Helping Feng Qi to his feet, Li Xingchen flicked away the half-burnt cigarette in his hand.
The sparks scattered, igniting the entire warehouse in a matter of moments.
At that very moment, Lü Yue appeared at the warehouse entrance.
Seeing Feng Qi covered in injuries, Lü Yue's gaze turned icy cold. With a wave of his hand, the sword aura behind him unsheathed itself, hovering above his head as his presence grew increasingly oppressive.
Realizing Lü Yue was about to make a move, Feng Qi endured the pain and shouted:
"Don't attack! He's one of us!"
Hearing this, Lü Yue's expression visibly froze.
The moment he saw Li Xingchen, he had recognized him as the director of the Future Research Institute, one of their primary targets in their fight against the hidden domain forces.
Hearing Feng Qi call Li Xingchen an ally left him utterly bewildered.
"This brat must be Lü Yue, right? Looks pretty strong," Li Xingchen said with a sly grin, boldly walking toward Lü Yue.
Sensing something unusual was happening, Lü Yue waved his hand, and the sword aura returned to its scabbard.
Taking a few steps forward, he reached out and took Feng Qi from Li Xingchen's support.
"Let's get in the car first. We'll talk somewhere else."
Seeing Lü Yue's curious gaze, Feng Qi nodded.
Once they were in the vehicle, five Future Research Institute cars left the warehouse and disappeared into the hazy night.
An hour later, the cars stopped in a secluded area outside Future City.
With Lü Yue's help, Feng Qi got out of the car.
Li Xingchen also stepped out of another vehicle, lighting a cigarette as he walked over to Feng Qi with a smile.
"Still holding up?" he asked.
"I'm not dead yet," Feng Qi replied through gritted teeth.
Compared to his rune-modified body, his current physical recovery was painfully slow. Dizziness clouded his vision, and he felt as though he might faint at any moment.
But with so many unanswered questions in his mind, he bit down and endured.
"You probably have a lot of questions for me, don't you?"
"Yes, but I already know you're one of those hidden supporters working in secret against the domain forces."
"Supporter? You mean those on humanity's side but operating in secrecy? Not a bad way to put it," Li Xingchen said, taking a drag on his cigarette and smirking.
"But your methods for opposing the domain forces are laughably stupid. It's nothing more than a suicidal mission."
"If I didn't do it this way, would you have come forward?" Feng Qi shot back, rolling his eyes.
Li Xingchen was momentarily stunned, finally understanding Feng Qi's high-profile defiance of the Institute of Technological Research.
It was a calculated risk, a form of bait.
But the target wasn't the forces behind the Institute of Technological Research; it was people like him—hidden allies of humanity.
Realizing this, Li Xingchen couldn't help but admire Feng Qi's boldness. His actions were clearly aimed at uniting these hidden allies for a stronger resistance.
"Why are you doing this?" Feng Qi asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
"To act as their loyal dog, siphon their power, and then kill them!" Li Xingchen said, raising his mechanical arm modified by the domain forces.
"This is the power they gave me, and it'll also be the weapon I use to destroy them."
"What about the former director of the Future Research Institute? As far as I know, he was your mentor," Feng Qi asked abruptly.
Li Xingchen's body visibly stiffened, then he smiled grimly.
"I killed him with my own hands."
"Could you really go through with it?"
"To achieve my goals, there's nothing I can't do. Killing him was my pledge of allegiance to the domain forces behind the Institute of Technological Research."
Hearing this, Feng Qi understood the kind of person Li Xingchen was.
He sought the light but didn't shy away from using any means to get there.
For him, the ends justified the means.
"According to the intel I've gathered, you've recruited many retired frontline warriors and modified their bodies. You've replaced the original staff of the Future Research Institute to ensure your plans proceed smoothly, haven't you?"
"Correct," Li Xingchen admitted without hesitation.
"So, is the Future Research Institute under your control, or is it still influenced by the domain forces?"
"Most of it is in my hands. I have forces embedded in the city defense army and several elite domain combat squads. However, there are still spies planted by the Institute of Technological Research around me. They serve as both informants and tools to mislead their judgment."
Hearing this, Feng Qi felt a sense of relief.
At least the Future Research Institute leaned more toward humanity's side.
But the dangers were equally apparent. Li Xingchen clearly wasn't ready to openly defy the Institute of Technological Research yet.
This underscored just how powerful the forces behind the Institute of Technological Research truly were.
Despite controlling over 60% of Future City's military power, including its city defense forces and top combat squads, Li Xingchen still couldn't make a move.
