Hijacking the Timeline

Feng Qi opened his eyes to the dormitory ceiling.

Slowly sitting up from the sofa, he glanced at the empty Merit Wine bottle and rubbed his throbbing head.

The lingering effects of memory overlap persisted, but most of the memories had become clear.

He rose and sat at his desk, opening his notebook.

He began organizing the information he had obtained from this Dream Realm experience.

Since there had been no improvement in his strength during this Dream Realm journey, he skipped the strength recording section and focused on organizing the intelligence.

With a wealth of information to process, he paused to reflect before putting pen to paper.

Intelligence Gain 1: Confirmed the presence of trustworthy allies within the Future Research Institute, such as Li Xingchen and Jia Hui. However, not all members are reliable; some factions remain under the control of the Technology Research Institute.

Note: Consider future collaboration with Li Xingchen, Jia Hui, and others, depending on circumstances.

Intelligence Gain 2: Confronting the Technology Research Institute in this Future Line could significantly alter the future, allowing me to make contact with Future People and gain access to more valuable intelligence and future database account credentials.

Note: The key to changing the future lies not with the Dawn Organization itself, but in leveraging its influence to rally willing allies against the Technology Research Institute.

Detailed Intelligence 1: The future Star City Shelter harbors hidden Weak Domain Races.

Detailed Intelligence 2: The future Star City Shelter contains a golden sphere that powers the shelter and emits spatial signals.

Detailed Intelligence 3: The future shelter possesses abundant resources to help Suction Cup regain her strength.

Speculation: This golden sphere may serve as a communication node between Little Cripple and his clansmen hidden within the shelter. Its origin remains unknown.

Intelligence Acquisition 3: Based on current intelligence, the Lord of the Mist’s promotion of the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice and the hidden dangers it poses target not only humans but also other Domain Forces lurking within Human Civilization.

Note: Deciphering the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice would aid other Weak Domain Races hidden within Human Civilization. Perhaps we should consider a timeline where we unite with these races to confront the Tiger Soul Research Institute—the Lord of the Mist.

Intelligence Acquisition 4: Little Cripple’s origins are now clear, but current intelligence still fails to explain why he and his clansmen would risk such extreme danger to enter the human world instead of eking out a living in their own domain world.

Hypothesis 1: Little Cripple harbors immense ambition, seeking his race’s resurgence.

Hypothesis 2: For some reason, Little Cripple foresaw a major existential crisis for his race (perhaps the Great Tide’s Descent) and chose a desperate gamble. This led him to expend all his clan’s resources to construct a spatial channel and enter the human world.

Intelligence Acquisition 5: The Rune Modification Plan provided by the Scarlet Research Institute can enhance the physical capabilities of individuals in the Future Line who lack innate abilities. Enduring the pain of the modification process improves one’s compatibility and fusion with the rune crystal.

Note: Request the Scarlet Research Institute to prepare several rune crystals compatible with me for selection.

Intelligence Acquisition 6: Subsequent intelligence from the Scarlet Research Institute reveals that the Prajna Domain Combat Team behind the monk and the Victory Battle Group under the Victory Research Institute are both clandestine allies working to save the world.

Note: Attempt to contact these factions later to gather more useful intelligence from them.

Intelligence Acquisition 7: ...

He had gathered more intelligence from this Future Line than any other.

After organizing over a dozen pieces of information, he finally put down his pen.

By now, the negative effects of the memory overlap had significantly diminished, and he recalled many crucial details he had learned at the Scarlet Research Institute.

For example, the Knowledge Implantation Technology.

This technology allowed him to bypass the need to memorize the super virtual game code from the database. Instead, he could directly implant this information into ”Future Him’s” brain.

Then, using his Nightmare ability, he could access Future Him’s mind and retrieve the data directly.

However, this technology wasn’t without its limitations.

The storage capacity for implanted knowledge remained an unresolved problem for Wei Wei and the Scarlet Research Institute’s researchers.

In the Sacrifice Line, he had provided the Scarlet Research Institute with data on Spirit Energy Technology, hoping they would forward it to him.

But implanting the super virtual game code had already exhausted the institute’s resources. Attempting to implant the far larger Spirit Energy Technology data was clearly beyond their current capacity.

Therefore, another pressing issue he needed to address was:

How could he strengthen the Scarlet Research Institute to better pave the way for his future self?

Resource constraints and manpower shortages meant the Scarlet Research Institute’s current capabilities were woefully inadequate if it hoped to secure a prominent position in the future.

[This is simple. The Technology Research Institute is backed by the Black Shadow Faction, the Tiger Soul Research Institute by the Lord of the Mist, and the Scarlet Research Institute... well, that’s me, of course.]

