After some searching, Feng Qi found the entrance to the Star City Shelter.
Following the metallic passage, he reached the data control panel. Clearing away the thick layer of dust on the console, he pressed the red activation button.
The large screen in front of him immediately lit up, displaying a list of options. He opened the search bar, entered his name, and initiated a search.
After a few seconds, detailed information about him appeared on the screen.
[Feng Qi (Luminary of the Era)]:
Lifespan: 25 years
Cause of Death: Mysterious sudden death
Date of Death: May 18, 2030
Lifetime Achievements (Honors): S-Rank Human Elite Medal, Outstanding Contribution to Human Development Gold Award...
Research Contributions: Body Refinement Gymnastics Version 2.0, "Tiger Fist," "Body Tempering Technique," "Heaven and Earth Meditation," "Soul Reaper," Conceptual Founder of Human Body God Planting, "Dragon Seizing Technique," Human Regeneration Technology, Framework Participant of Cultivation System Version 3.88...
Evaluation: Feng Qi was a super genius who deserves to be remembered in history. His research achievements contributed immensely to human development. Unfortunately, he died mysteriously at the young age of 25, a significant loss to all humanity.
...
Seeing that his life ended at only 25 years old, Feng Qi couldn't help but feel puzzled.
This sacrificial timeline shouldn't have had any inherent dangers, so how did he die so prematurely?
[Could it be that there's an issue with the Future Research Institute? They killed you after you contacted them?]
"I'm not sure. Let's check the mailbox first."
Still confused, he closed the detailed page and entered his email address.
After inputting his password, he opened his personal email inbox. There were two sections: one containing his own messages and the other holding messages from Wei Wei.
He clicked into his own inbox first and began reviewing the messages.
1: Waking up without any of my abilities. Looks like it's my turn now. Time to see what I can do! (grinning wide emoji)
3: Today I went to the Crimson Research Institute and shared everything, including my intention to investigate the Future Research Institute. The Crimson Research Institute expressed full support for my plan.
From their leadership, I learned much about the Future Research Institute's history.
The Future Research Institute predates the Institute of Technological Research as the earliest high-authority research institution in Future City, hence the name "Future Research Institute," corresponding to the city's name.
Their research scope is broad, similar to the Crimson Research Institute, covering various projects. However, their core focus is also technology-oriented.
Additionally, the Future Research Institute remains the most powerful armed force in Future City.
In the early days, Future City's defenses were entirely controlled by the Future Research Institute. The first director of the Future Research Institute was also the city lord of Future City. Some of the city's top domain combat squads also fall under its jurisdiction.
Despite being overshadowed by the Institute of Technological Research's more recent achievements, the Future Research Institute's foundations remain incredibly strong.
This might explain why the Institute of Technological Research hasn't dared to act against them directly.
However, it's still unclear whether the Future Research Institute truly stands with humanity. Further investigation is necessary.
Stay tuned for updates! (wink emoji)
11: The Crimson Research Institute held a high-level meeting to discuss how to approach the Future Research Institute.
Previously, there was limited collaboration between the two, primarily involving the Rune-Enhanced Human Project. But those were only superficial exchanges, not in-depth cooperation.
Given their minimal overlap in research focus, establishing deeper contact requires a plausible reason.
The agreed-upon approach is to propose a custom order for rune-enhancement equipment as a starting point for discussions.
Plans are still being finalized—more updates to come.
15: Regarding the school curriculum reform proposal, Bai Fusheng has submitted it to the Ministry of Education. It's almost certain to be approved. Even if the Tiger Soul Research Institute tries to obstruct it, they won't succeed. Their reach doesn't extend to the Ministry of Education.
This suggests that the Ministry of Education hasn't been infiltrated by domain forces.
From a strategic perspective, infiltrating the education system wouldn't yield significant benefits for domain forces.
While it could slow humanity's rapid progress, these forces prioritize their respective racial gains. Suppressing humanity's development is merely a secondary concern.
18: The Crimson Research Institute responded—they've drafted a preliminary contact plan with the Future Research Institute.
