Hearing the Black Mist Lord address him as "Qi-ge," Feng Qi's eyes widened in astonishment.
At that moment, he realized something profound: Lin Ran had truly succeeded.
The seeds sown in the present timeline had finally borne fruit 1,500 years into the future.
[The Right Guardian has arrived. Now you can act even more brazenly in this future dream world.]
Overwhelmed with emotion, Feng Qi stared at the mist-formed face and instinctively asked:
"Lin Ran?"
"Yes... it's me."
"Did you actually succeed in reverse parasitizing it?"
"No... not completely. Its consciousness... far exceeds mine. It's... regaining control of the body," Lin Ran's voice faltered as he responded.
Feng Qi's heart sank at the revelation.
"Qi-ge, before I lose control, tell me... how did you know I would be parasitized?"
Faced with Lin Ran's question, Feng Qi didn't hesitate. He explained, "I have the ability to traverse timelines. By the time I told you about the parasitization, I had already seen this future, 1,500 years ahead. That's why I wanted you to develop a reverse-parasitization technique—so you could regain control of your body and even harness its power."
"I understand now... but its consciousness is retaliating against me. My time is running out."
"Do you have anything you want to say before it's too late?" Feng Qi urgently inquired.
"If you manage to return to the past... tell the me of that time that the reverse-parasitization technique must be paired with a method to resist consciousness erosion. Otherwise, while I'm consuming it, it's also constantly devouring my consciousness... I can't sustain myself. With a way to resist erosion, I'll succeed for sure."
"I'll pass on the message. Count on it!"
The realization that Lin Ran would ultimately fail in his attempt to reverse-parasitize the Black Mist Lord filled Feng Qi with regret.
Yet, Lin Ran's ability to survive and strategize over 1,500 years of being suppressed revealed his unparalleled ingenuity.
Feng Qi knew his next step: return to reality and relay Lin Ran's insights.
If the plan succeeded, the next timeline would see Lin Ran fully seize control of the Black Mist Lord and gain its formidable power.
[What a shame. But Lin Ran's a remarkable kid—almost pulling it off. Lucky for us, there's still room to refine this strategy. Let him rest now.]
As the narrator's words fell, the misty face began to disintegrate, only to reform moments later.
Lin Ran's consciousness had evidently been completely consumed. The Black Mist Lord once again reigned supreme over its form.
The Black Mist Lord turned its gaze toward Feng Qi, its ethereal expression calm yet unsettling.
"If not for your interference, I would never have realized Lin Ran's consciousness hadn't entirely dissipated. So, he was parasitizing my own all this time, slowing my growth. Your arrival has helped me remove a hidden threat."
Feng Qi replied with a smirk, his tone nonchalant: "You're welcome. But don't get too comfortable. In the next timeline, you'll be nothing more than a dead fish, and Lin Ran will have everything that's yours."
Pausing for effect, he added, "And if I ever gain full control over time travel, I'll come back for you personally and finish you off."
The Mist Lord's expression darkened with anger as it glared at him. In response, Feng Qi boldly raised his middle finger, grinning cheekily.
"Been blending into human civilization for so long—this gesture must look familiar, huh?"
This time, the Black Mist Lord didn't bother responding. Instead, it conjured a massive hand of mist, which came crashing down toward Feng Qi.
Seeing the attack, Feng Qi clenched his fist and charged forward.
Surrender? Not an option.
With a deafening crash, the gray mist slammed into Feng Qi, the negative energy within it instantly crushing his body.
As the ground beneath him caved into a palm-shaped crater, Feng Qi lay motionless, his body broken and lifeless.
Encased in the encroaching darkness, he felt a mixture of sorrow and relief.
Lin Ran's talent had been extraordinary—so close to triumph.
His thoughts drifted as his spirit began to dissolve...
When Feng Qi opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on a couch, an empty glass bottle on the table before him.
Realizing he was back in reality, he stretched and stood, his mind replaying the events of the future dream realm.
Walking to his desk, he sat down, opened his notebook, and used his telekinesis to pick up a pen. He began documenting everything he had gained from the journey.
Strength Enhancements:
Bone Veins Ability: Enables restructuring of bones into various forms, making it an exceptional talent for close combat.
Swift: Though less impactful, it still provides practical benefits.
With his bloodline progression, his overall strength had seen significant improvements, especially in his Blood Source state. For the first time, he had tested his new capabilities against domain creatures, gaining a deeper understanding of his own power.
