Hupo Research Institute Branch Base. Late

at night, on the rooftop.

The night breeze was blowing, and Feng Qi and Lin Ran had three rounds of wine.

Chatting about the past, the strange feeling of not seeing each other for many years gradually faded.

Especially when night fell, they all thought of the days when they studied all night in the library after dinner at Xingcheng Academy.

After clinking glasses with Lin Ran again, Feng Qi took a big sip:

"A Ran, if your friend cheated on you one day, would you hate him?"

Hearing this, Lin Ran was obviously stunned:

"Brother Qi, why do I feel that you want to cheat on me when you say this?"

"That's not the case, I just thought of something, so I asked you." Feng Qi denied decisively.

Lin Ran nodded, and then asked curiously:

"If it was a lie by a close friend, it would definitely break my heart... But everything has two sides, giving a surprise is also a kind of deception. What is the result of being deceived?"

Faced with the question, Feng Qi was silent for a while and then said:

"The result is that the deceived person loses his life?"

"There must be a reason, right? What is the purpose of the deceiver?" Lin Ran asked curiously again.

Faced with this question, Feng Qi was silent again.

It has never been his wish to deprive others of their lives in the name of saving the world.

Standing on the moral high ground, he can arbitrarily decide the future of others. In his opinion, it is another form of oppression and exploitation.

So he felt guilty about Lin Ran.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at Lin Ran and said:

"What do you think of betraying friends for the sake of justice?"

"Justice? Can you give an example?"

"If one day, you are faced with a choice, killing your friend with your own hands can save your world and your people, what will your choice be at that time?"

After hearing this, Lin Ran fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he looked up at Feng Qi:

"If your hypothesis is true, is there a possibility that death is also the wish of a betrayed friend?"

Hearing this, Feng Qi was stunned.

As if seeing that Feng Qi was worried, Lin Ran smiled and said:

"For example, you and me, if one day you need to sacrifice me for our ideal future, then I... will do it without hesitation."

At the end, Lin Ran's expression seemed particularly serious.

Feng Qi also suddenly realized that Lin Ran seemed to have noticed something.

At this time, Lin Ran smiled and picked up the wine glass and took a big sip:

"Brother Qi, I feel like you seem to be hiding something from me. Although I don't understand why you are hiding it from me, I think you have your own difficulties."

"From what I know about you, you can't have disappeared for so many years just to experience life on the front line. We once talked about it. You said that your dream is to join the Gongfa Research Institute... Whether from the perspective of contributing to mankind or other perspectives, stepping on the front line does not conform to your code of conduct, and it is getting further and further away from your original dream."

Looking at Lin Ran with a smile on his lips, Feng Qi was silent.

He found that he had always underestimated Lin Ran's insight.

Now that the topic has come to this point, it has actually touched the cordon.

Their previous conversation may also be read by the Lord of the Mist after he possesses Lin Ran.

At that time, the Lord of the Mist, who always believes in him, may also have doubts in his heart.

Thinking of this, his heart tightened.

Being seen through by Lin Ran is obviously not good for the future development of this sacrifice line.

But this matter is not without a chance to remedy.

In multiple timelines, Wei Wei is studying content related to memory.

For example, memory preservation, memory editing, knowledge implantation, and so on.

Since the topic has developed to this point, he thinks that he may choose to confess everything he knows to Lin Ran.

But after confessing, he needs to find Wei Wei.

Then let Wei Wei help edit Lin Ran's memory content and delete the memory that is not conducive to the development of this sacrifice line.

"Wait a minute, I'll make a call."

Thinking of this, he stood up and walked to the other side of the rooftop.

Seeing this, Lin Ran was puzzled but did not ask the reason.

Feng Qi, who came to the other side of the rooftop, took off his backpack and took out the encrypted mobile phone specially made by the Scarlet Research Institute.

After verifying the steps one by one, he entered the encryption interface.

Opening the contact list, he dialed Wei Wei's number.

After waiting for a long time, Wei Wei didn't answer the phone, but he was not in a hurry.

He had been in the Scarlet Research Institute for a long time and understood that Wei Wei often had to participate in the research project of rune crystals and could not carry a mobile phone with her at all times.

Some projects, once launched, would take several days.

But fortunately, the call to contact Wei Wei would automatically jump to the Scarlet Contact Desk after 10 minutes, and then someone would be responsible for notifying Wei Wei to answer the call.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, the phone was connected, and a familiar voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Aqi, is there anything important to inform me?"

"Sister Wei, I want to ask you something, how is your research progress on memory editing?"

