Chapter 681

Chapter 681: Related Interests

Haigang City

Zhu Bin and a few Formation Masters came to Lin Jiang, who greeted them with a smile and invited them to sit down.

"Respected Ancestor Lin"

"Zhu Bin, please feel at home. Have a seat first. Let me make you a cup of fine tea. This is top-notch spiritual tea, even better than the ones from the era of cultivation."

Lin Jiang said with a smile, "The tea trees here absorb essence from the sun and moon, turning into spiritual tea of exceptional quality. You can’t find this outside, as I have a monopoly on it."

Lin Jiang personally brewed the tea for them. Zhu Bin and the others took a sip, their eyes lighting up at the rich spiritual energy. It truly rivaled spiritual medicine, a priceless treasure.

"Respected Ancestor Lin, now that we’ve enjoyed the tea, let’s discuss business. We understand that you reached out to us because of the complaints from the Spiritual Energy Research Institute, right?"

"It’s not exactly a complaint. I just gathered some information. Zhu Bin, in this era where technology and cultivation intersect, it’s the prevailing trend that no one can stop. Even if I give orders, it wouldn’t work. You should understand what I mean."

"Ancestor Lin, we all understand the idea. Using artificial intelligence to arrange formations can make up for the absence of advanced Formation Masters. I also understand. But Ancestor Lin, I am thinking, if one day we all get replaced, what will be left for us to do? Will artificial intelligence directly replace cultivators and become the rulers of this world?"

"Zhu Bin, you are worrying too much. Artificial intelligence also has significant flaws, and we can fully control it."

"Ancestor Lin, I heard at the research institute that artificial intelligence upgrades quickly, and our control techniques as cultivators also have flaws. With the computing power of artificial intelligence, breaking through this limitation is not difficult. So, I believe cultivators should be the last defense of humanity in this world…"

Zhu Bin spoke slowly. They knew very well the purpose of Lin Jiang inviting them today, and they were prepared, using all sorts of professional terms and providing very convincing reasons.

"Zhu Bin, what you say makes sense, but currently, we need to deal with the threat of the demon race. Formations are one of the main methods to fight against demons, and this is called addressing the primary contradiction."

"Ancestor Lin should also consider the future. If artificial intelligence takes over the world, humans would be even more miserable as slaves to the demons. This has been shown in many movies, and some people are worried."

"Zhu Bin, the overall situation is inevitable. Artificial intelligence is not unique to Huaxia, just like cultivation is not unique to Huaxia. If we don’t do it, other countries will."

"As for the future, that is something for the future to resolve. There will be a solution at that time. We won’t know until artificial intelligence goes out of control. By then, you may have already ascended to immortality, right?"

Lin Jiang continued patiently advising him, repeatedly telling him that even if artificial intelligence replaces his position as a Formation Master, he will still be a respected cultivator, a high-ranking member among billions in the Huaxia Federation. His status, power, and wealth will not change at all.

Lin Jiang really understands why they are resisting, they are afraid of losing their status and benefits, especially since their personal strength is not strong, and being a Formation Master is a rare skill.

At the same time, Lin Jiang also told them that he can bypass them in this matter. He can input formation data into the computer through someone else. The computer can evolve by itself. Even if it’s about formation components, he can train relevant personnel again. Lin Jiang respects them, that’s why he discussed it with them.

Zhu Bin and others are intelligent people. They can clearly hear Lin Jiang’s way of offering a bitter pill with a sweet coating. They are really afraid of losing their benefits.

"Ancestor Lin, Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation. What about the other aspects?"

One person spoke up, saying, "Are you trying to replace the Formation Master only? Don’t just focus on the Formation Master. Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation – let’s consider others too. Talisman technique is similar to formations, where formations are patterns and talisman technique is talisman patterns."

"We are treating everyone equally and researching them all."

Lin Jiang reassured them, "Don’t worry, if there are eliminations, we will do it together."

However, not everything in Pill, Talisman, Item, and Formation will necessarily be replaced. Alchemy is a mysterious business. Modern pharmaceutical technology cannot produce third-tier or higher pills. It might be due to technical reasons. Anyway, the research institute has already given up.

Similarly, talisman technique is almost the same. Artificial intelligence, no, it’s 3D printing. It can print complete spiritual talismans, but these talismans cannot be activated. The reason for this is unknown.