After finishing the section on personal growth, he turned the page to record his intelligence gains.
Sacrificial Line Intelligence 1:
A general understanding of the internal structure of the Institute of Technological Research and the reasons behind Mu Qing's massacre of the domain combat squads, which were evidently loyal to domain forces.
Notes:
The Institute of Technological Research's backing domain forces control life and death through the "Mark of Death." The method to break it has been recorded.
Sacrificial Line Intelligence 2:
The Crimson Research Institute has validated the feasibility of the "Brain in a Vat" project, enabling the extraction of all memory data from a deceased brain.
Notes:
Memory extraction carries significant risks. Overlapping memories require time to process, and negative emotions accumulate.
Sacrificial Line Intelligence 3:
The various black-tech projects within the Institute of Technological Research all trace back to a scientist named "Mo," who is central to the Spiritual-Energy Nanobot Project.
Notes:
Further exploration of Mo is recommended in future lines. This may provide insight into controlling Little Black, whose instability likely ties to this individual.
Future Dream Intelligence 1:
Data from the Crimson Research Institute confirms that the "Flesh Sacrifice" technique can be neutralized, though it requires technical expertise.
Notes:
In every timeline, Old Wang must build on prior progress to crack the Flesh Sacrifice.
Future Dream Intelligence 2:
Interaction with the Black Mist Lord proves the feasibility of Lin Ran's reverse-parasitization strategy.
Notes:
Relay Lin Ran's findings to the present timeline and continue efforts to reverse-parasitize the Black Mist Lord. Success will mean gaining a powerful ally.
Future Dream Intelligence 3:
The discovery of intricate connections between the Super Virtual Game and the mysterious Future Research Institute, which even the Institute of Technological Research refrains from confronting.
Notes:
Exploring the Future Research Institute is now a priority for future timelines.
...
Time flew by as Feng Qi diligently documented the gains and intricate details of his latest journey into the future dream realm in his notebook.
Organizing intelligence and reflecting on experiences were vital for paving a clearer path forward.
After finishing his notes, he closed the notebook with a satisfying thud. The residual side effects of overlapping memories were gradually fading, but some remnants lingered, making even his dorm room feel strangely unfamiliar.
Standing up, he walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a can of soda. The cool liquid sliding down his throat refreshed his mind and body. Just as he was enjoying the reprieve, his phone buzzed with a call. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Lin Ran.
"Qi-ge, time for dinner."
"I'll be right there."
Ending the call, he returned the drink to the fridge and left the dormitory.
Walking along the shaded pathway leading to the academy's cafeteria, Feng Qi couldn't help but reflect on his previous sacrificial timeline. That one, too, had started with a call from Lin Ran, inviting him to dinner.
The memories from the sacrificial timeline weighed heavily on him, giving him a vivid glimpse into the torment he endured in those futures.
Each sacrificial timeline reflected his own continuation, yet the burden and suffering those versions of himself endured struck him deeply. Living through such agony turned death into a release; living itself had become a torment.
[That's why you need to carry their dreams forward and make them a reality. Don't let their sacrifices be in vain.]
"Yeah," Feng Qi nodded softly.
Acknowledging the passing students along the way, Feng Qi finally reached the cafeteria. It was peak dinner time, and the hall was bustling with energy and chatter.
Grabbing a tray, he began selecting his food without overthinking. Today's menu had noticeably changed, which wasn't surprising. To provide students with better dining experiences, the academy frequently rotated their culinary teams. In fact, students even rated these teams annually on forums, and the competition to earn the "Best Culinary Team" title had become a cherished aspect of campus life.
With a tray piled high with food, Feng Qi made his way to a quiet corner of the cafeteria where Lin Ran and Mu Qing were already seated.
Lin Ran was halfway through his meal, as evidenced by his nearly empty plate. Sitting beside him, Feng Qi turned his attention to Mu Qing. His mind wandered briefly to the haunting memory of the harmonica tune from a sacrificial timeline execution scene.
"What's wrong?" Mu Qing asked suddenly, her cheeks puffed slightly with curiosity as she chewed.
"Yeah, Qi-ge, you seem a bit off today," Lin Ran chimed in with a concerned look.
"Nothing, just… I was thinking about how much I missed you guys," Feng Qi said with a grin.
Mu Qing: ???
Lin Ran: ???
"We just saw each other at lunch, didn't we?" Lin Ran replied, bewildered.
"I had a long, vivid dream. In it, we were separated for what felt like ages. But at the very end, I saw Mu Qing-jie."