Feng Qi: ...

He genuinely wanted to help the Scarlet Research Institute develop.

Beyond providing technical support, he had already devised a plan to help the institute acquire more resources.

The complete game code for the super virtual game was now stored in his mind.

This meant he could begin developing the super virtual game in the real world ahead of schedule.

This project would not only advance Human Civilization but also generate substantial revenue, allowing the Scarlet Research Institute to go on a massive spending spree, accumulating vast resources.

Furthermore, virtual reality simulations could eliminate unnecessary waste in the institute’s research projects.

As for the risks, he didn’t need to worry too much.

He had communicated with the black shadow, who had mistakenly believed him to be a representative of some Domain Force infiltrating human society to lay the groundwork for the future. The shadow had even said that as long as he didn’t interfere with their plans, they wouldn’t stop him.

Through this exchange, Feng Qi learned another crucial detail:

Domain Forces were reluctant to expose themselves. They wouldn’t actively attack other Domain Forces unless provoked, or unless they had clear knowledge of the other’s weaknesses and saw a potential gain.

This included the Tiger Soul Research Institute.

But there was a crucial condition: the opposing force couldn’t be a human faction.

Now, he could leverage the reputation of a Domain Force to create this virtual game.

As he pondered, time slipped away unnoticed.

After a long while, the phone rang.

Picking up the phone from his desk, he saw it was Lin Ran calling.

[The Lord of the Mist is calling! He wants to tell you that the future awaits—come arm wrestle!]

Feng Qi: ...

Checking the time, it was already 5:32 PM.

He knew exactly what Lin Ran wanted to say.

After answering the call, Lin Ran’s voice came through the phone:

”Brother Qi, what are you thinking? It’s dinner time already, why aren’t you here? Are you having some philosophical crisis?”

”I’m coming right now!”

Feng Qi hung up and stood up to leave the dormitory.

Stepping out of the building, he was greeted by the intense glow of the setting sun, painting the sky with crimson twilight.

He hurried down the tree-lined avenue leading to the Academy Cafeteria.

After walking for about ten minutes, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure approaching from the cafeteria, a wide grin on his face.

The monk’s swaggering gait, swaying from side to side, and his gleaming bald head, haloed by the setting sun, exuded an earthy, streetwise aura.

Remembering the monk’s smiling remark on the Sacrifice Line, ”You never asked,” Feng Qi immediately stepped forward to block his path.

”Brother Qi, heading to dinner?” The monk greeted him with a playful grin upon recognizing Feng Qi.

”Monk, you’ve been hiding quite a bit,” Feng Qi replied with a smile.

”Brother Qi, what do you mean? I don’t understand,” the monk said, scratching his bald head in feigned confusion.

”Are you free tonight? Come to my dorm. I need to talk to you about something.”

”Unfortunately, I just applied to return to the temple for a visit. I’ve just finished dinner and was about to change into my ascetic robes before heading out of the academy,” the monk said, scratching his head sheepishly.

”Alright then, we’ll talk another time. I’m heading to the cafeteria now,” Feng Qi said, smiling and patting the monk on the shoulder.

As Feng Qi turned to leave, the monk suddenly asked again, ”Brother Qi, what did you mean by ’hiding it so deep’?”

Looking at the monk’s earnest expression, Feng Qi knew he was deliberately testing him, trying to gauge whether he truly knew some secret.

He decided not to call him out directly, planning to have a proper conversation with the monk when he had time.

He hoped to extract some useful information from the monk during that conversation.

So he replied with a smile, ”Never mind. You go ahead and get busy.”

With that, he walked straight toward the Academy Cafeteria, leaving the monk standing there, his face a mixture of confusion and contemplation.

By the time Feng Qi arrived at the Academy Cafeteria, it was already past 6 p.m.

Students continued to trickle into the Academy Cafeteria, where the regularly replenished buffet remained lavish.

After grabbing a plate, Feng Qi spent about five minutes selecting a heaping meal before heading to the north corner of the dining hall.

Lin Ran had nearly finished eating, while Mu Qing was still engrossed in her meal.

Approaching Lin Ran, Feng Qi set down his plate and slid into the seat beside him.

”Brother Qi, what took you so long? What were you busy with?” Lin Ran asked, craning his neck curiously.

”Saving the world. It’s a bit hectic,” Feng Qi replied casually.

”Can I join next time?” Lin Ran chuckled, assuming Feng Qi was joking.

”Sure, I’ll call you next time. Just try not to embarrass yourself.”

Seeing Lin Ran’s bewildered expression, Feng Qi shifted his gaze to Mu Qing.

Sensing his attention, Mu Qing looked up, her cheeks still puffed out as she chewed.

