Crimson Research Institute.
Training Room.
Feng Qi, now shirtless, was drenched in sweat as he trained relentlessly in the spacious room. After completing his rune enhancement, his training regimen shifted focus from mere physical conditioning to more specialized activities like balance training and strength control exercises.
While the intensity of the exercises had decreased, their difficulty had significantly increased.
Each day, he underwent three medical evaluations to monitor and promptly address any unforeseen complications.
The changes in his body post-modification were nothing short of remarkable.
His physical strength had improved at an astonishing rate, earning him a Black Iron High-tier rating. A breakthrough to Bronze-tier was only a matter of time. To adapt to these rapid enhancements, he trained consistently to keep his body under control.
After hours of grueling exercise, Feng Qi exhaled deeply, his gaze shifting down to his chest.
Embedded there was a thumb-sized, jet-black rune crystal. Around it, a web of protruding blood vessels spread out like an intricate network.
The crystal emitted a faint, rhythmic glow, pulsing like a heartbeat as it steadily infused energy into his body.
With every passing moment, his body merged further with the rune crystal, undergoing extraordinary transformations.
A thought flickered in his mind, and suddenly, his skin was enveloped in a dark, translucent energy. Moments later, his body collapsed into a pool of black liquid, as if he had melted away.
This liquid state, however, lasted only a few seconds before his body reformed and the dark energy dissipated.
This new liquefied form was a unique ability granted by the Shadowfiend rune crystal embedded within him.
For now, his control over this newfound ability was rudimentary at best. He couldn't move while in a liquefied state, making further training imperative.
Exhausted, he walked toward the corner of the training room for a brief rest.
Over the next few hours, he underwent physical recovery sessions before diving back into rigorous training.
The following two months passed in relentless preparation.
During this period, Feng Qi's strength advanced to a Bronze Low-tier rating, thanks to the enhancements from the rune crystal.
However, this method of growth felt artificial compared to the natural improvements gained from hunting domain creatures in the dream realm. Moreover, it came with hidden risks.
For instance, he often experienced unexplained bursts of irritability.
On one occasion, he even briefly lost control of his emotions, though he managed to recover before things escalated.
Despite these challenges, two months of rigorous effort yielded significant progress.
His fusion with the rune crystal had stabilized, and his rapid power growth had plateaued. Although occasional irritability persisted, full emotional breakdowns had not occurred again.
According to Wei Wei, his fusion rate with the rune crystal was exceptionally high.
She speculated that this was due to his extraordinary willpower during the modification process, which had helped him resist the rune crystal's invasive nature.
Today marked Feng Qi's departure from the Crimson Research Institute.
After sharing a farewell lunch with Wei Wei and promising to stay in touch online, he returned to his room to pack his belongings.
He pushed his luggage to the base's main gate, where a vehicle was already waiting.
Loading his bags into the trunk, he climbed into the car.
As the vehicle drove away, Feng Qi glanced at the shrinking silhouette of the institute in the rearview mirror, feeling a sense of closure.
The Crimson chapter of his journey had come to an end.
His next task was clear: form an organization, challenge the Institute of Technological Research, and investigate the Future Research Institute.
That evening, upon returning to the academy, Feng Qi made a quick visit to the principal's office to report his return to Bai Fusheng. Afterward, he headed to his dorm room to plan his next moves in detail.
At 9 PM, he called Lü Yue and a group of students to the academy's outdoor field.
Notably, he didn't summon Lin Ran or Mu Qing.
Both had their own destinies to follow, and Feng Qi had no intention of interfering.
Lin Ran, in particular, held immense potential. If his predetermined fate unfolded as expected, he might succeed in subverting the Parasite Lord and gain its full power.
On the field, Feng Qi and his group sat in a circle on the grass.
Looking at the puzzled faces surrounding him, he hesitated briefly before speaking.
"Everyone, what I'm about to tell you may sound unbelievable. But I assure you, every word is true."
"Qi-ge, are you pulling a Lü Yue on us? Acting all mysterious? Just spit it out already. I've seen my share of crazy things growing up in a domain combat squad," Xia Long said with a grin.
Feng Qi nodded at Xia Long's words, then began explaining in detail.
He revealed his ability to traverse timelines, the grim future where human civilization faced extinction, and the deep infiltration of human society by domain forces.
As Feng Qi spoke, the expressions of his audience shifted from calm indifference to shock, and finally, to outright fear.
He understood their reactions.
