I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

Star City Academy, early morning.

After getting up and freshening up, Feng Qi glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

It was 5:49 AM.

He turned to look at the balcony.

The faint light of dawn illuminated the sky, and a soft morning mist blanketed the surroundings.

Knowing it would still be a while before Lin Ran and the others woke up, he sat on the sofa, picked up a book on spiritual medicine, and began studying.

It had been three days since his return to reality. During this time, he had refrained from re-entering the future dreamline.

The effects of memory overlap were still lingering, and he decided to first digest the information flooding his mind before considering another venture into the dreamline.

But he hadn't been idle during this period.

In addition to attending regular classes, he spent his free time immersed in learning.

Now, the events of the future dreamline had fully surfaced in his memory, especially the key details left behind by Wei Wei.

These details included a revelation.

After his death, Lü Yue had taken his brain to the Crimson Research Institute.

During that timeline, the Crimson Research Institute had chosen to retreat into a secret base, ceasing external contact entirely, all to protect his brain.

Furthermore, the Crimson Research Institute had made significant breakthroughs during that timeline.

These discoveries had been implanted into his brain, and as his memories merged, the knowledge gradually surfaced in his mind.

One of these breakthroughs involved the realm of super-virtual gaming.

The Crimson Research Institute had successfully developed a virtual domain replica called the Nightmare Domain Field.

This field was constructed based on data from three real-world domain fields and spanned difficulty levels ranging from beginner to intermediate.

After extensive testing, the Nightmare Domain Field was now fully operational and ready for deployment.

Upon recalling this knowledge, Feng Qi made a trip to the Crimson Research Institute and shared the details with Wei Wei.

During subsequent discussions, Feng Qi and the Crimson Research Institute's leadership reached a consensus: they would expedite the rollout of [Dawn] to accelerate humanity's progress and development.

They also decided to upgrade the virtual gaming pods. Wei Wei had left behind significant knowledge in this area.

The Crimson Research Institute resolved to integrate this information with the gaming pod technology shared by Li Xingchen to produce an upgraded batch of virtual gaming pods.

This would ensure that when [Dawn] was officially released, cultivators would enjoy an enhanced gaming experience.

As for the plan to mass-produce gaming pods, the Crimson Research Institute was already working on it.

Mass production of gaming pods couldn't be carried out within the institute's base. Instead, they planned to designate an area outside Star City to build a massive Crimson Super Factory dedicated to producing gaming pods for global distribution.

Additionally, Wei Wei had left information related to the Blue-Skinned Assassins.

Research on the Blue-Skinned Assassins had never ceased at the Crimson Research Institute.

However, the research was abruptly terminated when the imprisoned Blue-Skinned Assassin at the institute mysteriously dissolved and disappeared without leaving a trace.

Despite this setback, the research had yielded some results.

Wei Wei had noted in her files that the Blue-Skinned Assassins were likely artificially created beings.

This conclusion was based on the fact that during dissections, no functional organs capable of sustaining the Blue-Skinned Assassins' physiology were found within their bodies.

Instead, several energy crystals resembling rune stones were discovered inside them.

While this alone wasn't sufficient to draw definitive conclusions, further research revealed a crystal embedded in their brains that constantly received signals from an unknown source.

These signals acted as remote commands, directing the assassins' actions.

To ensure safety, the Crimson Research Institute used signal blockers to sever the connection.

Once the link was broken, the Blue-Skinned Assassins' bodies began to dissolve, eventually disappearing entirely.

The data collected during this process confirmed that the assassins were composed of a special, dissolvable form of energy.

Without the mysterious signal, they automatically disintegrated.

Based on intelligence from the future dreamline, Wei Wei theorized that a massive organization was behind the Blue-Skinned Assassins. This group had created the assassins to collect "miracle items" scattered across the world.

Essentially, the assassins were nothing more than tools.

However, Wei Wei admitted in her notes that this hypothesis wasn't foolproof.

