novelraw Chapter 274: Buddhism Rises, Christianity Makes a Move
Chapter 274: Buddhism Rises, Christianity Makes a Move
With the disappearance of that true "higher-dimensional entity," Ananda and Gabriel, who had been manifesting their divine presence, lost all interest in continuing their display.
They needed to hurry and report the news to the true higher beings above them. Everything else could be put on the back burner.
The two higher-dimensional forces vanished, though not before handing down their respective tasks.
Thus, George received orders concerning immigration, while Mion was granted temporary administrative authority over the "Six Paths of Reincarnation."
George executed the immigration directive swiftly and smoothly. The destination for these immigrants was, naturally, Europe. Since Europe could take in immigrants from Central Asia and Africa, accepting refugees from South Asia—especially Myanmar—was hardly an issue. At the very least, they shared the same faith.
The European nations appeared more than happy to oblige. Were they merely accepting refugees? No, absolutely not. This was a golden opportunity to curry favor with the Church!
By doing this one simple thing, they could earn the Church's goodwill. Why wouldn't they jump at the chance?
This was especially true given that these countries had recently been expelling refugees. The Nordic Five had set the precedent, and the remaining major European powers quickly followed suit, leaving their refugee housing facilities completely empty.
Taking in these Christian believers was simply killing two birds with one stone!
But the most crucial point, of course, was that among these believers was a man named Maomindang.The whole world now knew that the root of this entire crisis lay in Maomindang's capture by Dakan, which subsequently triggered the arrival of the Inquisition.
This man was a recipient of Divine Grace, a figure they absolutely had to win over. In fact, the entire European Parliament had nearly brawled over the right to host this particular group of arrivals.
Even the nations that historically despised taking in refugees were now falling over themselves to claim them!
Meanwhile, nations across the globe received fragmented information about the Daoist Sect's higher-dimensional ascension and rumors of a certain great nation's sudden disappearance!
Naturally, this was accompanied by intense envy and resentment toward Buddhism and Christianity. This was Transcendent Power! They wanted it too, but when would it finally be their turn?
If even those small countries had gained such power, did that mean the great powers were somehow unworthy?
Among them, the most displeased was likely the Great Emperor, or rather, the nation of Russia.
After all, they heavily relied on that country for commercial exchange. With their ongoing war, the disappearance of the great Eastern nation was an absolute disaster for them!
They were still fighting against the entire Western world, and yet their biggest supplier of resources had just vanished into thin air. Didn't that make them look like utter fools?
Then, Mr. Vladimir received a secret gift from the Far East: a nearly complete light industrial system, comprehensive war data and tactical blueprints, and, of course, an immeasurable stockpile of weapons and ammunition!
The most critical piece of information he received read: "Tovarish, this is the last bit of help we can offer before we leave... Nothing else matters now. Just consider this our final token of goodwill. Take care!"
It was said that the Great Emperor stood silently in the snow for a long time after reading that document. This final gift allowed a weakened Russia to suddenly stand tall once more, newly armed with the strength to resist the world.
This legacy was almost excessively generous, allowing the declining nation to rise from its slump.
Under the leadership of their monarch, who had yet to succumb to old age, they began to rely on the power of Transcendent warriors to break through political gridlocks, conquer new territories, and seize vital strongholds!
Central Asia returned to their grasp, Eastern Europe began to entertain different thoughts, and even the European nations that should have fiercely opposed them gradually changed their tune, influenced by the Church's ambiguous stance.
Because the Orthodox Patriarch had emerged from the Vatican, having secured a true "claim" endorsed by the Church!
Now, it was time for Eastern Europe to enter the era of the Church!
Ultimately, bolstered by Transcendent Power, Christianity bared its fangs to consume the world—not as a sovereign nation, but as a religious institution!
...
Meanwhile, back in the nation belonging to Buddhism.
The fires in the small city burned for three full days. As for the people inside, they vanished completely along with the fading of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
During that time, someone tried to force their way into the "Deva Realm" reincarnation gate. However, right after entering, they screamed in absolute terror, "Ghosts! They're hungry ghosts! How could this..."
As it turned out, those six gates were not physical passageways, but a mechanism of judgment. Anyone who tried to forcefully breach them would only be cast into the horrific Hungry Ghost or Hell realms!
After that, no one dared to try their luck with the Six Paths of Reincarnation again. The idea of taking a "shortcut" was entirely abandoned!
With the disappearance of the reincarnation paths, the entire ordeal finally came to a close, and the dust settled. On the other side of things, the remaining warlords in Myanmar were transformed into regional "sheriffs." Even the Military Junta shifted its role, acting more as glorified peacekeepers than actual warlords!
They were working tirelessly to restore the livelihood of the people, returning the war-torn lands back to their original agricultural purpose. Those who had intentionally instigated the conflicts were met with their rightful punishment.