The proposal involves ordering custom rune-enhancement equipment to facilitate collaboration.
I genuinely hope the Future Research Institute aligns with humanity's interests.
However, relying solely on official representatives won't reveal the institute's secrets. I've already discussed this with Lü Yue and others, and the next step is to insert Jia Yi into the Future Research Institute for dual-front investigation.
As for Lin Ran and Mu Qing, to avoid altering their future paths and ensure safety, I haven't disclosed my plans to them.
I hope that in the future, you'll see Lin Ran successfully counteract the Parasite Mist Lord.
This would grant you more valuable time in the future dreamscape and another ally in the fight.
28: I'm personally overseeing Jia Yi's training. Using the vast knowledge from the last timeline, I'm confident in preparing him for the Future Research Institute. I'm also keeping up with other courses.
This timeline, the Breaking Dawn organization continues to grow. Its main goal has shifted from opposing the Science and Tiger Soul Research Institutes to focusing on investigating the Future Research Institute.
34: The school curriculum reform has been approved. From today onward, the Cultivation System Framework study is officially removed.
This is undoubtedly a positive development for humanity.
Removing unnecessary content frees students to focus on in-depth studies within their respective fields.
76: Under my guidance, Jia Yi has completed the first round of testing for the Future Research Institute in just six months.
I'll now dedicate more time to his training to ensure he secures a position there as soon as possible.
83: Old Wang officially joined the Crimson Research Institute today.
I handed over all the decoding materials left behind by him in the previous timeline.
To my fellow comrade, Old Wang, good luck!
123: The Crimson Research Institute's representatives stationed at the Future Research Institute have sent back numerous updates.
However, the information they provided is superficial at best, offering little clarity on whether the Future Research Institute aligns with humanity's interests. It seems the key to uncovering the truth still lies with Jia Yi's investigation.
After all, the Future Research Institute wouldn't expose its secrets to representatives from the Crimson Research Institute.
From the intelligence gathered so far, the Future Research Institute possesses formidable strength.
At least in terms of military power, it dominates Future City. The institute commands the city's defense forces and oversees five elite battle squads, solidifying its position as the strongest faction in Future City.
As for which is stronger, the Future Research Institute or the Institute of Technological Research, this remains uncertain.
From my sacrificial timeline memories within the Institute of Technological Research, I suspect the latter might hold the advantage.
The Institute of Technological Research's visible combat units are just the tip of the iceberg; its true power lies in the domain forces behind it.
136: Jia Yi has received his official acceptance notification from the Future Research Institute.
At dinner tonight, everyone was congratulating him.
But I could see the nervousness in his eyes, though behind that nervousness was a glimmer of resolve.
Never feel alone.
You have companions and countless potential allies.
Find them, and move forward together.
152: Jia Yi sent me an update today, detailing his initial experiences at the Future Research Institute.
During our conversation, he expressed feelings of loneliness.
As his mentor, I offered him as much reassurance as I could.
Speaking of loneliness, I suddenly thought about the narrator system.
When it was around, I often found it annoying. But now that it's gone, there's a hollow emptiness in my heart. Without that silly system to mock me when I'm cheerful or comfort me when I'm down, life feels lacking.
204: I've taught Jia Yi many of the technological advancements I researched during my time in the Institute of Technological Research, which has accelerated his promotions within the Future Research Institute.
During this period, he's undergone a series of identity verification processes, somewhat reminiscent of the procedures in the Crimson Research Institute.
I truly hope the Future Research Institute is on our side.
235: Jia Yi has advanced to a position near the core circle of the Future Research Institute.
Through Jia Yi's accounts, I finally understand why the Future Research Institute's combat strength is unparalleled.
Allow me to explain the institute's primary research focus.
While the Institute of Technological Research primarily develops technological devices, the Future Research Institute centers its research around "Mecha Warriors."
The institute houses numerous scientists who double as elite combatants.
Many of them have undergone technological modifications, partially mechanizing their bodies. Though these modifications come with imperfections, they grant immense power.
The progress of their technology also significantly enhances the strength of their researchers.
