Translator: CinderTL
The most crowded shop at the moment was called "Invincible Battle."
Despite its name suggesting a weapon-crafting store, it sold something entirely different.
This shop sold items similar to "sports trading cards" from before the cataclysm.
The academy students were avid collectors of cards featuring renowned frontline warriors, using them for their collections.
The cards were categorized by rarity, with "Legendary Cards" commanding particularly high prices.
The company operated over a hundred stores in Star City alone, with chain stores in other cities as well.
Each year, the company allocated a portion of its profits to purchase the portrait rights of frontline warriors, and the warriors received royalties from card sales.
Even if a warrior fell in battle, the royalties from cards bearing their likeness would continue to be paid to their surviving family members.
The "Invincible Battle" company behind the card shop also sponsored the Academy Cafeteria.
After walking further down the bustling street, they arrived at a Pet Shop tucked around a corner.
The academy discouraged pet ownership, so the shop saw little foot traffic.
As they pushed open the door, a bell chimed.
Inside, a middle-aged man in a work uniform was grooming a dog while an academy student stood nearby.
When the student saw Feng Qi, his expression froze for a moment before he immediately called out, "Teacher Feng!"
Feng Qi smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
"All done. That'll be 1,000," the shop owner said, finishing Gouzi's grooming and turning to the student with a smile.
"1,000? Why so expensive? My haircut only costs 50!" The student, seemingly new to the shop, was visibly surprised by the price.
"Humans and dogs aren't the same, are they?"
"Why not?"
"Dogs eat poop. Would you?" The shop owner rolled his eyes.
"What if I would?" the student retorted stubbornly.
"Then I'll charge you 1,000 for a haircut too."
Feng Qi and Lin Ran couldn't help but chuckle at this exchange.
After some haggling, the student reluctantly paid the 1,000 yuan and led Gouzi out of the pet shop.
After explaining their purpose, the shop owner gave Three-Tailed a vaccination shot.
During the injection, Three-Tailed bared his teeth and snarled. If Feng Qi hadn't been present, he might have slapped the owner.
With the vaccination, Three-Tailed now had official identification within the academy.
Next, Feng Qi and Lin Ran headed straight for the Academy Library.
Three days later.
After finishing the Clear Heart Wine, Feng Qi meticulously cleaned the equipment.
With the task completed, he sat down at his desk.
He had already planned the trajectory of this Future Line.
In this iteration, he would focus entirely on the villain's path, gaining intelligence through the perspective of the Domain Force.
The process might be brutal, but he had mentally prepared himself.
Some pain must be endured.
He opened his notebook, its pages densely filled with the plan for this Future Line:
1. Join the Scarlet Research Institute and have the Demon Dragon Rune Crystal implanted.
2. Undergo three years of physical adaptation training to ensure his body remains within manageable limits.
3. Cultivate spiritual immortality to further enhance his strength.
Note: The cultivation of spiritual immortality must be slowed down; otherwise, premature death is highly likely.
After reviewing the plan, he carried the Clear Heart Wine to the sofa and sat down.
Twisting open the cap, he drank about a third of the bottle.
His body temperature quickly began to rise.
Summoning his status panel, he watched the percentage values jump erratically as he lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes.
After some time, a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and Feng Qi's expression gradually relaxed into peaceful serenity.
When he opened his eyes again, it was dark outside.
The Narrator, Three-Tailed, his innate ability... it all felt like a dream.
Now that the dream had ended, everything had vanished like smoke.
Bending down to rise from the sofa, he picked up his phone from the coffee table and dialed Wei Wei's number.
When the call connected:
"Sister Wei, a new timeline has begun..."
Three years later.
A private jet bearing the insignia of the Scarlet Research Institute landed at the Winterfrost Supply Zone.
The cabin door opened, and Feng Qi, carrying a backpack, disembarked.
Outside, snow fell heavily, and the temperature plummeted to -23°C.
After three years of rigorous training, his strength had increased dramatically.
Even wearing short sleeves, he felt no chill from the biting cold.
Three years of preparation had culminated in this moment. His villainous plan was about to commence.
Power was paramount in this Future Line.
Previous timelines had demonstrated the brutal nature of conflicts between Domain Forces.
To gather sufficient intelligence, he needed overwhelming strength.
The three-year training regimen had been entirely focused on enhancing his power.
Embedding rune crystals, cultivating spiritual immortality... these methods of gaining strength all drained his life force, but he no longer cared.
From the moment he became a Sacrifice Line, he had steeled himself for this.
Exchanging lifespan for power was a bargain he couldn't afford to pass up.
Taking a deep breath of the frigid air, he strode into the supply zone.
The reason he had waited three years to launch his villainous plan was simple.
To become a major villain in this Future Line, he needed Mu Qing's help.
Mu Qing had graduated three days ago and had already arrived at the Winterfrost Supply Zone.
According to the normal historical trajectory, Mu Qing would have already joined a domain combat team by now.
Sometime in the future, she would inevitably encounter the Lord of the Mist.
Their clash was inevitable. The Lord of the Mist would survive, but Mu Qing would shatter his Domain Field.
That moment would mark the Lord of the Mist's most vulnerable and desperate hour.
This was the perfect entry point for his villainous path.
He would meet the Lord of the Mist, rise together, and grow together...
Through the Lord of the Mist, he could also gather invaluable information.
But this villainous path carried risks.
If the Lord of the Mist proved uncooperative, his entire plan could end before it even began.
Yet, to advance his villainous path effectively, he had to accept this risk.
Braving the wind and snow, he pressed onward.
He reached the supply zone's inn, rented a room, and settled in.
In the days that followed, he patiently awaited news of Mu Qing from the Scarlet Research Institute.
During this time, he didn't waste a moment, engaging in rigorous training sessions daily.
However, he rarely ventured outside.
He feared encountering Mu Qing in the supply zone and disrupting the progression of the timeline.
Three weeks later, he was awakened by a call from Wei Wei.
As he answered, her familiar voice came through the line:
"Feng Qi, prepare yourself. Mu Qing's domain combat team has already departed for the Silent Domain Field."
"Understood!"
"This path may be arduous..." Wei Wei hesitated.
"It doesn't matter. Even if all of humanity condemns me, I'm used to it," Feng Qi replied with a smile.
"Then... good luck. We'll be in touch again in the future."
"Yeah, goodbye."
After hanging up, he began packing his belongings and organizing his backpack.
Descending the stairs, he settled his bill and climbed into the snowmobile he had purchased days earlier from the parking lot outside the hotel. Braving the biting wind, he set off toward the Silent Domain Field.
"Mist, I'm coming for you!"
(End of the Chapter)
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