At the Crimson Research Institute.
The body training hall, as large as a football field, was divided into several sections: a strength training zone, a dodge training zone, an endurance zone, and others.
At this moment, a figure moved swiftly within the dodge zone, evading green beams that shot toward him from all directions.
Sweat dripped from his body, forming puddles on the ground.
"Test results: times hit: 3. Score: 97 points."
The lights in the matrix dimmed, and the glass doors slowly opened.
Feng Qi stood still, catching his breath for a moment before stepping out of the dodge matrix.
He then made his way to the training room's shower area, rinsed off the sweat, and changed into a specialized Scarlet martial arts uniform. With a fresh appearance, he approached a corner of the training hall where a computer connected to the Scarlet database stood.
This computer had the highest level of access in the institute. It allowed the user to access all internal data and utilize the Crimson Research Institute's authority to retrieve external information.
For instance, if Feng Qi wanted information about a specific person, he could input their name into the system and pull up a complete record of their ancestry spanning eighteen generations, along with all events ever documented about them.
Even information restricted to the general public could be easily accessed.
He couldn't help but recall the time he made a forum post and was instantly located, which resulted in an assassination attempt on him.
This incident taught him a crucial lesson: those with authority could truly do whatever they wanted.
He often used this computer to stay updated on external affairs, especially regarding Mu Qing.
Sitting down, Feng Qi awakened the screen and began scanning through the latest updates.
As he browsed, a smile formed on his face.
A major event had recently occurred at the Winterfell Supply Zone. A domain field that had lain dormant for over a decade was dispersed.
The fact that a domain field was dispersed wasn't shocking.
What amazed him was that the field had been dispersed by Mu Qing alone.
Seeing that Mu Qing was finally rising to prominence, Feng Qi felt genuine happiness for her and eagerly anticipated their next meeting.
This feat of dispersing the Silent Domain Field catapulted Mu Qing into the spotlight, turning her into a rising star on the frontlines. Her actions also brought substantial contribution points to her squad.
However, due to the limited data on the Silent Domain Field, its difficulty level couldn't be conclusively assessed.
Additionally, Mu Qing's overwhelming approach had obliterated everything inside the domain, leaving no data for further analysis.
As a result, the exact amount of honor points to be awarded to the Snow Wolf Domain Squad was still under discussion by the higher-ups at the combat association.
For the time being, the Snow Wolf Squad was elevated to a B-rank evaluation, with further adjustments pending.
As Feng Qi delved deeper into the institute's internal files, his expression gradually became more serious.
Among the files was a detailed report from the Snow Wolf Squad's analyst on the Silent Domain Field.
Certain keywords immediately caught his attention: gray mist, absorption of blood essence, specters, misty face.
When he pieced these terms together, a familiar figure surfaced in his mind—a purple-haired boy.
"Isn't this the Mist Lord?!"
Realizing this, Feng Qi was momentarily dumbfounded.
Had Mu Qing destroyed the Mist Lord's domain field?
As his thoughts raced, a timeline began to form in his mind. It linked the scattered pieces of information he had collected, filling gaps he had long pondered over.
For instance, Feng Qi had been puzzled for some time about why the Tiger Soul Research Institute had rejected Lin Ran's application to join the cultivation technique research group.
If the Tiger Soul Institute were under the Mist Lord's control, as he suspected, they should have readily accepted someone with Lin Ran's influence. With Lin Ran's reach, introducing a cultivation technique like Flesh Sacrifice would have been strategic, as it could naturally propagate among cultivators.
Thus, he had begun to question whether the Tiger Soul Institute was actually under the Mist Lord's control, or if the Mist Lord hadn't yet developed the Flesh Sacrifice technique.
But after reviewing the detailed information on the Silent Domain Field, Feng Qi felt clarity.
A new timeline emerged in his mind.
The timeline began with the Mist Lord expanding its domain field, attempting to establish a foothold in this world.
And then, nothing further.
Because at that point, the Mist Lord had encountered a newly risen domain warrior: Mu Qing.
Mu Qing's terrifying strength had been thoroughly documented by Wei Wei.
Mu Qing's overwhelming power and sheer brutality in dispersing a domain field rated at the Liao (third) level was an undeniable demonstration of her strength.
The outcome of her battle was self-evident.
The Mist Lord, having had its "home base" destroyed by Mu Qing, was now reduced to being a solitary domain wanderer.
This battle fundamentally changed the Mist Lord's approach to invading this world.
Instead of a direct assault, it shifted to a more covert infiltration strategy.