It's fair to say that even without the support of their elite battle squads and city defense forces, the Future Research Institute would remain a top-tier military power.
The investigations are ongoing. Await further updates.
240: Jia Yi's investigation has hit a bottleneck.
Due to his heavy workload, he's communicated with me less frequently.
I might need to devise another method or find a different channel to continue probing the Future Research Institute.
246: I reached out to the Shadow Assassin today to inquire about its knowledge of the Future Research Institute.
Its response was inconclusive; it admitted ignorance about whether the institute is controlled by other domain forces.
The domain alliance it belongs to is a coalition of minor clans banding together for survival. They lack comprehensive information about how deeply domain factions have infiltrated human society, let alone specifics about the Future Research Institute.
As a precaution, I gave it a Miracle Stone and asked it to assist in investigating the Future Research Institute.
Let's hope it proves useful and provides valuable intelligence.
253: I suddenly realized that in the future, you can use the sacrificial timeline version of yourself to learn any new skills you desire.
For instance, you could have it study game programming.
Your role would simply be to use the Brain-in-a-Vat project to retrieve those memories, thereby gaining the knowledge.
As for me, I've decided not to undertake the learning myself.
Given that you don't intend to access my memories from this timeline, it's better this way.
Less exposure to sorrow and negativity will preserve your original aspirations.
258: I've decided to groom Yang Xiaoxin as the leader of Breaking Dawn.
As for Lü Yue, given past lessons, he'll remain focused on combat roles.
Yang Xiaoxin, being more adaptable, won't stubbornly stick to a doomed path. If Breaking Dawn fails to gain traction in the future, she could integrate into the Crimson Research Institute as an external force.
270: Trouble.
I had an agreement to maintain daily contact, but the Shadow Assassin has gone silent for several days.
Now, I have two theories:
It was captured while investigating the Future Research Institute and subsequently eliminated.
It absconded with the Miracle Stone.
Analyzing the situation, the first theory seems more plausible.
The Shadow Assassin appeared eager to forge ties with me, mistaking me for a representative of a major domain faction. Its disappearance suggests it may have been exposed during its investigation.
If it betrayed me, I'm in serious danger.
Regardless of whether the Future Research Institute aligns with humanity or domain forces, I would instantly become a target.
The thought was enough to prompt me to prepare for the worst. Who knows how much time I have left?
271: I had a long conversation with Lü Yue today and subtly inquired about the Path of Ascension.
As always, he refused to share any details, repeating the same phrase:
"If the miracle hasn't found me, it means I'm not yet qualified to know the Path of Ascension."
But this discussion gave me deeper insight into Lü Yue.
He told me that there are three types of people in this world: those who accept their fate, those who defy it, and those like him, who fight relentlessly.
Even if he knows his efforts may not change the future, he chooses to give it his all. Failure only means death.
His stubbornness and rigidity revealed a hidden resilience.
Perhaps it's because of unyielding individuals like Lü Yue that I've gained so many companions.
In our hearts, we all carry the same steadfast determination and hope.
273 (marked in red): Jia Yi sent crucial intelligence today.
I now suspect that the Future Research Institute might secretly be serving the Institute of Technological Research.
Here's why:
The Future Research Institute recently acquired a batch of data and began researching psionic technology.
From Jia Yi's report, I confirmed that this data matches the Institute of Technological Research's psionic technology files.
Even the research directions and specific content are identical.
If this data had been stolen from the Institute of Technological Research, that would be highly unlikely.
While the Future Research Institute could potentially seize psionic weaponry, acquiring core psionic technology files would require breaching the innermost sanctums of the Institute of Technological Research.
This intelligence strongly suggests that the two institutes are in collaboration.
It's inconceivable for the Institute of Technological Research to entrust critical data to a human faction, reinforcing my suspicion that the Future Research Institute operates as an extension of the Institute of Technological Research's domain influence.
However, this raises new questions.
If the Future Research Institute aligns with the Institute of Technological Research, why would it aid the Crimson Research Institute in opposing the Institute of Technological Research?
