After the press conference concluded, Feng Qi's daily life returned to normal.
Public opinion surrounding Flesh Sacrifice had begun to intensify, and its popularity continued to rise steadily.
At the same time, he had become the focus of widespread attention—and everything was unfolding exactly as the Mist Lord had planned.
Early Morning.
The sky was still dim, with low-hanging clouds, and a light drizzle coated the air.
On this particular day, the South Gate of Tiger Soul Base was unusually open.
A long convoy of trucks lined up along the main road, passing through the security checkpoint one by one, making their way into Tiger Soul Base and heading toward the Tiger Soul Warehouse.
The Tiger Soul Research Institute's warehouse was located at the rear of the base.
Its perimeter was surrounded by high walls forged from special metal, with three security checkpoints along the way, each equipped with bio-scan devices to detect life signatures.
The warehouse exterior was patrolled 24/7 by a thirty-man security team, divided into three shifts rotating every eight hours.
At this moment, Feng Qi stood outside the warehouse walls, his gaze fixed on the approaching convoy of transport vehicles.
He then turned to the assistant standing beside him and gave a slight nod.
The assistant was one of the Nightshade Clan members who had been subdued.
His current name was Ye Lao'er.
Without hesitation, Ye Lao'er turned toward the metal wall and entered a long string of codes on the control screen embedded into the structure.
With a deep rumble, the ground trembled, and the metal wall slowly sank into the ground.
Immediately after, the warehouse unfolded like a mobile base from a strategy simulation, expanding rapidly.
In a matter of moments, a large elevator platform emerged from the center of the warehouse, leading directly to the underground storage.
At the same time, the convoy of transport vehicles pulled up outside the warehouse.
Feng Qi gave a simple instruction:
"Begin the resource inventory."
Hearing this, members of the Tiger Soul Research Institute's combat division stepped forward and began unloading the cargo.
Each container was opened and inspected to verify its contents.
The inventory process was highly efficient—
A simple scan with specialized detection devices—developed by the Institute of Technological Research—was enough to automatically catalog the stored materials.
On Feng Qi's tablet, a list of resources was constantly updating in real-time as the scanners identified each material.
This was a routine process he had to personally oversee once every month.
While the Mist Lord had little interest in the ongoing research projects within Tiger Soul Research Institute, he was extremely meticulous when it came to resource management.
Whenever he was at the base, he personally supervised the resource inventory process.
But since the Mist Lord was currently occupied with his covert operations targeting the Crimson Research Institute, this responsibility naturally fell on Feng Qi.
Half a day later.
The monthly resource allocation was fully accounted for.
After verifying that the inventory matched the supply list, Feng Qi issued the distribution orders.
A large batch of spiritual materials was sent to the underground storage via the elevator platform.
The remaining resources were allocated to branch bases, research teams, and even the Tiger Soul Base cafeteria.
Having spent half a day working in the rain, his clothes were already soaked through.
Just as Feng Qi was about to return to his quarters for a change of clothes, he noticed a familiar figure walking toward him from the direction of the South Gate.
The man's clothes were tattered, but his face bore a confident smile.
It was none other than the Mist Lord, who had been away for over ten days.
Seeing the expression on the Mist Lord's face, Feng Qi immediately understood—
The mission had been a success.
The Mist Lord approached and gave him a friendly punch on the chest, grinning as he announced:
"The plan was a success."
Feng Qi wasn't surprised at all.
In the original timeline, the Mist Lord had succeeded as well.
If not for his manipulation of the upper ranks of the Howling Wolf Combat Squad, Feng Qi wouldn't have become its new leader in the previous sacrificial timeline—let alone have gained access to the core of the Institute of Technological Research.
After a brief exchange, Feng Qi gained a rough understanding of the Mist Lord's experiences in Twilight City.
Everything had gone according to plan.
At this stage, the Institute of Technological Research had already begun to view the Crimson Research Institute as a potential threat.
Soon enough, their caution would evolve into outright hostility, just as the Mist Lord had intended.
As he listened to the details, Feng Qi glanced at the Mist Lord's tattered clothes and smirked:
"Now that you're back, does that mean the current phase of the 'fire-stoking' plan is over? What's next?"
The Mist Lord stretched lazily, his expression relaxed but determined:
"I'm going into seclusion for a few months. After that, I'll decide on the next steps. Strength always comes first, after all."
With that, he turned to Ye Lao'er, his voice suddenly turning cold and commanding:
"Ye Lao'er, open the warehouse gate. Your master needs to enter seclusion."
Ye Lao'er shuddered.
Since cultivating Flesh Sacrifice, his life was completely bound to the Mist Lord's control.
Without hesitation, he ran toward the warehouse control panel and entered the security codes.
The metallic walls—which had only just risen back into place—sank once again, revealing the warehouse interior.
