I, the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, am being kept by the state.

Chapter 63 Cultivation Conference

After speaking, Chen Dong looked around.

The atmosphere in the meeting room became subtle.

A hint of anticipation flashed in the eyes of several of the younger ministers; some sat up straight instinctively, while others tapped their fingers lightly on the table.

The words "cultivating immortality" and "achieving immortality" hold a fatal attraction for anyone.

Chen Dong took in all these subtle changes and spoke calmly.

"We don't need to get involved."

As soon as the words were spoken, the expressions of the several people froze instantly.

"Director Chen..."

Just as a young minister was about to say something, Chen Dong raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Let me finish."

Chen Dong's tone was not harsh, but it silenced everyone.

"Firstly, the country needs us to function."

He paused, then continued, "The Dragon Kingdom has 1.4 billion people, and every industry needs management and coordination. If all of us were to pursue immortality, who would handle government affairs? Who would maintain order?"

"Cultivating immortality is not something that can be done in a day or two. By the time we have achieved success in our cultivation, the Dragon Kingdom will already be in chaos."

Everyone fell silent.

That makes sense, but I still feel a little resentful.

Chen Dong continued, "Secondly, with Lord Dragon's methods, granting us immortality is not difficult."

He looked out the window. "Even if Lord Dragon Lord is unwilling, we still have Elder Qian and the others. Once they have completed their cultivation, extending our lifespan shouldn't be a problem."

"Therefore, we don't need to rush."

A military representative frowned. "But Director Chen, what you're saying applies to others as well, doesn't it?"

Why must it be us who give up the opportunity?

Chen Dong turned his head and looked directly at the other person.

"Because we are the leaders."

"Because we hold power and control resources."

"If even we're fighting tooth and nail for cultivation slots, what will the people below think?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

"At that time, the entire Dragon Kingdom will descend into chaos. Everyone will want to cultivate immortality, everyone will want to live forever, who will be willing to work diligently?"

"not to mention……"

Chen Dong paused for a moment, then asked, "Are people like us really suited to cultivating immortality?"

Everyone was taken aback.

"Qian and his colleagues dedicated their lives to the country and its people, accumulating profound merits and possessing excellent character."

"And what about us?"

Chen Dong looked around and said, "Although we are also working for the country, in the end, we are better at management and decision-making than at spiritual practice."

"Instead of wasting cultivation slots, we should give these opportunities to young people who are truly talented and persevering."

"Let them become the future of the Dragon Kingdom, and the pioneers of the era of cultivation."

Silence fell again in the meeting room.

After a long pause, the military representative sighed.

"Director Chen is right, I was narrow-minded."

The others nodded in agreement.

Chen Dong waved his hand, "It's not a matter of scale, it's just human nature."

"Who doesn't want immortality? Who doesn't want to cultivate immortality?"

"But precisely because we are in this position, we must restrain our desires."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"China's progress to where it is today is not due to any one person, but to the dedication and sacrifice of countless people."

"We have already enjoyed enough glory and power."

"Now, it's the young people's turn."

Outside the window, the setting sun bathed the entire Chendong area in gold.

Chen Dong looked at the ancient city and suddenly smiled.

"Besides, at our age, even if we cultivate immortality, we might not achieve anything significant."

"It would be better to give the opportunity to those young people in their early twenties; they are the hope of the Dragon Kingdom."

The group exchanged glances and finally understood.

However, the leader sitting at the head of the table spoke up, and the question went straight to the heart of the matter.

"There's no need to discuss the specifics of the Divine Dragon Academy matter further."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at everyone present.

"What we need to consider is how to proceed in the future."

The air in the meeting room seemed to freeze.

Everyone realized that the real challenge was yet to come.

"Firstly, once we begin cultivating immortality, we will inevitably become the target of other countries."

The first leader put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

"With the Dragon God appearing in the world, the Dragon Kingdom is already in a precarious position. If news spreads that we've started cultivating immortality, how will those Western countries react?"

"Joint sanctions? Military threats? Or a complete table-flipping?"

"What's more troublesome is that they will definitely hype up the 'cultivation of immortality threat theory' and incite global panic."

"What should we do then? Should we publicly admit it, or continue to conceal it?"

A representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs frowned and said, "If we go public, the whole world will be watching us. If we keep it a secret, it will only confirm their accusations if it gets leaked."

"This is a dead end."

The first leader nodded. "Therefore, this matter must be handled with utmost care."

He paused, then continued, "Secondly, how to manage these cultivators effectively?"

"After cultivating immortality, their power will inevitably surpass that of ordinary people. If someone becomes greedy and tries to suppress others with force, how should we deal with it?"

"Can existing laws restrain them? Can existing weapons punish them?"

This question silenced everyone.

A military representative hesitated for a moment before speaking, "If cultivators are truly committing evil deeds, our conventional weapons may..."

"What are you afraid of?"

The first leader looked at him.

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to achieve any effect."

The military representative gritted his teeth and said, "We have all witnessed the power of the Dragon God. If cultivators possess even a tenth or a hundredth of that power, ordinary firearms probably wouldn't be able to harm them."

"As for nuclear weapons..."

The military representative gave a wry smile, "Using nuclear weapons on our own people on Chinese soil? Isn't that insane?"

The meeting room fell silent once again.

The first leader tapped the table, "Therefore, the management system must be established before cultivating immortality."

"We need a complete set of laws and regulations specifically targeting cultivators."

"At the same time, the selection of cultivators must be rigorous. Those of questionable character must not be allowed to gain power."

The first leader continued, "Thirdly, after we cultivate immortality, what will become of our existing technology and military systems?"

"Should I try both, or devote myself entirely to cultivating immortality?"

"If both goals are to be achieved, how should resources be allocated?"

This problem is even more complicated.

He stood up and walked to the window.

"We must grasp both cultivation and technology, and both must be strong."

"Technology is our present, cultivation is our future. Without either, the Dragon Kingdom will not go far."

He turned around and glanced at everyone.

"In the current situation, it's not enough to think three steps ahead for every step we take; we need to think ten steps ahead for every step we take."

"Before even beginning to cultivate immortality, one must already consider what will happen afterward."

"We even need to consider how the Dragon Kingdom will establish itself in the world when the era of universal cultivation arrives."

The meeting room was completely silent.

Everyone felt the heavy burden on their shoulders.

This is not a simple decision; it concerns the fate of the Dragon Kingdom for hundreds, even thousands of years to come.

Chen Dong took a deep breath. "So, what should we do now?"

The first leader sat down again and announced, "Establish special task forces to be responsible for aspects such as cultivation management, technological development, and international relations."

"At the same time, we will accelerate the preparations for the Shenlong Academy."

"besides……"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Send someone to find Lord Dragon and ask for His opinion."

"After all, He is the one who truly experienced the era of cultivation."