"What about me?" Lin Ran asked curiously.
"You? In the dream, you ended up practicing demonic techniques, straying down a dark path to become a villainous overlord who wreaked havoc on the world. You committed unforgivable sins," Feng Qi teased.
"Whoa, a wuxia-style dream? What was my ending?" Lin Ran laughed.
"Your form became neither human nor ghost, resembling a mass of mist, completely losing your sense of self."
"Sounds like a tragic end," Lin Ran said casually, shoving another bite of food into his mouth, clearly not grasping the implications.
Feng Qi didn't elaborate further. For now, the present timeline demanded a cautious approach.
As he ate, thoughts consumed him. The return of his quick digestion ability made dinner particularly satisfying.
After finishing their meals about half an hour later, Feng Qi and Lin Ran bade farewell to Mu Qing and headed to the library.
For the evening study session, Feng Qi resolved to dive into programming basics, preparing himself to better memorize the complex codes of the super virtual game.
The library was lively with students immersed in self-study. Lin Ran picked up a cultivation technique research book and settled into a seat, while Feng Qi approached the librarian to locate a programming basics textbook. He eventually found one tucked away in a dusty corner on the third floor.
The book clearly hadn't been touched in ages, its cover layered with thick dust. Dusting it off, he returned to the reading room and sat across from Lin Ran.
"Qi-ge, what's this? Intro to Programming Languages?" Lin Ran asked, puzzled.
"I'm planning to develop an AI that can autonomously create cultivation techniques," Feng Qi replied, deadpan.
Lin Ran blinked, stunned, before breaking into a grin. "Here I am, struggling to even get started on cultivation research, and you're already thinking about automating it. I'm on the ground floor, and you're up in the stratosphere. This must be the difference between us."
"You actually believed that?" Feng Qi asked, surprised.
"Not really. I figured playing along might make you happy enough to share some cultivation research insights with me," Lin Ran admitted, his grin fading into a composed expression.
[This kid's quite the actor. Got me laughing, hahaha!]
Ignoring the narrator's antics, Feng Qi set the book down and looked at Lin Ran with a serious expression.
"Do you remember when I told you to try developing a technique to counter parasitic consciousness invasion?"
"Yeah, I've been mulling it over at night, but this isn't my area of expertise. Right now, I'm still in the clueless stage. It'll take time."
Feng Qi nodded. "As long as you're trying, the technique will eventually take shape."
Recalling Lin Ran's insights from the future, Feng Qi realized that just having a counter-parasitic technique wouldn't be enough. With that in mind, he said, "Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you the fundamentals of cultivation research. But you'll need to promise me one thing."
"What's the condition?" Lin Ran asked eagerly, his curiosity clearly piqued.
"Besides the anti-consciousness parasitism technique, you should also develop a method to protect your own consciousness in the future," Feng Qi suggested.
Lin Ran looked confused, scratching his head. "Qi-ge, I really want to know why you're asking me to do all this."
"It's for your own good."
"Honestly, you've been acting like Lü Yue lately, always speaking in riddles. It's exhausting!" Lin Ran complained.
Feng Qi didn't elaborate further and shifted his attention to the beginner's book on programming he'd picked up.
Time passed, and he soon lost himself in the flow of learning. His focus was unwavering, as though the world around him ceased to exist.
It wasn't until the university's clock chimed midnight that Feng Qi and Lin Ran left the library. They said their goodbyes by the lakeside in front of the dorms, and Feng Qi returned to his room.
The night deepened, but Feng Qi wasn't tired. Sitting at his desk, he powered up his computer and continued researching programming. While studying, he sent a message to Fang Zhiyou asking for recommendations for a gaming forum.
Even though it was already early morning, Fang Zhiyou was still awake and quickly replied, directing Feng Qi to a popular gaming forum called "Blackbox Forum." He explained it was a hub for gaming enthusiasts and was also full of resources, including game development guides and self-learning tutorials from helpful members.
Curious, Feng Qi followed the link provided by Fang Zhiyou and logged into the Blackbox Forum. Despite the late hour, the forum was lively with users discussing all kinds of gaming-related topics.
He pondered the feasibility of creating a virtual replica of the domain field as part of a game but wasn't sure how realistic his idea was. Deciding to seek feedback, he registered an account and posted his concept on the forum.
Post by "Strongest Living Dead":
Title: "Seeking Feedback on a Concept – Feasibility and Challenges"
Content:
"I recently had an interesting idea: to develop a super virtual game that could simulate real-world scenarios and physics at a 1:1 scale. It would be a MOBA-style game where players could compete against each other...
