At this point, Feng Qi understood one thing with certainty. His premature death in this timeline wasn't due to external interference but was instead a result of his future self's deliberate choice to serve as a sacrificial pawn.
[Every version of you in the future is a fearless hero, willing to sacrifice himself.]
"I'll take that as a compliment."
He continued scrolling through the emails, seeking confirmation on whether the Institute of Technological Research was indeed the shadowy force behind it all. Once the truth was ascertained, the future plans could pivot entirely toward targeting the institute. Furthermore, a counter-organization against the Institute of Technological Research could then be properly established.
With Le Ping'an out of the picture, the Institute of Technological Research would have no means to track or thwart the silent growth of his rebellion.
493. Recently, there has been a wave of accusations against me, labeling me as a spy planted by domain creatures within humanity. They've even fabricated numerous baseless incidents to support these claims.
It's clear to me that the shadowy forces are becoming restless, attempting to discredit me through public opinion as their first wave of attacks, aiming to disrupt my research.
Rumors are also circulating that the Cell Regeneration Technology is taboo and that humans revived through this method are highly susceptible to control by domain creatures. Many are calling for this technology to be banned entirely.
But the more aggressive they become, the louder I will be.
503. Today, I gave an interview with an external media outlet. Wei Wei and the Crimson Research Institute's upper management prepared a detailed script for me in advance, which I memorized beforehand.
Once the interview began, I followed the script to the letter, hyping up the technology. I emphasized one main point: this technology is groundbreaking. If successful, domain creatures will no longer be a threat.
The publicity stunt worked well. Coupled with the buzz surrounding my previous Limb Regeneration Technology, many people in the outside world genuinely believe in the viability of this new innovation.
508. More criticism has surfaced.
What left me speechless was how the shadowy forces dug up my academic records from Xincheng High School to discredit me. They claimed that while my grades were decent, they were far from extraordinary. They pointed out how my sudden, extraordinary talents must mean I was a spy inserted by domain creatures to infiltrate humanity.
In short, public opinion is rife with demands for me to cease the development of Cell Regeneration Technology. But I'm not worried in the slightest—because this technology doesn't exist (shrug emoji).
543. Major development: It's now confirmed that the Institute of Technological Research is the shadowy force.
Today, the Institute of Technological Research experienced an unusual spike in personnel movements. Immediately afterward, the Crimson Research Institute suffered an assault. Fortunately, the institute had been prepared, so the attack failed, and several attackers were captured.
However, before we could interrogate them, their bodies rapidly dissolved into liquid, making resuscitation impossible. They had some means of committing instant suicide.
The strongholds stationed near the Institute of Technological Research followed the attackers back to their source, leaving no doubt that they originated from there.
544. Since my identity is now fully exposed, the Institute of Technological Research may initiate a series of assassination attempts against me. I could die unexpectedly at any moment. Therefore, I've already handed over the email account to Wei Wei, who will assist you in gaining access to the Star City Shelter credentials and other essential information.
545. Today, a core meeting was held to discuss the current situation in detail.
It is now evident that the non-core members of the Institute of Technological Research are aligned with humanity. They remain oblivious to the institute's dark reality. However, the core circle has long been infiltrated by domain creatures.
This explains why Mo Fei, despite being loyal to humanity, never discovered the truth before his death.
546. One memory resurfaced today: Mo Fei once mentioned something significant in his emails to me.
He said that the Institute of Technological Research had long been researching Psionic Technology and had made substantial progress. Yet, these advancements were never shared publicly. At the time, Mo Fei speculated that the institute might be withholding the technology until it reached full maturity.
Looking back, the situation was far more sinister. Clearly, the Institute of Technological Research's upper echelons were deliberately suppressing the release of this technology.
The emails abruptly stopped there. Feng Qi didn't need to speculate further about the reason—they ended because his future self was assassinated.
It was clear that after leaving this final message, his future self had been targeted and killed within the Crimson Research Institute. To ensure the smooth execution of their plans against the Institute of Technological Research, the Crimson Research Institute had to keep the truth about his death a secret. Publicly revealing it would have made the institute a target for retaliation by the Institute of Technological Research.
Without the certainty of victory in a direct confrontation and the unknown scope of shadowy forces beyond the Institute of Technological Research, the only viable option was to act as though they knew nothing.
