Feng Qi glanced at the blood-red markings etched across his skeletal frame, then at the blood leopard lying lifeless at his feet.
This was the first time he had faced a domain creature without activating Blood Source and emerged victorious.
Walking to the fallen leopard, he raised his fist and brought it down decisively.
A final whimper escaped the creature as its body dissolved into a mist of blood, which then seeped into Feng Qi's body.
Opening his attribute panel, Feng Qi noticed he had gained a new talent ability.
[Swift Lv1 (Upgradable Prefix Title)]: Legs are slightly enhanced, increasing movement speed by 3% and leg strength by 3%.
"This is pretty useless," he muttered.
Still, a marginal gain was better than nothing. Incremental improvements might one day give him the edge he needed to surpass Little Black.
With the leopard defeated, Feng Qi resumed his journey toward Star City Shelter.
Although history had changed, humanity's ultimate fate had not.
The once-bustling Star City was now a ruin, 1,500 years later. Everywhere he looked, decay and desolation stretched as far as the eye could see.
Unlike before, he no longer needed to tread cautiously.
The domain creatures inhabiting these abandoned cities were mostly weak. Unless he encountered rare exceptions like those with blood-red eyes, most ordinary domain creatures posed no threat to him.
At worst, he could activate Blood Source and still hold his own.
Feng Qi walked westward along the crumbling streets.
As he journeyed, the overlapping memories in his mind began to align and integrate, sharpening the details he had previously reviewed in the Crimson Research Institute's files.
Among the recovered memories were those relating to Old Wang's analysis of the Flesh Sacrifice.
Influenced by Feng Qi, Old Wang had not joined Tiger Soul Research Institute. Instead, he had connected with Wei Wei and joined the Crimson Research Institute.
With Crimson's resources, Old Wang began decoding the mysteries of the Flesh Sacrifice.
However, this god-tier cultivation technique far exceeded Old Wang's understanding. Despite extending his life with gene injections to over 200 years, he passed away without fully unraveling the hidden dangers within the technique.
That didn't mean his efforts were in vain.
During his research, Old Wang had left behind a wealth of valuable data.
The Crimson Research Institute meticulously organized this information, integrating it into their database.
Crimson's approach mirrored Feng Qi's philosophy: if one timeline couldn't crack the Flesh Sacrifice, future timelines could build upon this foundation.
With enough accumulated knowledge, one timeline would eventually succeed.
At that point, the Flesh Sacrifice, stripped of its risks, would serve as a powerful tool for advancing humanity's progress.
Feng Qi had memorized the institute's findings on the Flesh Sacrifice. While some details were still hazy due to memory overlap, he wasn't concerned.
The integration process simply required time. The data was stored securely in his memory and wouldn't be lost.
His plan was to bring the decryption data back to reality and pass it to Old Wang in the next timeline.
As for Lin Ran's future, Feng Qi now had clarity.
In this timeline, Lin Ran's path mirrored that of countless others. Apart from Old Wang, Lin Ran had been the Mist Lord's ideal candidate.
Eventually, Lin Ran became a historical icon and officially introduced the Flesh Sacrifice technique.
Whether Lin Ran had ultimately escaped the Mist Lord's parasitic influence—or even reversed the parasitism—was something Feng Qi couldn't determine.
Before leaving this dream realm, Feng Qi planned to visit the Mist Region.
Perhaps, after 1,500 years of dormancy, Lin Ran had acquired the power to rebel against the Black Mist Lord.
If he could recruit both Lin Ran and Suction Cup as his guardians, Feng Qi's dominance in the dream realm would be unshakable.
Even if defeating Little Black remained out of reach, he could extend his stay in the dream realm significantly.
Lost in thought, Feng Qi moved through the dilapidated cityscape.
At the end of the street, he spotted a group of domain creatures engaged in combat.
The attackers were familiar: Goat-Headed Demons, a frequent presence in this area.
The opposing domain creature, however, was highly unusual.
It resembled a humanoid figure with jet-black skin and a pair of bone wings.
What surprised Feng Qi most was its unique combat style.
The creature could grow bone spikes from any part of its body, forming shields or spears as needed.
The ten or so Goat-Headed Demons surrounding it couldn't gain the upper hand.
When overwhelmed, the humanoid transformed into a spiked porcupine, making it impossible for the demons to approach. Forced to maintain their distance, they resorted to hurling fireballs instead.
But the humanoid's bones were exceptionally tough.
The fireballs left only scorch marks, failing to break through its defenses.
Watching the battle unfold, Feng Qi turned to the Narrator.
"Narrator, can I take it?"
[Activate Blood Source, and you've got this. Without it? Don't embarrass yourself by dying needlessly.]
Hearing this, Feng Qi didn't hesitate. He activated Blood Source.
It wasn't that he sympathized with the Goat-Headed Demons—he was simply intrigued by the humanoid domain creature's abilities.
Over time, he had come to enjoy hunting domain creatures.
Each kill brought new talents, like priceless collectibles for his personal gallery. These talents not only showcased his power but also expanded it.
His attribute panel was like a catalog of treasures, detailing each ability's effects and enhancements.
