When the suddenly appearing young man claimed to be Feng Qi, the squad leader couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
But the moment he saw the youth transform into a blood-colored demon, he completely lost his composure.
The legend had described Feng Qi's abilities in detail, specifically mentioning his ability to turn into a blood-colored demon.
Yet, they had always dismissed these tales as mere myths.
The rumor that Feng Qi had traveled through time and would return in a thousand years was something they had always believed to be a fabrication, created by their ancestors to make people hold onto hope for the future.
To them, Feng Qi's legend was just a tool to unite hearts and minds.
But now, as he stared at the young man who had transformed before his eyes, his mind raced, recalling the resemblance of the youth's features to the historic figure in the ancient images.
The thunderous heartbeat, like war drums pounding, reverberated in his ears, and under the immense pressure, he instinctively took several steps back.
"Are you really... Feng Qi?!"
The squad leader finally managed to force the words out, his voice trembling with fear.
Feng Qi didn't respond. Instead, his aura surged, the dark green flames engulfing his body suddenly flaring up. His heart thumped like an engine revving up, emitting deep, powerful pulses.
Just as Feng Qi was about to strike, a sudden thought crossed his mind.
This was the main timeline, and with his unique constitution, every kill would erase the target's bloodline potential, wiping them from all time streams.
Would that mean if he killed all these traitors, they would cease to exist across every timeline?
At that moment, the narrator's voice echoed in his mind:
["That's correct. Once you kill them, they will be erased from all time streams. Even if you establish a new sacrifice timeline, they will never appear again. Even if their mothers conceive once more, the fetus will either be stillborn or be an entirely different child. In short, the version of them you kill will cease to exist forever."]
Hearing this explanation, Feng Qi nodded.
His gaze locked onto the squad leader with the twisted half-face, and a surge of murderous intent erupted within him.
He thought of the ancestors who had fought bloody battles to build Star City.
He thought of Old Wang, who had once stood before a classroom, passionately vowing to uphold humanity's dignity.
He thought of the young soldiers who had given their lives on the front lines to protect all of humanity.
He thought of Wei Wei, who had worked tirelessly in the laboratory, sacrificing countless nights in pursuit of a future.
He could accept that some humans had to endure humiliation for survival, to find an opportunity to rise again.
But these modified "future humans" had crossed the line.
It was understandable to struggle for survival, but turning their blades against their own people and willingly becoming the dogs of the domain races—that was unforgivable.
They had completely severed their spine.
They no longer deserved to be called human.
With that thought, Feng Qi's murderous intent materialized into a thin tide of blood, surging toward them.
The squad leader's expression shifted.
He could sense the danger.
The killing intent overwhelmed him, and a wave of negative emotions flooded his mind—fear, despair, rage, sorrow.
It was as if he had plunged into an ocean of darkness.
These were the emotions Feng Qi had long suppressed—all the pain, all the fury, all the sorrow—now pouring out like an unstoppable tide.
Before Feng Qi could even make a move, the squad leader's emotions had already collapsed.
His eyes widened in terror, and he staggered back several steps before falling to the ground, his will to fight completely shattered.
"Retreat!"
Several squad members rushed forward, grabbing the squad leader as they prepared to flee.
But Feng Qi moved at that moment.
He had decided—he would erase these traitors from existence.
The two squad members supporting the squad leader suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon them.
As they looked up, they saw Feng Qi's massive, towering figure looming over them.
Before they could react, a colossal blood-colored fist expanded in their vision.
Boom!
The ground shuddered, and a wave of blood energy erupted, consuming them.
By the time the crimson tide receded, not even their bones remained—only three blood-colored energy spheres hovered momentarily before being absorbed into Feng Qi's body.
Then, he turned his gaze toward the rest of the squad.
In an instant, he vanished—a blur of motion.
It took less than a minute.
The entire squad was wiped out—their bodies absorbed into Feng Qi's being, their existence erased from every timeline.
With the last of them gone, Feng Qi dismissed his blood-source form and restored his human body.
His eyes swept over the remaining Destiny Organization members.
Then, he strode forward, stopping before Jiang Ming, the apparent leader of the group.
Crouching down, he asked:
"How are you holding up?"
"I... I'm fine... But... are you really Feng Qi?"
Jiang Ming's voice trembled.
He already knew the answer—the youth before him looked exactly like the historic images of Feng Qi.
But he still found it unbelievable.
Even though they had steadfastly followed the Dawn Faction's ideology, even he had doubted whether Feng Qi would truly return.
He had once thought it was just a kind lie left behind by their ancestors.
They had continued the Dawn Faction's beliefs because they hoped that humanity could rise on its own, rather than become slaves to the domain forces.
But now, legend had become reality.
His mind was in turmoil.
"I am Feng Qi. I have returned."
Feng Qi's confirmation sent a shockwave through Jiang Ming's soul.
His expression trembled, and his eyes filled with emotion.
"Since you're back... will you lead humanity to rise again?"
Hearing this question, Feng Qi fell silent.
His gaze swept across the Destiny Organization members, all looking at him with hopeful eyes.
He felt awkward.
He understood Jiang Ming's emotions.
But it was clear that his historical image had been overly glorified.
Back in his own era, Star City's development plan had been about stability and progress.
The goal had been for him to observe how Star City evolved over 1500 years, providing a reference for humanity's future resurgence.
But now, it had turned into a prophecy of his destined return to lead humanity's rise.
It had been deified.
To some, it had become a belief.
To others, it was a symbol of hope in an uncertain future.
It seemed that the Dawn Faction had placed immense expectations on him. Perhaps it was an effort to instill confidence in humanity's future, but in their eyes, his appearance meant that he would lead them to rise again…
["Awkward, isn't it?"]
