Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 856

Lingjing Star, Central Continent

During a consultation with Li Canghai, Ming’an offered high praise for Lingjing Star after a thorough assessment of its current standing.

Two primary factors contributed to Ming’an's optimistic outlook on Lingjing Star's potential. Firstly, the integration of technology with cultivation practices enabled cultivators on Lingjing Star to access resources that were exponentially more potent—ten to a hundred times stronger—than those acquired through conventional cultivation, with the exception of finite resources like minerals.

While these were fundamental resources, their significance could not be overstated. Even the most accomplished cultivators began their journey at lower cultivation levels. An abundance of cultivation resources presented greater opportunities, ensuring that individuals with moderate talent were not prematurely weeded out during the initial stages of their journey.

The second compelling reason was Lingjing Star's established education and organizational framework. Similar to Blue Star, Lingjing Star possessed a discernible governing body that maintained order. Crucially, it lacked the internal strife common among sects. Its equitable education system catered to individual aptitudes and facilitated continuous talent scouting, thereby maximizing the discovery of gifted individuals.

With these two interwoven systems in place, the burgeoning strength of Lingjing Star was a foregone conclusion. Given sufficient time, its power would undoubtedly escalate further.

"Ming’an, if your assessment of Lingjing Star holds true, would the Blue Star situated behind it be even more formidable?"

"That has essentially been confirmed. I overheard discussions indicating that while Blue Star is somewhat smaller than Lingjing Star, it boasts a population of approximately four to five billion individuals, with billions of cultivators. Master, consider this: with such a vast cultivator population, how many immensely powerful experts could emerge?"

"Four to five billion people? That is simply inconceivable! Our Canglan Star, which is a hundred times the size of Lingjing Star, only harbors a population of one hundred billion."

Li Canghai expressed his astonishment at the notion of such a diminutive world supporting a population of four to five billion. He reiterated that Canglan Star, significantly larger than Lingjing Star by a factor of one hundred, possessed a population of only one hundred billion.

"Master, you underestimate the sophistication of their technology. Setting aside food production, they possess the capability to transmute air into sustenance. Therefore, regardless of the population size, starvation is a non-issue."

Ming’an recounted his own amazement upon learning that Blue Star's technological prowess allowed for the synthesis of starch from the air, a fundamental food source for ordinary inhabitants.

He pondered the nature of this extraordinary alchemical process, having never encountered anything similar. Even his master, who had attained immortality, lacked such an ability.

"Ming’an, if we were to integrate Blue Star into the Heavenly Court's system and introduce these technological advancements, what magnitude of benefit would accrue to us?"

"Master, should our Canglan Star acquire this technology, why then should we harbor any apprehension towards those cultivators from Lingfa Star? Once the inhabitants of Canglan Star are ensured of their sustenance, how many common folk would remain susceptible to the deceptive doctrines of those monks?"

Ming’an elaborated that the methodologies of the Buddhist sects were indeed potent, and their theological underpinnings were equally robust. In regions plagued by poverty, Buddhism often exerted an even more pervasive influence, rendering them formidable adversaries. The impoverished populace, in their desperation, readily embraced their teachings.

Ironically, Ming’an had never before recognized a theoretical vulnerability within Buddhism; Blue Star's intellectual framework, however, presented a formidable counterpoint.

"Understood. I shall confer with Xia Qingshan regarding this matter."

Li Canghai inclined his head. Given Lingjing Star's immense potential, it was imperative that the Heavenly Court take decisive action. Should Lingjing Star falter and this technology fall into the hands of the Buddhist sect, it would spell a catastrophic disaster for them.

·········

Upon his subsequent meeting with Xia Qingshan, Li Canghai adopted a direct approach.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, I shall forgo pleasantries today. It is with utmost sincerity that I extend an invitation for you to join my Heavenly Court."

"Fellow Daoist Li, the decision to align with the Heavenly Court is not a trivial undertaking; it necessitates a compelling rationale."

"Fellow Daoist Xia, allow me to outline the benefits of joining the Heavenly Court. The advantages are manifold. Primarily, your world would be incorporated into the Heavenly Court's dominion. However, the Heavenly Court would not impose restrictions; you would retain your leadership. Nevertheless, should you face an external threat, the Heavenly Court would provide unwavering support and protection. Concurrently, the Heavenly Court would bestow upon you an official title, along with celestial treasures and profound spells…"

Li Canghai expounded upon the myriad advantages of allying with the Heavenly Court. Merely securing the Heavenly Court's protection was a significant boon. With such a shield, the Buddhist sect would scarcely dare to launch an assault. Li Canghai was also aware that Xia Qingshan, operating as an independent cultivator, likely possessed limited knowledge of the celestial realms post-immortality, let alone the intricacies of celestial treasures and spells.

"And what would be required of me in return?"

Xia Qingshan maintained an impassive demeanor, unmoved by Li Canghai's persuasive discourse.

