Closing the inbox, Feng Qi couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude.
With the companionship of the Crimson Research Institute, his path forward had indeed become much smoother.
Many issues that once seemed insurmountable were now resolved, either with their advice or direct assistance. From the initial investigations to the subsequent talent blind boxes, the Brain in a Vat technology, and now the knowledge implantation technique, they had quietly supported him every step of the way.
For these companions who worked tirelessly in the shadows, Feng Qi was sincerely thankful.
With a moment to reflect, he began to sort through the materials left by the Crimson Research Institute.
He focused especially on the details of the knowledge implantation technique. With this technology, even without the "Infinite Memory" ability, he could bring the code for the super virtual game back into reality through implanted memory.
Beyond this, he also had the customized rune transformation plans prepared by Wei Wei and the second version of Old Wang's decoded "Flesh Sacrifice" research.
These invaluable resources were the greatest harvest of this trip into the future dream. Each would need to be carefully committed to memory and taken back to reality.
Immersed in studying the materials, Feng Qi quickly entered a focused state of learning.
Only when the Narrator's reminder sounded did he realize that Little Black was on its way.
Without hesitation, he carried Suction Cup back to the first underground level of the shelter.
Amid the Narrator's cheer of "Next time for sure," Feng Qi tossed Suction Cup to Little Black and swiftly returned to the second underground level to continue reviewing the Crimson Research Institute's data.
Time passed quickly.
While memorizing the materials, Feng Qi discovered that the Crimson Research Institute had simplified much of the content to make it easier for him to study and retain. Core concepts were prioritized, and verbose theoretical explanations were often condensed into a single line, such as "(Refer to Advanced Gene Serum Progression 3.0, page 266)."
Even the layout of the text had been optimized, reducing visual fatigue during prolonged study.
Yet compared to previous timelines, the sheer volume of information provided this time was overwhelming.
When Feng Qi finally completed his first review of the materials, he realized there wasn't enough time to return to Star City Shelter.
Originally, he had planned to check if Lin Ran had successfully reversed the parasitic control of the Mist Lord.
But given the limited time remaining, he decided to use it to consolidate his memory instead.
With a calm mind, he resumed going through the database's content.
Once again immersed in study, Feng Qi lost track of time.
Had it not been for the Narrator's abrupt warning, he wouldn't have noticed that Little Black had broken through the metal door of the elevator and was now advancing into the second underground level of the shelter.
When he turned to look, the elevator was in shambles, and Little Black, in its mist form, was enveloping the area.
Without hesitation, Feng Qi activated his combat form.
"Tiger Fist Technique, First Form: Black Tiger Steals the Heart!"
[Ah Qi's First Form: Execution Ground Performer, Live Decapitation; Ah Qi's Second Form: Suction Cup Sacrifice, Next Time for Sure; Ah Qi's Third Form: Unyielding Chicken, Struggles to the Death—looking forward to your Fourth Form soon.]
Feng Qi: ...
Silently flipping off the Narrator in his mind, Feng Qi collided with the black mist.
In an instant, darkness swallowed his vision.
…
When he opened his eyes again, Feng Qi found himself back in reality.
Rising from the couch, he walked to his desk and began recording the intelligence he had gathered from this future timeline.
The collected data was substantial, but the actionable intelligence was limited.
He hadn't uncovered any significant insights regarding the Future Research Institute.
After organizing the notes in his journal, Feng Qi began considering the next direction for his future timeline exploration.
As the amount of intelligence grew, the possible future routes available to him also expanded.
One thing was clear.
Pursuing raw strength alone was not the optimal choice.
While having immense personal power could solve many problems, it wasn't a solution to everything. For example, if he had prioritized personal strength from the start instead of gathering intelligence, he would never have discovered the extent to which domain forces had infiltrated human civilization.
Even if he became powerful enough to defeat all domain forces, should the Mist Lord activate the "Bloodline Switch," he would become the last lonely human in the world.
In such a scenario, his enemies might be annihilated, but victory would be hollow.
Moreover, there was another crucial reason.
The future version of him in the "sacrifice route" lacked innate abilities. No matter how strong he became in the future dream, his counterpart in that timeline remained weak, unable to accurately gauge the strength of his enemies.
This left his present self to speculate on the enemy's strength and estimate how much stronger he needed to become to overcome them.
Ultimately, the final battle would have to be fought in reality.
Choosing the blind pursuit of strength as a route left only one chance. If, by the time of the final battle 1,500 years from now, he found his strength insufficient to face an even more powerful domain force, he would have no opportunity to turn the tide.
