Hijacking the Timeline

During his conversation with the monk, Feng Qi learned a wealth of new information, including details about the Spirit Energy Clan and the ”miracle.”

The monk also revealed intelligence the Prajna Domain Combat Team was investigating, which had been extracted from a decrypted communication crystal. The message read:

The bloodthirsty madman has arrived. He seems intent on resurrecting his deceased clansmen and will stop at nothing to achieve this. Avoid contact at all costs.

Analysts from the Prajna Domain Combat Team suspected this ”madman” might represent a newly emerging Domain Force, one even the powerful Spirit Energy Clan feared. The team launched an investigation to identify this new threat, but progress stalled due to limited leads.

As dawn approached, the pair, who had talked through the night, parted ways. When the monk asked if this timeline could offer any assistance, Feng Qi declined. His primary goal in this timeline was to join the Dawn Army. Until then, he needed to lie low and survive until the day the Dawn Army was established.

Engaging in side missions could inadvertently lead to an untimely demise.

For safety’s sake, it was best to lie low.

But he wasn’t without a plan.

Leaving the dormitory, he found the morning shrouded in mist, and the temperature had noticeably dropped.

Having lost his innate ability, he felt the chill in his thin clothes.

After breakfast at the cafeteria, he went to Bai Fusheng’s office.

He explained in detail his need to take several months’ leave to research virtual games, then departed Star City Academy.

His next destination: the Scarlet Research Institute.

If this timeline truly allowed him to join the Dawn Army, enhancing his personal strength would be paramount.

Moreover, improving his capabilities would grant him the means to protect himself.

After several hours’ travel, the taxi stopped before the metal perimeter wall of the Scarlet Research Institute.

Paying the fare, he stood at the identity verification area outside the wall.

A green light scanned him, and the metal wall slowly opened.

Having already registered his identity and obtained top-level access at the Scarlet Research Institute, he no longer needed Wei Wei to escort him.

Approaching the base’s metal gate, he underwent another identity verification before entering the facility through the corridor.

The massive metal gate automatically sealed shut behind him.

When Feng Qi saw Wei Wei again, she was wearing the Scarlet Research Institute uniform, her head bowed as she gazed intently at the creatures in the cultivation tanks, so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice his arrival.

”Sister Wei,” he called out.

Hearing his voice, Wei Wei turned with a surprised expression.

After a moment of confusion, a smile spread across her face. ”Arriving at this hour without any advance notice... It seems a brand-new timeline has been generated.”

”You’re sharp,” he immediately agreed with a nod.

Wei Wei set down her work, stood up, and removed her gloves. ”We’ll be holding a meeting soon. You can share your plans for this timeline then.”

”Understood.”

Shortly after, Feng Qi arrived at the Supreme Conference Room and took his seat at the spot marked with his name.

As he looked around at the assembled Scarlet high-ranking officials, he began to outline his strategy for this timeline.

His plan was simple: before Mu Qing established the Dawn Army, he would avoid getting involved in any side quests and focus entirely on strengthening his own capabilities. He would lie low until the Dawn Army was formed and Mu Yao emerged.

After he finished explaining his strategy, the Scarlet high-ranking officials began discussing his proposal.

After several hours of debate, the Scarlet Institute Director rose to his feet and solemnly declared, ”The meeting is adjourned. From now on, we are all fellow travelers in this timeline, fighting for the future.”

With that, the old director suddenly turned to Feng Qi and lightly tapped his clenched right fist twice against his heart.

Seeing the gesture, Feng Qi was momentarily stunned.

He immediately raised his right hand, made a fist, and lightly tapped his heart twice.

The other Scarlet executives followed suit.

This gesture had been created alongside the Dawn Banner when the Dawn Organization was founded.

When Feng Qi had briefly revealed his secrets to the Scarlet Research Institute, he had mentioned it, but he never expected the old dean and the Scarlet executives to still remember it.

After returning to Wei Wei’s private laboratory, Feng Qi couldn’t help but ask curiously, ”Why did you use the Dawn gesture?”

Wei Wei smiled charmingly. ”The old dean said that the Dawn Organization you created isn’t just a force, but a spirit. That’s why the Dawn Banner continues to fly even after 1,500 years.”

”So, the Scarlet Research Institute can also be a part of Dawn, Li Xingchen can be a part of Dawn, and any future fellow travelers, even if we’re not in the same organization, we’re all part of Dawn.”

