Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 918

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Previously on Cultivation: Being Immortal...
Lin Jiang received a letter from Zhu Bin detailing the situation on Yuanzai Star and the importance of the Tianbei Star Domain route. Lin Jiang and Cao Ying discussed the complexities of Yuanzai Star's internal issues, particularly the entrenched interests of its elite, and the potential fall of Yuanzai Star to the Buddha Sect. Lin Jiang decided that increasing Yuanzai Star's productivity was key, and tasked Cao Ying with resolving the issue, while Zhu Bin continued to oversee the rapid construction of a cross-border teleportation array on Yuanzai Star.

In the year 9,680 of the Blue Star Xia calendar, Yuanzai Star.

The interplanetary teleportation array between Yuanzai Star and Yuanfeng Star has been officially completed and has undergone multiple tests, all of which passed safely.

The rotation and revolution times of each planet are different, so the interplanetary teleportation arrays in each location vary. Copying the previous designs would only lead to quick failure. In this aspect, other planets are already far behind.

On the day of the official teleportation, three long lines of people, whose lengths were hard to see, were already forming outside the Yuanfeng Star teleportation array. They were merchants from various planets.

They have understood the rules, and places like Yuanzai Star, which have just opened the interstellar market, are like empty lands for business, a golden opportunity in the eyes of traders. So, a large number of merchants gathered here at Yuanfeng Star.

"Blue Star, Zilan Star, Canglan Star, Nanfeng Star, Beiyuan Star…"

The leaders of Yuanfeng Star, watching the crowded teleportation exit filled with merchants, were also stunned. Merchants from almost every planet in the Tiannan Star Domain had appeared; one might think they were going to attack Yuanzai Star.

"Master, it’s time."

Soon after, someone reminded him. He nodded and then activated the teleportation array.

When the teleportation array opened, the first to enter were not those merchants but some high-ranking individuals from various planets. They were going to Yuanzai Star as envoys. Before the teleportation array, it was very difficult for them to travel back and forth, often taking hundreds or even thousands of years for just one exchange. Now that there was a chance, they naturally wanted to go immediately.

After these individuals entered the teleportation array, it was the merchants’ turn to go, entering in groups with their caravans.

After two transfers, the Yuanzai Star’s teleportation array opened, and Taoist Friend Di and others saw a sea of merchants. They were astonished; they had received news that merchants would come, but they didn’t expect so many.

"What are you standing there for? Make arrangements and prepare to collect taxes!"

Zhu Bin said hello to Taoist Friend Di. Only then did Taoist Friend Di realize what was happening and quickly found someone to welcome the merchants. After all, these were the gods of wealth! With so many of them, just imagine how much tax revenue there would be.

Also following the merchants was Cao Ying, representing Blue Star and Tiannan Star Domain. She was there for business too, but she looked down on the small trades of those shops. She wanted to engage in large-scale trade.

·······

"The immortals of Yuanzai Star are really useless."

Upon arriving at Yuanzai Star, Cao Ying immediately sensed the presence of a true Buddha. Currently, the ruling immortal of Yuanzai Star was still from the Heavenly Court, but had lost much control. He could no longer manage the Western Continent, and his own planet was being taken over like this. What else could he be but useless?

"Taoist Fiend Zhe."

However, on the surface, Cao Ying remained very polite.

"Taoist Friend Cao, we owe the activation of this teleportation array to you."

Taoist Fiend Zhe said, pleased to see the arrival of merchants from over a dozen planets. This would undoubtedly enhance the power of Yuanzai Star, which was very significant.

"Taoist Fiend Zhe, I come mainly to discuss with my Taoist friend how to ensure the connection between the six Star Domains. This is a plan personally approved by the Heavenly Emperor. Taoist Fiend Zhe should have received the message, right?"

"Yes, a heavenly official from the Heavenly Court came to Yuanzai Star and spoke with me. I also agreed, didn’t I? For this, I almost emptied my savings to build this teleportation array."

"Taoist Fiend Zhe, let’s be clear. The cross-border teleportation array has been successfully built, but Yuanzai Star is in danger of being overturned by the Buddhist sect. This is something we are very worried about. All the immortals in the Tiannan Star Domain are very concerned."

"Taoist Friend Cao, are you underestimating me?"

"Taoist Fiend Zhe, facts speak louder than words. The Buddhist sect has been established in Yuanzai Star for over a thousand years. Almost half of Yuanzai Star’s territory is about to fall into the hands of the sect. If you could solve this, you would have done it already. I am here for this matter."

"According to you, Taoist Friend Cao, can you solve the problems with the Buddhist sect?"

"Yes, to be honest, my Blue Star has faced attacks from the Buddhist sect. They left hundreds of thousands of Buddha Seeds on my Blue Star, but we dealt with all of them."

"Hundreds of thousands of Buddha Seeds?"