Thus, the path of reckless power accumulation was a dead end.
High risk, low reward.
Feng Qi believed that focusing on the steady advancement of human civilization, with personal strength as a secondary aid, was the best course of action.
By learning from history, he could assess the strength of his enemies and develop countermeasures.
Among the various future routes, the support of the Crimson Research Institute validated his choices.
The path to saving the world required allies, not solitary struggle.
…
Feng Qi pondered deeply and made his decision for the next future timeline exploration.
This time, he decided to prioritize investigating the Future Research Institute but intended to take a more aggressive approach.
The coordinates of the four resource warehouses provided by Jia Yi would serve as the main objectives for this future timeline.
Additionally, confronting the Institute of Technological Research would induce significant changes in the dream world's future timeline.
These changes could potentially allow him to interact with future individuals, uncover more critical information, and possibly obtain access to Star City Shelter's authority system.
[Do you plan to activate the Brain in a Vat Project for this timeline?]
Faced with the Narrator's inquiry, Feng Qi paused before replying, "I'm curious why confronting the Institute of Technological Research in this timeline would bring such drastic changes to the future. So, I've decided to activate the Brain in a Vat Project and witness it firsthand."
[Well… good luck. I can't accompany you on the sacrifice route.]
After settling on his decision, Feng Qi walked over to the couch, sat down, and grabbed the remaining third of the "Meritorious Wine." He uncorked the bottle and downed it in one gulp.
As his body temperature gradually rose, he lay back on the couch.
While waiting for the energy progress bar to reach the threshold for entering the future dream, sleepiness swept over him.
His expression, which had been contemplative, slowly softened into calmness…
…
The ringing of a phone jolted Feng Qi awake.
Sitting up, he felt groggy as he reached for his phone on the coffee table. The screen displayed a call from Lin Ran.
He swiped to answer, and Lin Ran's lively voice came through: "Qi-ge, time to eat!"
Hearing Lin Ran's voice, Feng Qi suddenly became alert.
He had fallen asleep but hadn't entered the future dream. Two possibilities came to mind.
The first was that he had shifted to the sacrifice route.
The second was that he was now processing memories from his own brain in the future dream.
After explaining to Lin Ran that he was busy, Feng Qi ended the call and sat on the couch, deep in thought.
In truth, either possibility would result in the same outcome for him. All he needed to do was to continue progressing along his planned trajectory.
With his resolve firm, he quickly accepted the current situation and returned to his desk. Sitting down, he began elaborating on his plans for the future timeline.
Since this timeline would take a more aggressive approach to investigate the Future Research Institute and confront the Institute of Technological Research, enhancing his strength became a critical priority on the sacrifice route.
Thus, he resolved to visit the Crimson Research Institute as soon as possible to undergo rune transformation and gain formidable power.
At the same time, forming the Dawn Army could not be neglected.
However, this time, he intended to personally lead the Dawn Army to prominence, ensuring it became a key force against the Institute of Technological Research in the future.
By 1:00 a.m., Feng Qi set down his pen and closed his notebook.
Without his innate abilities, he no longer had the abundant energy he once possessed and was now feeling the effects of fatigue.
After washing up, he lay down on his bed and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, upon waking, Feng Qi went straight to his desk. Opening his contacts, he found Wei Wei's profile, identifiable by an orange cat avatar, and sent her a message.
Feng Qi: Wei Wei, the beautiful genius, are you there?
After sending the message, he got up to brush his teeth and wash his face. When he returned, Wei Wei had already replied.
Wei Wei: Feng Qi, classmate? Finally thought it through and decided to come work with my Crimson Research Institute on something big?
Feng Qi: Yes, I want to achieve something monumental. I have an excellent concept I'd like to discuss with you.
Wei Wei: Oh? How does it compare to the "Planting Deities in the Body" concept?
Feng Qi: It's a hundred times better. Are you free right now?
Wei Wei: I'm free. I'll send someone to Star City Academy to pick you up!
Seeing Wei Wei's response, a smile spread across Feng Qi's face.
Of course, he didn't actually have a concept better than "Planting Deities in the Body." His goal was simply to enter the Crimson Research Institute smoothly.
From his earlier experiences in the sacrifice route, he knew that explaining his intentions outright wouldn't convince Wei Wei.
This indirect approach would allow him to enter the Crimson Research Institute, after which he could lay everything out for Wei Wei and the other institute leaders.
After closing the chat app, Feng Qi stood and left his dorm room, heading toward the academy gates.
