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Translator: CinderTL
The other discarded art magics were all characterized by complex combinations that failed to produce simple, efficient art magic trajectories.
Lin Ran's innate talent in this area was exceptional.
The art magics he created typically featured concise and effective combinations.
However, Lin Ran's greatest contribution to the field of Art Magic Research at this stage was undoubtedly the creation of the Handseal Flow, a revolutionary new school of art magic casting.
This technique significantly improved the efficiency of casting small to medium-sized art magics.
The Handseal Flow acted as an amplifier for art magic, streamlining the casting process into a simpler, more effective method.
Lin Ran's current status within the art magic research community could be described as the founding patriarch of an entire school of thought.
From overcoming the three fundamental barriers of art magic creation to developing the ultimate art magic amplifier, he had achieved heights and potential previously unimaginable.
This was precisely why Lin Ran had become one of the most influential figures of his era.
During his time at the Tiger Soul Branch Base, Feng Qi gained a clearer understanding of art magic research.
He had also witnessed Lin Ran's innate talent and potential in this field.
Watching Lin Ran still diligently working inside the Art Magic Element Simulation Instrument, he had every reason to believe that if given the freedom to fully develop his abilities, Lin Ran's potential would reach even greater heights.
Every era produces a handful of geniuses who capture the world's attention, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of history.
In this era, Lin Ran was undoubtedly among them.
The only tragedy was that Lin Ran's circumstances had doomed his talent to remain unrealized.
First, he was exploited by the Nightshadow Clan, then possessed by the Lord of the Mist.
From a historical perspective, Lin Ran's life was undeniably tragic.
His life could only end in one of two ways:
1. Old Wang never joined the Scarlet Research Institute.
After the Lord of the Mist possessed Old Wang, Lin Ran, with his exceptional achievements in Art Magic Research, would inevitably become a thorn in the Lord of the Mist's side. The Lord would undoubtedly find an opportunity to sabotage him, stifling his potential.
2. Old Wang learned the truth and joined the Scarlet Research Institute.
In this timeline, Lin Ran would become the Lord of the Mist's primary target for body possession. Would he ultimately become a tool, his unwavering ideals gradually eroding beneath the facade of a great man? Or would he remain true to himself, even as his body was controlled?
Even if humanity managed to repel the parasitic invasion after 1,500 years, Human Civilization would have long since perished by then.
For Lin Ran, life had already lost all meaning.
Feng Qi gazed at Lin Ran, his expression serious as he remained absorbed in his Art Magic Research, and felt a pang of admiration.
Yet, at least Lin Ran maintained an unwavering optimism in the face of any challenge.
In this Sacrifice Line, Lin Ran understood that he would eventually be possessed by the Lord of the Mist.
But he didn't run. Instead, he chose to face his fate with a calm smile.
This knowledge didn't disrupt his life; he continued to immerse himself in Art Magic Research every day.
Lin Ran's attitude reminded Feng Qi of Wei Wei.
Wei Wei had once said, "Even if I know the future's end, I'll still live a life that's truly my own."
Lin Ran clearly shared the same mindset.
Just then, Lin Ran shut down the testing apparatus, pushed open the glass door, and walked out.
He turned to Feng Qi with a smile and said, "Brother Qi, I've got it! Come check out the art magic's effects."
Feng Qi nodded immediately.
In the days that followed, Feng Qi and Lin Ran devoted themselves to Art Magic Research.
Feng Qi didn't see this learning as pointless.
Once his other self accessed his memories, everything he was learning now would become part of that other self's knowledge base.
Perhaps it would prove useful in the future.
Meanwhile, on the Lord of the Mist's side...
Since their last conversation, Feng Qi hadn't contacted the Lord of the Mist again.
But he knew the Lord of the Mist had already begun infiltrating the Tiger Soul Research Institute.
The Lord of the Mist's plan was to use his current identity as a Nightshadow Clan member to stir up internal strife within the clan, then escalate the conflict until the clan completely fractured.
The Nightshadow Clan was already simmering with internal tensions over resource allocation.
All that was needed was a spark to ignite the flames of conflict.
Once that happened, the Nightshadow Clan would inevitably split into factions, engaging in open and covert power struggles. This internal strife would rapidly erode the clan's overall strength.
This would create an opportunity for the Lord of the Mist to seize power.
Feng Qi had never doubted the Lord of the Mist's capabilities.
If he hadn't possessed the ability to traverse timelines and gather intelligence, he would never have stood a chance against the Lord of the Mist.
In the normal timeline, had he not died young, he might have become one of the Lord of the Mist's sacrifices.
After all, before gaining the ability to traverse timelines and access the Narrator, his life trajectory would undoubtedly have led him to become a cultivation technique researcher.
Once Flesh and Blood Sacrifice was published, he would have certainly attempted to cultivate and study it.
At that point, he would have become just another small leek under the Lord of the Mist's scythe.
Looking at history through the lens of current intelligence, the Lord of the Mist was undoubtedly the greatest enemy of Human Civilization, far more terrifying than even Little Black.
Little Black's terror lay in its insurmountable combat power.
Even the Lord of the Mist paled in comparison to Little Black, utterly outmatched.
Yet Little Black's destructive impact on Human Civilization remained limited. Historically, the only major catastrophe associated with Little Black was the destruction of Future City.
Whether Future City's destruction was actually caused by Little Black remains unknown.
In contrast, the Lord of the Mist personally orchestrated the downfall of all Human Civilization, tolling the death knell for humanity's end.
Through years of interaction, he had witnessed the Lord of the Mist's ruthless and cruel nature firsthand.
The Lord of the Mist saw everything through the lens of "profit."
For profit, he would stop at nothing.
Yet one thing he couldn't deny: the Lord of the Mist truly considered him his brother.
He vividly remembered that snowy day in the Winterfrost District when the Lord of the Mist, with a warm smile, had said:
"In this world, I have no family left. But from this day forward, you will be my only kin."
The Lord of the Mist hadn't been joking when he promised Feng Qi a place by his side after reaching the summit.
Thus, Feng Qi always carried a lingering sense of guilt toward the Lord of the Mist.
In the grand scheme of things, he couldn't allow the Lord of the Mist to exist.
Yet from a personal perspective, the Lord of the Mist undoubtedly deserved the title of "brother."
But some choices leave no room for sentiment.
Feng Qi had resolved to kill the Lord of the Mist, waiting only for the opportune moment.
In this timeline, however, he would walk alongside the Lord of the Mist, plunging into darkness to find the light.
(End of the Chapter)
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