Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 857

Lingjing Star

Ming’an has not yet departed, earnestly desiring to linger on Lingjing Star. His goal is to meticulously study its scientific and technological advancements, particularly the fusion of technology with cultivation. He believes that introducing these concepts to Canglan Star would usher in a truly revolutionary era.

Furthermore, observing the exceptionally open and progressive environment of Lingjing Star, he tentatively presented his aspirations.

Lin Jiang responded with a hearty laugh, readily agreeing. He harbored no concerns about Ming’an absconding with their technological secrets. The progression of science and technology, he reasoned, is a testament to generations of diligent effort. No single industrial sub-field can thrive in isolation, devoid of a robust supporting industrial chain.

Liang Long, despite his unparalleled intelligence on Blue Star, spent over a millennium mastering only a few dozen sub-fields. In contrast, Lingjing Star now boasts thousands of fully developed industrial sub-fields. Without the foundational strength of Blue Star, Liang Long's expertise would be rendered rootless and impractical.

Undeniably, Ming’an could pursue self-study, but the complete transference of advanced knowledge was infeasible. Moreover, the most cutting-edge technologies would remain beyond his reach, a privilege he never even approached on Ying Continent, let alone anywhere else.

Though unaware of the intricate details, Ming’an held Lin Jiang in high esteem for his magnanimous disposition. The sheer open-mindedness of Lingjing Star left him thoroughly impressed, further diminishing his view of Canglan Star.

Canglan Star adhered to a rigidly traditional approach to studying the Immortal Language. Its various schools fiercely guarded their unique methodologies and clandestine knowledge, offering even a glimpse only to personal or core disciples. In stark contrast, Lingjing Star appeared both ancient and underdeveloped.

With such reflections occupying his thoughts, as conversations unfolded with Lin Jiang and his associates, Ming’an gradually let down his guard. He opened his heart, beginning to reveal a wealth of information concerning Canglan Star and the Heavenly Court.

"Brother Lin, under the influence of this fine wine today, I feel compelled to share some candid truths. The pursuit of the Immortal Language is akin to a civilization where its inhabitants prey upon one another. These immortals feast upon cultivators, a practice particularly prevalent in locales such as Lingjing Star…"

"Conversely, within my Heavenly Court, a semblance of order prevails. Our cultivators need only attain the Transmigration Stage to earn an opportunity to ascend as immortals…"

Lin Jiang consistently extended invitations to Ming’an for convivial dinners. On one such occasion, emboldened by the libations, Ming’an expounded upon the historical context of the Heavenly Court and its current governing principles to Lin Jiang.

Ming’an elaborated that Canglan Star’s past mirrored Lingjing Star’s present circumstances. Certain individuals achieved immortality, becoming the very Dao that governed Canglan Star, sustaining themselves by consuming lesser beings with ruthless indifference.

Countless exceptionally gifted individuals, upon reaching the Tao Achieving and Transmigration Stages, were tragically consumed by these immortals. The aspiration for immortality had devolved into a grim struggle for survival; cultivators were merely fattened livestock, destined for slaughter.

This grim reality persisted until the advent of the Heavenly Court and the establishment of its celestial edicts. Within the cultivator domains under the Heavenly Court's dominion, immortals were expressly forbidden from actively targeting cultivators. Their only recourse was to await the peaceful passing of cultivators or their failure during tribulations, whereupon they could absorb the residual spiritual auras.

Consequently, cultivators were granted a viable pathway to immortality. To safeguard the vested interests of the immortals, however, any cultivator who successfully navigated their tribulations would be inducted into the Heavenly Court, assuming the mantle of a heavenly official.

Lin Jiang offered a faint smile upon receiving this information and promptly arranged for Ming’an’s escort from the premises.

"Ancestor, Ming’an is not intoxicated."

Shiyi stepped forward, his gaze piercing, a subtle aura of killing intent emanating from him.

"Do you genuinely believe a formidable figure of the Transmigration Stage could succumb to mere intoxication?"

"As long as the Ancestor is aware."

"What is your assessment?"

"I harbor no illusions of achieving immortality. My sole desire is to live out my remaining days in peace and comfort."

Shiyi confided that the destruction of his physical body, now replaced by a mechanical form, rendered his advancement to the Transmigration Stage impossible. He had irrevocably relinquished all hope of attaining immortality, resigning himself to his fate.