”Perhaps we’ve chosen different paths forward, but our goals remain the same.”

Hearing Wei Wei’s explanation, a warm current flowed through Feng Qi’s heart.

In this world steeped in despair, hope persists precisely because of these fellow travelers who choose to forge ahead.

”When are you planning to start the Rune Modification Plan?” Wei Wei asked with a smile. ”I’ve prepared two entirely new options this time.”

”Whenever you’re ready. Tell me about the options you’ve prepared.”

Wei Wei immediately moved to her desk, tapped the screen a few times, and the relevant information appeared.

”Choose for yourself.”

His gaze fell upon the screen, which displayed descriptions of four rune modification options:

The first two were familiar to him:

Ferocious Shadow Demon Dragon

He had chosen Ferocious Shadow in his previous Sacrifice Line. It had enhanced his physical strength and granted him the ability to liquefy his body for stealth.

In addition to these two options, the data included two new modification paths:

Lava Beast Death Mantis

The Lava Beast was characterized by its extremely high defensive capabilities and prolonged lifespan.

The Death Mantis, on the other hand, possessed explosive power and devastatingly lethal attacks.

The data also explicitly outlined the potential risks associated with each modification.

The Lava Beast transformation, in particular, carried a high risk of altering his life essence, potentially turning him into a lifeform fused with minerals.

Faced with four potential transformation paths, Feng Qi fell into deep thought, unsure which to choose.

After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Wei Wei. ”Sister Wei, you know more about this than I do. Which transformation do you think would be most suitable?”

”In the previous Sacrifice Line, you chose to establish the Dawn Organization, secretly opposing the Technology Research Institute and gathering intelligence. Naturally, the ferocious shadow with its stealth capabilities would have been the better choice.”

”But in this timeline, your decision is to join the Dawn Army. Therefore, overall strength enhancement should be your primary focus. I recommend the demon dragon transformation, which perfectly complements your muscle-based combat style.”

Hearing Wei Wei’s recommendation, Feng Qi immediately nodded. ”Then let’s proceed with the demon dragon transformation. First, give me a gene enhancement shot.”

”I’ll arrange it right away. Please wait in the Genetics Department laboratory,” Wei Wei said with a smile, stepping toward the private laboratory’s exit.

Having grown familiar with the Scarlet Research Institute, Feng Qi followed her out and headed to the gene modification chamber.

While waiting, Wei Wei arrived with a gene needle customized based on his body data.

The first round of physical enhancement began.

In the days that followed, Feng Qi began adapting to his gene liquid-enhanced physique.

To better withstand the aftereffects of the rune modification, he also started an intense daily training regimen.

This rigorous training method could easily have pushed his body to its limits.

Fortunately, the Scarlet Research Institute had a ”recovery pod” that rapidly restored his physical condition after each high-intensity workout, allowing him to immediately resume training.

His physical strength improved significantly with each day of training.

After a month of this grueling routine, Wei Wei arranged for a comprehensive physical examination.

The results were unexpected. Despite his enhanced physique, his current physical strength still wasn’t compatible with the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal. Forcing implantation would likely result in death.

The simulation predicted a 68% mortality rate.

While the simulation’s accuracy couldn’t be guaranteed, such a high-risk probability clearly made further modification inadvisable.

After the examination, Feng Qi resumed his training.

The relentless, high-intensity training was monotonous, but Feng Qi saw no challenge in such hardship.

He firmly believed that only through unwavering persistence toward his ideals would flowers bloom in his wake.

Leaving behind a fragrant legacy for future generations.

The monk called him a pioneer of humanity, but he preferred to think of himself as a pathfinder.

A pathfinder carrying the dream of the human race’s prosperity.

In the days that followed, his physical stats climbed noticeably under the relentless strain of daily high-intensity training.

Another month passed. After completing another round of physical tests, his body data had nearly reached the level required to match the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal.

But for safety’s sake, Wei Wei insisted on continuing the training to further enhance his physical strength.

Her explanation was simple:

”Do you realize how crucial you are? If the rune modification fails, it would be devastating for us in this timeline.”

”You can change the future and prove that we control our own destiny in this timeline. But if you die, what meaning would there be in a future we can already see the end of?”

