I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

After finishing the email, Feng Qi's heart was left in turmoil.

The truth was far crueler than he had imagined.

Initially, he thought the Crimson Research Institute might be conducting inhumane experiments, even using humans as test subjects—undoubtedly an evil organization.

However, in terms of purpose, he had never doubted the Crimson Research Institute's stance.

Although he disapproved of their unethical scientific methods, he still believed their ultimate goal was to ensure human development and secure victory in the fight against domain creatures.

But now, the emails revealed a far more horrifying reality.

The Crimson Research Institute was very likely infiltrated—or worse, controlled—by domain-transcendent creatures. And it wasn't just about their cruel experiments. They were actively assassinating humanity's brightest minds.

At this moment, he finally understood why every time he entered the dream realm, it was always a scene of apocalypse.

When there are parasites within, humanity's development becomes like a rotting tree. No matter how high it grows, its roots will inevitably collapse.

Moreover, the Crimson Research Institute was powerful and influential, possessing privileges far beyond ordinary research organizations. They were even authorized to conduct the Rune-Enhanced Human Project, which had been banned.

The impact of such an institution on human development was monumental.

Given enough time, their influence would spread like poison—silently and gradually infecting the very foundations of human civilization—until all progress crumbled into ruin.

If this speculation was correct, Feng Qi suddenly understood something else:

Why were cultivation techniques rated three stars or higher classified as confidential rather than freely shared?

Perhaps the development of the Star City Database also involved the Crimson Research Institute. They may have deliberately set restrictions to slow humanity's progress.

Of course, this was still just a guess.

But the likelihood that the Crimson Research Institute had been infiltrated by domain creatures was now almost certain.

Feng Qi made a firm decision:

The Crimson Research Institute must be destroyed.

It was the only way to root out this poison and save human civilization from its tragic end.

However, how to accomplish such a monumental task? For now, he had no concrete ideas.

[So what's the plan? Find a way to bankrupt those bastards!]

Feng Qi: "Narrator, do you have any suggestions?"

[Whenever something happens: Call the Narrator! 'Narrator, what should I do?' This isn't Detective Yuanfang here! I'm just a cold, soulless hint generator… But hey, maybe you should check your emails again for inspiration!]

Feng Qi: …

The Narrator never failed to frustrate him when it came to morale.

But as annoying as it was, the Narrator had pointed him in a direction.

Feng Qi reopened the mailbox and carefully re-read his future self's messages.

As he scrolled, one particular entry caught his eye:

"Learn from my mistakes: The Crimson Research Institute's influence is vast. Until you have the strength to challenge them, don't reveal your secrets. No one will believe you. They'll only think you're crazy."

Feng Qi had always considered one possibility—working with high-level officials of the state.

With the full support of a government, his trips into the dream realm would be far more efficient. He wouldn't have to worry about energy costs anymore, and the issue of database restrictions could also be resolved.

If he partnered with the government, he could ensure his identity and knowledge were preserved. Future databases like the Star City Database could even grant him unrestricted access by default, making his investigations far smoother.

After all, individual effort could never compete with state-backed support.

But now, he was forced to abandon this plan.

His future self had already tried it—and failed miserably. Under the influence of the Crimson Research Institute, his warnings were dismissed. No one believed him. Instead, they assumed he was mentally unstable.

Feng Qi decided to heed the warning. Until he had the power to contend with the Crimson Research Institute, he would not reveal his secrets.

Now the question was: How could he acquire the power to challenge them?

As he pondered, several ideas took shape.

The first was to improve his own strength. If he grew powerful enough, he could resist any assassination attempts. If he reached a level where his strength was unmatched, he could single-handedly destroy the Crimson Research Institute.

But his current method of growing stronger was too slow. He needed to hunt domain creatures in the dream realm, and under Little Black's pursuit, his time there was always cut short.

Unless the energy supply issue could be resolved, his growth would remain painfully slow.

