"You sounded so urgent on the phone. What happened?" Xu Changqing felt a surge of anticipation. When it came to that tomb, both he and Wang Jian suspected it was related to ancient Cultivators.

"We did find it, but we also ran into a problem," Wang Jian said with a smile.

Wang Jian then explained the situation to Old Chen and his master. He didn't plan on telling Peng Qing and the others, but this was the sort of thing Old Chen had to know.

"So, my idea is to first help you break through to Yangshen, Master. We can discuss the rest later," Wang Jian said. "I've also called Ping An back. When those things break out, he won't be able to study in peace anyway. It's better for him to learn some self-preservation skills first."

Xu Changqing and Old Chen both felt that a child's education was a major affair. Their first reaction to hearing Wang Jian had called Ping An back was to object, but they had to admit Wang Jian had a point. If survival itself became an issue, what would be the point of studying?

In the end, Old Chen said, "Since you say this can be widely taught, why not let our soldiers learn first? That would also buy the children some time to live in peace."

Wang Jian nodded. "That was my thinking as well, but I figured some people wouldn't believe it. That's why I had Zhang Haiyuan call a unit from the Wolf Fang Team over. I intend to start with them. It would be good to have them either keep watch at the Twelfth Building or serve as a demonstration for everyone else."

"Speaking of which," Wang Jian said with a smile, "I actually flew back just now and even took an unintentional detour over the city. I imagine it's going to cause quite a stir online."

Old Chen shot Wang Jian a look. He knew perfectly well that Wang Jian had done that on purpose.

Wang Jian didn't delay. Following the method from his memory, and using his own cultivation as a catalyst, he forcibly pulled Xu Changqing's cultivation up to the Yang Soul Realm.

In truth, it wasn't really forceful, just a clever shortcut. It was similar to how he had once accidentally perceived the Yin Yang Power and stepped onto the path of Yang Soul cultivation.

He lost some of his own cultivation in the process, but he could regain it later. After all, he could now practice his cultivation both day and night, making his progress twice as fast with half the effort.

The benefits Xu Changqing reaped from his Yang Soul cultivation were immediately visible in his physical appearance. After just one night of cultivating with his Yang Soul, he had returned to the state of a middle-aged man.

Wang Jian even planted a seed of Yin Yang Power in Old Chen, giving him the chance to begin Qi Cultivation.

Everyone was overjoyed with the results.

Wang Jian saw the two old men off and finally breathed a sigh of relief before going to find Xu Qian.

The moment they met, Wang Jian embraced her, and the turmoil of the day instantly melted away.

"What's all this about?" Xu Qian, who had been cooking, asked irritably as she was suddenly hugged. "You were only gone for a day. Why are you acting like we haven't seen each other in years?"

"Don't talk for a minute. Just let me hold you."

Wang Jian had indeed only been gone for a day. But those few hours in the cave felt as if he had lived through a century. The psychological gap, coupled with the threat from an unknown world, left him with a deep-seated emptiness and a desperate need for comfort.

Coming home was the best remedy.

After a few minutes, Xu Qian smelled something burning in the pot. She pushed Wang Jian away and quickly rescued the dish. Then she looked at him and asked, "What happened? Want to tell me about it?"

Looking at Xu Qian, Wang Jian's heart immediately settled.

"Something big might happen in the future, so I just have a lot on my mind."

Xu Qian stroked Wang Jian's head and said gently, "If the sky falls, the tall people will hold it up. Let's eat first. Help me bring the dishes out... By the way, where are Master and Old Chen?"

"They had something to do, so they left early," Wang Jian said.

"What?" Xu Qian's expression changed. "Then what am I supposed to do with all this food?"

Xu Qian made a face. "But I made all this especially for them..." With a change in expression, she pointed at Wang Jian. "In that case, it's all up to you. You have to finish every last bite!"

"Uh..." Wang Jian looked at the table, which was laden with ten different dishes—fish, meat, soup, and sides. There was no way he could eat all of that by himself.

"Ping An is coming tomorrow anyway. Maybe we can let him have the leftovers."

Xu Qian rolled her eyes. "Ping An is your apprentice. Is that any way to treat him?"

Wang Jian muttered, "Well, it's better than his master eating himself to death."

"What did you say?" Xu Qian said, exasperated. "I really don't know if Ping An becoming your apprentice was a good thing or a bad thing."

"Of course it's a good thing," Wang Jian said with a smile. "He'd be dead if it wasn't for me. Besides, there's a good reason I called them over this time."

Xu Qian finally looked satisfied. She didn't want Wang Jian using his status as a master to bully people. But then, she remembered someone else. "What about Chairman Kang?"

"That kid is actually a pretty decent guy. When you weren't here, he kept the clinic running. Why don't you take him as an apprentice, too?"

Wang Jian shrugged. "Don't worry, I already asked Chairman Kang to come back as well. Of course I've included him in my plans."

"You just went to the mountains this morning, didn't you?" Xu Qian asked. "Why do you seem like a completely different person all of a sudden?"

"Want to know why?"

Wang Jian chuckled mischievously. Seeing Xu Qian nod, he rushed forward, swept her up into his arms, and carried her into the bedroom.

"Ah! What are you doing?!"

"We still have to eat!"

"It's fine. Food tastes better after a little exercise."

「The night passed without incident.」

While with Xu Qian, Wang Jian also took the opportunity to introduce her to the path of cultivation.

By noon the next day, Peng Qing arrived in the village with Peng Pingan.

"Master!" Peng Pingan shouted, running toward Wang Jian the moment he saw him.

"Whoa!" Wang Jian looked at Peng Pingan's height and couldn't help but remark, "It's only been a few months, but you've shot up!"

Hearing this, Peng Qing remarked with emotion, "His growth was probably stunted back when he was sick. Now that he's healthy, he eats a lot but doesn't gain weight. It all goes to his height."

"That's great!" Wang Jian laughed, patting Peng Pingan's head. "Now that you're here, you won't have to go back for a while."

"Really?" Being so young, Peng Pingan was ecstatic at the thought of not going back, which meant no school. "I really don't have to go back?"

"That's right," Wang Jian nodded. "I've always said I was going to teach you things, but I never got the chance. We're starting now. Don't get too excited, though. This is going to be more tiring than school. You'll be crying soon enough."

"Heh, I'm not afraid," Peng Pingan laughed. "The only reason I don't want to go to school is because I already know everything they teach. It's too boring. It's not like I'm afraid of hard work..."

"Oh?" Wang Jian glanced at Peng Qing.

Peng Qing nodded. "This kid is incredibly proud, but it's just as he says. He already knows everything they're teaching in school. He's even read ahead and learned things they haven't taught... The tutor I hired said there's nothing left to teach him. At his level, he could probably get into a university."

Although Peng Qing shook his head as he spoke, his tone was brimming with pride.

"That's wonderful news!" Wang Jian exclaimed. "I was worried calling you over would hinder his academic progress. But if that's the case, then this is perfect."

Just as Wang Jian was feeling delighted, he received a call from Zhang Haiyuan.

"The Wolf Fang Team has been sent in, but I've got some bad news from above."

Wang Jian told Peng Qing and his son to go take a seat while he took his phone outside. "Do the higher-ups not believe it?"

"No!" Zhang Haiyuan's voice was a bit panicked. "They believe it now, but not because of what you said. Other countries have discovered similar ruins and are reporting mysterious deaths, just like with that group of tomb robbers."