The sight instantly reminded him of the Suction Cup.

[Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder she’s the Suction Cup’s true form—even her expression while eating is identical.]

The Narrator remarked at that moment.

”Feng Qi, is something the matter?” Mu Qing asked curiously.

”It’s fine, just eat,” he said, grabbing a golden-fried pork cutlet and taking a large bite.

The rich aroma of cheese and savory meat juices flooded his mouth, his face radiating pure enjoyment.

Haunted by memories from the Sacrifice Line, he had been lurking in the shadows for so long, he hadn’t eaten a proper meal in ages.

He now deeply understood that happiness is born from comparison.

Just as able-bodied people complain about trivial inconveniences, only to yearn for the days they could walk freely after becoming paralyzed.

And then, after developing bedsores, they would long for the simple comfort of sitting in a wheelchair.

Each stage of happiness is always defined by comparison to a worse situation.

Modern people grumble about Domain Invasions, where even within city walls, they might encounter attacks from Domain-Transcending Creatures. Yet they remain oblivious to the Future People, who have lived their entire lives underground, their newborn children never having seen true sunlight.

For them, the sun is merely a golden sphere in videos and images, its warmth and blinding radiance never experienced firsthand.

As he savored this delicious meal, a profound sense of happiness welled up within him.

He lingered over the meal for a long time, even going back for seconds before finally stopping, completely satisfied.

After finishing dinner, he bid farewell to Mu Qing and walked with Lin Ran toward the library.

The library was brightly lit at night, making it the most crowded place on the Star City Academy campus at this hour.

After selecting their books, they sat down in the reading room.

Feng Qi pushed a book across the table to Lin Ran.

”Read this today. Ask me if you don’t understand anything.”

”Elementary Mental Deconstruction? Why am I reading this?” Lin Ran asked, looking bewildered.

”I want to develop a cultivation technique to enhance mental strength, and it needs to be paired with a top-tier mental attack technique. I understand cultivation technique research, but I’m clueless about art magic, so I need your help,” Feng Qi explained with a smile.

Hearing about the new cultivation technique, Lin Ran perked up immediately.

”No problem, Brother Qi! Can you give me a sneak peek at what this technique is all about?”

In response, Feng Qi immediately began describing parts of the Five-Star Cultivation Technique Limitless that he had memorized during his dream realm experience.

To hook Lin Ran, he needed to offer something substantial.

Limitless was inherently geared toward spirit cultivation, making its contents excellent bait.

As Feng Qi described the technique, Lin Ran’s interest was indeed piqued.

Lin Ran patted his chest confidently. ”Brother Qi, leave this daunting task of developing a mental attack technique to me. I’ll definitely create an art magic worthy of your cultivation technique.”

”But I’m not very familiar with mental-based arts. Allow me some time to focus and study. I’ll bring you good news soon.”

[No problem, Mist A’Ran. I’ll be waiting for your good news in the future.]

Feng Qi smiled at the Narrator’s snarky comment.

Lin Ran then picked up the books he had chosen and entered a focused study mode.

Seeing Lin Ran’s enthusiasm, Feng Qi nodded inwardly.

The path to saving the world was too lonely to walk alone. He yearned for many companions to walk alongside him.

Lin Ran possessed exceptional talent. If he could become Feng Qi’s right-hand man in the Dream Realm, the obstacles ahead would undoubtedly diminish.

As night deepened, the reading room didn’t empty; instead, more students gradually filled the space.

Watching the students around him buried in their studies, Feng Qi felt a sense of contentment.

Like him, these students had been taught history from a young age. They all understood that the peace and stability Star City enjoyed today had been bought with the blood and sacrifices of countless martyrs who had charged forward, one after another.

If not for these martyrs, Human Civilization would have perished five centuries ago.

Those who plant the trees enjoy the shade.

In this perilous era, the ”trees” are forged from the monumental achievements of these martyrs.

Feng Qi saw a promising future reflected in the students’ diligent efforts.

Throughout history, every era has its reviled historical criminals.

Yet there are always those who defy the status quo, who still believe in the light. In the darkness, they ignite bonfires with their blood, striving to secure a future for humanity.

If asked why they persevere,

They would tell posterity through history:

We strive for you, for a more distant future, for the human race to usher in a glorious golden age.

They know they won’t live to see what the future holds.

They simply wish to shine brightly in their own time.

Hearing the rustle of paper and the scratching of pens,

Feng Qi sensed that these individuals, upon whom this era’s hopes rested, also yearned to write their own chapter in history, to forge a brighter future for those who would come after them.

Those who plant the trees enjoy the shade.

This truth echoes through every era, in every age. There will always be those who refuse to give up.

(End of the Chapter)

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