Even seemingly useless talents might prove invaluable under the right circumstances.
As Blood Source activated, Feng Qi's heartbeat accelerated.
A crimson mist erupted from his heart, enveloping his body.
Muscles rapidly regenerated, and the blood-red markings on his bones twisted and shifted.
This was his first time activating Blood Source after completing his bloodline evolution.
The amplification far exceeded his expectations.
Previously, his transformed height was just over two meters. Now, he stood over three meters tall, with the dark crimson markings extending across his flesh.
As he clenched his fists, veins bulged like writhing dragons, spreading across his body.
Feng Qi prepared to strike. This encounter promised not only a challenge but the opportunity to add another unique talent to his growing arsenal.
Stretching his body, a symphony of cracking bones echoed as blood surged through his veins, creating the sound of rushing waves.
This is it! The epitome of masculinity! This is how a real man should be.]
Feeling the power coursing through him, Feng Qi turned to observe the humanoid domain creature locked in combat with the Goat-Headed Demons.
Against Little Black, he had to tread cautiously, but against a beatable opponent? A direct, overwhelming assault was the only option.
Pushing off with explosive force, the ground shattered beneath him as Feng Qi shot forward like a cannonball, aiming for the domain creature adorned with bone spikes.
Sensing danger, the humanoid creature quickly turned toward him. Its bones twisted and rearranged, forming a shield in an attempt to block Feng Qi's oncoming punch.
Bang!
Feng Qi's massive fist smashed into the bone shield with the force of a freight train. Cracks webbed across the shield, and the impact sent the creature hurtling backward, embedding it in the wall of a nearby building.
As he stood still, his smoking right fist emanated heat from the sheer force of the blow. A savage grin spread across his face.
Close combat thrilled him in a way that spellcasting never could.
[Feng Qi, you've ascended. You truly understand now.]
Ignoring the narrator's quips, Feng Qi fixed his gaze on the humanoid domain creature. Emerging from the rubble, the creature landed heavily on the ground.
Its body was now coated in a milky-white substance, which solidified into a suit of bone armor. From its palms, a bone spike extended, twisting into a blade.
"Bone manipulation? Interesting," Feng Qi mused.
He had assumed the creature could merely grow bones, but its ability to freely reshape them added a layer of complexity.
Seeing this, Feng Qi's desire for this ability grew. He was certain it would perfectly complement his combat form.
With that thought, he charged forward again, aiming a massive fist directly at the bone blade.
The blade was sharp but only managed to pierce an inch into his dense muscles before stopping.
Feng Qi's punch, carrying the force of a mountain, landed squarely on the bone armor, sending the creature flying once more. The armor cracked under the pressure, though the fissures were quickly sealed by the white substance.
Before the creature could recover, Feng Qi advanced and kicked it into an abandoned shop. Without hesitation, he followed it inside.
As the creature struggled to stand, Feng Qi grabbed its ankle and began slamming it against the ground with relentless ferocity.
Shelves crumbled to dust with every impact, leaving the shop in utter ruin.
Though the bone armor regenerated quickly, the creature inside was clearly suffering. White blood seeped through the cracks, dripping steadily onto the ground.
Against overwhelming force, technique held no sway.
The humanoid domain creature had undoubtedly mastered its ability, excelling in both offense and defense. Against the Goat-Headed Demons, it had dominated.
But against Feng Qi, who wielded raw, unrelenting strength amplified by Blood Source, its techniques were meaningless.
Feng Qi didn't bother with strategy, dodging, or counters. He simply pummeled his opponent into submission, relying on brute strength to crush its resistance.
Eventually, the shop's ceiling collapsed under the chaos, burying them both in rubble.
Amid the destruction, the humanoid domain creature finally succumbed, its life extinguished.
As blood mist rose from the corpse, it was drawn into Feng Qi's body. Almost immediately, searing pain wracked his form.
It felt as though an external force was systematically shattering his bones. He could hear them crack and splinter, the sound resonating within his own body.
Moments later, the pain faded as suddenly as it had arrived.
Pushing aside the debris, Feng Qi stood up, his movements deliberate as he opened his attribute panel.
Just as he'd hoped, a new ability had been added.
[Bone Veins (Bloodline Talent Ability)]:
Your bones are completely restructured, allowing you to freely manipulate, reorganize, and regrow them at will. (This ability cannot be upgraded and is limited by the strength of your bones.)
[This is perfect! The Bone Veins ability complements your Steel Bones and combat form seamlessly. You won't even need Blood Source to fight effectively now.]
Feng Qi smirked at the narrator's enthusiasm.
Experimenting, he focused on his hand. A crack appeared in his palm, and a milky-white liquid oozed out. The liquid twisted in the air, eventually solidifying into a massive bone club, which he grasped tightly.
Testing the club's durability by striking the ground, he nodded in satisfaction. The weapon was as sturdy as he had hoped. With a thought, the club reverted to liquid and was reabsorbed into his body.
Finally, he had a weapon that was both durable and reusable. His mood lifted instantly.
[With this, your close-combat prowess just hit a new high. And the system's mood? Fantastic!]
