BXBX NOVEL Chapter 140 - 139: The Restless Elders
“I recall Mr. Jiang Li mentioning that once the Brahma Tower is found, we will catch up like old friends. But has the Brahma Tower been found?” Ming Zhong asked at the dinner table. He had been sneaking glances around for quite some time but did not see any object resembling a tower.
“Indeed, the Brahma Tower has been found. However, it does not wish to reveal itself due to various reasons.” Jiang Li said with a laugh. The tower was in fact right there, concealed behind a spatial wrap; even the technology of this world could hardly detect it.
Ever since arriving at this world, the Brahma Tower had been silent, not clamouring to establish a Buddha Land here, which was quite unusual.
Jiang Li telepathically communicated with it and the answer he received was both amusing and bewildering.
The Brahma Tower said that it found that in this world, all the basic necessities of life were free, people lived freely with no pursuit of money or material possessions. Their spiritual realm was incredibly full, there was simply no ground for establishing a Buddha Land.
Or it could be said that any religion would find it hard to gain a foothold in this world.
The inability to spread its teachings made Brahma Tower a bit sullen, but it did not want to show this side of itself in front of others, so it chose to hide.
“Now that the Brahma Tower has been found, a stable passage between both worlds can be formed. I wonder what President Ming Zhong thinks about this?”
“Such a great opportunity exists?”
Ming Zhong was more than willing. He wanted nothing more than to establish a connection with such a friendly and powerful world.
However, he had his worries. Through their conversation, he had learned that Jiuzhou was not a united entity, but was a grouping of various large and small factions. Among them, there might exist factions with malicious intentions towards their world.
These factions, even if comprised of just one individual at the Body Integration Realm, might be a small force to Jiang Li, but to Ming Zhong’s world, they would represent an irresistible major force.
Recognising the hesitance in Ming Zhong, Jiang Li smiled, “My plan is to
establish the portal within the Dao Sect. Any faction from Jiuzhou that wants to go to your world has to pass through inspection by the Dao Sect. The Dao Sect will be responsible for your safety.”
This was a request by Bai Hongtu. He was aware that all sorts of characters could be found in the factions of Jiuzhou. These factions must not be allowed to enter this world at will.
Bai Hongtu and Elder Changcun held a natural fondness for the people of this world. These people were remnants of the Immortal Realm, carefully sheltered by the Dao ancestors. One could say that in essence, the Dao Sect and the people of this world were all from the Dao family.
“Moreover, during the initial period of exchange, a large number of personnel should not be commuting between our worlds. We can carefully select distinguished individuals from both our worlds to traverse the worlds, learning and broadening their horizons. Once the two worlds become more accustomed to each other, we can gradually increase the number of exchange quotas, until there are no longer any limitations.”
Liberalisation is a gradual process. Jiang Li understood that it would be unwise to rush things.
“Very good, very good.” Seeing that Jiang Li had considered the plan so thoroughly, Ming Zhong repeated the phrase twice.
Jiang Li smiled, “I have never had experience forming diplomatic relations with other worlds either. We are all in the process of feeling our way across the river by touching the stones beneath. Do voice out if there is anything you have in mind.”
Ming Zhong and Jiang Li struck up a harmonious atmosphere as they exchanged ideas. In the end, both agreed to draft an agreement on a personal level.
Although they were representing themselves, where one was the highest leader and the other revered as the Human Emperor of Jiuzhou, it was not possible to separate their private and public roles completely. All their actions represented their respective worlds.
Privately, it was the unspoken agreement between the pair. Being private citizens gave them more flexibility than being public officials, and it was more convenient.
Otherwise, an agreement between two worlds would not be so simple to establish, unless Jiuzhou intended to colonise through force.
The agreement was straightforward. It involved the matters Jiang Li had previously mentioned. To facilitate addressing, it was decided in the agreement that this world would be referred to as the Ming Zhong World.
This was not proposed by Ming Zhong, but by Jiang Li.
Ming Zhong, being half reluctant and half willing, laughed heartily and agreed.
Being able to give his name to a world was a great honour. Even though Ming Zhong did not seek fame or profit, he was still overjoyed.
When Bai Hongtu came to know of the details of the agreement, he quickly gathered the elders and announced the decision.
“After discussions, we’ve decided that Elder Wang, Elder Li, and Elder Su, the three of you will stay in this world to learn for two months. After two months, another three elders will replace you.”
Bai Hongtu had chosen three elders, all skilled in different areas.
The three elders whose names were mentioned were all smiles. This world was indeed fascinating, with all sorts of amazing technologies captivating them and sparking many innovative ideas.
The other elders sighed regretfully, scheming about how to get the next quota.
Ming Zhong sought out Bai Hongtu, explaining that they hadn’t fully disclosed the existence of Jiuzhou World to the public and asked if the elders who remained could keep a low profile.
Bai Hongtu solemnly warned, “I need to remind you three of something. You are here to learn and exchange knowledge, not to show off your abilities. Most people in this world are still not aware of the existence of Jiuzhou World. Be discreet when you are outside and refrain from performing phenomena that this world’s science cannot explain, such as moving mountains and manifesting Dharma in the world. Do not create trouble for President Ming
Zhong.”
One of the elders tentatively asked, “Is just changing the location of several mountains not allowed?”
This elder had a deep understanding of geomancy. In Jiuzhou, he often changed landscapes and switched lucky spots, making him the enemy of Jiuzhou’s map. He wanted to try it in this world too, to see if geomantic omen methods were applicable here and what changes there might be.
“No.”
“What if I move the mountains and put them back in their original places?”
“I’m proficient in illusion techniques. I can make a million people fall into an illusion at the same time, ensuring others don’t see me using magic.” Obviously, this elder had great confidence in his illusion techniques.
Bai Hongtu with a stern face: “No.”
“I want to engrave runes on the mecha to enhance them.” Bai Hongtu softened his expression a little: “Be mindful of the power.”
“Don’t worry, at most I’ll do it on a hundred thousand mechas.”
Bai Hongtu’s face darkened again: “No.”
He felt that these three elders were determined to cause issues in this world.
“I’m sorry. These few elders of ours like to think out of the box. Don’t take it too seriously,” Bai Hongtu explained.
“Oh, I don’t mind at all,” Ming Zhong said quickly, his back breaking out in cold sweat. These were not scholars here to study, rather, they were like three immortals, each showing off their divine skills.
Changing the position of dozens of mountains as they pleased, casting illusions on a million people, and even a maximum of a hundred thousand mechas, thank goodness Bai Hongtu was sensible. Otherwise, their world would be ruined by these elders in just a few days.
Compared to this, the people selected by Ming Zhong were much more reliable. They were all outstanding young people in various fields, forming a small group of twenty members for a year of study in Jiuzhou.
Unlike Jiuzhou, there was no need to conceal the existence of the Ming Zhong World. Even if the cultivators had not been to other worlds, they had heard of them. This small study group could openly study in Jiuzhou without hiding their identities.
Before leaving, Bai Hongtu and Elder Changcun quietly leapt out of the gravitational area and came to another planet. They gazed at the continent with a vague figure resembling Dao Ancestors. They cried silently and bowed nine times in the direction of the continent..