If this problem were solved, his strength would improve dramatically with each trip into the dream realm.

However, this was easier said than done. The cost of death was still too high.

Aside from improving his own strength, another idea emerged in Feng Qi's mind:

What if he formed a powerful force to oppose the Crimson Research Institute?

He immediately thought of Lin Ran, Mu Qing, Wang Jinsheng, and others. With the help of the future database, he believed he could gather the brightest talents of the era and bring them into an organization of his own making.

This wouldn't just protect them from assassination but also allow them, as brilliant minds, to help dismantle the Crimson Research Institute together.

While deep in thought, his future plans began to take clearer shape.

Three paths of growth began to emerge in his mind, all of which could be pursued simultaneously in the present.

The first path: Improving his own strength. Every time he entered the dream realm, he would hunt down as many domain creatures as possible to ensure he possessed not just the ability to protect himself, but overwhelming power.

The second path: Protecting talents who were at risk of being targeted. In secret, he would build an organization dedicated to taking down the Crimson Research Institute. This force would grow strong enough to completely uproot the Institute one day.

The third path: Stealing knowledge from the future. By bringing cultivation techniques back to the present, he could help push humanity's development forward. Once he officially entered the academy, he could even apply to become a teacher, spreading these techniques to others.

As for other plans, Feng Qi had yet to consider them.

He glanced at the time and decided to revisit these ideas later in detail. For now, the most important thing was to gather as much information as possible while he still had the chance.

After all, Little Black remained an unresolved and ever-present threat.

Like a relentless grim reaper, it was always chasing him, ready to send him to meet his maker at the first opportunity.

Next, Feng Qi entered Mu Qing's name into the database search bar.

After clicking search, a set of related content appeared.

[Mu Qing (Leader of the Dawn Rebel Army)]:

Description: Originally a student at Star City Academy, she later joined a domain combat squad after graduation and became a domain warrior. However, during a reconnaissance mission, she betrayed her team and personally killed the squad leader. Afterward, she recruited a large number of scavengers and established the human rebel group "Dawn", where she restarted the Rune-Enhanced Human Project and waged war against humanity.

Her hands are stained with the blood of innocents. Under her leadership, the Dawn Rebellion slaughtered multiple cities, leaving her as a villain despised by history.

Tags: Rune-Enhanced Human, Leader of the Dawn Rebel Army, Human Traitor

Personality: Ruthless, cold-blooded, unscrupulous.

Netizen Comments:

Wind Walker: Heh~ tui, just spitting at this traitor. She deserved her death!

History Enthusiast: I combed through Mu Qing's historical records and found many gaps and classified details. However, from what little remains, something doesn't add up. After graduation, her behavior was completely normal. She showed no signs of resentment toward humanity, so why did she suddenly change? I think there's more to this story. That said, her actions were still unforgivable. Because of her, humanity's progress was set back by at least a century.

Feng Qi wasn't surprised by the comments from future netizens. He had already guessed what their opinions would be.

However, when he stumbled across one particular comment, his expression shifted slightly.

Fallen Leaves Return: I reviewed the historical records related to Mu Qing, and one detail stood out to me. At that time, Mu Qing had not yet betrayed humanity, and her closest friend, Feng Qi, was teetering on the brink of mental collapse. He rambled incoherently and was constantly criticized by the public for his strange behavior.

During this period, Mu Qing—who had already become a well-known domain combat squad leader—spoke at a Star City Academy alumni banquet. While comforting a drunk and disheveled Feng Qi, she said something that left a deep impression:

"When everyone turned against me, you stood by my side. So when the world points fingers at you, I'll believe every word you say and stand beside you—even if you're drunk, filthy, and reeking of alcohol."

Reading this, I couldn't help but wonder: If Feng Qi had survived, would Mu Qing have ever betrayed humanity?

Or perhaps Mu Qing's eventual betrayal was tied to the world's rejection of Feng Qi and the mystery surrounding his untimely death?