The narrator's voice rang in his mind.
["I don't doubt your ability to lead the remnants of the Dawn Faction to rise in the apocalypse and establish a small power, but… Little Black will definitely have something to say about that."]
The narrator's words were exactly what Feng Qi had been thinking.
He wanted to help the remaining members of the Dawn Faction rise, but Little Black wouldn't allow it.
His time was limited, yet establishing a stable force required long-term development. He simply did not have the time to oversee humanity's growth and ensure their resurgence.
Now, how should he answer Jiang Ming's question?
If he agreed, it would be a lie.
If he refused, he couldn't bear to crush the hopes of these Dawn descendants.
Rejecting them outright at this moment would be too cruel for those who had held on for so long.
Giving them hope, only to strip it away, would surely break them completely.
After much thought, Feng Qi decided to first understand the current situation of humanity.
With that in mind, he turned to Jiang Ming and asked:
"Tell me about the current state of humanity."
Hearing this, Jiang Ming didn't hesitate and immediately began detailing the situation.
From Jiang Ming's explanation, Feng Qi learned the following:
As of today, the Dawn Faction's remaining members numbered less than 3,000.
They were scattered in small groups throughout Star City, surviving by hunting domain beasts and gathering whatever resources they could.
At the same time, they were constantly being hunted by the 'New Humans'.
Listening to Jiang Ming's account, Feng Qi gained a much deeper understanding of the Dawn Faction's struggles.
After he finished explaining their current state, Feng Qi continued asking:
"What about the New Humans? What's their situation like?"
"They've become nothing more than the slave forces of the domain's powerful clans. Their survival isn't much better than ours. Their numbers shrink every year. The strong clans only reap the benefits they generate but have never once protected them. The only thing they've gained from their loyalty is a form of parasite-induced modification. Honestly, calling them 'dogs' is giving them too much credit."
Hearing this, Feng Qi felt a pang of sorrow.
Humanity's future had turned out to be far bleaker than he had ever imagined.
Thinking back, in several past timelines, Star City had been able to stand firm against the future because of the protection offered by its shelters.
Perhaps, Old Mist had played a significant role in those timelines.
After all, Old Mist was the true mastermind behind Star City at the time.
He had likely repelled countless infiltrators attempting to corrupt the city, keeping Star City's development stable and preventing its collapse.
But in this sacrifice timeline, Old Mist never existed.
With the emergence of new ideologies and the rising calls for integration with the outside world, external forces finally found an opening to infiltrate Star City.
The efforts of the past had been completely undone.
The dream of turning Star City into an unshakable human fortress was shattered by the wave of new thought.
["The predecessors planted trees, yet the successors uprooted them. You may change an era's ideology, but you can't change every era."]
Hearing the narrator's words, Feng Qi nodded.
They were right.
He had the power to change one era, but he couldn't control what happened after he was gone.
After listening to Jiang Ming's explanation, Feng Qi finally understood the truth behind Hei Xuan's words.
The road to human resurgence was going to be far more challenging than he had initially thought.
Back then, he had believed that as long as humanity's foundations were constantly strengthened, they would eventually stand firm 1,500 years into the future, holding their own against the myriad races.
But now, it was clear.
Humanity's internal growth was just as crucial as their strength.
The development of civilization was like a train heading toward the future, and every fork in the road represented a critical choice.
Each choice would shape a different destiny.
How could he ensure that humanity took the right path forward?
That was the question he now needed to answer.
With his thoughts swirling, Feng Qi turned to Jiang Ming:
"Take me to them."
"Alright."
Hearing Feng Qi's request, Jiang Ming nodded solemnly.
Struggling to his feet, he scanned the bodies of his fallen comrades, his eyes filled with sorrow.
With Feng Qi's help, the remaining Dawn Faction members buried their fallen brethren before setting off eastward.
The journey eastward was a grim one.
The ruined skyscrapers along the way remained as decayed as ever.
It was evident that the New Humans who had taken over Star City had utterly failed to manage the city.
According to Jiang Ming, the New Humans were barely clinging to life.
Not only were they incapable of dealing with the domain creatures lurking throughout Star City, but they also had to contend with rival factions far stronger than themselves.
The New Humans were merely struggling to survive in the cracks.
And to distract from their own failures, their only solution was to continue hunting down members of the Destiny Organization.
Only through the persecution of the remaining Dawn Faction could they find solace, using their suffering as a pressure release valve for their internal strife.
As for the domain overlords they served, those powerful entities couldn't care less about the New Humans' struggles.
They were nothing more than a minor, disposable pawn.
Even within the strong clans, the ones managing New Humans were merely low-level subordinates.
The higher-ups of those clans likely weren't even aware that such a weak faction existed.
It was impossible for them to gain any real support.
No one knew how long they walked before finally stopping in front of a building.
The structure stood over ten meters tall, looking incredibly dilapidated.
The left side had already collapsed, exposing rusted steel beams, while the walls were overgrown with vines—a testament to the passage of time.
Following Jiang Ming inside, Feng Qi observed that the corridors were littered with cracks, and domain plants had broken through the concrete floors, filling the walkways.
Navigating through the makeshift paths trampled through the vegetation, they finally reached a secluded corner.
At that moment, Jiang Ming stepped forward and lifted a large stone slab, revealing a hidden passageway leading underground.
"This is the main base of the Destiny Organization."
["You humans are quite something,"] the narrator mused.
["You've really mastered the art of underground warfare. When things get tough, just dig a bunker. Impressive."]
Ignoring the narrator's sarcastic remark, Feng Qi followed Jiang Ming and the others into the underground passage.