When he first learned the truth, he'd felt the same.
What had once seemed like an attainable victory dissolved into obscurity after consulting the Star City database. The illusion of triumph was replaced with a brutal reality drenched in blood.
But in that moment, he had chosen to face the truth and vowed to change the future.
After a long silence, Hui Xu was the first to speak.
"Qi-ge, so Le Ping'an wasn't dragged away by the Nine Dragons Coffin? You killed him, didn't you?"
Faced with the monk's question, Feng Qi didn't shy away from the truth. He nodded.
"When I discovered he was a spy for the Institute of Technological Research, I knew I had to remove this threat immediately."
Seeing the shock on their faces, Feng Qi continued:
"I need your help. I know some of you might still doubt my words, so I'm prepared to prove everything."
"I believe you," Lü Yue suddenly said.
All eyes turned to Lü Yue in surprise.
"Lü Yue, how do you know this?" Xia Long asked with suspicion.
Lü Yue didn't answer Xia Long's question but instead looked at Feng Qi and said firmly, "I'll help you."
"Qi-ge, the three of us brothers believe you too. We're with you, no matter the cost," Xia Long declared.
"I believe as well. Most of my family died fighting in domain fields. I've always wanted to graduate early and join the front lines," Yan Fu added.
With four people already on his side, Feng Qi turned to Cai Guo, Yang Xiaoxin, and the others.
"If you're unsure, take your time to think it over."
"Qi-ge, I can't figure something out. Don't hit me if I say it," Hui Xu spoke cautiously.
"Go ahead," Feng Qi nodded.
"Even if humanity's future is doomed, we're safe in this era. Why struggle? Wouldn't it be better to just live out our lives peacefully?" Hui Xu's words carried a hint of reluctance.
Feng Qi looked at Hui Xu and gave a faint smile.
"Because I carry the dreams of many people, including yours."
As he spoke, countless images flashed through his mind.
The sacrifice line, where he knelt calmly before the guillotine. Mu Qing, labeled a demon, fighting on the front lines. Wei Wei, tirelessly working in the lab year after year. And the countless letters filled with hopes for a better future from others like Old Wang and the upper echelons of the Crimson Research Institute.
From his initial impassioned declaration to change the world, Feng Qi now bore the dreams of countless people. And he was more determined than ever to alter the fate of humanity.
"Qi-ge, are you talking about us from the sacrifice line? Can you tell us more?" Xia Long asked curiously.
Feng Qi nodded, and he began recounting the stories from the sacrifice line.
However, he downplayed his own struggles and sacrifices. For him, these weren't points of pride to convince others but lessons to inspire.
He wanted his students to understand that a flourishing world required hard work and sacrifices from countless individuals who gave their all for that dream.
As he spoke, everyone present was visibly moved.
When Feng Qi finished, he looked at the tearful expressions of his audience and smiled.
"Take your time to think about it. Regardless of whether you decide to join me, I hope you can keep what I shared today a secret. It's crucial for my plans."
"I chose to share this with you because I trust you," he added sincerely.
Yang Xiaoxin stood up first, her voice resolute.
"Fate is a terrible playwright. Humanity's story shouldn't end like this. But if it must, I'll at least play my role to the fullest. Qi-ge, I'm with you."
"Qi-ge, count me in too," Jia Yi stood, determination in his eyes.
Eventually, everyone rose to their feet. There was still uncertainty in their hearts, but one thing united them—a shared dream of a better future. Although their visions of that future varied, each one was tied to hope and beauty.
Every dream was worth protecting.
To fight for a brighter future wasn't just to protect others' dreams but to defend their own.
Looking at Feng Qi's calm smile, everyone else started to smile too.
They recalled something Feng Qi had said while recounting the future lines:
"One day, if I stand amidst a glorious era and look back, I might realize that my most triumphant moment wasn't basking in that glory but the very instant I resolved to change the future amidst despair."
"To not rise to one's full potential is to waste one's existence. Qi-ge, I used to think you were a once-in-a-century genius, but now I see that your aspirations far outshine your talent," Jia Yi remarked emotionally.
The way they looked at Feng Qi had changed. He had taught them that pursuing a brighter future was as meaningful as attaining it.
Under the starlit sky, they all shared a moment of quiet smiles.
In the days that followed, the Dawn Organization was officially formed.
Under Feng Qi's leadership, they began recruiting talented individuals from Star City Academy, slowly building their strength. They never neglected their personal growth, using the knowledge Feng Qi had shared from the future to make rapid progress.