One unresolved question was why the Blue-Skinned Assassins could feel pain and exhibit emotions like fear during interrogation.

These traits were inconsistent with the behavior of weapons.

Wei Wei remarked that if she were to create a similar "weapon," she would remove its ability to feel pain or emotions to ensure maximum efficiency in carrying out tasks.

The death of the Blue-Skinned Assassin brought research to a standstill.

Reflecting on this, Feng Qi couldn't help but frown.

Although significant intelligence had been uncovered about humanity's internal situation, much remained unknown about the domain factions.

He resolved to change that.

Once he had dealt with Three-Tails and acquired the mental purification ability, he planned to explore a villainous path.

This would involve viewing the world through the lens of a domain faction, allowing him to uncover more truths and gather critical intelligence.

Lost in thought, time slipped away.

When he glanced at the clock again, it was already 6:30 AM.

Time to eat.

Standing up, he left his dorm room and headed downstairs.

Leaving the dormitory, Feng Qi stepped into a world shrouded in early morning mist. The path ahead was bustling with life as students emerged one by one from their dorm buildings.

Whenever someone noticed him, they would smile and greet him warmly, addressing him as "Teacher Feng."

Feng Qi responded to each greeting with a polite nod, his demeanor composed yet approachable.

Walking along the shaded avenue, he soon arrived at the academy cafeteria, which was already filled with the chatter of students. After loading his tray with a hearty breakfast, he made his way to the northern corner of the cafeteria.

When he arrived, Lin Ran had not yet appeared, but Mu Qing was already there, cheeks puffed as she concentrated on her meal.

"Good morning, Mu Qing-jie," Feng Qi greeted with a smile.

Mu Qing looked up briefly, nodded with vigor, then returned to her food without a word. It was clear that last night's rest had left her ravenously hungry.

Feng Qi could relate. He vividly recalled his own experience in a similar state during the dreamline where he first fused with the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal. His strength had grown exponentially every day, and his body's demand for energy had surged correspondingly.

Some mornings, he had woken up feeling as though he had lost an entire layer of muscle overnight. That insatiable hunger, however, had eventually subsided as the fusion stabilized.

But Mu Qing's situation was different.

During his fusion with the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal, his body's rapid growth had slowed after less than half a year. In contrast, Mu Qing's growth seemed boundless.

As Wei Wei had once explained, Mu Qing's scarlet Rune Crystal defied conventional limits. It continuously elevated her abilities every second, so long as her energy intake kept pace.

[Hey, do you think Mu Qing's unique Rune Crystal might be a miracle item?]

The sudden remark from the Narrator caught Feng Qi off guard.

Pondering it for a moment, he realized there was merit to the idea. The scarlet Rune Crystal implanted in Mu Qing was entirely unlike any other he had encountered, and its limitless growth potential aligned with the extraordinary nature of miracle items.

Yet something about this hypothesis didn't sit right.

If Mu Qing's Rune Crystal were indeed a miracle item, why had she never been targeted by the Blue-Skinned Assassins? When Mu Qing had first encountered them, she had been visibly startled, a reaction that suggested she had never faced such a threat before.

However, if it wasn't a miracle item, the original owner of that Rune Crystal must have been unimaginably powerful.

The documents Wei Wei had provided confirmed that Mu Qing had personally slain a Zhu Yin-level (Tier 4) super domain creature. This placed her strength at Zhu Yin-level, possibly higher.

If the Rune Crystal's creator possessed power surpassing even Mu Qing's, they might well have reached the Chaos-level (Tier 5)—a cataclysmic rating capable of annihilating humanity.

The thought sent a chill down Feng Qi's spine.

While contemplating these possibilities, Feng Qi continued eating in silence.

Roughly ten minutes later, Lin Ran arrived with his usual loud enthusiasm.

"Qi-ge! Mu Qing-jie! Morning!"