They descended a ten-meter sloping tunnel, and the space suddenly opened up.
A massive underground plaza appeared before them, about half the size of the Crimson Secret Base. Tents and various makeshift structures filled the space, resembling a refugee camp, but no people were in sight.
Continuing forward with Jiang Ming, Feng Qi's gaze was drawn to a smoking metal furnace not far ahead.
Noticing Feng Qi's curiosity, Jiang Ming explained:
"That's a machine used to make nutrient paste—it's our primary source of food."
Hearing this, Feng Qi felt a wave of sorrow.
Survival had become so desperate that they relied on synthetic rations to stay alive.
Following Jiang Ming, they approached a tent, where Jiang Ming lifted the fabric curtain and entered directly. Feng Qi followed.
The tent was about 40 square meters, sparsely furnished. Other than a desk and chairs, there was a bookshelf, crammed with files and books.
A middle-aged woman in armor sat behind the desk, carefully polishing a blue sword with a metallic stone.
She looked up at Jiang Ming, and upon seeing Feng Qi, her expression froze.
For a brief moment, her face was filled with confusion, but as she observed Feng Qi closely, her expression shifted to shock.
It was as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
She abruptly stood up, strode toward the disorganized bookshelf, and pulled out a worn-out book.
Flipping through its yellowed pages, she compared the images within to the person before her.
Then, looking up at Feng Qi again, her voice trembled:
"You… are you really Feng Qi?"
Her tone wavered, filled with disbelief, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
["Looks like you've truly become the last faith of these people. They might have doubted the legend at times, but in the end, it became their only hope in the darkness."]
Facing her questioning gaze, Feng Qi nodded.
"I'm back."
The moment he spoke, the woman could no longer contain her emotions.
Tears streamed down her face as she choked out:
"My grandfather waited for you his whole life. My father waited for you his whole life. I thought I would be the same… but you actually came back."
"You've endured so much."
As he spoke, Feng Qi's heart felt heavy.
He understood what this woman was feeling.
In this ruined world, humanity's future seemed beyond salvation. Struggling to survive, they needed something to believe in.
And he had become the only faith left for the Destiny Organization.
["Maybe they thought the legend was a lie, that you would never return. But even so, that story gave them hope… The future is truly cruel. I don't even know how you're going to explain this. If you don't explain, they'll be crushed when the truth hits them. If you do, it'll shatter them completely. Damn, what a mess."]
The narrator sighed with emotion.
"Since you're back… you'll lead us to rise again, right?" The middle-aged woman, eyes still wet, asked with hopeful anticipation.
It was the same question that Jiang Ming had asked.
And Feng Qi still didn't know how to answer.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to be honest.
After all, Little Black would eventually arrive, and he would have to leave.
"I might… leave."
Her expression froze—shock and confusion filled her face.
"Why?"
"I can only stay in this world for a short time. I want to help you take back Star City and lead you to rise again, but Little Black won't give me time…"
As she listened, the hope in her eyes faded.
Disbelief turned to despair.
Seeing her expression change, Feng Qi felt a pang of guilt.
At this moment, he almost regretted coming.
Perhaps it would have been better if he had never shown up.
At least then, the members of the Destiny Organization could continue fighting, still believing in the legend.
But now that the hope had been shattered, all that awaited them was despair.
After hearing Feng Qi's explanation, the woman collapsed into her chair, her eyes filled with pain.
"We waited for you for so long…"
Her voice trembled, her tears falling uncontrollably.
The legend had promised that when that man returned, he would bring hope, he would lead humanity to rise once more, he would carve a path toward a golden age.
But it was all a lie.
"…I'm sorry."
Feng Qi apologized.
But the woman didn't respond.
She simply stared down at the blue sword on the table, her eyes empty.
Then, after a long silence, Feng Qi spoke again.
"If possible, I'm willing to fight for you."
Her eyes lifted, meeting his gaze.
"I may not be able to guide your future, nor can I rebuild human civilization, but I can fight. I can battle against those who have betrayed humanity, and at the very least, I can help you escape this desperate situation."
Feng Qi knew he couldn't change the fate of future humanity.
They were too weak.
And 1,500 years later, the world was dominated by countless powerful domain clans.
There was no way he could single-handedly elevate humanity into a superpower capable of challenging them.
But at the very least, he could wipe out the traitors and create a safer place for these last survivors.
"You're going to fight the traitors… for us?"
"Yes. My time is short, but I will fight with everything I have while I'm still here."
His tone was unwavering.
The woman's gaze returned to the blue sword, her fingers lightly brushing over it.
Her expression hardened.
"If there is no hope left, then we might as well fight."
She turned to Jiang Ming and ordered:
"Jiang Ming, contact all divisions. Tell them—Feng Qi has returned. It's time for our counterattack."
Without hesitation, Jiang Ming nodded and left the tent.
Once he was gone, the woman fixed Feng Qi with a resolute gaze.
"Ancestor Feng Qi, I know you once fought tirelessly for humanity's rise. You paved the way for Star City's future. As the descendants of those who once followed you, we will inherit our forebears' ideals and fight at your side against the traitors."
From the woman's words, Feng Qi could tell she had already resolved herself to die.
He understood her feelings.
Since the future was hopeless, clinging on any longer was meaningless.
Rather than waiting for the end, it was better to fight and die on the road toward a future worth hoping for.
He nodded firmly.
"Alright!"
A few hours later, Feng Qi and the woman stepped out of the underground base.
Standing atop a large boulder outside the ruined building, he watched as silhouettes gradually arrived from the darkness.
Each person who saw him froze for a moment—then their eyes lit up with hope.