In the distant future, it would manage to infiltrate the Tiger Soul Research Institute, seize control of its upper echelon, and eventually even possess Lin Ran's body to propagate the technique Flesh Sacrifice as part of its millennia-long plans.
The information Feng Qi had just connected in his mind painted a clear timeline, answering many of his long-standing questions.
It was all cause and effect.
Mu Qing's dispersal of the Silent Domain Field set the cause, and the Mist Lord's millennium-long scheming was the effect.
Regardless of this, the Mist Lord's ultimate goal had always been the destruction of human civilization to bolster its own power.
Feng Qi's expression shifted to one of excitement.
To him, this insight was invaluable.
Now, there was another way to counter the Mist Lord.
In addition to Old Wang's research to unravel the dangers of Flesh Sacrifice and Lin Ran's potential reverse-parasitism of the Mist Lord, there was a practical course of action: aiding Mu Qing in destroying the Silent Domain Field again and capturing the fleeing Mist Lord.
By cutting off the Mist Lord at its source, the disaster of Flesh Sacrifice 1,500 years later could be averted.
But on further thought, Feng Qi, ever cautious about stability in the real-world timeline, decided to put this plan on hold.
He resolved to wait.
Perhaps Lin Ran would succeed in reverse-parasitizing the Mist Lord and gain its powers, becoming an ally in his future dreams.
Perhaps Old Wang would fully decode the hidden dangers in Flesh Sacrifice, enabling humanity to gain a powerful new cultivation technique.
The real-world plan to kill the Mist Lord could wait until a more controllable future was secured.
For now, the Mist Lord still had its uses.
After reviewing a few more documents on the Silent Domain Field, Feng Qi stood and walked toward the strength training zone.
"Rest is for the dead," he muttered to himself.
"As long as I'm alive, I'll keep pushing forward."
His lips curled into a faint smile as he thought about the future. "The day I master my skills, I'll leave the mountains and join the Dawn Army... even as a lowly grunt."
Moments later, the dull thud of fists striking heavy bags echoed once again in the training hall.
At the Winterfell Supply Zone, last night's heavy snow had sealed off the route connecting the supply zone to Winterfell City.
The streets were buried under thick snow, forcing maintenance workers to use snowplows to clear roads both within and outside the supply zone.
Inside the Snow Wolf Estate, the members of the Snow Wolf Domain Squad had returned from their mission to the Silent Domain Field.
But this time, many comrades would never return.
Mu Qing, carrying her luggage and a large bag, approached a building within the estate and pushed open the door.
Today, Tuo Yan had arranged for her to have a new residence of her own.
This house once belonged to Wild Bull.
During the final retreat from the Silent Domain Field, Wild Bull had chosen to stay behind and cover their escape. He was ultimately consumed by the mist, leaving behind only a desiccated corpse.
Setting her luggage and bag aside, Mu Qing picked up a metallic case and began to survey the room's furnishings.
The room was luxuriously decorated, equipped with every modern convenience. One wall, adorned with countless medals, immediately caught her attention.
She walked over to the wall of honor, her gaze lingering on the certificates and medals it held.
Among them were distinctions such as the Outstanding Warrior of Humanity Silver Medal, the Human Elite Medal, and the Winterfell Academy Outstanding Graduate.
At the center were photos, each chronicling Wild Bull's journey.
The earliest photo was his graduation picture from Winterfell Academy. In it, Wild Bull still had a youthful, vibrant look, his face full of confidence. He stood beside his academy teachers and classmates.
Another photo showed him joining the Snow Wolf Squad. With a large bag similar to Mu Qing's, he stood in the far-left corner of the group, almost inconspicuous, yet smiling brightly.
In the third photo, also a group picture of the squad, many familiar faces were missing, and Wild Bull had moved closer to the center. His expression now carried a touch of maturity.
The fourth photo, containing only a dozen people, showed a solemn Wild Bull with a face full of sorrow. The confidence and smiles of earlier years were gone.
...
These photos documented Wild Bull's growth and transformation over time.
Beneath the photos, a dagger had been used to carve a line of text:
"Three hundred and sixty days a year, most of them spent on horseback. Without the dispersal of domains, there is no home to return to."
Mu Qing took a deep breath, her gaze dimming.
This was her first time personally witnessing the harsh realities of the front lines.
Death, she realized, shadowed every domain warrior, always just a day away.
She hadn't spent much time with Wild Bull, but he had left a deep impression on her.
As her guide, he had taught her many things about being the core of a team—the responsibilities and leadership it required.
