"That's easier said than done."

In a small, standalone courtyard, Wang Sheng lay back in a hanging chair, holding a glass of champagne. With immortal power, he kept several plates of grilled food floating beside him.

He sighed quietly. Since he could not find the Human King, he had considered creating one instead and seizing the Human King's fortune by force. One problem after another surfaced when he truly tried to plan it out, though.

First, it was unfair to the wandering spirit that had been reincarnating all this time. Second, he had no idea how to make the human race, now scattered across the entire universe, acknowledge a common ruler.

A Human King could only arise in an era when the human race's heavenly fate gathered in the Immortal Saint Realm.

In theory, it was possible to conquer the entire endless space and achieve that fate, but that would be like putting the chariot before the horse. Its difficulty would be second only to a head-on clash with the Immortal Emperor.

People in comfortable and casual clothing filled the courtyard, chatting and laughing. Several children played and kicked a ball along the shaded road outside.

Xi Lian and Qinglin were chatting with a few Daoist masters from the Daoist sects. Qinglin did not mention his identity. Moreover, few knew he had once been the sect master of the Shu Sword Sect a thousand years ago.

Wang Sheng lay there as his mind gradually emptied.

The Human King, the Immortal Emperor, the external devil, Empress Nuwa... If Lishang were here, discussing it with her would likely lead to some progress.

When Lishang emerged again, she would likely be considered a minor expert.

It was unclear whether Nuwa still had other descendants across the endless space, but here, Lishang was the last of her kind.

Following Wang Sheng's guidance, a portion of the divine power that Nuwa had left behind would settle within Lishang. He had no way of knowing what kind of advancement she would achieve or what divine abilities she would awaken. However, she would certainly become formidable.

After lying down for a while, Wang Sheng heard some noise outside the courtyard. He turned his head to glance over and frowned slightly.

Someone he had not wanted to see since returning had appeared outside.

Mou Yue, as the host of the courtyard, quickly went to greet the visitor. The lively atmosphere inside grew a little subdued.

Even though he did not wish to deal with it, Wang Sheng still stood up. He took a sip of the slightly sweet champagne, put on a faint smile, and walked toward the entrance.

For the sake of his master's happiness, he had to do his part as a disciple.

Chi Ling had arrived.

From the brief exchange between Mou Yue and Chi Ling, Mou Yue had clearly not invited her. Chi Ling had come on her own, which could only mean she was here to see Wang Sheng.

As expected, she immediately stated her purpose. She had a few matters she wanted to discuss with Wang Sheng.

Not wanting to disturb the others' rare weekend gathering, Wang Sheng walked beside her, keeping half a step behind, as they moved through the upscale residential area.

Because the Special Warfare Unit had a base nearby, the security here was quite high.

Wang Sheng was, after all, a man. Even though he had some reservations about his mistress, he did not put on a cold face or act distant. On Earth, his position was rather delicate. He held no official authority, yet his strength surpassed all rules.

Moreover, his influence beyond Earth had grown beyond what ordinary people could imagine. His level of power was different now.

Smiling, Wang Sheng took the initiative to start a conversation. "Has something been troubling you lately, Mistress?"

Chi Ling tucked her hands into the pockets of her black coat. Having been working without rest for some time now, a trace of fatigue showed in her eyes.

"The rising suicide rate," Chi Ling muttered. "There have been many issues recently, and they seem to be increasing all at once. The impact of primal qi's resurgence has already been endured, but the integration of cultivation into society has brought a series of conflicts and changes. This is now the main focus of the Special Investigation Unit."

Wang Sheng nodded slowly. For a moment, neither had much to say. Some topics were too sensitive, while others were too trivial.

"Fei Yu, you seem to have something on your mind," Chi Ling said. "I heard from Mou Yue that you have been searching for someone. Tell me a little about it. I might be able to help."

"Well..." Wang Sheng hesitated briefly, then shook his head. Still smiling, he replied, "There is no need to trouble you with this. Even if I try to search for them, I would not know where to begin. In the end, it comes down to luck."

Chi Ling nodded lightly. The breeze slightly tousled her neat, mid-length hair.

"Your master has gone out as well..." She exhaled quietly. "More and more cultivators want to leave Earth and explore beyond the Realm of Exiled Immortals. But once they leave, they could end up exposing Earth's existence. We have to control the exit points. This issue is becoming more prominent, and our work is already very difficult to carry out."

Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "Is there not some kind of binding oath? I remember that when I first left Earth, research in that area had already begun."

"How can we rely on mere oaths to stop them from leaking secrets?"

"If it is an oath acknowledged by the Great Dao, then breaking it will actually result in severe consequences. There will be an unseen response. Punishment from heaven does exist. It is just that the punishment may not come immediately, and many factors can affect it."

Chi Ling smiled faintly. "Which is why the path of you cultivators is not as reliable as modern law."

Wang Sheng was rendered speechless. "Mistress, you are instinctively rejecting cultivators. We have rights too."

"The mission of the Special Investigation Unit is to supervise cultivators on behalf of ordinary people. Over the years, the crime rate among cultivators has remained below the average. The Hua Republic has made steady progress in all aspects. The moral evaluation system for cultivators has also shown good results. I came today to have a proper talk with you."

Chi Ling glanced at Wang Sheng. With no one around now, her gaze softened slightly.

"Your master mentioned some things to me. As your mistress, I might truly be able to help."

Wang Sheng chuckled, then sighed and walked forward. "This is not a difficult matter."

As he spoke, he set up a barrier around them and briefly explained again what he had told his master.

***

Meanwhile, on Fengmo.

Linyuan stood on a white cloud with his hands behind his back, humming a relaxed tune as he flew from the mountain gate of the Xinghai Sect toward the distant city covered by a grand array.

These past few hundred years had been quite relaxing for him.

After relying on a comprehension pill obtained through a certain vice sect master, his cultivation had gradually reached the mid-stage of the Heavenly Immortal Realm. True immortality might still be out of reach, and becoming a Golden Immortal was unlikely. Still, he had at least prolonged his life, and the future remained uncertain.

Feeling the gentle breeze, Linyuan hummed softly as he drifted along. Though he had not been drinking, he felt slightly intoxicated.

At that moment, he sensed something. His brow furrowed as he rose higher on his cloud and looked at Xinghai City.

Two unfamiliar figures were flying toward him on clouds, heading straight for him. Their auras were both at the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

Linyuan immediately gripped a distress jade talisman and turned to face them.

It was a man and a woman. The man appeared middle-aged, while the woman was strikingly beautiful. Following proper etiquette, they stopped several hundred zhang away and bowed in greeting.

At once, streams of immortal perception from the great city below locked onto the two Heavenly Immortals. Even the star energy cannons hidden beneath the city walls had been aimed at them.

The woman called out, "May I ask, are you an immortal of Xinghai Sect?"

Linyuan nodded. "Who are you?"

The woman replied gently, "I am Lin Qiyue, a disciple of the Qiling Immortal Sect's sect master. This is my third martial brother, Kou Nian." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Linyuan nodded again and asked calmly, "What brings you two here?"

"We wish to visit the Xinghai Sect and meet your sect master. The Qiling Immortal Sect once shared a close bond with Daoist Friend Fei Yu. Now that news of Fei Yu has spread across the world, it truly leaves one sighing. Although he is no longer here, our sect master wishes to strengthen ties with the Xinghai Sect."

"Oh, is that so?" Linyuan replied.

At that moment, a telepathic message reached him. His expression sharpened at once. After all, it had come from someone he had grown to admire more and more: Xiaomiao, Wang Sheng's younger sister.

"Elder, something is not right."

Linyuan became even more alert. Xiaomiao quickly spoke to him through telepathy, telling him to remain calm.

Over the years, although she had not advanced rapidly in her cultivation, she had learned many telepathic communication techniques and gained immortal treasures that specialized in assisting her.

As a commander-level figure, she did not have to fight personally; she just had to formulate strategies.

Soon, Linyuan formulated a plan. He gestured toward the two visitors.

"Please, follow me into the sect for a seat."

The man and woman smiled kindly and drifted forward.

***

In a suburban residential area of the Hua Republic.

Wang Sheng and Chi Ling walked casually while speaking within the soundproof barrier Wang Sheng had set up. From their expressions, the conversation was going well.

He had not expected this. Despite considering many methods, weighing many strategies, and planning against many powerful beings, he had overlooked the strongest "weapon" on Earth.

Once he opened up to his mistress, he felt that his chances against the Immortal Emperor were not as low as he had thought.

Chi Ling asked, "Fei Yu, do you understand everything I have said?"

Wang Sheng smiled. "Of course."

He summarized their conversation in two words.

Cultural infiltration.