A five or six-year-old child ran up to Feng Qi, tugging at his clothes and pointing at him.
"Feng Qi Laozuzong."
Feng Qi squatted down.
"You know me?"
The child nodded.
"Mama and Papa said you are humanity's hope… They told me to wait for you to come back when I grow up."
Hearing that, Feng Qi's vision blurred slightly.
The faith in him had continued to be passed down, just as the woman had said.
Their grandparents had waited, their parents had waited, and now they had taken up the torch, watching over the ruins, waiting for his return.
He looked over the warriors before him—their broken armor, their malnourished bodies, yet their eyes still burned with determination.
Feng Qi felt something ignite within him.
No matter what the outcome would be, this time, he would fight for them.
The woman stepped forward, standing beside him, and addressed the crowd below.
"He has returned."
A thunderous cheer erupted, shaking the ruins around them.
"Now, he has chosen to lead us into our final battle against the traitors! Are you all ready?"
This time, the roar was deafening.
The rage and frustration buried deep in their hearts exploded into a battle cry, resounding into the night.
They had waited generations for this moment.
It was the dying wish of their parents and ancestors, a promise that had endured through the years.
And now, at last, hope had arrived.
The woman turned to Feng Qi, her gaze firm and unwavering.
Understanding her meaning, Feng Qi raised his arm and lightly thumped his chest.
"For humanity, we fight."
For a brief moment, the crowd froze in shock.
Then, one after another, they followed his gesture.
Hundreds of fists struck chests in unison.
Feng Qi saw it in their eyes—the unwavering hope.
Even the dirt and scars on their faces couldn't conceal the excitement and expectation shining through.
The woman leaned closer and whispered:
"Feng Qi Laozuzong, if the future is truly hopeless, then lead us in our final battle. This is our answer to the ancestors who held on to their ideals."
A massive walled fortress loomed over the southern region, forming a city within a city.
But this was no ordinary city—the surface of every building was coated with writhing flesh, as if the structures themselves were alive.
From above, the city was even more terrifying.
The entire place pulsed and convulsed, like a giant, grotesque organ, beating like a living heart.
Even the residents were disturbing.
Half of their bodies and skulls had been parasitized by grotesque organisms, distorting them into monstrous forms.
At the center of the flesh-covered city, inside a twisted, pulsating tower, a man entangled in parasitic tendrils sat before a monitor, observing a drone feed.
He watched as a large group of people approached from the horizon.
The Destiny Organization was making a move.
For years, the Destiny survivors had only attacked in small guerrilla units.
This time, however, they were marching together in the open.
This was a direct assault.
A bold move.
His first instinct was that this was an opportunity—he had long wanted to wipe them out completely.
But then… he noticed something unusual.
Why now?
Where did they suddenly find the courage to attack?
He zoomed in the drone's camera, scanning the approaching group.
Then, he spotted someone—a young man at the head of the march.
His brows furrowed.
He felt like he had seen that face before.
But from where?
A deep sense of familiarity nagged at him, but his mind struggled to grasp the memory.
Then it hit him like a thunderclap.
His eyes widened in shock.
He took a step back, muttering in disbelief:
"…Feng Qi?!"
Every human—even the New Humans—knew the name Feng Qi.
Especially him.
The traitors who had aligned with the Domain Clans had fought against the Destiny Organization for years.
They knew exactly what Feng Qi meant to those fools.
A symbol of hope.
A messiah of the old world.
But that was just a myth.
A story they told themselves to keep from breaking.
The tales of Feng Qi traveling through time were nothing but nonsense.
If he could really traverse the timelines, then why didn't he appear when Star City was collapsing?
Why did he not stop its downfall?
It was obvious.
The legend of Feng Qi was a comforting lie, nothing more.
Yet now…
He was staring at Feng Qi's face through the screen.
And for the first time, fear crept into his heart.
The rumors had been real?
The story was true?
"…He came back?!"
What started as shock soon twisted into terror.
The New Humans had once respected Feng Qi, their ancestors had seen him as a visionary, a pioneer of humanity's rise.
But over the years, that reverence had decayed into hatred.
They had long switched sides.
Now, they stood on the opposite end of history.
And if Feng Qi had truly returned, then for them…
He was a nightmare.
A nightmare they once believed would never come true.
His breathing became erratic, his mind racing.
He thought of the prophecies, the stories passed down for generations—
That Feng Qi would return to lead humanity's uprising.
And when that time came…
It would mean their extinction.
No hesitation.
He snatched up his communicator, his face twisting in fury and desperation.
"All units—assemble for battle!"
His roar echoed through the fleshy tower.
He stormed out, the parasitic flesh on his body writhing, twisting into a bloody armor.
The entire settlement mobilized instantly.
Figures poured into the streets, swarming toward the western wall.
In the apocalypse, everyone was a soldier.
Fighting against the Domain Beasts and external threats was routine.
But this time, it was different.
As the first scouts reached the battlements, their eyes fixed on the approaching figures.
The distance was still too far to make out individual faces…
But deep inside, they all felt an unease they couldn't explain.
On the other side.
Under the guidance of Fu Yu, the current leader of the remaining humans, Feng Qi led the last survivors towards the Flesh City.
When they were less than a thousand meters away, Feng Qi suddenly stopped.
He turned to look at the warriors behind him, scanning their determined faces. His voice was calm but resolute.
"I'll clear the path ahead."
As soon as the words fell, blood-red energy surged around Feng Qi, completely wrapping his body.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A heartbeat—like war drums—echoed across the battlefield.
The sound shook their souls, sending a thrill of excitement through the Destiny Organization members.