After greeting them with a holler, Lin Ran plopped down next to Feng Qi, grabbed a fried dough stick, and turned to him.

"Qi-ge, Jiang Nanqiu is giving a lecture at the academy this morning. I'm planning to check it out. Want to come along?"

Feng Qi paused mid-bite, his attention caught. The name Jiang Nanqiu was familiar. Old Wang had spoken at length about his exploits during class.

Jiang Nanqiu was a graduate of Victory Academy, renowned for being the top of his class. After graduation, he had joined the front lines as a domain warrior. Over the years, his achievements had been legendary, with countless domain fields cleared under his leadership.

His military career was cut short by injuries, forcing him into retirement. Yet instead of fading into obscurity, Jiang Nanqiu had pursued further education and dedicated his life to inspiring others. He traveled tirelessly between cities, advocating for human resilience and unity.

Like Wang Jinsheng, Jiang Nanqiu sought to awaken the human spirit through his words. The Beiming Combat Squad, which he had founded decades ago, remained one of the top ten combat squads to this day.

Jiang Nanqiu's contributions to humanity had earned Feng Qi's deep respect.

Hearing that such a figure was visiting Star City Academy, Feng Qi immediately nodded.

"Sure, let's go together."

After finishing their meal, Feng Qi and Lin Ran said their goodbyes to Mu Qing and made their way to the academy's lecture hall.

By the time they arrived, the hall was already filling up. With the front rows completely occupied, they found seats toward the back.

About an hour later, a white-haired elder walked onto the stage.

Though Jiang Nanqiu's appearance reflected the wear of age, his eyes sparkled with vigor, radiating a lively spirit.

"Good morning, everyone," Jiang Nanqiu greeted the students with a warm smile.

As the lecture began, Jiang Nanqiu didn't focus on grandiose topics like the "greatness of humanity" or "preserving human traditions." Instead, he shared personal anecdotes, stories of his experiences, and encounters on the front lines.

Many of these tales revolved around scavengers—gritty, often tragic accounts that left the audience deeply moved.

Feng Qi quickly discerned Jiang Nanqiu's underlying message. He was trying to bridge the divide between city-dwellers and scavengers, fostering greater unity among humans.

This approach proved highly effective. By grounding his narrative in vivid, heartfelt stories, Jiang Nanqiu allowed the students to see scavengers not as outsiders but as warriors who sacrificed and contributed selflessly.

They, too, are human, striving relentlessly for humanity's future.

The applause in the lecture hall lingered long after the speech ended.

As Feng Qi stepped out of the lecture hall, he bid Lin Ran farewell and made his way back to the dormitory. His next goal was clear: enter the future dreamline and have Lin Ran help him kill Three-Tails. Only after acquiring the [Spiritual Purification] ability could he proceed with subsequent dreamlines.

But before he could reach the dormitory, his phone buzzed. It was Bai Fusheng, asking him to head to the principal's office.

Puzzled, Feng Qi turned in the direction of the office.

Moments later, he arrived at the principal's office. Pushing open the door, he saw Bai Fusheng and Jiang Nanqiu seated on the sofa.

"Shi-gong, Jiang Lao," he greeted respectfully.

Bai Fusheng smiled and motioned for him to sit. After Feng Qi took a seat, Bai Fusheng introduced him to Jiang Nanqiu with a smile.

"Jiang Lao, this is our most outstanding student at Star City Academy. Recently, he was granted special approval and is now officially a teacher."

Jiang Nanqiu smiled kindly and nodded, his gaze shifting to Feng Qi. "May we talk?"

Though unsure of Jiang Nanqiu's intentions, Feng Qi nodded without hesitation. "Of course. What would you like to discuss, Jiang Lao?"

Instead of answering, Jiang Nanqiu glanced at Bai Fusheng. Understanding the cue, Bai Fusheng stood up awkwardly. "You two talk; I have some matters to attend to."