Seasons passed, and three years flew by.
Through careful selection, the Dawn Organization grew to include 103 members, all top-tier students from Star City Academy. Each of them could have pursued prestigious careers after graduation, but upon learning the truth, they chose to stand alongside Feng Qi.
The phrase "Study for the rise of humanity" was no mere slogan to them. It became a commitment—a promise to fight for the future, even if they might never see the glorious era they worked to create.
They hoped that, 1,500 years later, under the same starry sky, future generations would still see the brilliance of the stars above.
In time, they began to revere Feng Qi as a guiding light.
Believing in that light, striving toward it, and emulating it, they sought to become like him—beacons of hope in history. Even if that light might one day be overshadowed by darkness, its value remained immeasurable.
In the fourth year, graduation season arrived.
Finally, it was time to launch their plan to confront the Institute of Technological Research.
Feng Qi led over 300 members of the Dawn Organization out of Star City Academy and into Future City.
To ensure their safety, the Dawn Organization adopted a decentralized model in Future City, using random meeting points and encrypted codes for coordination.
In their first major action, Feng Qi led an assault on Warehouse One in the western district of Future City, a critical site of the Institute of Technological Research.
From this operation, Feng Qi confirmed an important fact: the warehouses of the Institute of Technological Research were guarded by combat teams from the Future Research Institute. This proved the two institutes were closely connected.
Caught off guard, the Future Research Institute's security forces were unprepared. Lü Yue, wielding his sword, shattered the warehouse doors with a single strike. Unable to mount any resistance, the guards were overwhelmed, and the warehouse's stored resources became the Dawn Organization's initial lifeline.
In addition to these resources, Feng Qi discovered a collection of sealed black-tech equipment. However, he refrained from taking them, wary of hidden tracking devices.
Thus began the Dawn Organization's secret war against the Institute of Technological Research.
This covert resistance was fraught with danger, as exposure was an ever-present risk. But Feng Qi had already prepared for this eventuality.
Before long, the Future Research Institute retaliated, deploying a vast network to hunt them down.
Using intelligence networks, the institute quickly uncovered details about the Dawn Organization and identified its leader, Feng Qi—the one once hailed as the "Light of Humanity."
The hunt for Feng Qi and the campaign to eradicate the Dawn Organization began in earnest.
Despite years of careful planning, many members of the Dawn Organization fell during subsequent missions.
The defensive forces of the Future Research Institute, particularly the city garrison, had created significant obstacles for the Breaking Dawn Organization's subsequent operations.
Yet Feng Qi and the members of the organization had long been prepared to die.
Facing the behemoth power of the Institute of Technological Research and the Future Research Institute with a mere 300 Breaking Dawn members was akin to a moth flying into the flames.
Feng Qi had discussed it with Wei Wei—given the shallow foundations of Breaking Dawn, defeating the vastly resourceful and advanced Institute of Technological Research and Future Research Institute was outright impossible.
Both institutes were developing, and Breaking Dawn could not keep up, either in talent or resources.
The only plausible explanation for the altered timeline where humanity triumphed was that Breaking Dawn had gained support from other human forces. It was the only logical possibility.
This realization was what drove Feng Qi to take such a bold and seemingly reckless approach.
He hoped to meet allies.
Through his actions, he sent a clear to the lurking, patient factions of humanity:
"Someone is still resisting. Someone is still fighting. You are not alone."
Future City, Eastern Suburbs
Under the cover of darkness, Feng Qi and Lü Yue navigated the dense thickets, heading toward the Institute of Technological Research's Eastern Sector Warehouse 2.
This time, Feng Qi had only brought Lü Yue along. There was no intention to launch a full-scale raid on Warehouse 2 yet.
Security at the warehouses had significantly increased. Without absolute confidence in success, Feng Qi refused to risk an attack, even though Lü Yue was strong enough to contend with an entire Domain Combat Squad.
Approaching Warehouse 2, they avoided the defensive patrols and reached the ventilation system's entrance.
"You stay here. I'll go in and scout," Feng Qi instructed.
"Be careful," Lü Yue replied with a nod.
Feng Qi's body dissolved into a black liquid, slipping silently into the ventilation ducts as he infiltrated the facility.
Moments later, he reached the interior and began surveying the layout. He memorized the terrain and the patrol routes of the guards. Just as he prepared to retreat, a green beam of light swept across his form, triggering an ear-piercing alarm.