"What's the matter? Do you have any knowledge that you want to implant into your memory? If so, send me the information, and then I will edit it into memory and implant it into your brain. At that time, the other you can directly read it and master this part of knowledge... But I hope the amount of this part of knowledge is not too large, otherwise the difficulty and the probability of failure will also increase sharply." Thinking

that Feng Qi had some knowledge that he wanted to bring to the other him, Wei Wei responded decisively.

After hearing this, Feng Qi realized that Wei Wei had obviously misunderstood.

So he immediately said:

"Sister Wei, you know I'm back in Star City, right?"

"I know. Our positioning chip is implanted in the back of your neck. In addition to the special team protecting your brain, the headquarters is also paying close attention to your movements in real time."

Feng Qi nodded, and then continued:

"The reason I returned to Star City this time is because the history of this sacrifice line has developed to the stage where the Lord of the Mist is preparing to infiltrate the Hupo Research Institute. Now that Lao Wang is in the Scarlet Research Institute, Lin Ran will obviously become the target of the Lord of the Mist."

"I just participated in the external recruitment of the Hupo Research Institute a few days ago. Now I have joined the branch base of the Hupo Research Institute and have met Lin Ran..."

It took him more than twenty minutes to explain the current situation to Wei Wei in detail.

After explaining the situation, he continued to ask:

"So Sister Wei, can you edit Lin Ran's memory, otherwise I'm afraid something unexpected will happen on this sacrifice line."

After listening to his story, Wei Wei's laughter came from the other end of the phone:

"You are too careless. Lin Ran is a very smart guy. During the time you disappeared, he was intentionally or unintentionally investigating our Scarlet Research Institute and your information, but we ignored him."

Hearing Wei Wei's laughter, he knew that there was hope.

But before getting a clear confirmation, he was still a little worried, so he immediately said:

"Sister Wei, answer me first whether you can help me with this."

The person on the other end of the phone immediately gave an answer:

"I can't edit memories, but three years ago I extracted the blood of a field creature that can control the mental consciousness of other creatures, and developed a memory-clearing potion. After drinking it, it can delete some memories. You can use this thing."

"Delete memories?"

"Yes, this memory-clearing potion can immediately delete some of the memories before drinking it."

"Then how can I erase the part of the memory I want to erase? I can't let Lin Ran become an idiot with no memories after drinking it, right?"

"I can't choose to erase the memory, but as for what you said about completely losing memory and becoming an idiot, there is no need to worry."

"This memory-clearing potion determines the erasure time according to the dosage, and it is also related to the physique of the drinker. Now my test data shows that each milliliter can erase about 20 hours of the drinker's memory, and this effect can be superimposed."

"For example, if you want to delete Lin Ran's memory within a month, that is, 720 hours of memory, you only need to give Lin Ran 36 ml of memory clearing potion, and he will forget the memory within this month... In short, you can prepare as much memory potion as you want to delete."

After listening to Wei Wei's explanation, Feng Qi suddenly understood.

The effect of memory clearing potion is very practical in his opinion.

Although it is impossible to edit and modify the specified memory content, it is also an effective means to clear memory.

With memory clearing potion, he no longer needs to worry about the Lord of Mist obtaining Lin Ran's important memory.

At that time, he only needs to let Lin Ran drink the corresponding dose to eliminate the relevant memories after he entered the Hupo Research Institute.

Even if he may drink too much at that time, it will not be a problem, just deleting some more memories.

Thinking of this, he immediately asked:

"Sister Wei, does this memory clearing potion have sequelae?"

"Don't worry, it won't kill people. The products developed by your sister Wei must be top-notch."

Feng Qi: ...

Hearing this, he immediately thought of the brain container, active needles, spicy lobsters, snails, knowledge implants... Wei Wei is a research and development genius, and he has never doubted it.

Multiple timelines prove that as long as Wei Wei wants to develop a product, it will eventually become a reality.

After chatting for a while, he told Wei Wei about the general situation during the escort mission in her inquiry, and then hung up the phone.

He walked towards Lin Ran at this time.

With Wei Wei's guarantee, he no longer had to worry about the secret being known to Lin Ran.

As long as the Lord of the Mist cleared his memory before launching the plan to seize the body, there would be no problem.

As for whether the Lord of the Mist would be suspicious of Lin Ran's memory loss, he was not worried at all.

Through the Lord of the Mist's narration, he learned that

the memory content read by the Lord of the Mist after seizing the body was not complete.

Even if they found that there were gaps in Lin Ran's memory, they would only mistakenly think that they had not read the deleted part of the memory.