[So tragic. This time, you didn't even have a chance to say goodbye. Hurry, check what messages Wei Wei left for you.]
Following the narrator's prompt, Feng Qi clicked on the list to the right of the email interface and opened the inbox marked with Wei Wei's name.
1. To the time-traveling Feng Qi—yeah, right. First of all, I've read through the earlier emails. Did you really call me an old woman?
Where exactly am I old? You call me "sister" to my face, but behind my back, it's a different story. Hmph. Typical man.
2. We couldn't figure out the cause of your death. There were no wounds on your body, but you mysteriously died. One thing is certain—it wasn't a natural death.
3. Mu Qing came to request your body. After some discussion, we decided to hand it over to her. Judging by her stern expression, I suspect she might have tried to take it by force if we refused. What a rebellious spirit. Unfortunately, Mu Qing has grown stronger—I can't beat her anymore. (crying emoji)
4. There's something I keep pondering. Based on your descriptions, the Crimson Research Institute will face relentless targeting by the shadowy forces (i.e., the Institute of Technological Research) and lose several bases. This suggests the Institute of Technological Research has been obstructing human development all along.
But you also mentioned your teacher, Wang Jinsheng, was celebrated as a historical luminary. If he achieved so much, why wasn't he targeted or assassinated? Could it be the so-called "protagonist's halo"?
I'm suspicious now. Could your teacher be one of the wolves? Should I send someone to eliminate him just to be safe? (fierce-beauty emoji)
On second thought, there might be a deeper story behind this. Still, his flawless success feels suspicious—too smooth to be real. I hope I'm just overthinking.
6. The outside world is in an uproar, criticizing you more harshly than ever. Many claim you died because of the Cell Regeneration Technology, labeling it a forbidden art that could destroy humanity.
Social media is rife with fabricated rumors and fake scandals about you. The public is furious, demanding the cancellation of all your accolades. Humans truly are foolish creatures, easily swayed by propaganda and willing to serve as pawns for hidden forces.
As for the technology itself… it doesn't exist. To reduce public pressure, the Crimson Research Institute officially announced the abandonment of the project.
7. Regarding your request for access to the Star City Shelter credentials, I'll do my best, but there's no guarantee we'll last long enough to secure it.
However, the Crimson Research Institute has a secret experimental base. In case of emergency, it could serve as our final refuge. If you ever need answers, head there. Your genetic data is preserved, and the base will always be open to you.
8. As for your so-called "Little Black," we will continue investigating. If I don't mention it in my future emails, it means I didn't live long enough to uncover the truth. You can look for clues in the secret shelter—our successors might already have the answers.
10. Breaking news! An eighteen-year-old beauty (ahem, me) is leaving messages for a possibly imaginary time traveler. Incredible, isn't it? But I do have some good news—significant progress has been made in the creation of Little Mu Qing. I'm thrilled beyond words!
25. After three sleepless days, I've hit a research bottleneck again. But here's some positive news—our team intercepted a batch of resources originally allocated to the Institute of Technological Research. They sent dozens of masked operatives to secure it.
Now, we have a substantial cache of domain resources, while the enemy has been deprived of critical supplies. A win-win!
74. It seems the Institute of Technological Research has learned some of our secrets. They've launched attacks, just as you predicted. Our Crimson branch in Twilight City was recently targeted.
Thankfully, we had precautions in place. Sensitive data storage rooms were rigged with explosives. We remotely detonated them, ensuring the attackers gained nothing. However, this proves the enemy has gathered intelligence on us, including our counter-infiltration plans. From here on, the battle will only intensify.
78. The situation looks grim. The Institute of Technological Research wields immense power, and we've lost several key operatives recently. They were killed while carrying out missions against the institute.
This reminded me of your accounts of Mu Qing's brutal purge of domain combat squads after establishing the Dawn Army. Could it be that the Institute of Technological Research secretly controls several elite domain squads? If so, Mu Qing might have discovered this and decisively eliminated them.
82. You once mentioned Mu Qing's actions in destroying entire cities. Could these events be linked to instructions from Mu Yan after her sudden appearance? Perhaps Mu Yan uncovered a critical secret that required such drastic measures.
Damn it, you've left me with so many unsolved mysteries. My mind is flooded with questions, and I can only curse you while trying to focus on research.