"I advise you to give up. There probably aren't as many hidden supporters as you think. Maybe it's just Breaking Dawn and the Future Research Institute."
Feng Qi shook his head at Li Xingchen's suggestion.
He was certain there were more allies among humanity. Beyond the Crimson and Future Research Institutes, other human factions were undoubtedly fighting in their own ways.
The Crimson Research Institute focused on counter-infiltration, using scientific advancements to cut off the domain invasions at their source.
Li Xingchen chose to "submit" to the domain forces, using their power to strengthen himself, waiting for the day he could turn against them.
And perhaps other human forces had chosen entirely different paths, striving and fighting in their own ways.
Li Xingchen's perspective didn't align with Feng Qi's.
"I'll keep going," Feng Qi said firmly.
Blowing out a puff of smoke, Li Xingchen grinned.
"Good luck. But if you ever become an obstacle in my path, I won't hesitate to eliminate you. This time, I helped you only because it wouldn't expose me."
Looking at Li Xingchen's roguish grin, Feng Qi smirked back.
"Too bad you're destined to fail, and it'll be a devastating one."
Following the historical trajectory, during the period when the Crimson Research Institute faced total defeat at the hands of the Institute of Technological Research, and just before they retreated to their secret base, Li Xingchen chose to stand out.
With his personality, if he dared to reveal himself, it meant he was ready to resist the Institute of Technological Research at that moment.
But his fate was already sealed.
Historically, the Institute of Technological Research did not fall. Its ultimate end came at the hands of Little Black, not Li Xingchen.
Hearing these words, Li Xingchen's face turned cold.
"You have no right to deny the path I've chosen."
"I'm not denying it. I've just seen your ending through history."
Feng Qi fixed his gaze on Li Xingchen and continued,
"What if I told you I have the ability to traverse timelines, to move between the future and reality, and see the trajectory of history? Would you believe me?"
"Do you think I should believe that?" Li Xingchen flicked away the end of his cigarette and lit another one.
"What level of clearance did you hold within the Institute of Technological Research?" Feng Qi suddenly asked.
"First-tier clearance."
"No wonder I've never seen or heard of you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I was once part of the second-tier clearance in the Institute of Technological Research. I was the leader of the Devouring Wolf Domain Combat Squad."
Looking at Li Xingchen's puzzled expression, Feng Qi began recounting his experiences on the Sacrificial Line.
As Feng Qi narrated, Li Xingchen's initial disdain slowly gave way to seriousness.
He realized that everything Feng Qi said was true.
These details weren't something an outsider could possibly know.
Even so, Li Xingchen still didn't believe Feng Qi could traverse timelines. He assumed there must be a Breaking Dawn spy within the Institute of Technological Research providing such information.
But when Feng Qi described the Institute of Technological Research's internal confidentiality measures, second-tier clearance protocols, hidden figures within the institute, and the enigmatic "Mo," Li Xingchen's confidence wavered.
"Did you plant someone inside the Institute of Technological Research?"
Facing this question, Feng Qi shook his head.
"How do you expect me to prove it?"
"Tell me about a major event that will happen in the future."
Hearing this, Feng Qi felt helpless.
He did know many future events, like how the Crimson Research Institute outside Twilight City would be destroyed by the Institute of Technological Research or how the United Forces conducted joint operations to eliminate a domain field in the last Sacrificial Line timeline.
But these major events spanned long periods, and he didn't have the luxury of waiting to prove them.
However, he could speak about the Institute of Technological Research's upcoming plans.
"In the near future, the Institute of Technological Research will internally launch a piece of black technology called the Spiritual Energy Exclusion Zone. It will have the capability to dispel free spiritual energy particles within a one-kilometer radius. The timeline for this launch is roughly within half a month, and it's personally created by Mo. Before its release, no one will know of its existence. Will this be enough to prove it?"
Hearing Feng Qi's confident declaration, Li Xingchen was visibly startled.
"Do you truly have the ability to traverse timelines?"
"I used to. Now I've lost it. But I still know parts of the future trajectory of history."
"Tell me everything you know," Li Xingchen demanded.
Feng Qi didn't refuse and began explaining his secret in detail.
As Feng Qi continued, Li Xingchen's doubts gradually dissolved.
At the same time, he learned something critical: behind Feng Qi stood another hidden force—the Crimson Research Institute.
He also discovered that the Crimson Research Institute was conducting a counter-infiltration plan, which ultimately failed.
From the information Feng Qi provided, Li Xingchen mentally constructed an intricate network of connections.
