After an all-night discussion with Lin Ran, Feng Qi was arranged to stay in the room next to Lin Ran's.
Over the next few days, Feng Qi gained a general understanding of the Tiger Soul Research Institute's branch base.
This branch was one of many under the Tiger Soul Research Institute in Star City, ranked as the eighth in terms of authority, and was commonly referred to as "Tiger Soul Base No. 8." It primarily focused on research in the field of spell techniques.
Currently, the base was managed by the deputy director of the spell department.
Lin Ran was the leader of Spell Group 2 within the base. He oversaw a team of 38 spell researchers and had three laboratories designated for his group's exclusive use.
Although Lin Ran held no real authority, his status within the base was undeniable.
Through Lin Ran's explanation, Feng Qi quickly familiarized himself with the general operations of this branch.
Since Feng Qi had just joined the Tiger Soul Research Institute and was still in the probationary period, he wasn't involved in any of the technique or spell testing experiments over the past few days.
During this time, Lin Ran submitted a recommendation letter to the Tiger Soul higher-ups, hoping to have Feng Qi join the cultivation technique research group.
However, the response from the Tiger Soul leadership shocked both Feng Qi and Lin Ran.
The reply indicated that the leadership hoped Lin Ran would instead focus on exploring his talent in spell research and shift his efforts to the spell department.
It seemed as though the higher-ups at Tiger Soul were deliberately channeling all capable talent into the spell research divisions.
This behavior coincided with Feng Qi's previous suspicions.
He strongly believed that the Tiger Soul Research Institute might be manipulated by a behind-the-scenes domain force, using humanity's brightest minds to research spells for their purposes at no cost.
With this in mind, the two decided to investigate further.
On this particular day, Feng Qi followed Lin Ran to Spell Laboratory No. 3, just as he had done over the past few days.
The spell laboratories were vastly different from the research labs of the Crimson Research Institute.
Each lab was roughly the size of a basketball court.
The interiors were intricately designed, with red-yellow talismans lining the walls to contain the leakage of spiritual energy. The floors were constructed from specialized anti-magic stones sourced from domain fields.
The layout was purpose-built to minimize the impact of spell testing.
Researching spells was inherently volatile. Explosions during experimentation were not uncommon, and unstable spells often resulted in practitioners suffering spiritual energy backlash.
Thus, ensuring the safety of spell researchers and minimizing the power of spells were the top priorities for the laboratory design.
Only spells that passed preliminary testing in these laboratories could move on to external testing and refinement.
In addition to anti-spiritual energy measures, the lab was equipped with numerous instruments.
For instance, there were spiritual energy purity detectors and spiritual energy quality analyzers.
These devices were designed to evaluate the purity and quality of the spiritual energy used in the spells, aiding in the refinement and improvement of spell techniques.
Other instruments included spell trajectory recorders, spell fluctuation analyzers, and data correction devices.
However, what particularly caught Feng Qi's attention was a black, glossy metallic nutrient pod placed in the corner of the laboratory. The way it reflected light made it stand out.
Upon asking Lin Ran, Feng Qi learned that this device was the latest innovation from the Crimson Research Institute—dubbed the "Virtual Experiment Pod."
Its function was to simulate real-world environments for spell casting while recording the details of the spell's release in real time.
However, according to Lin Ran, the simulation effect of this virtual experiment pod was far from ideal, which is why it was seldom used.
Hearing this, Feng Qi couldn't help but feel surprised.
By the time he had traveled back to the past, virtual reality technology had already been refined to a considerable degree.
The Crimson Research Institute had conducted multiple successful virtual reality simulations with impressive results.
To further advance this technology, the Crimson Research Institute had even collaborated with the Future Research Institute. Plans were underway to build a superfactory outside Star City dedicated to mass-producing high-end virtual pods to lay the groundwork for future applications.
But from Lin Ran's description, it seemed that virtual technology hadn't advanced over the years. Instead, it appeared to have regressed.
After some thought, Feng Qi realized the likely reason.
It was evident that the Crimson Research Institute had only released a stripped-down version of the virtual technology for public use.
The full version likely remained classified and was not released.
This approach allowed them to test the feasibility of promoting virtual technology while simultaneously masking the institute's own research into advanced virtual systems.
Building a superfactory and other such large-scale endeavors would inevitably attract external attention.
However, as long as other forces believed that virtual technology posed no significant threat, the research could continue unhindered.
All of this was clearly done as a precautionary measure.
This incomplete high-end virtual pod was nothing more than a smokescreen deployed by the Crimson Research Institute.
Entering the lab, Feng Qi followed Lin Ran to the data control station, where they began reviewing spell testing footage from the past few days.
At that moment, a communication request popped up on the screen at the control panel.
Seeing this, Feng Qi immediately accepted the video call.
On the screen appeared a man wearing the base's security uniform. He spoke, "Group Leader Lin, there's a package for you."
Sitting beside Feng Qi, Lin Ran nodded upon hearing this and said, "Bring it to the lab."
After ending the video call, they waited for a while. Soon, a security staff member arrived at Laboratory No. 3 carrying a delivery box. He placed the box down, greeted them, and then left.
Feng Qi picked up the delivery box and noticed the sender's name was "Crimson Research Institute."
"Memory-erasure potion?" Lin Ran asked curiously, standing to the side.
"Yeah, it should be," Feng Qi replied.
Removing the outer packaging of the delivery box revealed a black metal container. On top of the metal box was a fingerprint unlocking mechanism.
Feng Qi was familiar with this type of container.
These metal cases were used by the Crimson Research Institute for transporting special items. They required specific unlocking methods, such as fingerprint scans, iris recognition, or blood sample identification. If anyone attempted to forcefully open the case, the contents inside would be destroyed by a high-acidity substance derived from domain creatures.