"Longevity is a profound endeavor. If your spirit remains untainted by death and your form resists decay, that too may be considered longevity."

Lin Jiang revealed that he had bestowed upon Shiyi the most potent soul-nurturing artifacts, capable of preserving his spirit for at least ten millennia. Furthermore, the mechanical physique was replaceable, thus presenting a form of enduring existence.

Shiyi regarded him with a somber expression, offering no further words. While his lifespan was indeed considerable, and he could indeed surpass the limitations of Tao Achieving, a crucial element of joy and the capacity for worldly pleasures seemed irrevocably lost to him.

········

The Lingjing Star Domain shimmered as the cross-border teleportation array activated, revealing a procession of Space Battleships. These vessels emerged one after another, forming neat ranks that seemed poised to engulf the very expanse of the cosmos. From the surface of Lingjing Star, observant cultivators gazing upwards might have perceived these formations as numerous new stars dotting their night sky.

"Blue Star now commands a total of twenty complete Space Fleets," one report detailed. "Each fleet comprises one hundred and ten spacecraft, encompassing Space Mother Ships, frigates, destroyers, reconnaissance ships, and supply vessels, among others."

"Currently, Blue Star retains two fleets. Jiang Star hosts two fleets, with these distributed among a series of coastal planets. Another two fleets are tasked with guarding the cross-border teleportation array's transit station. The remaining twelve fully equipped Space Fleets have converged upon Lingjing Star."

Liang Long informed Lin Jiang that the conflict with Jiang Star had resulted in severe damage to three Space Fleets, bringing them close to complete annihilation. However, Huaxia had since swiftly reconstituted all damaged warships and even augmented their numbers significantly.

Regarding the crews for these vessels, concerns were minimal. With a population reaching ten billion, Huaxia possessed a robust reservoir of talent. The necessary sailors and engineers for the warships could be mobilized instantly, allowing for regular rotations. This demonstrated the potency of a major nation; lesser entities might struggle to assemble even a single Space Fleet.

"Honestly, I'm tempted to launch a preemptive strike," Lin Jiang mused. "The Heavenly Court and the Buddhist sect are insignificant; true power lies within cannon range."

"Ancestor Lin possesses great ambition, but regrettably, warships are only effective against cultivators below the Transmigration Stage," Liang Long stated calmly. "We are not yet equipped to contend with true immortals." He expressed a degree of vexation towards Ming’an and his cohort, whose condescending discussions about potentially incorporating Xia Qingshan into the Heavenly Court, without seeking broader consensus, struck him as disrespectful. Did their opinions hold so little weight?

"Indeed, immortals," Lin Jiang replied with a smile. He recalled a time when he viewed Xia Qingshan as an inscrutable, untouchable figure. Yet, as time progressed, he came to realize that Xia Qingshan was merely human, not omnipotent, but simply someone who had attained immortality earlier.

Upon the emergence of the Buddhist cultivators and the Heavenly Court, Lin Jiang's perception of Xia Qingshan diminished further, as unfolding events revealed Xia Qingshan's limitations.

Presently, Lin Jiang possessed at least a dozen viable methods to evade Xia Qingshan's influence, but he saw no reason to employ them. Escaping Xia Qingshan's dominion would merely lead him into the realms of other immortals, a prospect he found unappealing. Remaining on the familiar grounds of Blue Star seemed preferable.

As for the future, he believed it best to address it when it arrived. Who could predict the eventual course of events? Perhaps one day, Lin Jiang himself might supplant Xia Qingshan.

Warships materialized, followed by numerous cultivators. However, some of Lin Jiang's old companions were conspicuously absent. The departure of too many familiar faces could potentially destabilize the situation.

Naturally, the presence of Li Qing and the Demon Queen was anticipated; their absence would leave a void in their formidable fighting strength. Each had brought along promising young talents for training, exposing them to the wider world. Without significant trials, their growth would be stunted.

"Ancestor Lin, after enjoying a few centuries of peace, we are compelled to return to war so soon?" Li Qing and the Demon Queen voiced their discontent. Blue Star was undergoing a period of unprecedented development, birthing new geniuses daily. Their collective strength was steadily increasing, making a war at this juncture seem ill-timed.

"The outcome is not yet decided; preparedness is always prudent," Lin Jiang responded. Given the hostile intentions of the Canglan Star's sect, he deemed it essential to be ready. Whether hostilities would actually erupt remained uncertain.