Winterfell City.
The bitter cold wind whipped through the city, and all visibility was buried beneath a curtain of swirling snow.
Facing Jian Ji, who had a million sword spirits at his command, Zhang Daowen felt no fear. There was only a raging fury burning wildly in his chest.
Empowered by the force of extreme cold, he summoned his Ice God Body and forged a blade from the snowstorm.
Just as Zhang Daowen was about to fly into the sky and join the battlefield, Mu Yan suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
"Zhang Daowen, don't act recklessly. Your Uncle Qi isn't completely dead yet. There's still a trace of activity in his brain. If you take him back now, we might still be able to save his life."
The moment he heard those words, the killing intent in Zhang Daowen's heart came to an abrupt halt.
"You're serious?"
"Right before he died, your Uncle Qi injected a brain activation serum—one specifically developed for him. There's still a tiny bit of vitality left in his brain. What you need to do now is bring him back. Don't let all his efforts be in vain."
"I don't understand…"
"You'll understand once you return to Star City. Even though your natural abilities are strong, you're definitely no match for Jian Ji. Right now, Mu Qing is still in a berserk state. If you join the fight, it won't change anything. Worse, you'll interfere with her, and both of you will hold each other back. What matters most now is taking Feng Qi back to Star City. You'll learn the truth later. This... this is also your Uncle Qi's final wish."
Zhang Daowen looked at Mu Yan's solemn expression, then turned to glance at the ice coffin behind him.
"Go back. Don't let your Uncle Qi die for nothing."
Hearing Mu Yan speak again, and thinking about how he said there was still a trace of activity in Feng Qi's brain, Zhang Daowen hesitated.
"I believe you."
This time, Zhang Daowen didn't hesitate. He controlled his Ice God Body and soared into the air, heading south from Winterfell City.
But he hadn't flown far when he saw tens of thousands of sword-wielding figures, chasing him under Jian Ji's previous kill command.
Faced with the Sword Clan's stubborn pursuit, Zhang Daowen didn't hold back.
With just a thought, a storm of extreme cold enveloped the chasing Sword Clan warriors…
Several days later, inside the Crimson Research Institute.
In the Gene Division lab.
Wei Wei and three staff members were busy at the surgical platform.
Around them, dozens of researchers moved about in a hurry.
Faced with Feng Qi, whose brain still showed minimal signs of life, they launched a full rescue protocol.
After several consecutive days of effort, there was little improvement. The readings on the life monitor showed Feng Qi's brain activity approaching the threshold of death.
Realizing they were at a point of no return, Wei Wei didn't hesitate any longer. She finally spoke up:
"Keep injecting the brain activation serum. Next step—separate the brain. We must make sure Feng Qi's brain survives."
Hours later, Feng Qi's brain was separated from his body.
The faintly pulsating brain was sealed in a specialized container and immersed in a specially formulated activation fluid.
When everything was done, the fatigue in Wei Wei's eyes could no longer be hidden.
She hadn't expected the crisis to erupt suddenly.
Based on the original timeline, even if Feng Qi had exposed his identity as a Star City high-level officer in Winterfell City, nothing should've happened to him.
After all, in the eyes of the Domain factions lurking within Winterfell, Feng Qi wasn't important enough to kill.
But now, the situation had clearly spun out of control.
When she stepped out of the lab, she immediately saw Zhang Daowen pacing anxiously in the hallway. He hadn't rested for several days.
Seeing Wei Wei, Zhang Daowen immediately ran up to her:
"Grandma Wei Wei, how's Uncle Qi?!"
Facing his question, Wei Wei shook her head.
"We did everything we could, but his body is completely beyond saving. In the end, we could only preserve his brain."
Hearing that, Zhang Daowen's pupils contracted.
He'd fought through Winterfell's defenses, flew back at top speed, just to keep Feng Qi alive.
Even though he'd mentally prepared for the worst, hearing Wei Wei's confirmation still made his heart twist with pain.
"I... I understand."
Seeing Zhang Daowen's devastated expression, Wei Wei finally said:
"Xiao Wen, since Feng Qi is gone... it's time I tell you the truth."
In response to his hopeless gaze, Wei Wei turned and walked toward her private lab, not even looking back as she said:
"Come with me. Maybe... maybe you'll still get to see your Uncle Qi again."
…
Half a month after Feng Qi was brought back to Star City.
The entire city entered a state of maximum military readiness.
What exactly happened inside Winterfell City? No one knew for sure—communications inside the city had been completely cut off, and the outside world had almost no information.
But the report brought back by Zhang Daowen was enough to make the Star City leadership realize—those Domain forces hiding within Winterfell had finally shown their true colors.