"First, you must heed the mandates of the Heavenly Court. While the Heavenly Court offers protection, it also requires you to protect others. Should any opposing forces launch an assault on Heavenly Court territories, you are obligated to dispatch your forces for aid, and even fight personally. Second, every ten millennia, you must submit ten complete spiritual auras to the Heavenly Court, with no inquiry into their origin. Third…"

Li Canghai elaborated, painting the prospect of joining the Heavenly Court as akin to a government pardoning a bandit, demanding only service and resources in return.

Xia Qingshan faltered. The terms seemed ordinary enough, yet the stipulation of surrendering spiritual auras to the Heavenly Court stirred unease within him. Spiritual aura was the very cornerstone of his cultivation advancement. Given the current state of his three planets, still in their nascent stages, what would transpire in ten thousand years? He doubted these Taoist acquaintances would simply pass away peacefully from old age or natural causes. Would he then be compelled to resort to plunder?

"Fellow Daoist Xia…"

"Allow me a little more time to consider."

"Fellow Daoist Xia, I shall be direct. Lingfa Star has infiltrated our Canglan Star with an undercover agent. Furthermore, the revered Bodhisattva Fa Kong of Lingfa Star has been misled by your actions. Upon his return to Lingfa Star, his erroneous accounts have significantly influenced the planet. Now, Fa Kong is imprisoned, and Lingfa Star is poised to invade your domain. Without the backing of my Heavenly Court, you will undoubtedly be no match for Lingfa Star."

"Fellow Daoist Li, you possess too low an opinion of us."

"Fellow Daoist Xia, I acknowledge your formidable strength. However, Lingfa Star is a world comparable in scale to my own Canglan Star. The True Buddha of Lingfa Star is exceptionally potent. He was once a five-star True Buddha. Even though you have seized one of his stars, he still commands the power equivalent to four planets, and you are not his equal."

Li Canghai explained that a three-star immortal and a five-star True Buddha served as critical benchmarks for power among immortals. The greater the number of planets under one's command, the more spiritual auras could be absorbed, consequently increasing one's strength.

Of course, this was under general conditions. Specific outcomes were contingent upon numerous variables, including the size of the planets, the richness or scarcity of their resources, and the duration of their occupation, among other factors.

Li Canghai had no insight into the length of Xia Qingshan's tenure as a three-star immortal. However, the True Buddha of Lingfa Star already surpassed him in power, likely even exceeding Xia Qingshan's own capabilities.

"If you do not interfere, no one will ever know. Very well, I shall provide my answer after further deliberation."

Xia Qingshan stated that past encounters with Buddhist cultivators posed no particular concern; he had dealt with them before. He was no longer the same Xia Qingshan of the past; his strength had significantly increased.

With a flicker, Xia Qingshan vanished, only to reappear instantly before Lin Jiang.

"Li Canghai has made his move."

"It appears your perception is sharp; nothing escapes your notice."

"It's hardly surprising. I demonstrated the might of technology to Ming'an, thereby granting you an advantage. Now, what terms did the Heavenly Court propose?"

"It resembles the path for independent cultivators to join a sect. The Heavenly Court extends an invitation, offering protection, mystical techniques, and celestial artifacts. In return, I am bound to fight in their stead and furnish ten portions of spiritual auras every ten thousand years, without any inquiry into their provenance."

"Tsk, tsk, those terms are hardly favorable."

Lin Jiang commented that the conditions clearly favored the Heavenly Court. The celestial artifacts and mystical techniques they offered were likely of meager quality, perhaps even cheap imitations. As for their protection, it wasn't a particularly compelling offer. Conversely, the demand for spiritual auras was quite stringent; yielding ten portions every ten thousand years equated to relinquishing one spiritual aura every millennium, a feat not easily accomplished.

"They are indeed not great, which is why I requested more time to ponder."

"So, you intend to refuse?"

"Not precisely refuse, but rather negotiate for superior terms. Li Canghai informed me that Fa Kong's Lingfa Star is preparing to invade, and Lingfa Star is also the originating planet of Lingjing Star."

"Ah, so your intention is that once we triumph in this impending conflict, we can then negotiate with the Heavenly Court from a position of strength?"

"Naturally, why not?"

"But have you considered this? If we engage in battle with these Buddhist cultivators and both sides sustain heavy losses, will Canglan Star remain benevolent towards us? Might they not seize the opportunity of our weakened state to crush us?"

"Um…"

Xia Qingshan's expression shifted; this was a point he had indeed considered. He harbored a feeling that such a scenario was unlikely, yet he couldn't be entirely certain.

"What is your meaning, Lin Jiang? We are all in this predicament together. If I fall, you all perish with me. You are well aware of the fate awaiting Lingjing Star should we fail."

Xia Qingshan immediately declared, "He is finished. The ordinary populace of Blue Star might retain a slim chance of escape, but Lin Jiang and the higher echelons are doomed."

"Don't worry, it's nothing. If the soldiers come, we'll block them; if the water comes, we'll cover it with soil."

Lin Jiang chuckled, stating, "With a force now capable of restraining Xia Qingshan, I am more than pleased. Naturally, I must first grasp the situation thoroughly. What if an opportunity arises to eliminate Xia Qingshan completely?"