Wei Wei had just said on the phone that she would ship this memory clearing potion to the branch base of Hupo Research Institute tomorrow.

The consignee would fill in the name of "Lin Ran" at that time.

At this time, Feng Qi once again felt the joy of having a companion to provide logistical support.

He sat down at the tea table again, and he looked up at Lin Ran, who looked puzzled.

After brewing for a few seconds, he looked directly into Lin Ran's eyes and said:

"A Ran, I have decided to confess the truth to you next."

"If you really can't say it, don't say it. Although I am very curious, I know you have your thoughts and difficulties." Lin Ran shook his head and chose to refuse at this time.

"I just called for this matter. Now that my concerns have been resolved, it doesn't matter if I tell you the truth... But you have to be mentally prepared in advance. What I am going to say may make you feel incredible, or even think that I am talking nonsense."

"In that case, Brother Qi, start your speech. I am now very curious about what you have experienced." Lin Ran smiled and raised his glass.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at Lin Ran and said,

"If I say I can travel through time, would you believe me?"

It was a familiar confession, but it was obviously beyond Lin Ran's expectations.

Lin Ran, who had just taken a sip of wine, spit out the words instantly after hearing this.

"Ahem... Brother Qi, are you telling me a fantasy story?"

While standing up and wiping his clothes with a tissue, Lin Ran couldn't help but complain, obviously thinking that Feng Qi was joking.

"I told you to be mentally prepared, and you really thought I was telling a story." Feng Qi couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Very true."

Hearing this, Lin Ran's expression suddenly became serious.

He sat down again, looked at Feng Qi and nodded, indicating that he should continue.

He also realized that Feng Qi would never joke with him at this time.

Next, Feng Qi began to briefly tell Lin Ran about his experience.

Listening to his story, Lin Ran's expression kept changing.

Especially when he heard Feng Qi say that he had committed heinous crimes in the future database and became a sinner despised by history, his heart sank. His

enthusiasm for studying the exercises instantly faded.

In his mind, he subconsciously recalled the scene of himself repenting for the sins he had committed in this life when he was old and gray.

"No, Brother Qi, you must be joking. The techniques released by Hupo Research Institute must undergo multiple safety tests. Before they are released to the public, they will let the testers practice them. How can they release techniques that have hidden dangers in practice?"

Facing Lin Ran's doubts, Feng Qi couldn't help rolling his eyes:

"I've said it before, this is the information I got when I first checked your future database. I believed it at the time, but it turns out that history can deceive people... Don't interrupt me, just listen to me and you will understand."

Next, Feng Qi detailed the intelligence about Lin Ran's multiple timelines.

From the first time he checked the database of the future shelter and found that Lin Ran would become a historical disaster, to doubting why Hupo Research Institute released the techniques without testing.

Then he found that Le Ping'an had problems, and learned that the Science and Technology Research Institute was infiltrated through Le Ping'an, and then investigated Le Ping'an's purpose of joining Xingcheng Academy, thus suspecting Hupo Research Institute... and a series of subsequent investigations.

The information of multiple timelines was integrated, and a clear timeline emerged.

Lin Ran also gradually understood the whole story from the initial confusion.

Hearing the end, Lin Ran's expression of pretending to be calm could no longer be contained.

He would never have thought that he would be so miserable in history.

In multiple timelines, he had only two possible endings.

Either he was harmed by the Lord of Mist and released a technique that would sever one's meridians, or he was possessed by the Lord of Mist and became a "historical great man", but actually brought destruction to all mankind. He

could even be said to be the bell ringer for the demise of mankind.

After taking a deep breath, he looked at Feng Qi and asked,

"Brother Qi, you just said that in the normal timeline, the Lord of the Mist would take over Lao Wang's body and become the new Lao Wang, and then I would become a historical sinner for developing a technique that breaks people's meridians, right?"

"Yes."

"Then is there such a possibility? According to what you said, the Lord of the Mist infiltrated the Hupo Research Institute to promote the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice technique. Is there such a possibility that in the normal timeline, I developed a technique that is more powerful than "Flesh and Blood Sacrifice". If this cultivation technique is released, it will affect the promotion effect of Flesh and Blood Sacrifice."

"After all, if there is a technique as good as "Flesh and Blood Sacrifice", there will be more choices for practitioners, which will lead to halving the promotion effect of Flesh and Blood Sacrifice. So in order to kill this technique, the Lord of the Mist chose to attack me."

Hearing this, Feng Qi was stunned.

He really hadn't considered the angle that Lin Ran mentioned.

