I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

After the Dawn Domain Combat Squad's welcome ceremony, Feng Qi officially assumed the role of vice-commander.

Under Mu Qing's guidance, he gradually became involved in the squad's various responsibilities, such as task coordination and mission deployment.

Each morning, the squad secretary delivered a meticulously prepared task sheet to his desk. This document outlined the latest missions issued by research institutes in major cities, as well as the joint operations at frontline supply zones. Feng Qi's duty was to allocate these missions based on the capabilities and strengths of each battalion.

Beyond mission assignments, he was also responsible for resource management. This included overseeing supply acquisitions, distributing soldiers' salaries, providing aid for their families, maintaining the squad's armory, and managing daily expenses. It was a workload requiring immense focus and energy. Thankfully, with the assistance of the squad secretary, he was able to keep the chaos at bay.

As Feng Qi became more familiar with his duties, he began to witness the harsh realities of the front line firsthand.

Mu Qing frequently led portions of the squad to participate in joint operations at other supply zones. As vice-commander, Feng Qi often accompanied battalion leaders to domain fields for on-site training or combat drills.

During these missions, he saw the unfiltered brutality of war. The enemies were far more vicious and merciless than he had anticipated.

One memory stood out vividly. He saw a warrior cursed by a domain creature, their body rapidly decaying. Strapped with spirit-energy explosives, the soldier charged into the enemy ranks with a crazed determination. In their final moments, there were no grand declarations or heroic cries—just a hoarse plea: "Mom, take care of yourself."

A life, once vibrant, was extinguished in an instant.

The bloodiest battle he witnessed claimed nearly one-third of their forces. The veteran soldiers, knowing full well the cost, led the charge without hesitation. They understood what retreat would mean—not for themselves, but for the loved ones and homelands they protected. It wasn't that they refused to retreat; it was that they couldn't.

When the battle finally ended, the losses were devastating.

On the transport back to the Dawn estate, a full moon hung in the night sky. One of the battalion leaders, missing half his body and wrapped in bloodied bandages, leaned against the railing of the vehicle. With a cigarette clamped between his teeth, he turned to Feng Qi and said nonchalantly, "The moment I set foot on the front line, I knew my fate. No regrets."

That moment deeply moved Feng Qi. As the transport bumped along the snowy terrain, he looked up at the bright moon and reflected.

Today's moon is no different from the one our ancestors gazed upon. In the future, may it continue to shine as brightly.

Amidst despair, Feng Qi found hope in the unwavering resolve of these soldiers. Their faith in the inevitability of dawn, the belief that every night would eventually yield to light, was the anchor of the Dawn Domain Combat Squad's spirit.

Upon returning to the estate, Feng Qi made a difficult series of phone calls, reaching out to the families of the fallen warriors. The sobs and cries he heard on the other end of the line were heart-wrenching. It brought back memories of his own childhood, of the grief that had etched itself into his very soul after losing his loved ones.

Determined to honor their sacrifices, Feng Qi threw himself into the task of improving the squad's infrastructure and quality of life.

With nearly 10,000 members to manage, the workload was daunting. But the years he had spent building and leading the Breaking Dawn Organization in another timeline had equipped him with the experience needed to navigate these challenges. Compared to the struggles of that era, the Dawn Domain Combat Squad's current situation was far more favorable.

Once Feng Qi had mastered the essentials of his duties, he began proposing initiatives for the squad's development. His first major project was the expansion of the Dawn estate.

As the squad grew, the residential area within the estate became insufficient. Adding more soldiers to the existing houses would inevitably lower their quality of life. To address this, Feng Qi proposed expanding the estate by developing the untapped land to the north. By extending the estate's footprint, they could construct a new residential area for the growing squad.

Mu Qing fully supported his proposal, assuring him that all necessary resources were at his disposal. "Don't hold back," she said. "Implement your ideas boldly."

Encouraged by her trust, Feng Qi began laying the groundwork. Within three months, he secured the expansion permits from the Squad Headquarters and assigned the Third Battalion to oversee the procurement of materials. A professional construction team was soon hired to spearhead the project.

During this time, Feng Qi also launched an internal survey within the Dawn Domain Combat Squad, asking members for feedback on their living conditions and what improvements they desired. These small but meaningful gestures, aimed at enhancing the squad's quality of life, earned widespread approval from the soldiers.

Through these efforts, Feng Qi solidified his place within the Dawn Domain Combat Squad. The expansion project was not just about adding physical structures—it was a step toward building a stronger, more united force, one where every member felt valued and cared for.

Under the pale moonlight, Feng Qi often found himself gazing at the ever-expanding estate, a sense of quiet determination stirring within him.

For every life lost, for every tear shed, he was resolute: the Dawn Domain Combat Squad would rise to ensure that the light of tomorrow would never fade.

In the harsh, freezing environment, the expansion project of the Dawn Domain Combat Squad progressed with remarkable vigor.

In less than half a year, the construction of the squad's C and D residential districts was completed. Every squad member now had their own individual residence.

