Emi didn't keep Victor waiting long.
When she arrived at the manor, Victor showed her the photos Belle had sent to the chat group.
"Do you recognize this thing?"
After examining the photo, Emi froze for a moment, then her eyes widened in surprise.
"Of course I know it! This is one of the creatures that invaded my world!"
So it really was connected.
Victor had suspected as much. When he'd learned that these creatures appeared in both Belle's and Lumine's worlds simultaneously, he'd recalled Emi mentioning that her world was also being invaded by a mysterious enemy. He'd guessed there might be a connection between this creature and the invaders from her world.
Now it seemed his intuition was correct.
But what Victor hadn't expected was that this was merely one of the creatures that had invaded her world. That meant there were multiple types of enemies assaulting that dimension.
"Can you tell me more about this creature and the enemies that invaded your world?"
"Of course."
Emi accepted the tea Krul handed her and took a sip to moisten her throat. "The creatures in the photo are what we call Pioneers. As the name suggests, they're the troops responsible for scouting ahead."
"These creatures vary in strength, but even the weakest is more powerful than a high-level demon."
"Once the Pioneers appear, it means the invading army will arrive soon."
"Compared to the advance troops, the invading army is far larger and significantly more powerful. The army that invaded our world had no fewer than fifty demon king-level enemies."
"And the commander leading that army was even stronger than those fifty combined."
Recalling the battle, even Emi, a Hero, felt a lingering fear. That defensive battle could only be described as catastrophic. In the end, even angels had fallen. It was only because of their sacrifice that they'd barely managed to hold back the enemy's assault.
Emi drained her cup in one gulp.
After collecting herself, she continued, "Mr. Mo, since these creatures have appeared, it means the invasion has begun. I suggest you spread this information as soon as possible so that nations around the world can prepare for battle."
Victor waved his hand dismissively. "Don't be too concerned. These creatures won't invade this world for the time being."
After all, they hadn't been discovered in this dimension.
However, Emi's warning did give him pause. Since those beings could invade the worlds where Belle and Lumine lived, this world would likely become a target eventually. He really did need to prepare in advance.
He didn't want to visit another world for a few days only to return and find this one occupied by invaders.
But how could he prevent this world from being invaded?
Did he have to act as a twenty-four-hour guardian, protecting this world at all times?
Victor stroked his smooth chin, contemplating possible solutions. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
Rather than acting as some kind of eternal babysitter, why not enable the people of this world to protect themselves?
However, humanity's current technological strength was obviously insufficient for that task. The only viable path was to guide them toward transcendence.
But the cultivation methods of immortality weren't suitable for this world's population. After all, immortal cultivation was too powerful, a single Golden Core cultivator could destroy a planet. If a group of Golden Core practitioners appeared on Earth one day, the planet might cease to exist entirely.
That would be counterproductive.
Fortunately, there was an excellent alternative right before him.
Victor remembered that Emi had mentioned this world was saturated with magic power and holy energy. He could teach the people of this world how to use magic and holy magic!
With this thought crystallizing, Victor turned to Emi. "Miss Yusa, let's make a deal."
"A deal? What kind of deal?"
Emi tilted her head, her expression puzzled.
Victor didn't rush to answer. Instead, he asked, "Do you want to become stronger? As strong as I am now?"
Emi's eyes flashed with intensity. She fell silent for a moment before speaking. "What would I need to do?"
Though she hadn't answered directly, her meaning was clear. After all, if she became stronger, she could drive away those invaders and potentially liberate her original world when she returned.
Victor said, "I'll teach you the methods of immortal cultivation, and you'll teach me how to use magic and holy energy."
Emi looked puzzled at this proposal.
"Why do you want to learn magic and holy magic?"
Since Victor possessed the more powerful path of immortal cultivation, magic and holy energy should be useless to him.
"I want to lead all of humanity onto the path of transcendence."
Victor didn't hide anything, explaining the plan forming in his mind.
After hearing his explanation, Emi's eyes brightened with understanding.
"Mr. Mo, your method is excellent! The humans in this world have mastered advanced technology. If they combine it with magic and holy energy, they might actually be able to stop those invaders. I'm willing to teach you magic and holy energy!"
"Then stay with me for the next few days. I'll teach you immortal cultivation, and you'll teach me magic and holy energy."
"Alright!"
Over the following days, Victor and Emi taught each other their respective power systems. Both possessed remarkable intelligence and exceptional talent.
It took Victor only three days to completely master magic and holy energy, which left Emi genuinely amazed.
Emi required three days just to sense the existence of spiritual energy, and a full week to complete the process of drawing qi into her body, becoming a first-level Qi Refining cultivator. Of course, the pills Victor provided had accelerated the process considerably. Even so, it demonstrated that Emi's cultivation aptitude was extraordinarily high.
Two days later, Victor initiated his plan.
In the official residence in the capital of the Divine Province Continent, a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit sat at his desk, reviewing documents. His thin face bore unmistakable signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
"Great Elder, you haven't slept for nearly twenty hours. Please, go get some rest."
The young aide at his side couldn't help but urge him.
"How can I rest at a time like this?"
The Great Elder set down the document in his hand and raised his fingers to rub his temples, trying to ease the weariness in his eyes.
"This is already the third incident caused by alien creatures this month. I'm afraid it won't be long before we can no longer keep this secret."
"Since you can't hide it, why not make it public?"
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed through the office.
"Who's there?!"
The young aide moved swiftly, positioning himself protectively in front of the Great Elder. He drew the pistol from his waist with practiced efficiency and scanned the room with sharp, wary eyes.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not an enemy."
The strange voice spoke again.
As the words faded, a spatial rift tore open before them. From within the shimmering crack, a man wearing a silver mask that concealed everything but his eyes stepped through into the office.