I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

Realizing that the bizarre world in the dream was likely a glimpse of the future, Feng Qi sank deep into thought.

"If this dream world is indeed the future, does that mean Star City will one day fall and become completely engulfed by domain fields?"

Thinking about the desolate scene outside the Shelter, Feng Qi's expression grew grim.

"I don't believe it!"

To verify his hypothesis, he opened the Star City Historical Database, hoping to find some answers.

What he discovered next left him completely shaken.

According to the records, approximately 500 years ago, all cities were overtaken by domain fields. The surviving humans were forced to dig shelters within the domains to eke out a fragile existence, but in the end, humanity still faced extinction.

Reading this bleak account of humanity's future, Feng Qi found it hard to believe.

[Having seen the tragic fate of humanity's future, you clench your fists and grit your teeth, letting out a silent roar in your heart: "I will change the future! I will rewrite humanity's fate! Humanity will never surrender! Awooo!"]

This time, Feng Qi didn't argue with the narrator. His expression was solemn as he murmured,

"If I change the present, will it alter the future?"

[Every flap of a butterfly's wings triggers a series of chain reactions. Though you are as small as a drop of water, you have the power to stir up great waves in the river of time.]

"I understand now!"

At that moment, Feng Qi realized why the narrator had guided him to the Shelter. Clearly, something here held the key to altering the future.

The massive trove of information stored in the database would allow him to foresee critical events and access invaluable knowledge.

This information detailed future occurrences that had yet to happen in the real world.

His curiosity grew, and he couldn't help but ask,

"Narrator, am I your chosen savior?"

[p~tui!]

Feng Qi: …

As always, the narrator didn't disappoint, maintaining its signature snarky tone.

In a normal situation, someone would likely be overwhelmed, shocked, or even in denial. The average person might feel too small and insignificant to bear such a heavy responsibility. Becoming a savior? Most would simply prefer to focus on their own survival.

But Feng Qi accepted it calmly.

At that moment, he remembered a speech Old Wang had once delivered in class:

"I don't know what the future holds for humanity, but I do know this: No matter what challenges, adversities, or desperate situations we face, humanity will never compromise or surrender.

"This unyielding resolve is embedded in our bones—especially for us from Xia Nation. You can even see this spirit reflected in our mythology.

"The discovery of fire wasn't a stroke of luck; it was the result of humans relentlessly grinding wood to create flames.

"When faced with catastrophic floods, Da Yu chose not to enter his home three times, devoting himself instead to fighting against nature.

"Think of Hou Yi shooting down the suns, Jing Wei filling the sea, or Kuafu chasing the sun. Strip away the mythical embellishments, and at their core, these stories represent humanity's indomitable spirit: to never give up or admit defeat.

"When faced with problems, we solve them—we don't run away.

"Take the story of Yu Gong moving mountains. Instead of relocating his family or giving up, he resolved to spend his entire life—and the lives of his descendants—moving the mountains blocking his home.

"Humanity's future may be on the brink, but we must always believe that the future belongs to us, and that dawn will break the darkness!"

These words had once filled Feng Qi with passion, leaving a deep impression on him.

And now, he was presented with an opportunity.

"If someone has to step up, why can't it be me?"

In that moment, Feng Qi made his decision: He would save humanity. He would save the future.

Turning back to the display, he began browsing the database.

If anything could drive the progress of human civilization, technology was undoubtedly the answer. But when it came to combating the monsters within domain fields, Feng Qi believed that cultivation techniques were the key.

While advancements in technology could accelerate social productivity, cultivation techniques had the potential to transform the very nature of human life. Like a phoenix reborn, humanity could become stronger than the creatures lurking in the domains.

Modern cultivation techniques had only been researched for about 500 years, meaning many techniques still had flaws.

For example, some techniques caused irreparable damage to the body. Others rendered practitioners infertile. There were even techniques that shortened lifespans.

Since humanity learned how to harness spiritual energy, researchers had been continuously developing new techniques while improving old ones. However, perfection remained a distant goal.