In the blink of an eye, Feng Qi's body expanded, growing to over six meters tall.
His form twisted into that of a blood-soaked demon, the dark green flames surrounding his body making him look even more savage and terrifying.
But when he looked into the eyes of those behind him, there was no fear—only eagerness and anticipation.
He turned toward the Flesh City, his body leaning forward.
The moment his foot pressed against the ground, a tremendous force erupted beneath him.
The earth trembled, and his figure became a streak of blood-red lightning, rushing toward the Flesh City.
Tonight, he would slaughter this entire city, erasing these parasites from history.
[Heh, go for it, Ah Qi!]
A tiny voice cheered excitedly from his right shoulder.
It was Suction Cup, who had been clinging onto him the entire time. The small creature raised its hands and let out a cry of excitement into the rushing wind.
A faint jade glow enveloped Suction Cup's body.
Feng Qi knew he couldn't predict the Destiny survivors' future, nor could he help them truly rise.
But at the very least, he could help them reclaim Star City.
These traitors, who had turned themselves into parasitic freaks, were not a real threat.
He had fought them before.
They were strong, but they were far from invincible.
And most importantly, he still had Suction Cup with him.
Even though this timeline's Suction Cup was weaker than the one in the previous sacrificial timeline, it was still more than enough.
In the previous timeline, Mu Qing had been severely injured, and her Scarlet Rune Crystal had been damaged.
But even in its weakened state, Suction Cup was unstoppable.
There was no way this city had a superpower strong enough to stand against it.
As he approached the city, Feng Qi saw the horrified expressions of the traitors on the city walls.
Their bodies were infested with alien parasites—they were no longer human.
To Feng Qi, they were just another enemy to crush.
He didn't hesitate.
He slammed into the city gates with full force.
BOOM!
A massive explosion of flesh and bone erupted.
What once seemed like an impenetrable barrier was instantly obliterated.
A group of figures stood behind the ruined gate, staring at him in shock, fear, and disbelief.
But Feng Qi had no intention of stopping.
His figure blurred, rushing forward.
Blood-colored fists filled the air around him.
The moment he passed through the traitors, blood mist exploded in every direction—like fireworks blooming in the night sky.
The red mist drifted into Feng Qi's body, devoured by his Blood Source talent.
As soon as the gate was breached, even more enemies poured out, rushing towards him.
Standing on Feng Qi's shoulder, Suction Cup bared its tiny teeth and let out a furious growl.
["(╬￣皿￣) You're not allowed to bully Ah Qi!"]
Before the words even finished, Suction Cup disappeared from Feng Qi's shoulder—and reappeared in front of him.
It raised its tiny fist—
Then slammed it into the ground.
BOOOOOM!
The entire city trembled violently.
A terrifying shockwave tore through the battlefield, reducing entire buildings to rubble.
Countless enemies were blown backward, their bodies shattering like paper dolls.
The ground beneath them cracked open, revealing the squirming flesh beneath the city.
Instinctively, the living flesh reached out, forming tentacles, trying to strike back at Suction Cup.
But before they could even get close, Suction Cup slammed its fist down again.
BOOOOM!
Another devastating shockwave blasted through the battlefield.
The ground beneath Suction Cup caved in, collapsing into a deep crater, sending blood and flesh flying in all directions.
At the same time, Feng Qi charged forward, heading directly for the traitors gathering inside the city.
Inside his chest, his Fist Intent blazed like an unstoppable wildfire.
All the rage and frustration he had buried inside him finally erupted.
With a low growl, his fist shot forward.
A storm of blood-colored fists exploded through the air.
The battlefield was instantly covered in blood mist, as enemy after enemy was crushed into pulp—their remains absorbed into Feng Qi's body.
The ground rumbled.
In the distance, a four-meter-tall figure emerged.
It was wrapped in blackened parasitic flesh, its form grotesque and unrecognizable.
The flesh wriggled unnaturally, pulsating as if it was alive.
It moved fast, charging straight for Feng Qi.
Suction Cup narrowed its eyes at the approaching giant.
It looked displeased.
Feng Qi spoke firmly.
"Suction Cup, leave this one to me. Go destroy the city."
The little creature nodded obediently, then vanished in a jade blur, racing toward the heart of the city.
Wherever it passed, entire buildings crumbled into dust.
Feng Qi turned to face the blackened giant.
A twisted grin spread across his face.
He never lost in a contest of brute strength.
His fist clenched, blood energy surging through his veins.
The giant reached him in an instant, swinging its massive fist down—
Feng Qi met it head-on.
BOOOOM!
The impact shook the battlefield.
Feng Qi's feet dug into the ground, his body sliding back half a meter—
But the blackened giant was sent flying backward, smashing into the dirt and skidding over ten meters before coming to a halt.
Feng Qi grinned wider.
No more holding back.
He sprinted forward, grabbing the giant's right arm—
And with one massive swing, lifted it into the air.
The monster's eyes widened in horror.
"ROAR!"
A pillar of emerald-green flames erupted around Feng Qi.
He hurled the giant skyward—
Then unleashed a barrage of blood-red fists, chasing it into the sky.
Each blow left deep indentations in the giant's body.
The blackened flesh peeled away, revealing the twisted human beneath.
Finally—
BOOOOOOM!
The giant exploded midair, its remains raining down in a shower of blood.
Feng Qi turned toward the city.
A dust storm raged in the distance, expanding as Suction Cup tore through buildings one by one.
Everywhere it went, the city collapsed into ruin.
And tonight—
There would be no survivors.
The Destiny Organization members had arrived at the city gate, gazing at the ruins within the city. Their expressions were a mixture of shock and joy.
