From God of Lies to Lord of All Worlds

Chapter 253: Setting Sail, Southeast Asia

"Crown, is the matter in India considered settled for now?" Alvin asked with some curiosity. "There are clearly many areas left unexplained, and the myths of Buddhism and Daoism were merely touched upon..."

If their actions in Ameri and the Vatican were about thoroughly fleshing out the specific concept of "The Church", then their development of Buddhism here was barely even a third complete.

After all, he hadn't even ignited a divine spark for it yet. This mighty mythological faction was still nothing more than a castle in the air, completely lacking the ability to sustain itself.

The only tangible asset it had was the former Wutian, who was now Bodhisattva Zanluo.

Hearing Alvin's concern, Bai Yang waved his hand slightly and nodded. "I know exactly what you are worried about. But I can guarantee that for at least the next few years, Buddhism will be the fastest-growing Transcendent faction!"

"Because in a nation where the destitute have nowhere to turn and even death is a luxury, we have provided a pillar of positive support for the very first time!"

"It is just like a sudden beam of light cutting through the dark ages of ignorance for everyone to see. Those who have lived their entire lives in darkness will exhaust every ounce of their strength to crawl toward that light!"

"We used the population of an entire city to show the whole world what it means to reward good and punish evil, what true fairness and justice look like!"

"Moreover, India boasts the largest population in the world. Under the banner of Buddhism, these people will be treated as human beings, not livestock!"

Realization dawned on Alvin's face. "I understand now, Crown. You are saying that those who suffer injustice will inevitably flock to this city, right?""Exactly. The news has already spread, and no power on earth can suppress it. This place will become a beacon of hope for all the low-caste people of India, the 'Heaven' they have always dreamed of!" Bai Yang smiled, gazing out at the brightly lit city that was functioning perfectly even with only a third of its population keeping it running.

He was absolutely right. The current Kolkata had long since transformed from its former state as a massive "cesspit" into a shining light in the hearts of millions.

Zanluo was indeed managing the city with utmost dedication. He had mobilized the bodies of ten million people, turning them into "laborers" who maintained the city to atone for their sins.

Meanwhile, under the fundamental rule of "rewarding good and punishing evil", the remaining five million citizens erupted with unimaginable motivation. After all, this was a country that had lacked fairness for thousands of years. But now, justice had finally arrived!

Even this most basic level of fairness filled them with boundless hope for the future.

As the old saying goes, "A single spark can start a prairie fire!"

More often than not, the demands of ordinary people—especially those at the very bottom of society—were incredibly low. All they wanted was to survive.

Merely staying alive required everything they had!

However, the high-level officials were often unwilling to grant them even this bare minimum.

This was exactly why Zanluo's control over the city had solidified so quickly and efficiently. He had given the people here true fairness!

Having tasted the sweetness of "fairness" for the first time, the lower-class citizens, who made up the vast majority of the city's population, naturally poured all their effort into building a better home.

This time, they were no longer dispensable "trifles", but the absolute masters of this city!

Through the broadcasts of the global media, their story would spread far and wide, continuously drawing in more population and Divine Faith.

"This city will become the Holy Land of the newly risen Buddhist faction. It will serve as the true anchor for Buddhism's mythological power in this world!"

Bai Yang spoke with calm confidence. "Next, we just need to sit back and let the situation here simmer. Once Zanluo spreads the faith of this city outward, we will return to ignite the true flame of Buddhism!"

"And the creation of Mount Sumeru, the Buddhist Holy Land of the Western Pure Land, is also well within our considerations!"

"When that time comes, we will throw the Indian Government a lifeline originating from Central Asia. No matter how tightly that noose might wrap around their necks, they will be utterly unable to refuse the invitation!"

His plan was meticulously crafted. Every step interlocked with the next, forming a flawless chain of events.

Yet, Alvin remained slightly perplexed. "But wasn't the information we fed to the world this time a bit too concentrated? Buddhism, Daoism, reincarnation, the cycle of rebirth... we even brazenly disparaged their native Deities without any restraint..."

He was, of course, referring to the grand spectacle of the "Hell of Reincarnation". To expand Buddhism's influence globally, Zanluo had truly gone to great lengths.

The audience had hailed from every corner of the globe. Combined with the presence of international Buddhist figures, the event essentially encapsulated global intelligence.

"It is exactly this lack of restraint that makes it seem more authentic!" Bai Yang replied with a chuckle. "The more impolite and arrogant we appear, the more genuine it feels, and the easier it is for them to believe. Mark my words, the more cautious and timid we act, the more likely other nations are to harbor malicious intentions."