My vision includes collecting data on techniques and domain creatures to recreate these elements within virtual instances."
Feng Qi detailed his vision in the post, describing the process of recording technique trajectories and collecting data to create realistic domain field dungeons.
Within minutes, his post began to garner replies.
"Your idea reminds me of something the forum admin is working on. They're building a virtual engine capable of simulating real-world physics, but you're aiming for the stars with a full-on virtual reality game. Ambitious!"
"Simulating a virtual engine is one thing, but making a whole game is absurd. You're talking about cataloging tens of thousands of techniques and sampling data from domain creatures. Do you even have enough time in your life for this?"
"It's technically possible, but just gathering data on techniques would take decades. And that's before testing. Not to mention sampling data from domain creatures—do you know how many species there are? Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands?"
"Still, props to you for dreaming big! If you're serious, you might want to reach out to the admin; maybe you could collaborate. Although, I doubt they'll even notice you."
The replies were a mix of skepticism and encouragement. Many users doubted the practicality of his vision but offered thoughtful suggestions, such as contacting research institutes like the Crimson Research Institute to access their domain creature samples or collaborating with the Future Research Institute for virtual gaming technology.
To his surprise, the forum admin pinned his post. The topic gained more visibility, drawing in even more feedback and creative ideas. Some were outlandish, while others provided Feng Qi with valuable inspiration for refining his concept.
He jotted down the most insightful comments in his notebook, viewing them as seeds to be planted. He believed that even if his ideas couldn't materialize now, they could take shape in the future. His task was to nurture these seeds into fruition.
Several hours later, after immersing himself in programming tutorials, Feng Qi finally logged off and closed his notebook. Unbeknownst to him, his post continued to gain traction, catching the attention of industry professionals and game developers who joined the discussion.
The Next Morning
A knock on the door woke Feng Qi. Groggily, he opened it to find the dorm security guard holding a delivery for him. Puzzled, Feng Qi accepted the package and glanced at the sender's name: United Research Institute.
Sitting at his desk, he unwrapped the package to find a sleek, dark-blue box. Its surface had a cold metallic texture, smooth to the touch. Pressing the button on the side, the box opened in three tiers:
The top tier held a bottle of Meritorious Wine with a card detailing its serial number and effects.
The second tier contained an official certification letter for the "Tiger Fist" martial technique.
The final tier revealed a gilded card framed in gold—an upgraded bank card compared to the last one he received.
Unlike before, this delivery lacked the silver Outstanding Contribution Medal. Instead, it included the bank card, suggesting a shift in the rewards system.
Feng Qi pondered the significance of the package's contents before carefully storing the items and returning to his studies.
Feng Qi carefully took out the gold card from the package and sat down at his desk. He logged into the provided bank website to check the balance.
Moments later, his eyes widened at the sight of five million credits displayed on the screen. Unable to suppress a grin, he realized that this unexpected fortune had come at the perfect time. His own funds were nearly depleted, just barely enough to allow him two more trips into the future dreamscape. With this money, those immediate concerns were resolved.
After transferring the entire balance into his personal account, he turned his attention to the Meritorious Wine. Since his memories had not yet fully integrated, he decided to hold off on entering the future dreamscape for the moment. He set the wine aside and pushed the metal box under his desk.
Checking the time, he decided it was time to head out. After a quick breakfast, he met up with Lin Ran and Mu Qing, and the three of them headed to class. By the time they arrived, the classroom was already packed—not just with their classmates, but with students from other classes who had come to audit the lecture.
As Feng Qi entered, the students greeted him one after another. He nodded in acknowledgment, then walked straight to the lectern. This lesson was focused on teaching the newly learned Dragon Capturing Technique.
The students were highly enthusiastic about the new cultivation technique. They actively participated, asking questions throughout the lecture. Only Hui Xu, the monk, remained as unperturbed as ever, his serene expression seemingly declaring:
"Yes, yes, it's very impressive. But I'm not really listening."
In the following days, Feng Qi divided his time between teaching, studying programming, and learning about combat form configurations. Gradually, the effects of his memory overlap faded completely, and he felt ready to enter the future dreamscape once more.
Before taking that step, however, he decided to carefully plan his next moves. Sitting at his desk, he opened his notebook and began drafting his strategies.
Future Line One: Investigate and approach the Future Research Institute to uncover its secrets.