Realizing he had been exposed, Feng Qi accelerated his movements, gliding through the ducts.
Bullets rained down upon him, but his stealth form, enhanced for resistance to physical attacks, rendered the bullets ineffective. Despite their immense power, the spiritual energy-infused rounds could not pierce his defenses.
As he neared the ventilation exit, a tall, lean figure clad in a military uniform blocked his path. A luminous barrier formed of spiritual energy materialized before him, sealing off his escape.
Seeing this, Feng Qi's heart sank. He resolved to break through at all costs.
However, no matter how hard he struck, the barrier remained unyielding.
The barrier began to shrink, trapping him in a confined space. The pressure of the spiritual energy caused his liquid form to distort, forcing him to revert to his physical shape.
Clenching his fists, Feng Qi shattered the barrier with a powerful blow and turned to face his opponent.
The man before him was about 1.9 meters tall, wearing the uniform of the Star City Garrison. His expression was icy as he watched Feng Qi.
Within moments, additional guards arrived, surrounding Feng Qi.
Knowing his odds of survival were slim, Feng Qi clenched his fists and let out a furious roar before launching an attack.
With Lü Yue still waiting outside, Feng Qi knew he could only rely on himself now.
As the battle raged, his body sustained numerous injuries. Eventually, he was subdued and captured by the lead garrison officer.
"Boss, we got him. What are your orders?" the officer reported through his communicator.
"Good. Bring him to Warehouse 2. I'll be waiting," a voice replied.
To prevent any chance of escape, the officer delivered several brutal blows to the already weakened Feng Qi after ending the call.
Shortly after, the warehouse doors opened, and five military vehicles bearing the insignia of the Future Research Institute arrived.
From the lead vehicle emerged a burly, bald man—Li Xingchen, the current head of the Future Research Institute.
Flanked by his subordinates, Li Xingchen approached Feng Qi, crouching down to meet his gaze with a sinister grin.
"You've been quite the nuisance. But in the end, you've lost," Li Xingchen sneered.
At that moment, Feng Qi confirmed his suspicion: Li Xingchen was nothing more than a puppet installed by the Institute of Technological Research.
The mysterious death of the previous head clearly paved the way for this controllable figure to take power.
Through swollen, barely open eyes, Feng Qi stared at Li Xingchen and let out a derisive laugh.
"What's so funny?" Li Xingchen demanded.
"To think someone born human could stoop so low as to be a lapdog. It's pathetic," Feng Qi spat.
"Hahaha, well said! I am indeed a dog!" Li Xingchen roared with laughter, showing no shame in admitting it.
"Kill me already."
"Killing you would be too simple. No, we'll extract every bit of information from you first," Li Xingchen replied, his tone dripping with menace.
Feng Qi remained unfazed by the threat, his face betraying no fear. Smiling faintly, he replied, "You can try."
"Let me ask you something," Li Xingchen said suddenly.
"Ask away. Whether I answer depends on my mood."
"Knowing you'd lose, why did you still choose to stand up and fight?"
"Because someone had to. Why shouldn't it be me?"
Li Xingchen burst into laughter, as if Feng Qi's words were the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.
His expression turned savage as he raised his mechanical arm, its metal glinting under the dim light.
As the wind howled, Feng Qi lifted his head, prepared to face death with unflinching resolve.
But to his astonishment, the mechanical arm veered off course and plunged into the chest of the officer standing behind him.
Warm blood splattered onto Feng Qi's face, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"Leave no one alive!" Li Xingchen commanded with a sinister grin.
At his order, his subordinates turned their weapons on the warehouse guards, launching a swift and brutal attack.
Within moments, the area fell silent, the guards lying lifeless on the ground.
Li Xingchen crouched before Feng Qi once more, lighting a cigarette as he asked, "Can you still move?"
"Yes," Feng Qi replied firmly.
Nodding in satisfaction, Li Xingchen pulled out a communicator and barked into it:
"Warehouse 2 has been attacked by Feng Qi and Breaking Dawn. Where the hell is the city garrison? Hundreds of people approaching the warehouse, and no one noticed? Get your asses here now! If this base falls, I'll personally snap your necks!"
Ending the transmission, Li Xingchen turned to his men, who were dousing the area with fuel, and yelled, "Hurry it up! We've got more to do—like hunting down Feng Qi!"
"Damn that bastard! Burning down Warehouse 2? He'll pay for this!"
Feng Qi: "..."