Feng Qi speculated that after 1,500 years of progress, the cultivation techniques stored in the database must have undergone multiple improvements. These techniques were bound to be far superior to those developed in the real world, which had only experienced 500 years of progress. This was where he could start.

Opening the "Cultivation Techniques" section of the database, a long list of techniques appeared on the screen.

At the same time, a pop-up window interrupted his search:

[Visitor Access Only: Unable to view cultivation techniques rated five stars or higher. Remaining Access Rights: Cultivation Techniques – 1, Personal Profiles – 2, Historical Data – 3. To unlock higher permissions, please log in as a resident or administrator.]

The sudden pop-up caught him off guard.

"The world's already destroyed, and there are still these stupid restrictions? Can't we have some spirit of sharing? Or are they worried that domain creatures might steal this information?"

"Hey, narrator, how about giving me an admin account?"

The narrator didn't respond to Feng Qi's request. Helpless, he turned his attention back to the screen.

[Scarlet Flame Annihilation (Eighth Revised Edition)]

Creator: Wang Yehuo

Rating: Two Stars

Description: This technique converts spiritual energy absorbed into the body into fire-element energy, enhancing the destructive power of spiritual arts. However, it significantly increases the physical burden on the practitioner, often causing damage to the body during cultivation.

Note: Not suitable for teenagers still in their developmental stage.

[Vajra Bone Tempering (Thirteenth Revised Edition)]

Creator: Li Wuyi

Rating: Three Stars

Description: A body cultivation method that uses spiritual energy to temper muscles, bones, and skin, enhancing physical strength and durability.

Note: Not suitable for teenagers still in their developmental stage.

[Set 272 of Cultivation Techniques – Duty of the Era (272nd Revised Edition)]

Creator: Unknown

Rating: One Star

Description: An entry-level cultivation technique developed in the early days after the world transformation. Over time, it has undergone 271 revisions and is designed to strengthen the body, fortify muscles, and nourish health.

Note: Suitable for all ages, but the spiritual energy absorbed through this technique is of relatively low purity and has minimal impact on bloodline advancement.

Staring at the cultivation techniques listed on the screen, Feng Qi hesitated. He only had one chance to view a technique under his visitor permissions.

He wasn't familiar with any of these methods except the Cultivation Techniques, which he had practiced before.

In the real world, Feng Qi had learned the 68th set of Cultivation Techniques, The Era's Young Eagle. The database, however, contained the 272nd set, which had been revised over 200 times since his version.

Curious to see how the newer version compared, Feng Qi made his choice and selected Set 272 – Duty of the Era.

As soon as he clicked, a video began playing.

A stern-looking man in a military uniform appeared on the screen. Standing tall with his arms spread wide, he addressed the viewer in a commanding tone:

"Follow my rhythm and begin training... Duty of the Era. One, two, three, four. Two, two, three, four..."

With a lively background music track playing, Feng Qi instinctively followed the man's movements. He rotated his body, jumped, twisted his limbs, and synchronized his breathing to the rhythm. As he moved, he focused on sensing the surrounding spiritual energy.

A few minutes in, Feng Qi began to notice clusters of glowing spiritual energy particles appearing in his field of vision.

As he continued practicing the movements, these spiritual energy particles were slowly drawn into his body, merging seamlessly with his being.

Compared to the 68th set of Cultivation Techniques, the 272nd set allowed Feng Qi to sense spiritual energy ten times faster and absorb it over three times more efficiently.

This discovery thrilled him.

At that moment, Feng Qi made a firm decision: He would bring this cultivation technique back to the real world and promote it.

If modern teenagers could build their foundations using this future-enhanced version of Cultivation Techniques, it would undoubtedly accelerate their growth and development.

This seemingly simple set of exercises could very well trigger a butterfly effect, reshaping the world 1,500 years into the future.

The thought filled Feng Qi with a sense of purpose. He believed he had stumbled upon a method to help humanity rise rapidly.

"I'll let modern humanity stand on my shoulders to advance," Feng Qi thought to himself.

"And I'll stand on the shoulders of the future!"