The threads of information intertwined, and he began to believe Feng Qi's words.
Even though the truth was hard for him to accept.
Realizing that his carefully laid plans would ultimately end in failure, Li Xingchen clenched his mechanical fist, the sound of metal grinding filling the air.
Clearly, his resolve had been shaken.
At that moment, Feng Qi smiled at Li Xingchen and said,
"Why not join me on this timeline? Be my companion on this path!"
"I'll continue in my own way. At least for now, I haven't lost yet."
"If you want to win, you should cooperate with me. After all, I've experienced many of these events before."
Looking at Feng Qi's bruised and battered face, which still carried a faint smile, Li Xingchen remained silent, his mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts.
Feng Qi's information confirmed that he had once possessed the ability to traverse timelines.
But how could Li Xingchen reconcile himself to the idea that all his hard work would end in failure?
Looking at the complicated expression on Li Xingchen's face, Feng Qi could understand his feelings.
The frustration of seeing one's failure laid bare was undoubtedly hard to accept, even unbearable.
The Crimson Research Institute had been through similar struggles in past timelines.
Even knowing the counter-infiltration plan would fail, they chose to try a different approach each time.
It wasn't until recent timelines, when they realized the plan was doomed to fail regardless of the method, that the Crimson Research Institute officially abandoned it.
At this moment, Li Xingchen's state of mind mirrored the Crimson Institute's leadership when they learned the harsh truth.
"Give me an answer already; I can't hold on much longer," Feng Qi said, squinting his eyes.
"I want to try again," Li Xingchen replied, turning to walk toward the lead military vehicle.
"Face reality. Following me is the only way to achieve the future you want."
Hearing this, Li Xingchen suddenly stopped and turned back to Feng Qi.
"Tell me, what's your plan?"
"We need to expand the influence of Breaking Dawn. We need more potential allies to step forward and fight the Institute of Technological Research with us. And of course, you can also use my name to discreetly strike at the institute," Feng Qi said with a sly grin.
Li Xingchen remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"Alright, let's try working together for now."
Hearing this, Feng Qi broke into a wide smile.
"Give me a way to contact you."
Li Xingchen gestured to one of his subordinates, who promptly handed him a palm-sized communicator. Li Xingchen then tossed it toward Feng Qi, adding,
"This communicator was designed by me personally. It's completely secure. To reach me, select channel 11-11 and use the codeword: 'Future.'"
Lü Yue reached out and caught the communicator before handing it to Feng Qi.
"Recover first. Then we'll talk," Li Xingchen said before turning to his men and shouting,
"Everyone, back in the cars! Begin a citywide search for Feng Qi!"
Hearing his orders, the soldiers quickly got into their vehicles, and the convoy drove off.
After Li Xingchen left, Feng Qi finally collapsed.
"Lü Yue, I need some rest," he muttered weakly.
"Got it!" Lü Yue responded immediately.
After giving his instructions, Feng Qi closed his eyes and fell into unconsciousness.
…
The next ten days were spent recuperating.
During this time, the Institute of Technological Research launched the "Spiritual Energy Exclusion Zone," the black technology Feng Qi had predicted. This further solidified Li Xingchen's trust in him, prompting Li Xingchen to initiate contact.
With Li Xingchen's assistance, Feng Qi's efforts to counter the Institute of Technological Research became much smoother.
In the days that followed, Li Xingchen began providing Feng Qi with updates on the institute's plans, helping them avert several crises.
At the same time, Li Xingchen discreetly carried out operations against the Institute of Technological Research.
Although he hadn't fully taken control of the Future Research Institute, he had a group of trustworthy subordinates—retired frontline warriors who had undergone mechanized enhancements.
Under Breaking Dawn's name, these warriors used their insider knowledge to carry out sabotage missions.
However, the fallout from their actions was often pinned on Feng Qi.
Hiding in the shadows, Feng Qi found himself saddled with numerous fabricated accusations.
But these actions weren't without their rewards.
For example, Li Xingchen often diverted resources seized from domain fields to Feng Qi, ensuring they didn't end up back in the Future Research Institute.
Additionally, Li Xingchen provided Feng Qi with a list of individuals he should try to contact, suggesting they might be recruited into Breaking Dawn.
Thanks to Li Xingchen's help, Breaking Dawn entered a phase of rapid development.
Yet what Feng Qi eagerly anticipated most was for the remaining hidden human factions to step forward and make contact.
He firmly believed his path wasn't a lonely one.
Each faction had simply chosen a different way to save humanity.