After Bai Fusheng left and closed the door, Jiang Nanqiu turned back to Feng Qi. "I've reviewed the techniques you've developed. Your potential is promising. I firmly believe you'll contribute greatly to humanity's future."

Then, his tone shifted. Staring intently into Feng Qi's eyes, he asked, "If one day you discovered that surrendering to a domain faction could grant you eternal life, power, and everything you've ever desired, would you betray humanity?"

The question immediately clarified Jiang Nanqiu's purpose for seeking him out. It was a test. Feng Qi guessed Jiang Nanqiu must be aware of some hidden ties between domain factions and human society.

Without hesitation, he shook his head. "I wouldn't."

"Why not? Everything you want would be within reach. Your future would have no limits. Why refuse?"

"Because the future they offer wouldn't be the future I want."

"How can you be so sure it's not the future you desire when you've never seen it?"

[Hahaha, great! Let's start with a question you can't answer. You've never seen the future, after all.]

Feng Qi chuckled at the commentary but kept his composure. Naturally, he wouldn't reveal his secret ability to Jiang Nanqiu. Smiling, he replied, "Precisely because I haven't seen it. How could I know their future would align with what I want?"

"Take domain factions, for example. They are united by their own kin and culture. I am human. Even if I surrendered to them, my role in their society would be akin to that of a dog. From a bloodline perspective, assimilation is impossible."

"If I abandoned my dignity and betrayed my race for fleeting pleasures, wouldn't that make my future pitiful and laughable?"

Hearing this, Jiang Nanqiu's expression softened into a kind smile. "You're right. But some choices go beyond dignity and loyalty. I've read your file. I know you lost your parents at a young age. If a domain faction offered to resurrect them, would your resolve remain as firm?"

Feng Qi didn't answer directly. Instead, he posed a question of his own: "And you, Jiang Lao? If surrendering meant regaining your youth, correcting all your regrets, and achieving rebirth, what would you choose?"

Jiang Nanqiu shook his head slowly. "Life is fleeting, like a white colt crossing a gap—it's over in the blink of an eye. I've spent my life chasing ideals. Along the way, my convictions have only grown stronger. My only regret is that I may never witness the culmination of those ideals. But I've ensured that the journey itself leaves no room for regret."

Feng Qi nodded inwardly at his words.

The pursuit of ideals is grueling, yet it's within this journey that one draws strength from conviction, fueling even greater determination. Feng Qi resonated deeply with Jiang Nanqiu's perspective.

"And you?" Jiang Nanqiu asked again.

"Me?" Feng Qi stood, a playful grin on his face. "My life is the exact opposite of yours. It's long, drawn out, like an endlessly revised manuscript. Every failure, every erasure, is a chance to rewrite and pursue the perfect ending. For me, both the journey and the outcome are equally significant."

Jiang Nanqiu's expression turned puzzled, clearly unable to grasp the deeper meaning of Feng Qi's words.

Feng Qi's grin widened as he turned to leave. "Don't worry, Jiang Lao. I've never wavered in standing by humanity's side."

As he exited the office, Bai Fusheng stood waiting in the hallway. The office's excellent soundproofing had kept their conversation private, leaving Bai Fusheng curious but unaware of what had transpired inside.

"All done?"

"Yeah. Jiang Lao had some questions for me."

Bai Fusheng nodded, unsurprised. Lately, Feng Qi had attracted the attention of many. Representatives from the Tiger Soul Research Institute, Crimson Research Institute, and now even Jiang Nanqiu had sought him out. It was understandable, given his extraordinary achievements.

In fact, Feng Qi's accomplishments had earned him widespread recognition as one of the most gifted talents of this era, someone capable of revolutionizing humanity's cultivation systems.

Inside the principal's office, Jiang Nanqiu stared at the closed door, replaying Feng Qi's words in his mind. A faint smile graced his lips.

"May you keep your promise and illuminate the path for humanity."

He extended his palm, revealing a small black orb spinning in its center.