When it comes to making magical items, modern technology can create powerful tools, but it can’t create spiritual treasures. This involves something mysterious called an Item Spirit.

A Formation Master is also important because they are needed to create formations. Artificial intelligence can only calculate the best solutions.

Zhu Bin and the others fell silent after seeing Lin Jiang’s determined attitude. They realized they couldn’t stop this unless they wanted to break ties with him.

However, this was impossible. They understood the world situation very well. Lin Jiang controlled most of the world’s resources. It would be foolish to break ties over such a small matter.

"Ancestor Lin, we will work with the research institute in the future. We will rely on you, Ancestor Lin."

"Don’t worry. We are all one family, all from Huaxia. If I have food, you will have food too. Formation Masters are not completely replaced, they just reduce your workload. In the dangerous war front in the future, you will also be able to stay away."

"Yes."

Zhu Bin and the others replied. They could only console themselves this way, knowing they wouldn’t have to set up formations on the front lines anymore, leaving it to artificial intelligence.

·······

"You have been more lenient towards your own people. You can easily avoid Zhu Bin. The people from your Lin family and my Zhonghang Sect can all follow your orders."

A few days later, Cao Ying found out about the conversation between Lin Jiang and Zhu Bin, and she said to Lin Jiang.

"It’s not really leniency. Human forces at the high end are limited, they all count as our own people."

"Hmph, you probably don’t know, these people, none of them are simple."

"I know, it doesn’t matter."

Lin Jiang shook his head, he knew what Cao Ying was talking about, it was just some matters of interest, the awakening cultivators over a hundred people, they were over a hundred living individuals, not wooden puppets, whatever Lin Jiang said was final.

They had their own considerations, their own interests, for example, small groups sticking together, although Lin Jiang didn’t allow them to revive the Five Elements Sect, Lin family, Zhonghang Sect, Wangxian Sect and other powers, the interests of these small groups still needed to be considered.

Some of them entered the martial arts academy to teach, they also recruited some talented individuals they valued, perhaps girls were taken into the family, while boys formed alliances through marriage, taking disciples and such.

Lin Jiang didn’t oppose these things, expecting them to be selfless was impossible, as long as it didn’t cross Lin Jiang’s bottom line, anyway, there were many financial groups and families within Huaxia originally, giving these people some competition was good.

"Don’t fight back and you’ll be fine."

"With you around, there’s nothing to worry about."

"Hmph, even with me here, it’s not foolproof. You’d better break through Tao Achieving faster than them."

Cao Ying said, thinking about her now, why hadn’t she thought of her before?

"Should be no problem."

Lin Jiang thought for a moment and said. Current Void Achieving practitioners are not as experienced as those who broke through earlier. With Lin Jiang’s current resources, stepping into Tao Achieving ahead of them shouldn’t be a big issue, as the best resources will definitely be used by Lin Jiang first.

Cao Ying then talked about the integration of technology and Tao cultivation nowadays, saying, "The way of cultivating immortality has changed a lot now compared to before. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad."

"The development of Immortal Language must continue. Isn’t it great now?"

"With the threat of the demon clan, many conflicts are being suppressed for now, but things might change. For example, in the past, practitioners at Building Foundation Period completely outclassed those at Qi Refining Period. There were only a few capable of cross-border combat. Then Yang Luo’s new style talismans appeared, challenging the authority of the Building Foundation Period. And now, with the support of modern technology, cultivation levels have become insignificant, unless one is Nascent Soul or above. Won’t there be conflicts between them?"

"Little Ying, you think farther than me, I haven’t thought about these things."

"The human society is a power structure, pressing down layer by layer. Now that the pressure cannot be sustained, there will definitely be problems in the future."

"That’s a matter for the future. Let’s first solve the issues of the demon tribe. Maybe we will find other worlds later and live in different worlds."

Lin Jiang said, what Cao Ying mentioned might happen, but that is a matter for the future. Let’s take care of the present first.

Cao Ying shook her head. She had no thoughts about other worlds. This world hasn’t been fully understood yet, so why go to other worlds?

She was worried if the demon tribe would strike back. They are mortal enemies now, and the demon tribe is so powerful. If they attack with all their might, they were really worried if they could handle it.

Lin Jiang wasn’t too worried about this. After all, everyone had been asleep for tens of thousands year to become immortals, not to fight to the death. If they didn’t corner the demon tribe, they wouldn’t fight desperately.