Mu Qing couldn't help but recall the words Wild Bull had spoken to her before:
"Mu Qing, as the core of the team, you must protect your brothers. If sacrifices have to be made, it's our duty to step forward first!"
"Eat whatever you like; we're the Snow Wolf Squad, a C-rank domain team. Can't we even afford to feed you?"
"As the core tank, we are the team's strongest shield. If we don't break, the team doesn't break!"
"Every mission is a gamble with death. Death is always close, but only by facing it head-on can you overcome the fear it brings and rise to meet any challenge."
"I remember my first mission with the Snow Wolf Squad. I was terrified I wouldn't make it back alive. But after countless missions, you grow used to it. Everyone has to go through a growth process. As long as you don't waver in your convictions, any difficulty can be overcome."
…
The brief time they spent together had left a deep impression on Mu Qing.
Wild Bull might not have been the strongest fighter, but he was a qualified warrior.
Fearless, responsible, selfless, willing to sacrifice—he embodied the best qualities a warrior should have.
But now, this warrior was gone, forever remaining in yesterday.
Mu Qing had heard stories about the harshness of the front lines, where death could strike at any moment. But only through firsthand experience did she truly understand.
At that moment, she remembered Feng Qi's words to her:
"No matter how weak humanity is, someone must step forward to pave the way for a better future."
Wild Bull was one of those who had stepped forward.
Her gaze hardened as determination welled up within her.
Her eyes swept over the wall of honor once more. This time, she began carefully removing the medals and photos from the wall.
These honors didn't belong to her. They would soon accompany Wild Bull's ashes and be delivered to his family.
After placing all the honors into a metal box, Mu Qing carried it out of the room.
In the center of the Snow Wolf Estate, the Snow Wolf Squad members stood in neat rows.
In front of them were the urns containing the ashes of their fallen comrades, each draped with the Snow Wolf battle flag.
Mu Qing placed the metal box before Wild Bull's urn, then stepped back into the formation.
One by one, other members arrived, each carrying a metal box filled with honors. These were placed in front of the urns of the fallen warriors.
"To send off our comrades!"
At Tuo Yan's command, all the Snow Wolf Squad members bowed deeply.
Shortly after, staff from the supply zone arrived. After a brief exchange of words, they picked up the urns, still draped in battle flags, along with the metal boxes containing the honors.
The urns and their accompanying boxes would be delivered to the families of the fallen by designated officials.
The news of their sacrifices would also be sent to their alma maters, where their names would be forever engraved on the schools' monuments.
Watching the departing convoy, Tuo Yan, the squad captain, couldn't help but redden his eyes. Yet he quickly composed himself and turned to Mu Qing.
"Mu Qing!"
"Here!" Mu Qing immediately responded.
"From today onward, you will officially take Wild Bull's place as the Snow Wolf Squad's primary core member!"
"Yes!"
In the falling snow, Mu Qing's resolute answer echoed through the air.
In the days that followed, Mu Qing carried on Wild Bull's legacy, becoming the core of the Snow Wolf Squad and the most dependable rock for her teammates.
Under her leadership, the Snow Wolf Squad entered a period of rapid growth.
However, as missions continued, Mu Qing witnessed comrades falling and new faces joining the team.
No matter how strong she was, she was only one person.
Just as the Mist Lord had said, she couldn't protect everyone.
In the perilous domain fields, unexpected crises arose constantly. Acting as a "nanny" for the team was simply unrealistic.
All she could do was try her best to protect her team members and give her all in every mission.
Thanks to her efforts, it took only three months for the Snow Wolf Squad to rise to the rank of an A-rank domain squad. Their ranks expanded to over two thousand members.
Outstanding Contribution to Humanity Gold Medal, Elite Warrior Medal—honors were continuously sent to the Snow Wolf Squad.
The once-empty wall of honor was soon filled with new achievements.
As the Snow Wolf Squad captain, Tuo Yan knew that Mu Qing would eventually leave to form her own squad.
He took the initiative to mentor her on what it meant to be a captain.
"If the tank is the team's core, then the captain is its soul," he said.
"As a captain, it's crucial to think from a big-picture perspective. Every decision must be calculated, as it will directly affect the team's direction and safety."
Under Tuo Yan's guidance, Mu Qing's leadership abilities grew rapidly.
Her terrifying ability to learn left even Tuo Yan in awe. He realized that Mu Qing was destined for a broader stage.
"To soar with the wind one day, rising high to the heavens."
Tuo Yan looked forward to the day when this rising star would shine brightly, creating her own legendary story.