"Other countries?"

"Yes," Zhang Haiyuan said. "Any nation with an ancient civilization has discovered similar ruins, and they've also confirmed that these are extraterrestrial objects."

"Moreover, those black, soul-like monsters you mentioned have also been confirmed."

"Videos of them have already been captured and posted on foreign video sites."

"It started with a group of haunted house explorers, and then ordinary people filmed the actual monsters."

"So, the situation has changed."

"The higher-ups want you to provide a feasible plan for the popularization method you mentioned as soon as possible."

Wang Jian now understood the gravity of the issue, but he couldn't do anything about matters abroad. He was only concerned with whether the situation in his own country could be stabilized.

Wang Jian said directly, "I'll give you the things once I have them ready. But since things are already happening abroad, we have to make sure our own defenses are secure."

"Don't worry," Zhang Haiyuan said with a smile. "Since the incidents began, the higher-ups have sent several more teams. They're working in shifts, so we're confident we can hold them off."

"That's good." Wang Jian felt relieved. It was far better for the higher-ups to take the initiative than for him to have to painstakingly persuade them. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

After hanging up, Wang Jian continued his conversation with Peng Qing and Peng Pingan.

Peng Pingan took the initiative to speak. "Master, that black monster you were talking about... is it the one that's been trending online recently?"

He handed his phone over as he spoke. Peng Pingan had lived abroad for a long time and was naturally familiar with the online environment there.

Wang Jian took the phone and frowned. He realized the soul monsters in the video were nearly identical to the mature ones from his memory.

He even suspected that the ruins in other countries were nowhere near as well-protected as the ones in his own, which was what allowed these things to escape. What humanity has discovered so far are merely the vanguard, or perhaps scouts sent to reconnoiter.

"Is this real?" Peng Qing had also seen the video and asked doubtfully, "It isn't fake, is it?"

"It's real," Wang Jian said, shaking his head. "I called you both back because of this matter. We face the same crisis in our country, so I wanted Peng Qing to start his Cultivation early. That way, he'll have the ability to protect himself when the time comes."

"As you can see," Wang Jian said, pointing to the video on the phone, "guns are no threat to these things. As for whether missiles and the like would work, let's not even get into that. I suspect our current weaponry has limited effectiveness against them. Waiting for others to develop methods of attack is too passive. We need the ability to protect ourselves."

Peng Pingan was excited. "So what do I need to do?"

"You don't need to do anything." Wang Jian raised a finger and touched it directly to the center of Peng Pingan's forehead.

His current realm was nebulous and hard to define. He could effortlessly use skills straight out of novels; transferring a cultivation method was a trivial matter, as simple as could be. He even suspected that the powers of the two Saints had been passed down into his body by his ancestors. Otherwise, why would they say all hope rested on him?

Peng Pingan was thrilled. "Wow! That's amazing!"

Wang Jian chided him, "What's the rush? Absorb it properly so you don't forget it later."

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget. Wang Jian was just trying to scare him. The effect was excellent; Peng Pingan immediately quieted down.

Wang Jian then turned to Peng Qing. "Although I can't have you directly cultivate a Yang Soul, it's possible for you to start by cultivating Qi."

"Me too?" Watching from the side, Peng Qing couldn't hide his envy. It was only natural to want such an opportunity, but he also knew it was a matter of fate.

"Of course," Wang Jian smiled. "I was already planning to have the higher-ups promote and popularize Cultivation for everyone. For you, it's just happening a bit sooner."

"That's great."

Following suit, Wang Jian first stimulated Peng Qing's acupoints, then guided the Qi in his body to circulate along a specific route for a full cycle.

Wang Jian then planted the nascent seed of a Yang Soul, also leaving a trace of Yin Yang Power to act as a seed. As long as Peng Qing's cultivation reached a certain level, the Yang Soul would awaken on its own, which saved a lot of trouble.

With their matters resolved, only Chairman Kang remained. Wang Jian had even tried contacting his elderly father, but his father was away traveling and had no intention of returning. He said he would come back on his own when he grew tired of having fun. Wang Jian couldn't change his mind because his father hung up halfway through the conversation.

Wang Jian had no other choice but to ask his master for help and arrange for people to protect his father in secret. However, he still had some other matters to attend to—things he had to do behind Xu Qian's back.

He left Peng Qing and his son to cultivate at home under Xu Qian's care, so he had nothing to worry about. Then, he found a secluded spot, let his Yang Soul exit his body, and took a shortcut, flying toward Cai's Hospital.

Two purposes! One was to see his brother, Wang Xiang, and the other was for Cai Qiong. He wanted to test if his current abilities could heal his brother. Theoretically, psychological problems are also problems of the soul. With his current cultivation, if he claimed his understanding of the soul was second in the world, no one could claim to be first. So, it was truly worth a try!

He didn't inform Cai Qiong that he was coming to the hospital. She was the director now and extremely busy.

He flew directly to the window of the director's office, but just as he was about to knock, he froze. Cai Qiong was indeed busy, but what she was busy with made him feel rather awkward.

Cai Qiong was changing her clothes! And she was at a critical point.

From his very first glance, Wang Jian had recognized that Cai Qiong had a perfect hourglass figure, impeccably toned without a trace of excess fat. What surprised him even more was that she was wearing garter stockings today! Though his realm had ascended and he could be considered an Immortal among mortals, he was still a man. After a moment's thought, he retracted the finger he had raised to knock and simply floated there, watching.

But as he watched, he realized something was amiss. He had no idea how she had gotten a photo of him on her phone, but Cai Qiong was looking at it and starting to mumble to herself.

This girl... is she really that in love with me?

Despite his embarrassment, Wang Jian watched with a fond, doting smile.

The memories of their first encounters were still vivid. It felt like just a moment ago Cai Qiong was insisting she liked women and would never be interested in him. But in the next second, here she was, secretly staring at his photo on her phone.

Seeing where this was headed, Wang Jian simply floated inside.

For Cai Qiong, seeing the very object of her fantasy appear before her was a shock comparable to the world collapsing.

"Ah!"

Cai Qiong instinctively recoiled in fright, and the chair went with her, toppling backward.

Wang Jian simply raised a hand, using his power to manipulate objects to suspend her in midair.

Amidst the shock, Cai Qiong completely forgot about her state of undress.

"How did you..."

Before she could finish, there was a knock on the door.

"Director, are you alright?"

Cai Qiong was startled again. It was her secretary. Even though she was also a woman, being seen like this would be mortifying.

"I'm fine!" Cai Qiong shouted. "I just dozed off and fell from my chair. You can go back to your work!"

"Okay, Director!"

Cai Qiong had just breathed a sigh of relief when she turned and met Wang Jian's eyes again. His almost-smiling expression seemed to pierce straight to her heart.