125. I've been paying less attention to the Institute of Technological Research lately, focusing instead on the creation of Little Mu Qing. If I fail, your future self will lose her protection.
Meanwhile, our conflict with the Institute of Technological Research is now an open secret. Both sides are engaged in overt and covert struggles. If anything major happens, I'll leave a message for you.
131. Damn it, your weapon prototype failed again.
I don't understand—without the rune crystal from Mu Qing's body, is it impossible to replicate her? Are other rune crystals truly useless for this purpose?
147. Mu Qing has formally established the Dawn Army. We've lost all contact with her and dare not attempt to reach out. Publicly, she now stands against humanity.
Anyone caught secretly communicating with her faces severe consequences. If discovered, it would spell the end of the Crimson Research Institute—not at the hands of the Institute of Technological Research but from being attacked by all major factions.
As for Mu Qing's motives for city-wide massacres, you'll have to figure that out yourself. We'll handle access to shelter credentials and Little Black's origins as best we can. If the Crimson Research Institute survives, we'll find the answers.
268. The Dawn Army is expanding rapidly, with numerous scavengers joining their ranks. Mu Yan, that enigmatic old woman, seems to hold a managerial role within the rebellion. But her origins remain shrouded in mystery—even I know nothing about her.
692. Mu Qing has died. Afterward, Mu Yan took over as the leader of the Dawn Army and continued the fight against the shadowy forces. During this period, they wiped out several branch bases of the Institute of Technological Research, leaving me utterly thrilled.
Meanwhile, none of our Crimson Research Institute's bases have been attacked.
Clearly, Mu Yan knows exactly who the hidden enemies of human civilization are.
729. Major trouble has arisen. The public now believes that our Crimson Research Institute is secretly colluding with the Dawn Army, and even with domain creatures.
To support this claim, they've listed a series of so-called "evidence." Let me highlight a few for you:
1. Mu Qing's Rune Enhancement Project was allegedly completed within the Crimson Research Institute. They're accusing us of being the masterminds behind Mu Qing's plans.
Honestly… we have no real way to refute this. The best we can say is that after completing her rune modification experiments, Mu Qing cut ties with us.
2. Feng Qi's Cell Regeneration Technology was developed during his tenure at the Crimson Research Institute.
These idiots still think there's something wrong with the Cell Regeneration Technology. How are we even supposed to explain this?
3. While the Dawn Army has been storming cities and slaughtering civilians, none of the Crimson Research Institute's bases have been targeted or destroyed.
Seriously… how do we explain this one? (angrily slams desk emoji)
The outside world demands an explanation and believes the Crimson Research Institute is deeply suspicious.
We're utterly overwhelmed trying to clear our name. If I weren't here inside the Crimson Research Institute and aware of the truth, even I'd start doubting whether we're guilty.
738. A top-level meeting was held. It seems inevitable that the Crimson Research Institute will need to relocate to its underground secret base.
The Institute of Technological Research has gained an overwhelming advantage on all fronts, and public trust in us has plummeted. We are powerless to defend ourselves.
Our best option now is to secretly relocate everything—important equipment, documents, all of it—to the secret base. No point in trying to explain anymore.
I suddenly thought of something: perhaps in the future, you'll be vindicated. The world might believe we, the Crimson Research Institute, caused your death. After all, we've already been irreparably labeled as "traitors."
749. This will likely be my final message. We're pulling out.
The secret base, for safety reasons, won't be connected to the outside world. It will operate entirely on an internal network. As a researcher, I won't be allowed to leave, and all external resources will be acquired by cultivators trained by the institute.
From now on, I'll become a proud member of the underground resistance. This is farewell. (bows with clasped hands emoji)
If fate allows, we'll meet again in the future!
Feng Qi let out a long sigh as he finished reading. The fate of the Crimson Research Institute was truly tragic. After all their sacrifices, they ended up branded as "reactionaries." Despite their tireless efforts, they were utterly outmatched in the struggle against the Institute of Technological Research.
Still, there was a silver lining—he now had confirmation that the Institute of Technological Research was the shadowy force manipulating events from behind the scenes. There was no longer a need to blindly search for the enemy's whereabouts.
He glanced at the time and made up his mind to head straight for the Crimson Research Institute's secret base. It might hold the Star City Shelter access credentials he needed, along with detailed information about Little Black.