I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

Star City Academy, Dormitory.

As dawn broke and the sky brightened, a golden ray of sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room. Feng Qi awoke with the first light.

Opening his eyes, he felt refreshed and rejuvenated. His vision was so sharp that he could even see tiny dust particles floating in the air.

The effects of the Meritorious Wine he had drunk the previous night still lingered, leaving a gentle warmth coursing through his body.

A single bottle of Meritorious Wine could pour about four glasses.

Lin Ran drank one glass, Mu Qing had two, and Feng Qi himself drank a little over one glass.

At present, his energy bar had risen to 96.8%. A few more hearty meals at the academy cafeteria, and it would likely reach full capacity.

When he returned to his dormitory last night, curiosity drove him to search for information about Meritorious Wine online.

What he found astonished him.

Disregarding its symbolic significance, the actual production cost of a bottle of Meritorious Wine was less than one million.

Although it was made using hundreds of spiritual materials and specialized techniques, the fact that it was mass-produced meant the final product was diluted to some degree.

Without this dilution, a bottle of Meritorious Wine made from such a variety of rare ingredients would be worth billions.

Among these ingredients were several rare plants, some valued at over a million each.

Based on his calculations, the single glass he drank last night was worth approximately 250,000, but the effects it brought were astounding.

His energy bar had increased from 49.8% to 96.8%, a total gain of 47%.

For comparison, a Twilight Wolf Rune Crystal, priced at 880,000, provided an approximate 105% energy boost. This meant each 1% energy gain cost about 8,380 units of currency.

By contrast, Meritorious Wine offered a 47% boost for just 250,000, reducing the cost per 1% energy gain to approximately 5,300 units.

Moreover, the medicinal effects of the Meritorious Wine were not entirely absorbed by the energy bar. A significant portion was assimilated directly by his body, leaving him with a lingering warmth.

This comparison revealed that the Meritorious Wine was more than twice as cost-effective as the Twilight Wolf Rune Crystal.

This realization piqued Feng Qi's interest in its production process.

If he could learn how to brew such a spiritually infused wine, it would save him a fortune in the long run.

After freshening up, Feng Qi sat at his desk and began searching for information about the crafting techniques of Meritorious Wine.

However, he quickly abandoned the idea.

It wasn't that the information wasn't available—there was plenty to be found—but he realized that even if he had the instructions, he lacked the skill and resources to replicate the process.

This brought him to the specialized profession of "Spiritual Apothecary."

The Meritorious Wine was crafted exclusively by skilled Spiritual Apothecaries.

While the profession might seem mundane at first glance, becoming a qualified Spiritual Apothecary required mastering an extensive amount of knowledge.

In many ways, it was comparable to the field of "chemistry" in the real world.

Unlike researchers focused or cultivation techniques or spiritual arts, Spiritual Apothecaries specialized in studying the composition, properties, and reactions of spiritual materials harvested from domain fields. They then used this knowledge to enhance the efficacy of these materials.

Even entering the field required one to identify the specific effects of spiritual plants and materials found in domain fields—a challenging task.

Driven by curiosity, Feng Qi explored the training path for becoming a Spiritual Apothecary. The list of required knowledge was daunting:

Handbook for Aspiring Spiritual Apothecaries (Eight Volumes)

Identification of Spiritual Plants (Thirty-Two Volumes)

Blending Techniques: Maximizing Medicinal Effects (Twelve Volumes)

How to Avoid Explosions During Mixing (Complete Edition)

Characteristics of Spiritual Plants Across Domain Fields (Twelve Volumes)

Techniques for Cultivating Spiritual Plants (Eight Volumes)

The sheer volume of material was overwhelming.

Becoming a Spiritual Apothecary required significant time and effort.

However, for those who succeeded, the rewards were immense. Even an entry-level Spiritual Apothecary would be classified as a C-Rank Human Elite.

These specialists could maximize the utility of resources obtained from domain fields. Through their expertise, they could combine the effects of two ingredients, often producing results that exceeded the sum of their parts.

For example, a bottle of Meritorious Wine cost approximately one million.

However, after being refined by a Spiritual Apothecary, its effects doubled, far exceeding the value of its raw ingredients.

Their expertise extended beyond spiritual plants to include rune crystals, making Spiritual Apothecaries invaluable contributors to humanity's survival.

With humanity constantly exploring new domain fields, discovering new resources, and encountering new spiritual materials, the demand for Spiritual Apothecaries remained perpetually high.

After thoroughly researching the profession, Feng Qi decisively gave up on the idea.

The path to becoming a Spiritual Apothecary was arduous, and mastering the craft required a lifetime commitment—resources and time he didn't have.

Unless, of course, he somehow acquired the ability to instantly memorize and comprehend everything.

Still, he remembered that a freshman named Le Ping'an in Battle Class Three had a background in Spiritual Apothecary studies.

He decided to consult Le Ping'an once classes officially began to see if they could enhance the effects of a Twilight Wolf Rune Crystal.

Even though he was about to receive an eight-million-unit reward, saving money was always wise. There would be plenty of expenses in the future.

Closing the search page, Feng Qi stood up and stretched.

The lingering effects of the Meritorious Wine made him feel warm and energetic.

Leaving the dormitory, he headed straight to the academy cafeteria, where he met Lin Ran and Mu Qing for breakfast.

The three enjoyed a hearty meal together.

During the meal, Lin Ran's flushed complexion betrayed the fact that the wine's effects hadn't fully dissipated. He kept a box of tissues handy to manage his occasional nosebleeds.

As for Mu Qing, she appeared completely unaffected.

Even the potent Meritorious Wine was no match for her unparalleled digestive capabilities and had been fully absorbed long ago.

After finishing breakfast, Feng Qi stood up, ready to attend his cultivation technique class.