Under Mion's watchful eyes, the flames of war simply had no room to grow. Many of the Buddhist monks who had first interacted with Mion took up roles as overseers. In a country where eighty-five percent of the population practiced Buddhism, finding truly devout individuals was remarkably easy!
Bathed in Buddhist culture, the populace naturally produced people who devoted themselves entirely to honoring the Buddha.
Though they had seemed dispirited and downtrodden in the previous era, they had survived tenaciously. Now, they were the most effective agents and supervisors!
These truly devout individuals could understand Mion's intentions, naturally granting them the power of "self-realization." To understand, to interpret, and to ultimately achieve enlightenment—this had always been the path of Buddhist followers.
And this alone was enough to drive the people around them into a frenzy!
These pious followers had genuinely acquired Transcendent Power. It might just be the ability to see one second into the future, exchange a single sentence with an animal, or simply see a bit further into the distance...
But Transcendent Power was Transcendent Power. It existed, and it had manifested—that was the most crucial fact!
With the emergence of these Transcendent beings, Buddhists around the globe were whipped into a frenzy once again. Didn't these successive instances prove that the World-Honored One was watching over them?
Didn't this perfectly demonstrate that their era of Transcendence was dawning? What were they waiting for? It was time to seize the moment!
Meanwhile, news from Calcutta was turning quite a few heads!
Zanluo had chosen to send them a contingent of "Purifiers" as aid. Arriving in a nation waiting to be rebuilt, they served as a unique labor force on the land, leading many to foresee the potential merging of the two Buddhist branches!
The existence of the Buddha was no longer an abstract tale; it had become a tangible reality!
As a result, the prestige of Buddhism skyrocketed, reaching an absolute zenith in that very moment!
...
The only ones who bore witness to all of this in its entirety were Bai Yang, Alvin, and The Core. Despite the global upheaval, the three of them continued to calmly discuss the unfolding events.
Or rather, Bai Yang was doing the talking, while the other two listened.
"Finally, it's time to tally the results of this event!" Bai Yang chuckled. A grand scheme, multiple pieces placed on the board, a shaken world, and astonished nations. Though the operation in Southeast Asia wasn't his largest endeavor, it undoubtedly boasted the most profound impact.
Buddhism, the Church, the Daoist Sect...
The fleeting appearances of these three great factions, the formidable might of the Transcendent Beings, and the manifestation and machinations of even more powerful higher-dimensional entities all pushed the cogs of destiny forward.
Relying on these events, he was actively promoting the sustained existence of Transcendence in this world, embedding the very concept deeply into the global consciousness!
The most prominent changes were Christianity's proactive embrace of Eastern Orthodoxy and Buddhism's shifting attitude toward neighboring countries.
On the whole, Transcendent Power and secular nations were beginning to accept one another, a stark contrast to their previous mutual wariness.
This was absolutely critical. It meant that before long, state-sponsored Transcendent forces would likely emerge. When that time came, this world might even give birth to Transcendent nations akin to those on the Dylan Continent.
The entire population would practice cultivation, transforming into a collective Transcendent society. The number of Transcendent Beings would multiply, and the common populace would evolve into "Transcendent citizens"!
Once that happened, the Wish Power he harvested would swell exponentially once again. It was entirely possible that it would even surpass the yield of the Dylan Continent!
The quantity and quality of Wish Power generated by a Transcendent Being far exceeded that of an ordinary person. This was the fundamental reason why the powerful cults and factions on the Dylan Continent grew increasingly stronger!
Alvin nodded. "Indeed, Crown. Your plan has been executed flawlessly. From here on out, all we need is time!"
Alvin's meaning was simple: they just needed to rely on the passage of time to expand the breadth and depth of their capabilities!
"I wouldn't call it flawless just yet. The people in these countries aren't necessarily living much better lives. Transcendent Power merely stimulates the generation of Wish Power. To spark true societal revolution, we need the emergence of Transcendent productivity!"
Bai Yang spoke with clear-headed sobriety. He knew exactly what he was lacking. The development of this world had been far too brief. Consequently, many concepts had merely been introduced, rather than fully developed.
If he truly wished to ascend to the throne of the "Lord of All Worlds," this world had to grow strong alongside him. Even though time was short, several necessary plans had to be set in motion ahead of schedule!
"Alvin, how is our visitor faring these days?" Bai Yang suddenly asked as the thought crossed his mind.
Alvin paused for a moment before quickly replying. "Very well, Crown. The visitor has consistently received excellent treatment, so he remains oblivious to the truth. Are you preparing to make a move against him?"
"I am not going to make a move against him. Rather, our plan will be slowly realized through his influence!" Bai Yang said briskly. "The Faith Sealing the Nation project must continue! The next target is Japan!"