Their long-endured struggle had finally been rewarded.
That man had returned—the one who would lead humanity's resurgence.
At the center of the city, An Lin, the leader of the New Humans, stood watching the battle from a distance. His expression twisted into a grimace.
Especially when he saw one of his top three warriors, someone considered among the strongest, get completely overpowered and crushed by Feng Qi.
It was at that moment he realized—they were no match for him.
Just as the legends foretold, that man had returned, bringing with him the power to turn the tide of battle.
Facing an inescapable demise, An Lin hesitated briefly, before the flesh on his body began to squirm and spread forward, forming a pulsating mass that eventually expelled a white crystal wrapped in layers of bloodied flesh.
He reached out, grasping the white crystal, and crushed it in his hand.
A burst of white energy erupted, coalescing into a misty mirror in front of him.
After a brief wait, a handsome yet eerie face appeared on the surface of the mirror.
An Lin immediately bowed deeply toward the figure, then lifted his head, speaking in a respectful tone:
"Our clan is under enemy attack. I humbly request the Upper One to intervene."
The figure in the mirror responded indifferently:
"In this world, only the strong survive. As long as your barren land pays its due tribute, I do not concern myself with the rest."
This response was exactly what An Lin expected.
His ancestors had sought refuge under the faction backing this mysterious figure, but in return, they had only been granted a method to cultivate parasitic hosts—not true protection.
But he knew there was a way to force the Upper One into action.
Lowering his voice, he spoke with deliberate weight:
"My lord, the enemy might be carrying a Miracle Artifact."
The expression of the figure in the mirror changed instantly.
"A Miracle Artifact?" The once indifferent handsome man suddenly seemed intrigued.
"Yes," An Lin nodded firmly. "I suspect he possesses a Miracle Artifact capable of time travel."
A brief silence followed.
Then, the Upper One's tone grew cold:
"I hope you are not lying to me. You should know what happens if you are. I will come to see for myself."
With that, the misty mirror shattered instantly, dissipating into the air.
As soon as he secured the Upper One's aid, An Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If Feng Qi had truly returned, then the legends were real.
And if Feng Qi had the ability to traverse time, then the only explanation was that he carried a Miracle Artifact.
His gaze turned once more toward Feng Qi's battlefield.
After a short wait, the sky above the city suddenly tore open, revealing a spatial vortex. Within the swirling dimensional rift, a semi-transparent pathway was swiftly forming.
A gold-armored figure, wielding a long spear, emerged from the rift.
It was the very same figure An Lin had been speaking to earlier.
His cold, predatory gaze swept across the ruined city. His attention first landed on Feng Qi, but soon, his eyes locked onto Suction Cup's right arm, where the scarlet rune crystal shimmered faintly.
A ravenous greed flickered in his eyes.
Yet, he hesitated.
He couldn't be sure if he could overpower an enemy who wielded a Miracle Artifact.
Two choices lay before him:
Report this finding to the Divine Lord, delivering news of the Miracle Artifact.
Take action immediately, attempting to claim the Miracle Artifact for himself.
After a brief internal struggle, his desire overpowered his caution.
He chose to act first.
And his first target was Feng Qi.
At that moment, Feng Qi heard a familiar voice in his mind.
["Hey, kid, eyes up—you're being targeted."]
His expression hardened as he abruptly turned his gaze toward the gold-armored figure descending from the sky.
Sensing hostility, Feng Qi braced himself.
The instant the gold-armored warrior got close, Feng Qi's right fist lashed out.
At the same time, the gold-armored figure thrust his long spear forward.
BOOM!
A blood-red tide and a golden wave clashed violently, sending a surge of spiritual energy rippling outward. The force ripped through the remains of buildings, scattering debris everywhere.
After the brief initial exchange, the gold-armored figure abruptly withdrew his spear, shifting into a new stance.
On the tip of his spear, golden energy coiled and surged outward, forming multiple overlapping trajectories.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive golden spear shadow shot forward in an instant, slamming directly into Feng Qi.
His body was blasted backward, crashing through the ruins of a collapsed building.
The gold-armored figure's face lit up with undisguised delight.
He was only a mid-tier warrior in his faction.
But if he could obtain a Miracle Artifact, then his fate would change forever.
Without hesitation, he thrust his spear forward once more.
Feng Qi rose from the rubble.
He didn't dodge.
Instead, he met the attack head-on.
His fist shot forward once again.
Another crimson tide surged, colliding with the incoming golden wave.
The moment the gold-armored figure's spear neared him, Feng Qi reached out and caught it.
An explosion of force erupted.
With a sudden burst of power, Feng Qi lifted the enemy off the ground—and slammed him into the earth.
Like a savage beast, he lunged forward.
His fist came crashing down, aimed straight for the warrior's head.
BOOM!
The gold-armored figure's skull was smashed into the ground.
But just as Feng Qi prepared to follow up, the gold armor erupted with blinding radiance, forming a semi-transparent energy barrier that blasted Feng Qi away.
Before Feng Qi could fully regain his stance, the gold-armored warrior pulled his head free from the dirt.
His face contorted with rage as he lunged forward, thrusting his spear with renewed fury.
A forceless yet inescapable domain spread outward, engulfing Feng Qi.
Thousands of spear phantoms materialized around him.
Blood sprayed.
For the first time, Feng Qi's monstrous body was punctured.
The spear domain managed to pierce through his formidable defenses.
But his terrifying regenerative abilities ensured that—even under such an overwhelming barrage—his wounds healed almost instantly.
Through the storm of spears, Feng Qi kept advancing.
Step by step.
Toward the gold-armored warrior.