At the gate, he greeted the security uncle before stepping outside to wait for the designated vehicle.
While waiting, he pulled out his phone and called Bai Fusheng to report his plans.
Moments later, a military maglev vehicle arrived and stopped in front of him.
After confirming Feng Qi's identity, the door of the vehicle slid open smoothly, and he stepped inside.
Next destination: Crimson Research Institute.
The maglev vehicle sped through the sky, cutting through the air like a silent arrow. A few hours later, it descended into the enclosed courtyard of the Crimson Base.
The moment he stepped out, his eyes caught Wei Wei not far away. Dressed in the signature crimson uniform, she was casually eating from a bag of steamed dumplings in her hand.
"Feng Qi, classmate, didn't you say just a few days ago that you weren't interested in visiting my Crimson Research Institute? What changed your mind so suddenly?" Wei Wei teased, her gaze playful.
Feng Qi responded with a calm smile. "Circumstances have changed. There have been significant developments. Let's find somewhere private to talk."
"Fine, I'm curious about what groundbreaking idea brought you here. Follow me into the base." With that, she turned and walked toward the entrance.
Feng Qi followed without hesitation.
Shortly after, they were seated in the Crimson reception room.
Wei Wei watched, dumbfounded, as Feng Qi reached for one of her dumplings and took a bite.
"So, you're telling me you don't actually have any big idea? You were just bluffing?" she said incredulously.
When Feng Qi admitted that he didn't actually have a concept to pitch, Wei Wei's mind had only one thought: this guy has some nerve. He dared to bluff his way into the Crimson Research Institute?
The Crimson Research Institute wasn't a place for jokes.
Just as Wei Wei's expression shifted, and she was about to speak, Feng Qi swallowed the dumpling and said calmly, "Wei Wei-jie, what I'm about to tell you is very important. You'd better prepare yourself."
Her lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You'd better have something good to say, or you'll pay the price. After all, the Crimson Research Institute does care about its reputation. We can't just let someone make a fool of us without consequences."
Feng Qi raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And what price would that be?"
"A castration procedure."
"That's fine," Feng Qi replied with a calm chuckle. "This is the sacrifice route, after all. I'm not planning to fall in love. What use do I have for that? Cutting it off would only remove a source of distraction, making my resolve even stronger."
Wei Wei froze. Her attempt to scare him had clearly backfired.
Looking at Feng Qi's serious demeanor, she couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by 'sacrifice route'?"
"That's exactly what I'm about to explain. Prepare yourself."
Feng Qi began to recount his ability to traverse timelines and the information he had gathered from other timelines.
Time passed swiftly as Feng Qi spoke. Wei Wei's expression gradually shifted from disbelief to a seriousness that weighed heavily on her features.
At first, she thought he was spinning tales. But as Feng Qi revealed secrets known only to the Crimson Research Institute, her skepticism melted away.
When he finished, Wei Wei sat in stunned silence, processing the massive influx of information. "If you hadn't revealed all our institute's secrets, I'd think you were lying. But now… I believe you. Everything you've said must be true." She sighed deeply before continuing, "So, what's your plan for this timeline?"
"I intend to continue investigating the Future Research Institute while simultaneously opposing the Institute of Technological Research. For this sacrifice route, I'll need immense strength, so I'll undergo rune transformation here. The plans for the modifications were prepared by the Wei Wei of the previous timeline. I'll hand them over to you."
Wei Wei nodded decisively. "Wait here. I'll speak with the director and convene a meeting of the senior leadership. You'll need to present this information to them directly."
"Understood," Feng Qi replied without hesitation.
After waiting for half an hour, Wei Wei returned and led him out of the reception room.
Following a thorough physical examination, Feng Qi changed into new attire and was escorted into the Crimson leadership's meeting room.
Standing before the room filled with top researchers, Feng Qi recounted his experiences and the intelligence he had gathered in detail. Although his revelations shocked everyone present, the undeniable truths compelled them to accept his account.
Ultimately, the director of the Crimson Research Institute and the senior leaders decided to fully support Feng Qi's subsequent plans.
Though Feng Qi had anticipated this outcome, witnessing the genuine trust and support of the Crimson leadership filled his heart with warmth.
After the meeting concluded, Wei Wei escorted Feng Qi to the Gene Division's laboratory.
There, he described the rune transformation plans he had obtained in the previous timeline, which Wei Wei meticulously documented.
Several hours of work later, Wei Wei looked up from her notes with a smile and asked, "So, which rune transformation will it be—Demon Dragon or Shadowfiend?"