This mystery remains beyond my grasp.
Let's wait for further investigation results.
278: Recently, I've been feeling uneasy, and there's still no contact from the Shadow Assassin. I'm guessing it's most likely gone for good.
I'm unsure whether it was eliminated by hidden human factions or killed during its investigation of the Future Research Institute. If it's the latter, I could be next at any time.
...
The messages ended abruptly here.
Upon seeing this, Feng Qi couldn't help but frown.
How exactly did the version of himself in this future timeline die? The messages didn't provide any clear answers.
He speculated that it might be related to the Future Research Institute but couldn't be certain.
[Could it really be that the Future Research Institute is on the side of the Institute of Technological Research? But if that's the case, why would they later support the Crimson Research Institute in opposing the Institute of Technological Research? Is this another Schrödinger's Future Research Institute situation?]
"I don't know. Let's look at Wei Wei's messages next."
Still full of doubts, he opened Wei Wei's mailbox.
1: You still couldn't escape the fate of dying young. Poor little Feng Qi, gone at just 25 years old.
As for the cause of your death, there's no information for now.
The way you died is strangely similar to the Institute of Technological Research's assassination methods: mysterious and sudden.
Moving forward, this beautiful lady will take over the mailbox to continue delivering information to you.
2: Since the Brain-in-a-Vat Project isn't moving forward, we at the Crimson Research Institute will focus on other research directions. I've already decided on what to explore next.
Everything will be done to benefit you.
Considering your perspective, I've decided to develop a memory implantation technology—or rather, a knowledge implantation technology.
If successful, you wouldn't need to memorize complex game codes anymore. Instead, you'd simply access the implanted information in your brain.
In essence, your brain would function like a knowledge USB drive.
However, this technology is still in its infancy, and there are numerous challenges to overcome. But with centuries at my disposal, I think I can handle it. After all, apart from being beautiful, my other great strength is my intelligence.
9: I've been pondering what kind of talent blind box to leave you this time.
After careful consideration, I've decided not to leave one. In the previous timeline, you mentioned not receiving a talent blind box, which likely means the secret base's resources were only enough to sustain your brain.
Once the research institute relocates to the secret base, resources will surely be limited.
I plan to reserve these resources for research needs. For now, I can't think of an appropriate talent blind box to leave you. Next time, I promise.
11: Let me provide you with a more detailed introduction to the Future Research Institute.
First, let's discuss its current director. He was once a domain warrior who sustained severe injuries while dispersing a domain field, forcing him to retire from frontline service.
However, he didn't give up. Instead, he shifted his focus to studying and eventually joined the Future Research Institute, rising to become its director. His story is quite inspirational.
Here's a photo of him attached (Li Xingchen.jpg).
But as far as I know, Li Xingchen has a rather unseemly private life.
Drinking, gambling, womanizing—there's nothing he hasn't indulged in. His personal life is a mess.
From this perspective, he seems like someone easily swayed by hostile forces.
We've already established contact with Jia Yi. Let's see where the investigation leads.
Feng Qi opened the photo attachment in the email.
The image showed Li Xingchen, the director of the Future Research Institute, sitting in a wheelchair. He was bald, his bare upper body covered in scars, and his face bore a fierce and intimidating expression.
Feng Qi continued reading the rest of the email.
13: Jia Yi recently contacted us and shared that he discovered a batch of mass-produced special potions at the Future Research Institute.
These potions are highly toxic. When injected into the bloodstream, they rapidly deplete a person's spiritual energy, leading to death without leaving any visible cause.
Additionally, the poison is highly volatile, leaving no trace.
This made me think of your mysterious death.
From this, it seems that the Future Research Institute, like the Institute of Technological Research, is engaged in assassinating human geniuses. They do indeed appear aligned with the Institute of Technological Research.
But here's the recurring question: Why would the Future Research Institute, at some future point, assist us at the Crimson Research Institute in opposing the Institute of Technological Research?
It's so frustrating—this investigation has hit a wall.
Based on the intelligence we have, you must be cautious of the Future Research Institute. They don't seem like allies.
