Hijacking the Timeline

”Director Liu, I apologize, but I have no immediate plans to join the Tiger Soul Research Institute. As for Art Magic Research, I have no experience in that field.”

Hearing this, a hint of disappointment flickered across Director Liu’s face.

But Director Liu clearly hadn’t given up. He smiled and said, ”Don’t be so quick to refuse. Come to my office later, and I’ll show you something that might change your mind.”

”What is it?”

”Historical materials about the Tiger Soul Research Institute. They might pique your interest.”

”Alright, I’m very interested in the institute’s history,” Feng Qi immediately agreed.

After some more small talk, he followed Director Liu out of the room, heading toward the core zone of the Tiger Soul Research Institute.

Feng Qi knew Director Liu had no intention of showing him historical documents. The information from the previous timeline had made the director’s motives transparent.

At this point, the Nightshadow Clan clearly didn’t want to let him go. They believed he might possess exceptional talent in Art Magic Research, capable of contributing to their advanced magical frameworks.

Now that he had willingly walked into their territory, he was undoubtedly a lamb entering a tiger’s den in their eyes.

They couldn’t act openly within Star City Academy, but the Tiger Soul Research Institute was their domain.

And the Nightshadow Clan’s sole innate ability was mental control.

What he would face next was self-evident.

Feng Qi felt no fear. On this battlefront, his bones were etched with purple soul markings, making any attempt at mental manipulation a fool’s errand.

More importantly, he was about to enter the Tiger Soul Core District and confront the Nightshadow Clan.

In his eyes, this faction posed no threat whatsoever.

If not for the risk of premature exposure, Mu Qing alone could have crushed the entire Nightshadow Clan.

Before leaving, he exchanged a meaningful glance with Lin Ran, knowing she would understand his unspoken message.

Following Director Liu along the familiar route, they arrived at the core zone of the Tiger Soul Research Institute.

The first thing that caught his eye was the central control console.

This console held the institute’s highest authority, capable of operating or shutting down all facilities within the Tiger Soul Research Institute. It could even cut off the entire institute’s power supply.

After a cursory glance, he lost interest.

Continuing to follow Director Liu, they reached Room A-1 in the core zone.

Director Liu pushed open the door and stepped inside first.

Feng Qi immediately followed.

The room resembled a laboratory, filled with various scientific instruments rather than an office.

Strangely, the equipment was covered with yellow paper talismans, creating an unsettlingly archaic atmosphere.

Weaving through stacks of scientific instruments, Director Liu suddenly turned to face him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He slowly pulled a smartphone from his pocket and tapped the screen.

Immediately, the sound of gears grinding together echoed from the doorway, signaling that the door had been locked.

”Feng Qi, we’ve shown you considerable sincerity. Originally, we had no intention of controlling you and were even prepared to invest significant resources in nurturing your talents.”

”Controlling me? What do you mean?” Feng Qi feigned surprise.

”Let me be frank. We believe that someone with your historically rare innate talent in Cultivation Technique Research could achieve similar breakthroughs in Art Magic Research. That’s why we were reluctant to resort to direct mental control.”

”After all, mental control inevitably causes some degree of damage to the subject’s mind, which would hinder subsequent research.” Director Liu chuckled, tapping his temple.

Feng Qi wasn’t surprised by this revelation.

In the previous timeline, he had always wondered why the Tiger Soul Research Institute hadn’t simply mentally control Lin Ran, instead opting for covert manipulation.

He had once asked Ye Er about this.

Ye Er’s explanation was that the process of mental control carried inherent risks. It could inflict irreparable psychological damage on the subject, even driving them to madness.

Lin Ran’s innate talent couldn’t be replicated, and the Nightshadow Clan clearly didn’t want to risk such a costly endeavor.

But after repeated rejections, the Nightshadow Clan’s patience had worn thin.

”You’re trying to harm me? Aren’t you afraid of facing the Star City Academy? If you harm me here, the surveillance cameras in the Tiger Soul Research Institute will prove I came here with you.”

”Rest assured, I disabled the surveillance cameras on our way here. And I need to correct a mistake in your statement—it’s not just me who wants to harm you, it’s the entire Tiger Soul Research Institute.”

”As for how to explain things to the Star City Academy, the controlled version of you will provide them with an explanation. That’s not my concern.”

With that, Director Liu stepped aside, bowing respectfully.

Several figures emerged from behind the equipment.

Feng Qi immediately recognized the leader.

It had pale blue skin, a humanoid form, and violet eyes that seemed eerily captivating, as if they could steal one’s soul with a single glance.

Feng Qi didn’t know its original name, but since the Tiger Soul Research Institute had fallen under the Lord of the Mist’s control, it had been renamed ”Ye Er.”

As he watched Ye Er’s lips slowly curl into a smile, Feng Qi couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

Another encounter—what a twist of fate!

Without further ado, Ye Er pulled out a device resembling a remote control and pressed a button. Instantly, several steel cables shot from the ceiling, precisely wrapping around his limbs.

The cables tightened, slowly hoisting him into the air.

Simultaneously, the talisman-covered instruments around the room whirred to life, releasing a dense surge of spiritual energy that rapidly permeated the chamber.

A massive formation diagram materialized on the floor.

Feng Qi clicked his tongue in amazement. He hadn’t realized the Nightshadow Clan had developed such an elaborate system for controlling people.

Every instrument and tool in the room had been meticulously crafted to enhance their methods of mental domination.

Seeing Feng Qi restrained, Ye Er couldn’t suppress his excitement. He clearly saw him as a lamb ready for slaughter.

At this point, Feng Qi couldn’t help but chuckle. ”Excuse me, what time is it?”

”Why do you ask?” Ye Er replied in a low voice, his purple eyes flickering.

”Just consider it my last wish before being controlled.”

”1:10 AM,” Ye Er glanced at the controller in his hand and answered, clearly confident that Feng Qi posed no further threat.

As Ye Er finished speaking, a tremendous roar suddenly erupted outside, shaking the ground.

”Looks like the game’s over!”

Realizing the moment had come, Feng Qi’s face twisted into a savage grin.

Blood Source Activation!

His heart began to pound violently.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The rhythm accelerated, each beat like a war drum, shaking his very soul.

Before the Nightshadow Clan members could react, his body was enveloped in blood mist, visibly growing taller.

The mist condensed into flesh and bone.

Crimson and violet patterns danced across his skin, while dark-green flames erupted from within, radiating an oppressive aura that paralyzed the Nightshadow Clan members in terror.

Snap! Snap!

The steel cables binding his limbs snapped, and Feng Qi crashed to the ground.

Standing atop the massive formation that pulsed with violet light, he resembled a demon risen from hell, radiating an aura of pure evil and dread.

He raised his head to gaze at the Nightshadow Clan members, slowly clenching his fists until his knuckles cracked.

Staring at the bewildered Nightshadow Clan members, a cruel smile spread across his face.

”Now, it’s my turn!”

(End of the Chapter)

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