Notes:
During this process, remind Lin Ran to continue developing techniques to protect his consciousness and refine the anti-consciousness parasitism method.
Share the findings from the Flesh Sacrifice research with Old Wang and have him join the Crimson Research Institute to further work on cracking it.
Future Line Two: Rejoin the Institute of Technological Research and use his knowledge to quickly climb to the second tier, then find a way to reach the first tier to meet "Mo." Investigate Mo's connection to Xiao Hei and attempt to gain control over Xiao Hei.
Notes:
Limited information is available about Mo in this timeline. Success is uncertain.
Future Line Three: Join the Dawn combat squad to approach Mu Yan and consult her about various historical mysteries.
Notes:
This line carries significant risks, including an early demise. However, no alternative method exists to contact Mu Yan.
Feng Qi drafted a total of eight future lines. Other plans included joining the Tiger Soul Research Institute to investigate its internal factions or establishing his own domain combat squad to locate the Shadow Domain's field of influence. One even involved venturing 1,500 years into the future to interact with the "future humans" for additional intelligence.
With so many choices, Feng Qi fell deep into thought.
From a reward perspective, joining the Dawn combat squad to approach Mu Yan seemed the most promising. However, the risks were equally high. Opting for a safer approach, he decided that investigating the Future Research Institute would be his best move. This line didn't require him to retrieve memories from the sacrifice line; instead, he could use email correspondence to gather the necessary information.
Satisfied with his decision, Feng Qi was about to get up when his phone rang. The caller ID displayed Bai Fusheng.
"Hello? Shi-gong, what's up?"
"You troublemaker, what have you done now? Come to the principal's office immediately," Bai Fusheng said gruffly.
"What's going on?" Feng Qi asked, perplexed.
"Director Wei from the Crimson Research Institute is looking for you. I'm tied up with something else right now, so go handle it yourself."
"Got it. I'm on my way."
Hanging up, Feng Qi couldn't help but feel puzzled. Based on the previous timeline, Wei Wei shouldn't have reached out to him proactively.
[Probably something you did after returning to the present caused a shift in the timeline. Why not go find out for yourself?]
Taking the narrator's advice, Feng Qi left the dorm and headed to the principal's office.
Pushing open the door, he immediately locked eyes with Wei Wei, who was reclining lazily on the sofa. Her casual attire, loose hair, and relaxed posture exuded a charm that felt both natural and intimidating.
"Hello, I'm Feng Qi!" he greeted with a smile, taking a seat across from her.
Wei Wei glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. "You don't seem nervous at all. Aren't you afraid of the Crimson Research Institute's reputation?"
"Of course I am. I'm practically shaking in my boots. So, what brings you here?" Feng Qi replied, rolling his eyes.
Wei Wei smirked and got straight to the point. "That post on the Blackbox Forum about the super virtual game concept—you wrote it, didn't you?"
Hearing this, Feng Qi immediately understood the cause of the timeline shift. It was clearly connected to the post he had made.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
"As research institutes, we have access to user verification data. A quick search revealed it was you. I must say, your idea is fascinating."
"So, why are you here?"
"We're interested in your concept. If it can be realized, it would be a groundbreaking achievement for humanity. However, the initial phase will be extremely challenging. Are you interested in joining the Crimson Research Institute? We could establish a virtual technology research department for you."
"Isn't the Crimson Research Institute focused on biological sciences?" Feng Qi asked, surprised.
"We cover a wide range of research fields. If a project shows potential, we invest in it."
"So you'll just fund it and let me keep the research results while I stay in Star City Academy? Deal?"
Wei Wei's expression turned exasperated. "Do we look like fools to you?"
"In that case, forget it. I'm busy. Let's talk later—oh, and I'll treat you to spicy lobster next time," Feng Qi quipped, standing up as if to leave.
"Wait. How do you know I like spicy lobster?" Wei Wei blurted, her curiosity now piqued.
Feng Qi smirked and leaned back, meeting Wei Wei's curious gaze. "What if I told you we've met before?"
Her brows arched slightly as her expression turned playful. "Oh? When?"
"Let's just say it's a long story."
"Then keep it short. We're all busy, aren't we?"
Feng Qi's demeanor turned serious. "Do you believe in reincarnation?"
Wei Wei chuckled, her laughter laced with disbelief. "Let me guess—you're about to tell me we were lovers in a past life, destined to meet again after enduring countless lifetimes of entanglement? That's so cliché."