The Mist Lord turned back, patted Feng Qi on the shoulder, and said:
"I'll be in seclusion for now. If anything urgent comes up, contact me through the communicator."
Feng Qi nodded:
"Go ahead."
The Mist Lord grinned, then stepped onto the warehouse's elevator platform, descending into the underground resource storage.
For the Tiger Soul Research Institute, this warehouse was one of its most valuable and heavily restricted areas.
But to the Mist Lord, it was nothing more than a vault he could freely raid.
As the elevator platform lowered, Feng Qi was about to turn away—
When he noticed the Mist Lord raising a hand, giving him a thumbs-up with a teasing smile.
Feng Qi: …
Three days later, Feng Qi sat in his office, flipping through the latest news reports.
Just then, his phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID—it was an unknown number.
With a trace of curiosity, he answered the call.
"Is this Professor Feng?"
"Speaking. And you are?"
"I'm a representative from the Achievement Evaluation Department of the United Research Institute. After reviewing your contributions, our assessment committee has confirmed that you will be awarded the Humanity's Outstanding Gold Medal. Your medal is currently being custom-made and will be delivered to you within a month."
The person on the other end paused briefly before continuing:
"In addition, we have decided to erect a statue of you in the Star City Memorial Hall. We would like to invite you to visit the Star City branch of the United Research Institute soon for a full-body scan to facilitate the sculpting process."
After ending the call, Feng Qi stood up from his desk and walked toward the core section of the base.
This honor did not surprise him in the least.
To the major research institutions, and even to the United Research Institute, the cultivation technique Flesh Sacrifice was already recognized as a groundbreaking development capable of revolutionizing modern cultivation science.
Receiving the Humanity's Outstanding Gold Medal was an inevitable conclusion.
As for building a statue of him in the Star City Memorial Hall, this was part of the Mist Lord's plan all along.
Before setting off for Twilight City, the Mist Lord had already submitted an official request in the name of the entire upper management of Tiger Soul Research Institute to the United Research Institute.
Now that Flesh Sacrifice had earned a "Perfect" rating in its first-round evaluation, the process was clearly being accelerated.
Feng Qi wanted to handle this quickly.
The sooner it was completed, the faster the Mist Lord's plan could progress, and the sooner he could harness the power of faith to further enhance himself.
Perhaps… his speculation from last night might even come true.
He might actually get to meet himself from the main timeline fifteen hundred years later.
After changing into fresh clothes, he contacted the United Research Institute again to confirm the arrangements.
Once the call ended, he summoned a military vehicle and set out for the United Research Institute.
As the military vehicle left Tiger Soul Base, he gazed out of the window, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.
The last time he visited the United Research Institute, he was branded as a human traitor.
But this time, he was arriving as a hero, carrying the glory of humanity on his shoulders.
One Month Later
Outside the Star City Hero Memorial Hall
A military vehicle bearing the Tiger Soul Research Institute's insignia came to a stop outside the memorial hall.
Wearing casual clothes, Feng Qi stepped out of the vehicle.
After giving some instructions to the driver, he put on a mask and turned to face the Hero Memorial Hall.
The structure was steeped in history, its front plaza dominated by a tall monument, etched with the names of fallen heroes.
Step by step, Feng Qi ascended the stone staircase leading to the memorial hall.
Today, the crowds were overwhelming—entry required waiting in line.
It was a special occasion.
His heroic statue was scheduled to be unveiled today, formally joining the ranks of legendary figures immortalized in the memorial hall.
Many Star City residents had flocked to the event, eager to witness the moment.
Feng Qi followed the flow of people, waiting in line for half an hour before finally entering the hall.
The interior of the memorial hall was spacious and solemn.
The first things that greeted visitors were tattered battle flags, arranged in rows, alongside photo albums lining the walls.
Stopping in front of an exhibition platform, Feng Qi focused his gaze on a staff member giving a historical explanation.
The staff member was describing the story behind a set of images displayed on the wall behind him.
Feng Qi turned his eyes to the photo album—
It featured a one-legged warrior.
His name was Ye Wushui.
Feng Qi was no stranger to his story—he had heard about him before in Old Wang's history lectures.
This part of history occurred during the early years of the Great Cataclysm.
Ye Wushui was originally a graduate of Victory Academy, who, upon graduation, immediately joined the frontlines of the war, dedicating his life to fighting Domain Field invasions.
His legendary tale began at the age of twenty-nine.
At that time, a Domain Field numbered 3-11, known as "Tu Tan", had fully merged with Earth.
This Domain Field was home to numerous powerful Transcendent creatures, including a faction known as the Tu Tan Clan.
The Tu Tan Clan was extraordinarily unique.
They possessed exceptional disguise abilities, making it nearly impossible to distinguish them from humans based on appearance alone.
Moreover, they never engaged in direct combat with humanity.