And history's timeline had been thoroughly disrupted. The Dawn Domain Battle Squad, who hadn't yet fully become the Dawn Army, had already gone to war with Winterfell City ahead of schedule.
At the same time, the official narrative released by Winterfell City painted both the Dawn Domain Battle Squad and Mu Qing in an extremely negative light.
But this time, the higher-ups of Star City stepped forward and publicly revealed that Winterfell City had been infiltrated by Domain forces. They clarified that Mu Qing and the Dawn Domain Battle Squad were currently engaging these hidden Domain forces, not launching an attack against Winterfell City itself.
Whether this information was true or false, the other three major cities refrained from taking sides or issuing statements until more accurate intel became available.
The relationships between the cities were becoming increasingly complicated.
Especially between Star City and Winterfell City—the two had already entered a full-on battle of public opinion.
For the Domain forces secretly embedded in the other cities, this wasn't the outcome they wanted to see.
The more chaotic the surface situation became, the more likely it would disrupt the previous balance that allowed everyone to carve up resources quietly and steadily.
But even if the other cities wanted to intervene and stabilize the situation, they couldn't.
All communication from Winterfell City had essentially been cut off. The only information being spread was negative news and reports about the Dawn Domain Battle Squad, all coming from Winterfell's direction.
Star City's leadership attempted to investigate the whereabouts and status of Mu Qing, Mu Yan, and the Dawn Domain Battle Squad, but it was no use.
Even the air routes to Winterfell City had been completely shut down.
Faced with such a complex situation, Star City's administration held several days of emergency high-level meetings to determine the city's next course of action.
At this point, Star City was no longer afraid of external provocations.
Feng Qi had been laying the groundwork for over a hundred years, establishing a solid foundation for Star City across multiple sectors—education, military power, resource supply, and more.
Even if outside support was cut off, Star City could still function smoothly.
After several consecutive emergency meetings, the city's backup planting zones, energy stations, and other contingency facilities were officially brought online.
At the same time, following Winterfell's example, Star City announced that, due to various logistical complications, resources from its Western Supply Zone would no longer be shared externally.
From now on, the Western Supply Zone would become the city's sole source of spiritual resources.
Anticipating the potential turbulence, Star City had long been prepared.
Under the leadership of the new generation of Star City administrators, the internal situation quickly stabilized.
But Feng Qi's death still cast a heavy shadow over everyone's hearts.
Most of Star City's current younger leaders had grown up under Feng Qi's mentorship. Many had been directly promoted by him to key positions in their departments.
To them, Feng Qi wasn't just a leader, he was the backbone of Star City.
Even though Feng Qi had repeatedly told them, "Your talent is more than enough to carry the burden of this city. I could die at any time. Star City's future will be in your hands"
Now that he was really gone, it still felt like a pillar had collapsed. They couldn't accept it, not so soon.
But they also understood—the banner that led the way to Star City's future now rested on their shoulders.
One month after Feng Qi's death.
The head of the Ministry of Education proposed a resolution.
The proposal was quickly passed by Star City's highest governing body and entered the implementation phase.
Half a month later, a documentary sparked an emotional storm across the city.
The title of the documentary was: "The Hidden Guardian: Feng Qi."
The film omitted any mention of Feng Qi's ability to travel across timelines, but it did include many internal interviews and previously unseen footage of him.
At the start of the film, a rapid sequence of photos flashed across the screen.
Back then, Feng Qi was still young, smiling brightly at the camera. These were from his early days, just after entering Star City Academy.
After the first set of photos, a new sequence appeared—headlines from old newspapers.
"The Youngest Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Humanity Medal: Feng Qi."
"Feng Qi, the Super Genius Poised to Become the Brightest Star of His Generation."
…
As the visuals faded, a low, calm voiceover began, guiding the audience through edited video segments that told the story of Feng Qi's legendary life.
Through these scenes, the audience could see that Feng Qi had dedicated his entire life to the future of Star City.
That included the construction of Breaking Dawn Academy, the development of spatial teleportation technology, and much more.
Interviews and candid perspectives revealed the depth of Feng Qi's lifelong efforts and ideals.
As the film progressed, Feng Qi visibly aged, but the light in his eyes—his hope for Star City and for all humanity—never wavered.
Accompanied by a heart-wrenching background score, many viewers were brought to tears.
Many people in Star City had heard of Feng Qi, but few truly understood how much he had sacrificed for the city's progress. Even fewer knew how deeply he had loved the city and its people.
Even with white hair and unsteady steps, the determination in Feng Qi's heart never faded.
In the final scene of the documentary, a sweet-faced young female reporter asked the elderly, frail Feng Qi, "Why are you so determined to keep walking this path?"
Feng Qi smiled kindly and said,
"Someone must step forward. Why can't that person be me?"