"Not quite. In our past life, you tried to date me, but I turned you down cold. I'm sure you cried about it—probably a lot."
Wei Wei blinked, caught off guard by his audacity. Before she could retort, Feng Qi rose to his feet and turned toward the door. "That's all for now. I'll probably see you again soon."
With that, he strode out of the principal's office, leaving Wei Wei sitting there in stunned silence.
A moment later, she muttered under her breath, "Did that little brat just flirt with me?"
Yet despite her annoyance, an inexplicable familiarity lingered. It felt almost like déjà vu—like they truly had known each other before.
Gritting her teeth, she glared at the closed door. "Fine! If you end up dead, I'm dissecting your body in my lab. I'll castrate you and make you a human specimen!"
Back in his dorm, Feng Qi plopped down on the sofa and reached for the Meritorious Wine on the coffee table. He twisted off the cap and took three hearty gulps, savoring the burn as the potent liquid flowed down his throat.
The wine contained enough energy to allow him to enter the future dreamscape three times. Satisfied, he stopped drinking after downing a third of the bottle and resealed it.
Almost immediately, a surge of warmth spread through his body, as though flames were igniting deep within. Feeling the effects, Feng Qi let himself relax. His chosen path this time was clear: he would investigate and uncover the truth behind the Future Research Institute.
He believed in the possibility of finding allies and comrades within humanity's factions—groups that, like the Crimson Research Institute, fought against the tide of despair and isolation. The thought gave him hope.
As the energy meter filled steadily, drowsiness overcame him. Feng Qi laid down on the sofa, closed his eyes, and let the creeping intoxication guide him. His expression softened as he drifted into slumber.
When Feng Qi opened his eyes again, the dreamscape welcomed him with a familiar sight: the ethereal, glowing blood moon hovering high in the sky. He surveyed his surroundings and found that nothing seemed to have changed. The familiar unease crept over him as he realized that this future line had done little to alter humanity's ultimate fate.
But Feng Qi was used to this. He wasn't here to miraculously save the world in one swoop. What mattered were the details—the traces of history rewritten and the truth behind the Future Research Institute.
With a determined stride, Feng Qi kicked a disembodied head—one belonging to a wretched, pitiful remnant—sending it rolling a dozen meters away. Without looking back, he began making his way toward the Star City Shelter.
Moments later, Feng Qi stood before the shelter's central console. Activating the database, he entered his name into the search bar and waited as the system processed his query.
A brief pause, and then his profile appeared on the screen:
[Feng Qi (Historical Luminary)]:
Age at Death: 17 years
Cause of Death: Assassination by a transcendent domain creature.
Date of Death: September 18, 2022.
Lifetime Achievements (Honors):
S-Rank Human Elite Medal (Posthumously Added), Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Development (Posthumously Added)…
Research Contributions:
Calisthenics 2.0, Tiger Fist, Body Tempering Technique, Heaven and Earth Meditation, Soul Reaper, Pioneer of the Human Body Deity Planting Concept, Dragon Seizing Technique.
Evaluation:
"Feng Qi was a prodigious genius destined to leave an indelible mark on history. Tragically, his life was cut short during his most brilliant year when he was assassinated in his dorm at Star City Academy by a transcendent domain creature. His death shocked the entire campus, sparking an extensive investigation that, to this day, remains unresolved.
Had he lived, there is every reason to believe Feng Qi would have become a monumental figure in human history."
Seeing the date of death, Feng Qi froze. September 18th—it was the very same day he had entered the future dreamscape.
"That means… when I return to the real world, I'll be assassinated that same afternoon?"
The narrator's voice chimed in, as sarcastic as ever: [Yikes. This timeline's personal best—shortest survival record!]
Feng Qi grimaced. "It must be the Blackbox Forum post. The one about the super virtual game. That's the only variable I introduced in this timeline."
[Makes sense. After all, that post probably drew the attention of domain forces lurking in the shadows. They must've sent an assassin to shut you up.]
Feng Qi nodded. "That's the most logical explanation. I didn't do anything else noteworthy after returning to the real world."
He immediately delved deeper into the database, seeking information related to his own death.
What he found chilled him to the bone.
According to the records, his body was discovered the following day by Lin Ran and Mu Qing. Forensic analysis revealed that he had died on the 18th at approximately 3:00 PM.
Feng Qi's heart sank. The timeline aligned too perfectly. When he had last checked the time before entering the dreamscape, it was 2:47 PM.
In other words, upon waking, he would have just 13 minutes to escape an imminent assassination.