Instead, they captured humans and conducted genetic research to engineer bioweapons, attempting to wipe out human civilization through viral warfare.
The Tu Tan Domain Field posed a severe threat to Star City's development, but ultimately, it was successfully expelled.
However, the danger did not disappear.
After the Domain Field collapsed, many of the Transcendent creatures perished as their bodies disintegrated without the support of Domain Laws.
But many members of the Tu Tan Clan managed to survive.
As Feng Qi continued forward through the Star City Memorial Hall, the remnants of the past weighed heavily on him.
The remaining members of the Tu Tan Clan, after the collapse of their Domain Field, had not disappeared.
Instead, they had retreated into the shadows, lurking in the outskirts of Star City, capturing residents from neighboring cities for genetic experiments.
Their ultimate goal: revenge against humanity through bioweapons.
The Star City Military Department had attempted numerous strategies to eradicate them, but all had failed.
The surviving Tu Tan were extremely cautious—they never openly engaged in combat with humans.
Instead, they disguised themselves as ordinary people, blending seamlessly into small towns and cities near Star City, only making their move when they were certain of success.
During that time, Ye Wushui took a stand.
The moment he learned about the Tu Tan's activities, he requested an extended leave from his unit at the frontlines.
He then made his way to one of the affected cities, disguising himself as a wandering beggar, feigning madness to draw attention.
For over a month, he slept on the streets, ate scraps from the ground, and even fought wild dogs for food.
A silly grin was always plastered on his face.
Eventually, the Tu Tan Clan took notice.
Believing him to be harmless, they captured him and transported him to their hidden stronghold outside the city.
What followed was three months of agony.
Imprisonment, forced experimentation, limb amputation—
He endured unspeakable torture, never breaking.
And then, one day, he seized his only opportunity.
The Tu Tan Clan, convinced that he was completely broken, had grown careless.
That was the moment he escaped.
Wounded and barely clinging to life, he dragged himself back to Star City Military Department, revealing the location of the Tu Tan stronghold.
Shortly after, the Star City forces launched an assault, eradicating the Tu Tan remnants once and for all.
As Feng Qi gazed at the scarred figure of Ye Wushui in the exhibit, he felt an overwhelming sense of respect.
"Lu Xun once said: 'Throughout history, there have always been those who toil silently, those who fight desperately, those who speak for the people, and those who sacrifice themselves for the truth... Even the so-called official histories, written to glorify emperors and generals, cannot obscure their brilliance. These people are the backbone of a nation.'"
Feng Qi recalled Old Wang's words from class—
"They chose to walk through the darkness, so that you could have a future bathed in light."
As he moved along with the crowd, his eyes swept across the tattered flags and the historical photographs.
Some things…
You only truly understand their weight after you've experienced them yourself.
Just like how, across countless sacrifice timelines, his own name had been recorded in history, often reduced to nothing more than a brief mention.
History is vast.
Individuals are small.
The heroes enshrined in this memorial hall were no different.
Each name represented a story of sacrifice, far more profound than what a few words on a plaque or a handful of images could ever capture.
They had all lived full lives before they became legends.
At this moment, Feng Qi felt as though he was reaching across the currents of time, connecting with them.
Moving through the memorial exhibits, he saw broken flags, bloodstained uniforms, shattered weapons—
Each artifact held the weight of a piece of history.
And finally, the unveiling hall came into view.
This was the reason he had come today.
Standing among the crowd, he looked toward the black-draped statue at the front of the hall, feeling a deep sense of conflict.
Across multiple sacrifice timelines, he had certainly earned his place here.
But in this timeline, he felt unworthy.
From the Winterfell Supply Zone to the Old Day East Supply Zone, and then to Tiger Soul Research Institute, his hands had been stained with the blood of his own kind.
And yet, here he was.
A man who had fully embraced darkness was about to be honored as a human hero.
His statue would stand forever in the Star City Memorial Hall, worshiped by future generations.
Beneath this glorious facade was a truth twisted in shadows.
In fact, he felt that his statue being placed here was an insult to true heroes.
Like a black stain on an otherwise vivid painting.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm his emotions.
Just then, a familiar voice spoke beside him—
"Do you feel like you don't deserve this?"
He turned and saw Wei Wei, standing next to him.
"Didn't expect to see me here, did you?" she said with a playful smirk.
"I was invited to this event. Surprised?"
"A little," he admitted.
"Back to the question—
You think you don't deserve to have a statue here, don't you?"
"Do I?" he asked. "You tell me."
"Of course you do."
Her voice was firm.
"You think you're undeserving because of what you've done… But let me tell you something.
Falling into darkness doesn't mean you are darkness itself.
Darkness is merely the stepping stone you used to climb toward the light."
Feng Qi froze, caught off guard by her words.
Wei Wei grinned and leaned in.
"Did that warm your heart?" she teased.
"No."