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Translator: CinderTL
Upon returning to the base, Feng Qi and Lin Ran first went to their respective rooms to drop off their belongings.
After changing into Tiger Soul Researcher uniforms, they arrived at Lin Ran's private laboratory almost simultaneously.
As Feng Qi pushed open the door, he saw Lin Ran already seated on the sofa, waiting.
Feng Qi sat down beside him, his expression complex as he looked at Lin Ran.
"A'Ran, the Lord of the Mist has completely taken control of the Tiger Soul Research Institute."
Lin Ran showed no surprise, nodding calmly. "I already suspected as much. When do you think he'll attempt the body possession?"
"Perhaps tonight..."
Before he could finish, a knock echoed on the private laboratory door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a man in a Tiger Soul staff uniform approached Lin Ran, handing him a document. He spoke respectfully, "Team Leader Lin, this document comes from Tiger Soul Headquarters."
Lin Ran accepted the document with a nod. "Thank you."
After the staff member left, he glanced down at the document's contents.
Feng Qi didn't need to guess what it was. The Lord of the Mist had clearly used his authority at Headquarters to recall Lin Ran and him.
After a moment, Lin Ran looked up at Feng Qi. "Brother Qi, Headquarters has given us one day to prepare. Tonight, we'll be transferred back to Headquarters."
Feng Qi's emotions were conflicted.
"Don't look so gloomy. This day was bound to come. I've already prepared myself."
"Have you considered your family?"
Lin Ran fell silent, a flicker of struggle in his eyes.
After a long silence, Lin Ran looked up at Feng Qi and said, "Brother Qi, I struggled too. I wondered why I should sacrifice myself for the future of the main timeline... But in the end, I overcame that inner conflict."
He took a deep breath, his eyes reddening as he continued, "When I was in school, I heard stories from my teachers about the martyrs. I was often so moved that my blood boiled, and I'd fantasize about the day when destiny called upon me. I vowed to shed my blood for the future I believed in, just like those heroes."
"Now that childhood dream has become reality. After wrestling with my doubts, I realized what my heart truly yearned for, and I made the choice I believe is right."
Looking at Lin Ran's unwavering resolve, Feng Qi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Only now did he realize that Lin Ran possessed a determination no less steadfast than his own.
He stood up and solemnly patted Lin Ran's shoulder. "A'Ran, say your final goodbyes. You don't have much time left."
With that, he turned and walked out of the room without looking back, wanting to give Lin Ran some private space.
After Feng Qi left, Lin Ran pulled out his phone.
He opened his photo album and scrolled through pictures of his family, his eyes growing red.
He opened his contacts list and scanned the names.
But he still didn't make a call.
He realized he couldn't bear to say goodbye to his loved ones, and he didn't even know what to say in this moment.
Feng Qi, having just left the laboratory, leaned against the wall, his emotions a tangled mess.
He could feel Lin Ran's inner anguish.
He understood Lin Ran's feelings completely.
Grief wasn't weakness, nor did it betray a lack of resolve.
His experiences across multiple timelines had taught him a crucial lesson:
The heroes of history who willingly sacrificed themselves for the greater good weren't immune to tears; they simply continued running, even with tears streaming down their faces.
The path to utopia was paved with thorns.
To advance, sacrifice and suffering were inevitable companions.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Qi suppressed the turmoil in his heart and walked straight toward his room.
Moments later, he returned to his room.
Reaching under the bed, he pulled out the metal case sent by the Scarlet Research Institute.
After verifying its authenticity, he activated the case. As icy mist billowed, he retrieved the container of memory-erasing liquid and the Miracle Bracelet stored within, fastening the bracelet to his wrist.
Then he sat on the bed and waited.
Lin Ran had only one day left. The special plane from Tiger Soul Headquarters would arrive that evening.
Feng Qi felt Lin Ran needed some space to be alone.
To reflect, to reminisce, to say goodbye...