Realizing how unbelievably strong Feng Qi's body was, the gold-armored warrior was visibly stunned, but he gritted his teeth and continued his assault.
At last, Feng Qi, enduring the storm of spear shadows, reached his opponent.
His charged fist slammed into the golden armor. Instantly, a surge of radiant energy attempted to repel Feng Qi once more.
But this time, he didn't allow it.
With his entire being surging with blood energy, he forcefully withstood the golden armor's repulsion force.
Seizing the moment, he stepped forward and grabbed the warrior's arm.
A roar that shook the soul erupted from Feng Qi as he hoisted the gold-armored warrior and slammed him repeatedly into the ground.
Each earth-shattering impact left the warrior's head spinning, his vision flashing white from the sheer force.
Realizing he couldn't overpower Feng Qi, the gold-armored warrior poured every last drop of spiritual energy into his armor, creating a burst of golden force that blasted Feng Qi away.
Using this brief window, he soared into the sky without hesitation.
Seeing him flee, Feng Qi tensed his muscles, preparing to leap after him—but before he could, a streak of jade-colored light flashed across the sky.
In the next instant, the gold-armored warrior exploded into golden mist.
When the dust settled, Suction Cup landed gracefully, placing its hands on its hips and striking a proud pose.
"ヾ(^^) Qi-ge!"
"Nice work." Feng Qi gave a thumbs-up in approval.
Far above, Shen Tian Palace.
Beyond the dense clouds, an ethereal golden city hovered in the sky. At its center, a grand golden palace stood with an aura of divine majesty.
The palace exterior was adorned with countless golden pillars, each intricately carved with ferocious beasts, as if they were about to leap into reality.
A sense of supreme authority radiated in all directions.
Above the grand hall, the soft sounds of chimes and drums could be heard, an otherworldly melody filling the air.
A long silver-white carpet, embroidered with golden threads, stretched from the palace doors, flanked by rows of gold-armored warriors, standing at attention with imposing presence.
Inside one of the inner chambers, a crisp cracking sound rang out.
"Snap!"
A commanding gold-armored soldier frowned as he turned to look at the shattered life token.
Confusion flickered across his face as he reached out and pressed his palm against the broken fragment.
In the next moment, a surge of memories flooded his mind—the final images recorded in the warrior's dying consciousness.
"A Miracle Artifact?!"
Understanding the gravity of the situation, the gold-armored soldier didn't hesitate—he immediately rushed toward the grand hall's central chamber.
With the gold-armored warrior slain, there was no one left in the Bloodflesh City capable of resisting Feng Qi and Suction Cup's onslaught.
With unstoppable momentum, Feng Qi advanced toward the heart of the city, crushing everything in his path.
The Destiny Organization members followed closely behind.
At last, they arrived at the city's core, where An Lin, leader of the New Humans, sat upon a grotesque throne of writhing flesh—his expression hollow with despair.
Gazing at An Lin, whose body was now an abomination, Feng Qi's eyes were cold and unfeeling.
"Feng Qi…" An Lin's voice was hoarse, a faint smirk forming on his lips. His gaze was mocking.
"I never expected you to actually return."
He let out a dry chuckle before continuing:
"But you haven't won. Even if you kill us, you won't be able to lead humanity to rise again."
His eyes gleamed with a dark amusement.
"You must have some kind of Miracle Artifact that allows you to traverse time, don't you? But even with that, you can't rebuild humanity. Do you even understand what this world has become? It's far greater than you imagine. This land is nothing but a battleground for superior races. Humanity has no foothold—there is no foundation for a rise to power. They are destined to be wiped out. Not even you can stop it."
Each word struck deep into Feng Qi's heart.
How was he supposed to secure a future for the Dawn survivors?
The truth was—he didn't have an answer.
"This isn't something you need to worry about," Feng Qi finally said, his voice steady. "Even if I can't lead humanity to rise in this timeline, you've already lost. What happens next no longer concerns you."
Hearing this, An Lin's expression darkened.
Just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly turned his head toward the sky.
At the same moment, Feng Qi also sensed it.
An overwhelming pressure descended from above, pressing down with an oppressive force.
Lifting his gaze, Feng Qi saw—a massive celestial city was tearing through space, emerging above Bloodflesh City.
A golden palace manifested from the clouds, its sheer presence dominating the battlefield.
"Hahahaha!" An Lin burst into laughter.
"Feng Qi, I told you—you've lost! The Divine Lord himself has arrived! Now, I want to see how you plan to survive this!"
But before An Lin could finish his taunt—
Feng Qi casually slapped his head into pieces.
Turning his gaze toward the floating golden palace, Feng Qi's expression grew serious.
He recognized this place.
It had appeared briefly during Suction Cup's fight with Little Black. Back then, a scarlet entity emerging from Suction Cup had frightened the city away.
But he hadn't expected the New Humans to be serving this very faction.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the palace, levitating in the sky.
A half-bare warrior, his body covered in glowing golden tattoos, sat in mid-air before slowly descending.
His golden eyes swept over the battlefield, first landing on Feng Qi—then focusing intently on Suction Cup.
Standing on all fours, Suction Cup bared its fangs and let out a low, warning growl.
A faint smile formed on the golden warrior's lips.
Raising a single hand, he pressed downward.
Instantly, a massive golden palm materialized in the sky, blotting out the sun as it crashed down toward them.
The moment he saw the attack, Feng Qi knew—this was not an opponent he could handle.
Suction Cup didn't hesitate.
With a sharp intake of breath, it gathered power.
A brilliant jade-colored light burst forth, racing skyward to collide with the golden palm.
BOOM!
The sky itself was torn apart, the impact splitting the heavens, sending shockwaves rippling in all directions.