78: The Breaking Dawn organization you founded has recently been recruiting at Star City Academy, expanding its influence. They've also secretly begun investigating the Future Research Institute and have established contact with us.
I hope their actions don't alert the enemy.
Otherwise, Breaking Dawn might be completely wiped out.
113: While working on the Mu Qing cloning project today, an idea suddenly occurred to me.
In this timeline, you've lost your innate abilities, leaving your strength significantly weakened.
Would it be possible to enhance you through rune enhancement to increase your power?
Rune enhancement technology has matured considerably. After undergoing the procedure, you could even use the recent changes in the reality timeline to infiltrate domain factions and gather intelligence.
After all, the Rune Enhancement Project was designed for counter-infiltration, making you resemble a domain creature.
I've already started reviewing your detailed physical data to create a personalized rune enhancement plan.
You could bring this data back to reality and hand it over to me the next time you enter the future dreamscape.
That way, in each future timeline, you could visit the research institute first for rune enhancement.
Of course, there are drawbacks to rune enhancement.
Even the closest-to-perfect modification, like Mu Qing's, has its issues. Although her emotional instability has decreased with age, it's still a concern.
For you, the risks are unpredictable.
Whether to proceed is entirely up to you.
If you want to explore future timelines involving domain faction contact, I think this is worth trying.
High risk, high reward.
The process might just be a little painful.
140: Jia Yi has sent back a new piece of intelligence.
The Future Research Institute's psionic technology has been successfully developed. Even with access to the necessary materials, achieving success in such a short time raises suspicions that the Institute of Technological Research might be secretly assisting them.
Based on the current information, the Future Research Institute appears increasingly suspicious.
Moreover, external investigations reveal that many retired domain warriors have been recruited into the Future Research Institute.
It's suspected that those injured and retired domain warriors underwent mechanical modifications, allowing them to return as combatants within the domain combat squads under the Future Research Institute's jurisdiction.
If the Future Research Institute is indeed aligned with the domain forces, it would be a major problem.
The Future Research Institute's influence in Future City is exceptionally strong.
Even the city's defense is managed by the Future Research Institute. If it has been infiltrated, it would mean the entire Future City has essentially been compromised.
I hope the reality isn't as grim as I suspect.
But one thing is certain: Li Xingchen, the current director of the Future Research Institute, is far from a decent person. Aside from his somewhat inspirational life story, his character is riddled with flaws, and he's overly indulgent toward his subordinates.
Three seconds of headache for you.
176: Just as you predicted, a historical event unfolded today—an unknown faction attacked the base outside Twilight City.
It's evident that the Institute of Technological Research is responsible.
Fortunately, we had prepared for this and destroyed all critical data in advance. However, it's clear the Institute of Technological Research's sabotage campaign against us is about to intensify.
In today's high-level meeting, we decided to relocate to the secret base soon.
189: Feng Qi, my little brother, see you at the secret base!
The world is made better because of your selfless efforts. Keep going!
...
After reading through the email messages, Feng Qi fell into deep thought.
The Future Research Institute's stance remained ambiguous, filled with contradictions in the intelligence provided.
However, Wei Wei's messages contained significant information.
For example, the development of knowledge implantation technology and the possibility of using rune enhancements to enhance his abilities and explore future timelines involving domain factions.
The outcomes and research directions provided by the Crimson Research Institute could serve as reference points for his future decisions.
Knowledge implantation technology, in particular, stood out. If it could be realized, even without his infinite memory ability, he could still bring the code for the super virtual game back to reality.
But numerous questions remained unanswered in his mind.
Aside from the Future Research Institute, the success or failure of Old Wang and Lin Ran's respective missions was also unknown.
Lin Ran's situation was something he planned to investigate last.
As for whether Old Wang succeeded in decrypting the "Flesh Sacrifice," the answer would depend on the information left behind at the Crimson Research Institute's secret base.
At this thought, Feng Qi felt no inclination to continue studying cultivation techniques.
He decided to visit the Crimson Research Institute's secret base first.