As those words echoed, the screen slowly faded to black.
Then, a line of white text appeared:
"Star City's guiding light, 'Mr. Feng Qi,' passed away on [XXX Date]. This documentary is dedicated to him as the highest tribute of all the citizens of Star City. May he…"
The four-hour documentary sent shockwaves across all of Star City.
Only then did the people realize that behind the city's stability stood a warrior who had carried countless burdens in silence.
Crises involving the Night Shadow Clan, the Domain Alliance, the Silver Moon Clan—events that had never been made public—were only revealed to them now, through the documentary.
Just like the city's leaders, the citizens who watched the documentary were overcome with grief.
That very night, countless households lit candles in remembrance, collectively mourning the death of this old man.
By the next day, a flood of petitions was delivered to the subordinate departments of the Supreme Council. The people of Star City launched a petition to erect a hero's statue for Feng Qi in the Heroic Cemetery.
The documentary eased the public's fear over the Star City lockdown and united them in unprecedented solidarity.
Through the film, they came to understand many of the hidden truths behind the city's isolation.
They also realized that Feng Qi had, years ago, fully prepared for this day—ensuring that Star City could maintain stability and development even in complete lockdown.
The city's unity reached a new peak after the documentary aired.
…
One month later.
Star City, Heroic Cemetery.
Zhang Daowen, dressed in mourning-white, crouched before Feng Qi's tombstone.
In the end, he never got to see his Qi-shu one last time.
Staring at the black-and-white photo of Feng Qi on the stone, the sorrow in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
The last emotional bond he had in this world was completely severed the moment Wei Wei told him, "There's no way to bring him back."
He had considered charging back into Winterfell City, throwing caution aside to avenge Qi-shu.
But then he thought of what Grandma Wei Wei had said—about a chance to meet again in the future—and hesitated.
With so many tangled emotions, he felt lost about what to do next.
Just then, a shadow loomed over him.
Before he could even turn around, a hand landed firmly on his head, rubbing vigorously.
"You little brat, what's with that funeral face?"
Looking up, he saw a man with violet hair and violet eyes, dressed in black, a mischievous grin plastered on his face—it was the Mist Lord.
"Mi-shu, Qi-shu... he... he…"
Seeing the dull look in Zhang Daowen's eyes, the Mist Lord crouched down, grabbed a ceremonial biscuit, tossed it in his mouth, and began chewing as he spoke:
"Don't look so damn pitiful. Remember this, kid—if the enemy killed your Qi-shu, then you figure out how to return the favor a hundredfold, a thousandfold. Crying won't solve anything. What you need to do is keep growing stronger. Strong enough to make your enemies tremble at the mere mention of your name…"
With the Mist Lord's guidance, the heavy emotions that had been building in Zhang Daowen's chest were finally released.
Dusk fell. The sunset turned the sky red.
Having unburdened his grief, Zhang Daowen looked toward the Mist Lord and promised,
"Mi-shu, I'll keep working hard. I'll avenge Qi-shu."
"Good, that's the spirit you're supposed to have… And when the day comes that you decide to take revenge, your Mi-shu will be there, got your back."
As he spoke, the Mist Lord gave Zhang Daowen a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Mi-shu." Zhang Daowen bowed his head solemnly in gratitude.
"No need for that between us. Don't forget, Qi was more than your uncle. He was my brother too."
"That's it then. Keep growing stronger."
With that, the Mist Lord shoved the last ceremonial biscuit into his mouth, gave a satisfied nod, and muttered:
"Not bad. Tastes pretty good."
Then, his body dissolved into mist and drifted away toward the stabilized teleportation array in Star City's Eastern District.
…
One hundred seventy-eight years later.
Outside the South Gate of Winterfell City.
During the piercing cold wind, Zhang Daowen's ice-snow divine body reformed.
Above him in the sky hovered a vast, shadowy army of Mist Tribe warriors, led by the Mist Lord himself.
Staring toward Winterfell City, Zhang Daowen—now in his godform—let out a thunderous war cry that shook the heavens:
"Jian Ji! Get out here and die!"
At that moment, swirling snowflakes surged forward like an army, responding to Zhang Daowen's command and flooding toward the city.
…
Fifteen hundred years later, in the underground secret base of the Crimson Research Institute.
While his memories were being read, Feng Qi's consciousness began to scatter, slipping into a trance-like state.
As the memory projection ended, the torrent of negative emotions overwhelmed his mind, dragging him deep into a bottomless sea of despair.
He couldn't wake up.
He was about to be fully consumed by the sea of negativity when a familiar voice suddenly exploded in his head:
[Hey, little bro! Wake the hell up! You getting up to work or not? Still planning to save the world or what? If not, then we're done here! He~tui!]