Stepping out of the ruins, Feng Qi approached the remaining Goat-Headed Demons, who had been observing from a safe distance.
Upon seeing him in his Blood Source form, the demons dropped to their knees, muttering what sounded like prayers.
Ignoring their ramblings, Feng Qi decided against killing them. His thoughts were already focused on reaching Star City Shelter.
He needed to scour the archives and memorize key sections of The Savior's code.
His choice to spare the demons wasn't out of mercy—it was strategic.
Feng Qi harbored plans to assemble a force capable of challenging Little Black within the dream realm.
Suction Cup, Lin Ran (the Black Mist Lord), and even the Goat-Headed Demons could serve as allies. Such a coalition might not defeat Little Black outright but could buy him precious time.
The narrator's speculation added weight to this decision.
According to the narrator, killing unique domain entities caused them to vanish entirely from the timeline, leaving no trace.
This was why Feng Qi had never encountered entities like the blood-eyed beast or Nightmare Beast again after defeating them.
If the Goat-Headed Demons still had potential utility, wiping them out now would be shortsighted.
And Feng Qi preferred to play the long game.
Feng Qi considered the narrator's hypothesis, piecing together observations and logic. One core point stood out: any unique domain entity he defeated seemed to vanish entirely from future iterations of the timeline.
The basis for this idea wasn't just the absence of such entities but also the peculiar nature of his talent abilities.
Every time he opened a new future line, his acquired abilities carried over as though they had been taken from their original sources. In essence, it was as if these abilities were stripped directly from existence itself.
Still, this was merely conjecture. The true reason remained elusive.
Brushing aside these thoughts, Feng Qi shifted his gaze to the kneeling Goat-Headed Demons before turning and sprinting toward Star City Shelter.
Seeing him leave, the Goat-Headed Demons scrambled to their feet, chasing after him in his wake.
Feng Qi's speed was unmatched, and within moments, he vanished from their sight.
The wind howled past his ears, and the remnants of dilapidated buildings blurred around him. Rather than dodging obstacles, he crashed through them head-on, smashing through decrepit walls and reemerging on the other side.
The commotion of his passage would undoubtedly draw the attention of nearby domain creatures, but he was unfazed.
Still enveloped by Blood Source, only entities like the Blood-Eyed Beast posed a genuine threat. Everything else was merely fodder.
In no time, he reached the Bone Pile Zone.
The expanse of skeletal remains spread before him like a macabre ocean. Without breaking stride, he continued through it.
As the effects of Blood Source faded, his form reverted to the battle state.
Reaching the entrance to a metal corridor, he stepped inside, his transformation completing. The shift from the battle state to his human form was seamless, muscles and nerves regenerating in an instant under the shroud of blood mist.
His dual forms were tools for specific purposes—battle for combat scenarios and human for intellectual pursuits. With plans to study The Savior's code and comb through archives, his human form was the clear choice.
When he emerged into the underground plaza, he immediately noticed the changes.
The space had been expanded by more than double, with twice as many reinforced metal doors lining the perimeter. The improvements reflected humanity's progress.
Dust coated the control console at the center, but the large screen was still illuminated, displaying the file he had last accessed:
[Wang Jinsheng (Human Traitor)]
Lifespan: ???
Cause of Death: Unknown
Historical Achievements: None
Evaluation:
Early career as a history teacher at Star City High School. Later recruited by the Crimson Research Institute, where he betrayed humanity alongside its members. Ultimately disappeared with other Crimson personnel.
Staring at the profile, Feng Qi couldn't help but sneer.
Anyone who stood against the domain entities was doomed to be labeled a "human traitor."
True revolutionaries could only progress in secrecy, their greatness destined to remain unrecognized.
Closing Wang Jinsheng's profile, Feng Qi began sifting through other records.
The subsequent information revealed the fates of the Institute of Technological Research and the Tiger Soul Research Institute.
Neither had been destroyed by their rivalry.
It appeared the two institutes had reached some form of truce after suffering mutual losses.
The Tiger Soul Research Institute remained a beacon of innovation, revered as a sacred ground for cultivation enthusiasts and central to the advancement of human cultivation sciences.
The Institute of Technological Research, however, was shrouded in mystery. Its activities during the construction of Star City Shelter were documented, but its ultimate destruction coincided with the fall of Future City.
As for Future City's demise, the database offered only speculative explanations, many suggesting connections to the enigmatic domain entity known as Little Black.
After reviewing these records, Feng Qi returned to the main interface and opened the domain field database.
His next target was to trace the origins of the "Shadow" faction within the domain fields, enabling more focused countermeasures.
Currently, domain fields covered over 50% of the Earth's surface. The sheer number of fields, ranging in the tens of thousands or more, made comprehensive eradication an impossible task.
The best strategy was to identify the domains linked to transcendent entities and eliminate them one by one.
Entering keywords like "mind control," "body reconstruction," and "Shadow," Feng Qi hit the search button.
Hundreds of domain field entries appeared on the screen.
He began opening them one by one, methodically reviewing their descriptions.
Eventually, he clicked on the entry for the "Secret Shadow Domain Field."
As the details unfolded on the screen, his focus sharpened.
This could be the lead he had been seeking.