Barbarians respect power, not virtue. This was a truth Bai Yang had learned long ago. Throughout the process of reshaping this world, he had only come to appreciate its accuracy even more. Show them kindness, and they think you are afraid; display your might, and they will naturally fall into line!

As a God, one must possess such a dominant temperament!

Naturally, Bai Yang had taken advantage of the viewing ceremony to implant some of his own agendas, leading to the current geopolitical landscape.

Diplomats from around the world were now rushing onto planes, desperate to relay the intelligence back home. The emergence of Transcendent power, the manifestation of Daoism, and Buddhism's open invitation to the world—these were all developments that left these nations absolutely thrilled.

For the sake of acquiring this Transcendent Power, they would undoubtedly deepen their cooperation with Kolkata and continue pushing forward their commercial enterprises.

This delicate balancing act of building international relations—weaving the carrot and the stick together—was a prime display of Zanluo's Political Acumen.

Kolkata was a city highly dependent on external freight. With over ten million mouths to feed, the volume of imported food could only increase, never decrease.

If Zanluo were simply a violent brute who cut ties with the rest of the world, he would immediately face a horrifying famine threatening fifteen million lives.

Instead, a steady stream of cargo ships and shipping containers continued to flow through Kolkata's ports, keeping the city's gears turning. This was the fundamental reason Bai Yang could finally set his mind at ease.

Since Zanluo proved capable of controlling the city and even the local Transcendent affairs, Bai Yang was perfectly willing to grant him maximum freedom. Besides, this Bodhisattva was already tied down managing the newly established "Netherworld"; he wouldn't have the time or opportunity to stir up trouble across the globe.

This was also Bai Yang's core restriction for Transcendent Beings at or above the level of a "Saint". They could make appearances, but they were forbidden from disrupting the balance or Taking Sides Unfairly. True entertainment came from letting Transcendent Beings like Lyon Lankechi and Ivan Ruiz clash against one another on equal footing.

Of course, if some foolish individual decided to travel to Kolkata and stir up trouble, well, that would just be their own bad luck for trying to bully a Bodhisattva. Did they really think Buddhism had no Wrathful Vajras to dole out punishment?

"Alvin, just continue monitoring the situation on this front. The virtual Wish Power harvested this time was both highly useful and remarkably effective. Perhaps we should consider constructing and developing a few more virtual worlds," Bai Yang suggested.

"Yes, I was actually planning to mention the exact same thing, Crown!" Alvin looked up. "The medieval European world where Rasinger resides has already been infused with a million Soul fragments. It is currently generating a continuous, massive output of virtual Wish Power! We need to start planning how to utilize this influx of power."

"Given the successful implementation of the special Shituling world, our future virtual realms might not even need to be based on actual history. Even mythological or fully Transcendent worlds are entirely within the realm of possibility!" Bai Yang rubbed his chin, a light chuckle escaping his lips. "Isn't our New Target the perfect testing ground for this?"

The two stood on the deck of a ship. As the vessel charted its course forward, their figures seamlessly blended into the dense crowd of passengers around them.

This was a passenger ship bound from Kolkata to Southeast Asia—more specifically, to Thailand. Its passengers were naturally those who had survived the Buddhist incident, individuals deemed to possess at least a sliver of goodness in their hearts.

Since they were foreigners and had successfully passed the preliminary selection of the top third, Zanluo had no intention of detaining them. They were granted complete freedom and allowed to keep all their personal wealth.

Some had chosen to stay, captivated by the boundless business opportunities in a city waiting to be rebuilt and the allure of Transcendent Power. Others, however, had been thoroughly terrified out of their wits and chose to flee at the first opportunity.

This particular vessel would make various stops across Southeast Asia, traveling steadily northward until it reached its final destination: Japan.

Of course, Bai Yang had no intention of visiting Japan just yet. That nation required a massive, spectacular surprise, and he wasn't quite ready to deliver it.

Therefore, he planned to serve up a few appetizers in these Southeast Asian countries first. Once he had gathered enough practical experience, he would head over to that comfortable little island nation and serve them a truly unforgettable main course!

Right at that moment, a distinct conversation drifted into Bai Yang's ears:

"Mr. Wahara, are you heading back to Phnom Penh this time? I heard things aren't very peaceful over there!"

"Has our country ever truly known peace? No, we haven't. The citizens of our small nations are nothing more than scraps in the Great Power Game! What about you, Maomindang? Are you really going back to northern Myanmar?"

The man named Maomindang wore a solemn expression, nodding his head with calm determination. "I have to go, Mr. Wahara! I have finally earned enough money. I'm going back there to ransom my brother!"

Wahara shook his head. "I really don't think that's a good idea, young man. Those warlords are not easy to reason with..."

"I know. But... he's the only family I have left. I just want him to live!"