At that moment, Lin Ran, who had just finished wiping his nosebleed, looked up and said:

"Qi-ge, heading to class? Shall we go together?"

Hearing this, Feng Qi couldn't help but roll his eyes. "You're in this state and still want to go? Go back to your dorm and rest properly. Better yet, focus on cultivating while the effects of the Meritorious Wine are still active. Don't waste it."

Lin Ran nodded reluctantly, clearly unwilling to back down.

Feng Qi chose to ignore him.

Lin Ran's relentless enthusiasm for researching cultivation techniques was something that constantly gave him a headache. Despite his efforts, he had yet to find an effective solution.

Even if Feng Qi directly told Lin Ran that his future research on cultivation techniques would lead to disastrous consequences, Lin Ran wouldn't believe him.

Unless Lin Ran experienced it firsthand, he would never let go of the idea.

Direct persuasion was almost useless. A more subtle and strategic approach would be necessary.

Leaving the academy cafeteria, Feng Qi headed straight for the teaching building.

Outside the classroom of Cultivation Techniques Class One, a group of students had already gathered, each carrying their notebooks. When they saw Feng Qi approaching, they greeted him with smiles.

Feng Qi returned their greetings with a nod and stepped into the classroom, heading to the lectern at the front.

The originally noisy classroom immediately fell silent at his arrival. This was the students' way of showing respect.

"Let's begin," Feng Qi said with a smile.

As he looked at the smiling faces of the students, they responded by opening their notebooks in unison.

"Today's class will continue to focus on refining the concept of planting deities in the body. During the second half of the session, I'll delve into cultivation research methodologies..."

As Feng Qi spoke, the students listened attentively.

For students, having a teacher like Feng Qi, who could expand their understanding and enhance their cognitive skills, was an invaluable opportunity.

Apart from the sound of Feng Qi's lecture, only the faint "scritch-scratch" of pens on paper filled the room, creating a studious atmosphere.

Feng Qi thoroughly enjoyed the process of sharing knowledge.

It was similar to how an author felt when writing novels—when your ideas gained recognition, all the effort suddenly became worthwhile.

During the second half of the session, Feng Qi began discussing research methodologies for cultivation techniques.

At that moment, a female student wearing glasses suddenly raised her hand.

"Yes, what's your question?" Feng Qi asked with a smile, nodding toward her.

The student stood up, her expression earnest as she asked: "Teacher Feng, every year, many students graduate from cultivation research classes across various academies, but very few manage to achieve significant breakthroughs or create new techniques. Is it because our methods of working hard are flawed? And how can we become as successful as you?"

Feng Qi pondered for a moment before responding:

"Talent is very important, but effort is equally vital, especially for those who may lack natural talent in this area. For them, hard work outweighs everything else."

"Then, as someone with average aptitude, what should I do?" the student asked curiously.

"I could tell you, but there's no guarantee you'd follow through," Feng Qi said with a chuckle.

"Please tell us what we should do first," she urged.

"This issue is similar to how ancient strategists presented plans to their rulers. They would offer three options: the best, the moderate, and the worst. Interestingly, rulers often avoided the best option. If I tell you the most optimal strategy, there's no guarantee anyone here would actually implement it."

Seeing the students' puzzled expressions, Feng Qi continued:

"I'll give you three choices, and you can decide which one you'd choose."

"First, the best option. Starting today, abandon all distractions outside of study. Distance yourself from games, entertainment, and indulgences. Set an ambitious long-term goal for yourself. Regularly enroll in extra cultivation research methodology classes. Whenever a new cultivation system update is released, review and study it repeatedly… Also, maintain a strict fitness regimen, and incorporate spiritual energy flow during cultivation to develop an intuitive understanding."

"Stick to this routine for ten years. By then, you'll have a comprehensive knowledge system for cultivation research and the ability to begin your own explorations in this field. At the very least, you'll be able to develop a few one-star rated techniques, and if you have talent, your potential ceiling will be much higher."

"Next, the moderate option. Balance enjoyment and entertainment with study. Set aside three hours daily for independent learning. Aim to read three books on cultivation research methodologies each week, and work toward earning an intermediate certification in cultivation research methodologies. By maintaining this for five years, you'll develop independent thinking in cultivation research and be able to start basic explorations in this field."

"Lastly, the least ambitious option. Simply complete the academy's assigned coursework, occasionally visit the library to study during free time, and ensure you pass all exams. When you encounter challenges in cultivation research, consult experts. While this method won't significantly improve your own abilities, you can still borrow insights from others' expertise."

"I've given you three options. I trust you've already chosen one in your heart."

Looking at the contemplative expressions of the students, Feng Qi continued:

"The most optimal choice is straightforward, but it's also the hardest. While all three strategies can help you pass your personal capability assessments before graduation, the distance you'll travel in the future differs significantly."

"The first option allows you to gain a profound understanding of existing cultivation systems and extrapolate from them."

"The second option helps you build independent thinking, enabling smoother progress in cultivation research."

"The third option helps you understand why cultivation systems work the way they do, ensuring you pass assessments but making independent research challenging."

The students clearly understood what Feng Qi was conveying.

"Then, what about you, Teacher?" the bespectacled female student asked, summoning her courage.

"Me? I eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm thirsty, and play when I feel like it. My talent is so extraordinary that I barely need to put in effort. The knowledge I create will become the content you all work so hard to learn and research," Feng Qi replied with a grin.

Although his words might dampen their spirits, he couldn't break the image of himself as a prodigy.

This persona was also key to securing support for future innovations.

Sometimes, he had no choice but to play the role of a genius.

Looking at Feng Qi's beaming smile, the students felt a pang of bitterness and silently raised their metaphorical middle fingers in their hearts.

Indeed, comparisons could be maddening.