent as well."

"Is that not advantageous? Our future endeavors lie in space exploration, necessitating a substantial population base."

Cao Ying elaborated, "Having Lin Jiang spearhead this initiative wouldn't be detrimental. We could leverage these populations and resources. A larger populace increases the potential for cultivating prodigious talents."

"When circumstances are favorable, such expansion is indeed beneficial. However, should Blue Star encounter adversity, complications may arise. For instance, when I intend to exploit resources, it is invariably more convenient to target external entities rather than our own people."

"This is a valid concern, but for us, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Huaxia's population of billions is insufficient for our future extraterrestrial development. Consider Lingjing Star as a prime example: despite the diligent efforts of Liang Long and others in disseminating Blue Star culture, the indigenous culture of Lingjing Star exhibits remarkable resilience. The initial wave of indigenous noble families who allied with us has left an indelible mark. However, introducing several hundred million of our own people would fundamentally alter the dynamic."

"It appears you are quite keen on this prospect."

"Indeed, the potential benefits of incorporating Qingyun and Zhou Liao alone are immense."

"Very well, if you feel strongly about this, I shall defer to your judgment. You are, after all, one of Huaxia's leaders."

"Do you concur?"

"Yes, I agree. However, this endeavor requires meticulous planning and a prolonged timeframe. I estimate it would take fifty to a hundred years. For instance, both nations must adopt Huaxia's educational curriculum, unifying their ideological frameworks. They must relinquish their independent currencies in favor of the Huaxia Yuan. Furthermore, the complete acceptance of Huaxia's tariffs and language is essential for successful assimilation."

"In such a scenario, they might forfeit substantial benefits."