But thinking about it carefully, there is indeed such a possibility, although the probability may be very small.

Lin Ran was right. In fact, there was no need for a technique that could rival the "Blood and Flesh Sacrifice". It only required the emergence of a sufficiently excellent technique to weaken the influence of the Blood and Flesh Sacrifice.

With his understanding of the Lord of the Mist, he could really do such a thing.

This would allow more people to practice the Blood and Flesh Sacrifice, and would also block the development of human cultivation, so that they would not dare to try the practice of new techniques easily.

This would be equivalent to increasing the influence of the Blood and Flesh Sacrifice.

The incident in the history of the normal line where millions of people's meridians were broken would lead to a bottleneck in the research of techniques in the next few decades. Practitioners would no longer dare to try the latest developed techniques, which would also affect the update and improvement of subsequent techniques.

The time span of this impact was more than a hundred years.

However, the "Blood and Flesh Sacrifice" technique, which was released at almost the same time, created brilliant achievements during the darkest era of cultivation.

Thinking carefully, this might be another move by the Lord of the Mist.

Using Lin Ran as a negative example to create favorable conditions for the promotion of the "Blood and Flesh Sacrifice".

By then, no practitioners would dare to practice new techniques, and the Blood and Flesh Sacrifice would obviously become the best choice for practitioners, as it was excellent enough.

From a historical perspective, the Lord of the Mist is definitely a genius.

Every step of development will be considered from a long-term perspective, and what is cared about is never the immediate interests.

At this time, Lin Ran interrupted his thinking:

"Brother Qi, do you think my guess is possible?"

Coming back to his senses, he couldn't help rolling his eyes:

"You seem to want to prove that you are very talented in the research and development of exercises, right?"

Lin Ran, whose idea was seen through, didn't care at all, and nodded with a smile:

"The fact that I can publish an untested cultivation method proves that it is not my fault that the method has problems. It is obviously manipulated, which proves that I have a talent for the study of exercises."

Feng Qi:...

At this time, I am still thinking about whether I have a talent for the study of exercises.

What a great obsession.

At this time, knowing the historical reasons, Lin Ran fell into deep thought.

Feng Qi didn't speak, giving Lin Ran time to digest the information he said.

Half an hour later, Lin Ran looked up at him with a firm look in his eyes:

"Brother Qi, I understand. I will be your companion on this line of sacrifice like them."

Lin Ran had said this to him 1,500 years in the future.

But when he heard it, he still felt a warm current flowing through his heart.

His road to salvation is not like the one in the movies, nor does he have any aura of the protagonist. Instead, he has companions like Lin Ran.

It is precisely because of their help that his sacrifice line can be carried out better.

At this time, Lin Ran raised his glass and said with a smile:

"Brother Qi, cheers."

Seeing this, Feng Qi immediately raised his glass and clinked it with Lin Ran.

After drinking the wine in the glass, he looked at Lin Ran and said solemnly:

"A Ran, there is one thing I need you to cooperate with me to investigate."

"You say." Lin Ran nodded immediately.

"Through your description, combined with the relevant information I learned earlier, I now have reason to suspect that the Hupo Research Institute has actually been infiltrated by the domain forces. Now you are likely to be used by the domain forces to help them develop the necessary magic."

"You also know that I need to help the Lord of the Mist rise as soon as possible through this sacrifice line, so I need to investigate the current situation of the Hupo Research Institute and eliminate all factors that are not conducive to his future development."

"Of course, suspecting that the Hupo Research Institute has now been infiltrated by other domain forces is just my guess. Everything remains to be investigated. I now need you to cooperate with me in this investigation."

After listening to Feng Qi's explanation, Lin Ran nodded immediately:

"After listening to your story, I now have some doubts about whether the top leaders of Hupo have been infiltrated. It's time to conduct an investigation."

In the following chat, they began to formulate an investigation plan for the inside of Hupo.

As time passed, the morning light suddenly appeared on the edge of the sky.

The light dyed the clouds red, and the red light spread rapidly, and finally the morning glow dyed half of the sky red.

After talking with Lin Ran all night, Feng Qi's concerns dissipated.

Lin Ran's words touched him deeply.

He said that no romantic sentiment in the world is more worthwhile than fighting for one's ideal.

Even if the final result is failure, one can at least hope that the ideal flower will bloom in another timeline in the future.

After saying this, Lin Ran drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

The calmness and unrestrainedness made Feng Qi's guilt completely disappear.

Looking up to the west, a red sun rises.

Flocks of wild geese line up neatly and fly south.

－－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－－

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