On this particular day, after a long day of work, Feng Qi sat in his office, reviewing mission deployment plans and organizing the latest assignments.

Just as he was about to take a break, a notification popped up on his communication software. The familiar avatar on the screen caught his attention. Opening it, he found a message from Lin Ran, someone he hadn't heard from in a long time.

During their chat, Lin Ran excitedly shared the results of his recent research. He had successfully developed a new spiritual attack technique and had named it Eternal Spirit.

Lin Ran explained that the technique was based on several concepts proposed by Feng Qi. It had an incredibly high cultivation efficiency and followed a path of extreme spiritual growth and assault. However, it came with a critical flaw.

If one delved too deeply into this technique, their control over their physical body would gradually diminish. Lin Ran speculated that, at its peak, the nearly tangible spiritual power generated by the technique could surpass the confines of the physical body, transforming the practitioner into a pure spiritual entity.

"To trade one's body for power… This seems like a fundamental flaw in my research," Lin Ran admitted. "I plan to continue refining the technique to address these weaknesses."

After carefully reviewing the details Lin Ran had sent, Feng Qi decisively rejected his proposed revisions. What he needed was precisely an extreme spiritual attack technique like this. Only such a perfected approach could stand a chance against the ancient and cunning Mist Lord.

Considering that Lin Ran, during that fateful timeline, had already become a spiritual parasite residing within the Mist Lord's mind sea, the potential flaw of losing one's body was irrelevant.

After chatting with Lin Ran for a while longer, Feng Qi closed his computer. Standing up, he greeted Lü Yue, who was seated nearby. Lü Yue, understanding the cue, rose and followed Feng Qi out of the office. Together, they descended the stairs and exited the administrative building.

Outside, snow fell thick and heavy. Despite the polar conditions, the night was far from dark. Even without artificial lighting, the path ahead was illuminated by the brilliant starlight above.

Walking through the accumulated snow, each step leaving a clear imprint, the two headed toward the residential district.

"Lü Yue, how about we grab a late-night snack?" Feng Qi suggested.

"Sure, but you're cooking," Lü Yue replied, cradling his sword, Jianlan, in his arms.

Hearing Lü Yue's response, Feng Qi couldn't help but laugh. He had tasted Lü Yue's cooking once before and ended up discarding the food—an uncharacteristic act for someone who hated wasting food. That experience alone spoke volumes about Lü Yue's culinary skills.

As they chatted casually, the residential district came into view.

Suddenly, Lü Yue darted in front of Feng Qi. Jianlan flew from its sheath, hovering mid-air with its blade aimed at the darkness ahead.

"Show yourself!" Lü Yue's voice was sharp, and with a flick of his hand, Jianlan shot forward. The blade's motion sent ripples of sword energy cascading through the air.

The piercing sound of the sword's song echoed into the night. A familiar figure with blue skin emerged from the shadows. The third eye on its forehead snapped open, releasing a powerful spiritual shockwave that collided with Jianlan, scattering snow in every direction.

The clash of these two forces created a resonant hum, with visible ripples spreading outward like waves.

Boom!

A muffled explosion followed, forcing both Lü Yue and the blue-skinned assassin several meters back.

Feng Qi's heart sank as he recognized the pattern. This was the fourth assassination attempt.

And this time, the assassin's strength was clearly greater than the previous ones. In just a brief exchange, it was evident that the opponent was not at a disadvantage against Lü Yue.

The assassin's third eye suddenly locked onto Feng Qi. A pulse of spiritual force shot forward like an invisible spear, aiming directly at him.

Fortunately, Lü Yue was prepared. Jianlan split into seven blades, forming a protective sword formation around Feng Qi. The formation intercepted the spiritual assault, dispersing its energy into harmless ripples.

"Qi-ge, get out of here!" Lü Yue barked.

Feng Qi nodded immediately, knowing that staying would only hinder Lü Yue. His current demonic dragon rune modifications were insufficient against an enemy of this caliber. If he still had access to his innate abilities from the original timeline, he might have stood a chance. But in his current state, he was powerless.

Without hesitation, he turned and ran toward Mu Qing's residence at Building 001.

Yet just as he took his first few steps, a surge of danger prickled at his senses. The demonic dragon's heightened instincts alerted him, prompting him to sidestep swiftly.

An instant later, another blue-skinned figure appeared where he had just stood. The air around it rippled with psychic energy, and the accumulated snow exploded in a wave, scattering toward the nearby hot spring lake.

From a distance, Lü Yue abandoned his duel with the first assassin and rushed to Feng Qi's aid. Jianlan merged back into a single blade, carving an eerie arc in the air as it unleashed a radiant sword aura. The blade's trajectory struck the second assassin, sending it hurtling backward.

The unexpected strike severed one of the assassin's arms, its sharp sword aura infiltrating the creature's body, eliciting a chilling scream of agony.

Feng Qi did not waste the opportunity. Seizing the chance, he bolted toward Mu Qing's residence. However, just as he approached, a sharp blue dagger materialized from his flank, aiming for his chest with a deadly precision.