It was eight o'clock in the evening.
The Tiger Soul Headquarters' private jet landed on the tarmac within the branch base's perimeter wall.
Feng Qi and Lin Ran, having packed their belongings, emerged from the branch base gate.
After confirming their identities with the welcoming personnel, they boarded the Tiger Soul jet.
Without lingering, the jet soared into the night sky after picking them up.
The Tiger Soul Headquarters was located in the southernmost outskirts of Star City, even more remote than the branch base. However, its sprawling grounds were over ten times larger than the branch base's.
Thirty minutes later, Feng Qi and Lin Ran disembarked from the plane.
Before them lay a miniature city, dominated by towering Tiger Soul Towers.
The Tiger Soul Headquarters glowed brightly under the night sky.
The most striking building was the headquarters tower itself, centrally positioned and illuminated like a massive golden sword piercing the heavens.
A staff member was already waiting for them.
Seeing them exit the plane, the staff member eagerly approached.
The Tiger Soul Research Institute Headquarters staff were well-acquainted with Lin Ran.
Many employees and researchers were even devoted fans of his.
News of Lin Ran's transfer back to headquarters had already set off a frenzy in the official group chats of Tiger Soul's various departments.
Now, finally meeting their idol in person, the staff member couldn't contain his excitement.
Following the staff member, they arrived at the Tiger Soul Headquarters Tower.
As they walked, Feng Qi noticed that the security measures at the Tiger Soul Research Institute were nowhere near the level of the Scarlet Research Institute.
Upon reflection, he understood the reason.
The Tiger Soul Research Institute's defenses were divided into two layers: the city-wide defenses of Star City and the battle groups and garrison troops stationed within the Tiger Soul Base.
However, most of these forces were concentrated at the base's perimeter walls and entrances, with only a small number patrolling the interior.
This arrangement clearly stemmed from the Tiger Soul High Command's ignorance of internal threats. They believed that these two layers of defense were sufficient to protect the institute, reasoning that if both layers were breached, any further defenses would be futile.
This defensive strategy completely failed to account for invisible intrusions and infiltration.
Compared to the Scarlet Research Institute's multiple layers of checkpoints and instrument-based detection systems, the Tiger Soul Research Institute's defenses were remarkably weak.
Following the staff member into Tiger Soul Tower, they took an elevator down to the third basement level.
Here, they were assigned new rooms, with Lin Ran's room located right next to Feng Qi's.
After the staff left, Lin Ran closed the door.
He walked over to his suitcase and retrieved the container of memory-erasing liquid.
Without hesitation, he unscrewed the cap and drained the entire contents in one gulp.
He chose to drink it now to avoid arousing the Lord of the Mist's suspicion, proving that everything was normal at least until he entered the Tiger Soul Research Institute.
Glancing at the time, he saw it was already 9 PM.
He knew the Lord of the Mist could arrive at any moment to seize his body.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, memories surged through his mind like slides, each one torn away as it passed.
It was as if an eraser were chasing after his memories, wiping away everything in its path.
His memories raced ahead of the eraser, the past vivid in his mind, surging forward relentlessly.
"A'Ran, you're our pride. We're so proud of you."
"I really am a genius! This method of spellcasting... I'll call it Handseal Flow."
"Harsh environments are conducive to my growth. I've decidedβI'm applying to Winterfrost Academy!"
"I must fulfill my grandfather's wish. I will develop a Super Cultivation Technique capable of changing the future."
As he recalled these memories, his expression gradually became vacant, and many images blurred into indistinct shapes.
Finally, a scene surfaced in his mind: a young Lin Ran sitting in class, clenching his fist as he swore an oath:
"I, Lin Ran, will one day become a hero like the martyrs of old!"
His initial aspiration burned like a torch, illuminating the path to his ideals.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, his gaze utterly lost in confusion. Only a trace of the unwavering resolve from before his amnesia remained, simmering deep within his heart.
(End of the Chapter)
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