Taoist Fiend Zhe felt somewhat skeptical. How could there be no survivors among hundreds of thousands of Buddha Seeds? Why would Blue Star be able to solve all of them?

"If you don’t believe me, you can ask others."

Cao Ying spoke to several fairies who had come along with her. The matter of Blue Star is not a secret in the Tiannan Star Domain. Blue Star was the first planet to directly address the Buddha Seed issue. Other planets have had similar experiences, but their methods were not as good. They chose to eliminate large areas fiercely, which stopped the outbreak of the Buddha Seed.

After receiving the affirmation from the fairies, Taoist Fiend Zhe became excited. He was aware of the problems in Yuanzai Star and wanted to resolve them, but he had always struggled to find the right way.

"Taoist Friend Cao Ying, please teach me how I can deal with these Buddhist cultivators."

"Dealing with Buddhist cultivators is a huge, systemic issue. Killing one or two disciples is not useful. The key is to prevent the Buddhists from spreading their teachings in Yuanzai Star. As long as there are no followers, the true Buddha here will have no meaning, and you can easily drive them away."

"That’s true, but we can’t stop them from spreading their teachings. Those mortals are under the protection of the Buddhists, and we cannot kill them all."

He had long considered wiping out all living beings on the Western Continent, but it was impossible. The protection from the Buddhists was not trifling. In fact, because of their killings, the people of the Western Continent trusted the Buddhists more and hated them even more, leading to a loss rather than a gain.

"Pure killing is useless. If the people are not afraid of death, how can death scare them? What is the use of that? The battlefield is not just about swords and blades…"

Cao Ying immediately chimed in, saying that physical destruction is indeed very useful, but the key is to be able to achieve it.

Soon, Cao Ying shared a big plan with Taoist Fiend Zhe and pointed out that the main reason the Buddhist sect grew on Yuanzai Star was not because of class issues inside Yuanzai Star, which made people lose hope. If that were the case, why would they rely on the Buddhist sect? In some ways, the Buddhist sect is not more advanced than Yuanzai Star; it is just as decayed and backward.

Cao Ying’s plan has many steps. Blue Star can send professionals to break down the Buddhist theories and ensure that they do not lose in debates. They have won many times in this respect, and some people from Blue Star study Buddhist teachings even better than the high monks of the Buddhist sect.

Next is the increase in productivity. Yuanzai Star’s resources have grown, so leaving a bit more for ordinary people will give them hope, and they will naturally not blindly choose the Buddhist sect.

After that, there is the military strike. A global satellite system must be established to monitor the movements of the Buddhist sect, eliminate their high monks, and stop them from infiltrating the Eastern Continent of Yuanzai Star, among other things.

Additionally, ships like the Space Battleship can ensure that they have a chance of winning in a direct conflict with the Buddhist sect. Military victories are very important; for ordinary people, they will support whoever wins.

"Taoist Friend Cao Ying, I find your plan very appealing, but I have a concern. What you mentioned might be too costly for us at Yuanzai Star."

The plan in Cao Ying’s hands was made by professionals. After reviewing it, Taoist Fiend Zhe felt very excited, but he also knew that good things do not just fall from the sky; he must pay a huge cost, and he doesn’t have the money.

"Taoist Fiend Zhe, we are all immortals within the Heavenly Court hierarchy; it is a bit rude to talk about such small amounts of money."

"So, does Taoist Friend Cao mean…?"

"We have already lent you everything in advance."

"Lend?"

"Of course, we know how much effort we need to put into these plans. Our Taoist friend understands that we do not want any interest and can offer this to you."

"Taoist Friend Cao, please speak clearly."

Taoist Friend Zhe said calmly; he did not believe it, not at all.

"That’s basically the meaning. Of course, Yuanzai Star also needs to provide some collateral and sign a contract. You, the immortals, will be witnesses. When the time comes, there will be three copies of the contract; one for you, one for me, and one to send to the Heavenly Court."

"This…"

"Taoist friend, in the world of mortals, borrowing money from businesses or private loans always involves interest. Have you heard of nine out for thirteen back? We are very sincere, and this is a win-win situation. It resolves the Buddhist issues, and no matter how much is owed, it can be earned back. If Yuanzai Star loses everything, you will have nothing left."

"Taoist Friend Cao Ying, does Yuanzai Star have anything to offer as collateral right now?"

"Of course, for example, the toll for crossing the teleportation array, and the taxes from interstellar trade…"

Cao Ying said, with such a large planet here, how could there not be anything valuable? In the future, the teleportation array will continue to expand, and at that time, Yuanzai Star will be an important transport hub, making tolls and trade taxes quite significant.

Cao Ying’s requirements weren’t high; she only needed them to agree to send people from Blue Star to supervise things. Then, they could use half of the annual income to pay off the loan. Even if the Buddha side couldn’t solve it, a few hundred or even a few thousand years would be enough to repay the debt.