At the critical moment, Lü Yue's Jianlan streaked through the air, arriving in time to intercept the strike.

Clang!

The crisp sound of metal colliding resonated as Jianlan's blade deflected the incoming dagger. Despite the relentless assault being momentarily blocked, the situation remained grim. Lü Yue was now fending off three adversaries on his own.

The blue-skinned assassin closest to Feng Qi suddenly vanished, reappearing behind him in a flash. Simultaneously, the first assassin turned its attention to Lü Yue, launching an aggressive attack to create an opening for its companion.

Lü Yue, undeterred by the mounting pressure, split Jianlan into two separate blades, directing them toward both flanks to counter the simultaneous threats.

Suddenly, a resounding crash echoed from the direction of Mu Qing's residence. The building's front door was violently blown off its hinges, and a figure appeared in a blur, moving with such speed that it seemed to surpass Jianlan itself.

In an instant, the figure reached Feng Qi's side and caught the descending blue dagger with bare hands. It was Mu Qing, dressed in a playful rabbit-themed pajama set. Her sudden appearance left Feng Qi exhaling in relief—her arrival meant the immediate threat was neutralized.

The blue-skinned assassin let out a shrill screech, struggling to free its weapon from Mu Qing's iron grip. Yet, its efforts were futile against her overwhelming strength.

The second assassin, standing at a distance, blinked its third eye, releasing a violent mental shockwave aimed at Mu Qing. The blast of spiritual energy collided with her, yet she stood unshaken, her body enveloped in a soft jade-colored glow that absorbed the attack entirely.

Crack!

The dagger shattered in Mu Qing's hand, followed by her delivering a thunderous punch to the assassin's chest. The raw force exploded outward, reducing the creature to fragments that scattered into the snow.

In a blink, Mu Qing appeared before the second assassin. Another punch followed.

Boom!

The ground trembled as the second assassin suffered the same fate as its companion, its body pulverized into nothingness.

Finally, Mu Qing turned her attention to Lü Yue's side of the battlefield. The remaining assassin, visibly shaken by the swift demise of its comrades, let out a desperate, fear-driven scream. Its third eye unleashed another mental shockwave, this time aimed squarely at Mu Qing.

The energy blast hit her directly, but the shimmering jade aura surrounding her absorbed it effortlessly. Without hesitation, Mu Qing threw a punch.

The assassin didn't even have time to react. It exploded on the spot, its fragmented remains dissolved by the continued impact of her strike, leaving no trace behind.

Lü Yue, who had been battling the creatures with all his might, stood frozen in shock. The immense strength Mu Qing displayed left him wide-eyed. He couldn't believe how effortlessly she handled opponents that had pushed him to his limits.

"She's even stronger than before…" Lü Yue muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on Jianlan.

"Qi-ge, are you okay?" Mu Qing's voice broke the silence as she approached Feng Qi.

"I'm fine," Feng Qi replied, stepping forward. His calm response allowed Mu Qing to release a quiet sigh of relief.

"These domain transcendent creatures are getting bolder," she remarked, a hint of frustration in her tone. "They dare infiltrate Dawn Manor for assassinations now?"

Her statement caught Feng Qi off guard. It was evident she had mistaken the blue-skinned assassins for domain creatures. Such incidents were not uncommon in the frontline supply zones, where domain creatures capable of leaving their fields often targeted vital areas like supply depots.

Should I tell her the truth? Feng Qi hesitated, then ultimately decided against it.

His original plan had been to rely on Mu Qing's protection for safety. But during his time at the Dawn Domain Combat Squad, he realized how essential Mu Qing was to the squad's success. Keeping her by his side for personal protection would be unfair to the others and detrimental to the squad's growth.

After a brief exchange, Feng Qi and Lü Yue returned to Residential Building 002. Sitting on the living room sofa, Feng Qi mulled over the events that had just unfolded.

Previously, the blue-skinned assassins had attacked one at a time. This time, however, three appeared simultaneously, suggesting a deviation from their established pattern. The only consistent factor was their escalating strength. Yet their origins remained a mystery.

Feng Qi could only hope the Crimson Research Institute might uncover critical clues that his alternate self could utilize.

His thoughts then shifted to another pressing matter: how to further enhance his strength and ensure his own safety.

Although residing in the Dawn Domain Combat Squad with Lü Yue's protection provided a level of security, the enemies would only grow stronger over time. There would come a day when even Lü Yue might be unable to fend off their attacks. Mu Qing, often stationed on the front lines, couldn't always be there to shield him.

As he pondered his options, Lin Ran's earlier transmission of Eternal Spirit came to mind. The technique's extreme focus on spiritual power seemed like a viable solution. Its cultivation was unaffected by physical limitations, making it a practical choice for someone in his situation.

As for the potential drawbacks—trading physical vitality for power—Feng Qi found it a reasonable price to pay.

With his decision made, he resolved to begin practicing Eternal Spirit without delay.