As she spoke, Wei Wei’s dark circles were prominent, her eyes reflecting both exhaustion and unwavering determination.

To eliminate any potential risks, Wei Wei and her team had been conducting continuous simulated modification experiments for the past two months, often working through the night.

In that moment, Feng Qi once again felt the weight on his shoulders.

Behind him lay the path to saving the world. He was no longer alone, but he now carried the hopes of all his companions across every timeline for the future.

After the data report was finalized, Wei Wei administered a diluted second dose of gene liquid.

For the next month, he threw himself back into rigorous training.

As he trained relentlessly, he gradually adapted to the grueling regimen.

Each time he sweated profusely, pushing himself to the point of collapse, he was rewarded with a profound sense of exhilaration.

It was then that he recalled the Narrator’s mention of a ”muscle-based growth path.”

He began to believe that this path might indeed be perfectly suited for him.

After three months of training, when he completed another series of physical tests, he finally met the required standards.

Following a day of rest and preparation, the rune modification procedure commenced.

Lying on the operating table once more, Feng Qi steeled himself for the pain.

Wei Wei and the Genetics Department’s modification team prepared the equipment and activated the operating table’s machinery.

Metal restraints automatically tightened around his body, securing him firmly to the table.

He closed his eyes, but the glaring surgical lights pierced through his eyelids, bathing his vision in a crimson glow.

As intense pain surged through him, his muscles trembled violently. Yet he remained silent, choosing to combat the agony with sheer willpower.

Beyond the physical torment, the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal was also corrupting his mental realm.

The sensation was akin to being plunged into an endless abyss of darkness.

No light, no sound—only an all-encompassing, deathly silence.

Time seemed to have stopped, each second in this realm an eternity of torment.

The demon dragon transformation lasted a full day. During this time, Feng Qi’s body was infused with massive quantities of harmonizing energy fluids and nutrient solutions to replenish his vital reserves.

Throughout the process, Feng Qi’s unwavering willpower moved all the Scarlet personnel involved in the transformation.

They could clearly sense his desperate desire to live.

It became clear to them that even when pain exceeded the body’s limits, willpower could withstand any suffering.

Especially the spiritual resolve held within one’s heart, which remained unshaken by any torment.

When the transformation was complete, Wei Wei’s voice reached him.

Feng Qi slowly opened his eyes.

Bending over to rise, he glanced down and saw a black rune crystal embedded in his chest.

The rune crystal pulsed slowly, like a beating heart, its surface crisscrossed by raised, vein-like structures that connected it to the surrounding flesh.

Energy flowed through these vessels, distributing power throughout his body.

With each pulse of the Demonic Dragon Crystal, a warm current surged through him.

”Thank you for your hard work,” Feng Qi said, turning to Wei Wei and the team of staff. Seeing their exhausted faces and sweat-soaked clothes, he expressed his sincere gratitude.

Wei Wei smiled and waved her hand. ”You’re the one who worked the hardest. Get some rest tomorrow, then we’ll start your adaptation training. After this physical checkup, we’re heading back to rest too—we’re all exhausted.”

”Alright,” he nodded immediately.

To ensure everything was safe, Wei Wei and the staff began a thorough physical examination.

After confirming that his body was temporarily stable, Wei Wei led the Scarlet Gene Department staff out of the laboratory.

Feng Qi returned to his room after they left.

In the bathroom, he washed off the bloodstains and changed into his pajamas before lying down on the bed.

Having completed the modification, he was still adjusting to his newfound strength.

While brushing his teeth earlier, he had accidentally crushed the cup and even slipped in the bathroom, ending up with his ”sword pointing to the sky.”

Clearly, he needed adaptive training to adjust to these changes.

Currently, he was still in the initial stages of fusion with the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal, so the demon dragon’s abilities hadn’t yet manifested. However, the infusion of power was happening in real-time.

With each breath, his strength grew incrementally.

Lost in thought, the utterly exhausted Feng Qi quickly drifted off to sleep.

In his dream, he led the human race at the peak of its power into battle against the Domain Forces. After countless 1,500-year cycles of oppression, they had finally reached a war where the momentum was evenly matched.

Fueled by the burning ambition in his heart, he clenched his fist and charged resolutely toward the endless sea of enemies.

At this moment, my heart yearns for what lies ahead; though I face death nine times, I shall not regret it.

(End of the Chapter)

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