Behind Feng Qi, the Dawn survivors were nearly blown away by the force.
Without hesitation, Feng Qi stepped forward, releasing a surge of vital energy to shield them from the impact.
After the initial exchange, the golden warrior remained calm.
He seemed unsurprised by Suction Cup's power.
Slowly, he descended further, choosing to engage directly.
"Suction Cup, be careful," Feng Qi warned.
"Got it!" Suction Cup nodded firmly, before leaping upward, baring its fangs as it lunged toward the descending foe.
As Suction Cup and the golden figure were about to collide, the golden patterns engraved on the figure's body detached and shot toward Suction Cup.
Sensing danger, Suction Cup swung its fist without hesitation.
But an unexpected scene unfolded—the golden patterns phased through Suction Cup's punch and branded themselves onto its body.
In an instant, Suction Cup's pupils turned silver-white, its expression vacant as it fell straight from the sky.
[Damn, this guy has a sealing-type Miracle Artifact. He just used a big move to seal Suction Cup!]
Hearing the narrator's warning, Feng Qi felt his heart drop.
He had expected a prolonged battle between Suction Cup and the golden figure, one where Suction Cup would unleash the power of the Scarlet Rune Crystal to either slaughter or devour the enemy.
Instead, the opponent skipped all that and went straight for a sealing technique.
Now things were really screwed.
At that moment, the golden figure turned to look at Feng Qi, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
With a casual wave of his hand, a sphere of golden light appeared, enveloping Feng Qi and lifting him into the air.
In a blink, Feng Qi was brought before the golden figure, who sat cross-legged in the sky.
Staring at the indistinct face of the golden figure, Feng Qi remained silent. He knew the situation was no longer within his control.
"You carry the aura of a Miracle Artifact, yet I cannot sense where it is hidden."
"So?" Feng Qi replied coldly.
"Then I'll start by searching your body."
As soon as the golden figure spoke, a surge of golden mist erupted from his palm and invaded Feng Qi's body.
A searing pain engulfed Feng Qi, spreading through every inch of his flesh.
The golden mist rampaged through his organs, blood, and even his cells, scouring his entire being.
The unimaginable pain caused Feng Qi's body to tremble violently, yet he couldn't move.
After several rounds of thorough inspection, Feng Qi could no longer hold back—his body lurched forward, coughing up blood and chunks of flesh.
His insides felt like they had been shredded apart.
"...Nothing. How disappointing."
The golden figure sighed, his tone indifferent.
"Next, I'll search your mindscape."
Another wave of golden mist surged forward, piercing directly into Feng Qi's forehead.
Instantly, his eyes turned dull.
The golden mist seeped into his consciousness, ravaging everything in its path.
When the mist reached the Talent Pathway, it passed through as if it didn't exist, unable to detect its presence.
Still, the golden mist scoured his entire mindscape multiple times, leaving his once-golden consciousness in complete ruin.
When the golden mist finally dissipated, the golden figure opened his eyes.
Looking at Feng Qi, who was now barely clinging to life, the golden figure's gaze was filled with curiosity.
"Your mindscape also lacks a Miracle Artifact. So tell me, where is this aura coming from?"
"You just wait," Feng Qi gritted his teeth, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Hmm… there's still one place left to check."
Just as Feng Qi was wondering what the golden figure meant, the narrator's voice sounded in his ears.
[Oh no. He's about to extract your soul. Don't worry, I'll remember this grudge for you and repay it tenfold later.]
Before Feng Qi could react, his body suddenly felt weightless.
To his horror, he realized his consciousness had been forcibly separated from his body, now floating before the golden figure.
From the golden figure's palm, another wave of golden mist formed and rushed toward his soul.
The moment his soul and the golden mist collided—
An indescribable pain crashed over Feng Qi, like he was dying a thousand deaths in an instant.
And the pain only intensified.
This wasn't physical pain—it was something far worse.
It was pure agony, directly shredding his soul apart.
The golden mist slowly combed through his soul, before finally retracting back into the golden figure's hand.
"Still nothing," the golden figure muttered. "Seems like you merely came into contact with a Miracle Artifact at some point. You don't actually have one."
He then turned to look at Suction Cup, still sealed in golden runes.
Returning his gaze to the dying Feng Qi, a final decision settled in his eyes.
[This is it. Game over… Wait. This energy… this familiar energy…]
"It's a pity," the golden figure murmured, his voice filled with apathy.
"You have no value anymore."
He raised his hand, preparing to crush Feng Qi's soul.
At that moment—
A deafening explosion tore through the sky.
A massive space rift, over a thousand meters wide, ripped open the heavens.
A hoarse voice boomed across the battlefield, echoing through the world:
"You dare touch him? Try it—I guarantee the Lie Tian Divine Clan won't live to see the next Black Moon!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Feng Qi struggled to lift his head.
Through the cracks in the sky, a purple-haired, purple-eyed figure stepped out from the dimensional rift.
Compared to 1,500 years ago, he looked even more formidable.
The dimensional rift continued expanding, and one by one, figures clad in mist-armored suits emerged.
They were the revived Mist Tribe warriors.
And each of them radiated an overwhelming life force.
Among them, Feng Qi also saw a familiar presence—the Dark God.
One by one, other supreme beings stepped out of the rift.
Each floating behind the Mist Lord, as if he alone was their undisputed leader.
[Holy crap. Old Mist really leveled up, huh? This backing is insane.]
Hearing the narrator's astonishment, a smirk appeared on Feng Qi's bloodied face.
Turning to the golden figure, who now wore an expression of pure terror, Feng Qi grinned.
"Come on then—try touching me now."