Feng Qi extended his index finger and placed it on the fingerprint scanner.
With a crisp "click," the central area of the metal box slowly raised, revealing a metal cylinder that released a cold mist.
As the icy fog dissipated, what appeared before them was a glass container about the size of a soda bottle. It was filled with a purple, semi-transparent liquid, with countless tiny black particles suspended within, creating a strange and unsettling appearance.
Beneath the glass container was an instruction manual. Feng Qi picked it up, glanced through it, and then handed it to Lin Ran.
"This container holds 500 milliliters of Memory-erasure potion. Based on the calculation of 20 hours of memory erased per milliliter, this bottle could erase an entire year of your memories."
Lin Ran, who had never encountered bioengineering technology before, was intrigued. Taking the manual, he began flipping through it to read the details.
"You take your time reading; I'll put the container away," Feng Qi said as he stood up.
He carefully returned the metal cylinder to the box. With a faint "click," the box locked itself again, and three indicator lights on its surface turned green, signaling that the cold storage mode had been activated.
Carrying the metal box, Feng Qi left the laboratory and went to his room. He slid the box under the bed for safekeeping.
Now that he had the Memory-erasure potion, he no longer had to worry about the Mist Lord discovering the content of his discussions with Lin Ran. However, to be on the safe side, he decided to test the solution's effects on Lin Ran that very night.
After securing the box, he returned to the lab.
By this time, Lin Ran was still engrossed in reading the instruction manual, seemingly fascinated by the technology.
Feng Qi moved to the control panel and sat down. Just as he was about to speak, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Taking it out, he saw the caller ID: "Wang Yi."
Realizing that this was the Mist Lord calling, Feng Qi gave Lin Ran a meaningful look. Lin Ran nodded, understanding the need for discretion.
Feng Qi answered the call, and the Mist Lord's voice came through the line. "Can you talk right now?"
"I'm alone. Go ahead," Feng Qi replied.
"I've made progress on the Miracle Bracelet research. When you have time, come back," the Mist Lord said.
Feng Qi was momentarily stunned.
The Miracle Bracelet was the earliest miracle item he and the Mist Lord had obtained in this timeline.
Unlike the Bloodstone, the Miracle Bracelet didn't continuously produce derivatives, nor could it be activated without specific conditions. Based on their observations of humanoid leaders using it, they speculated that it might involve summoning ancestral power.
Despite years of research, they had been unable to figure out how to activate it.
This was partly because the Mist Lord had always prioritized studying the Bloodstone over the Miracle Bracelet.
Feng Qi hadn't expected that within just a few days of his departure, the Mist Lord would uncover the secret of the bracelet.
"Got it. I'll request leave and come back tonight," Feng Qi replied.
"Good. I'll wait for you at the usual spot," the Mist Lord said before ending the call.
After ending the call, Feng Qi turned to Lin Ran and said, "Group Leader, I need to take leave tonight."
"Qi-ge, was that the Mist Lord on the line? What happened?" Lin Ran asked.
"Remember the Miracle Items I told you about?"
"Of course, especially the Bloodstone you described. It completely defies the law of conservation of energy, able to endlessly produce refined blood essence blocks without reducing its own mass," Lin Ran replied with a hint of amazement. "And that 'Little Black' you mentioned—its near-invincibility is just absurd."
Feng Qi nodded. "This time, the Mist Lord seems to have figured out how to use the Miracle Bracelet. I need to go back and get the details. This could be a significant discovery and might provide critical information for the other timeline."
"Understood. As the group leader, I officially approve your leave," Lin Ran said with a smile.
That evening, after finishing dinner, Feng Qi changed into casual clothes and left the Tiger Soul Branch Base. He flagged down a taxi and headed straight to a hotel in the northern district of Star City.
Since arriving in Star City with the Mist Lord, they had been staying at this hotel while waiting for an opportunity to establish contact with the Tiger Soul Research Institute.
A short while later, Feng Qi found himself standing in front of the Mist Lord's room. He pressed the button at the door, and soon it opened.
Following the Mist Lord into the room, Feng Qi sat down on the sofa and looked at him expectantly.
The Mist Lord didn't say a word. Instead, he raised his right hand. Blood mist began to swirl from his palm, gradually coalescing into a crimson sphere. As the sphere dispersed, a bracelet formed from green, flowing light hovered above his hand.
"The function of the Miracle Bracelet is now clear. Its use is tied to faith," the Mist Lord stated.
"Faith? Explain in detail," Feng Qi prompted.
The Mist Lord smiled faintly and asked, "Do you believe in gods?"
"No," Feng Qi replied firmly. "In my eyes, the so-called gods you're referring to are just higher-dimensional beings. They're not omnipotent. Even if true gods exist, I don't believe they would care to protect mortals."
Feng Qi continued, "Believers often claim that gods reveal their presence at certain moments. They describe it in vivid detail—divine statues glowing, gods appearing in dreams, and so on. But I've never believed it.
"If there really were compassionate and omnipotent gods, why didn't they show up during the domain invasions? Why didn't they intervene when human cities were ravaged by domain creatures, when countless lives were slaughtered, and when people were displaced?
"The so-called all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful gods—they never appear when it matters. Instead, they choose trivial moments to stage their so-called miracles.
"In the end, it was the warriors on the front lines who fought to drive back the domain fields, shedding their blood to build a wall of flesh that protected humanity's last bastions. These warriors were the ones who established the Five Great Cities we live in today."
Feng Qi shook his head slightly. "I don't object to humans believing in gods. Even if gods are nothing more than imaginary constructs, they provide a spiritual anchor for some people, giving them hope for the future and a reason to keep going. But as far as I'm concerned, gods are nothing more than decorations in temples."
Looking directly at the Mist Lord, Feng Qi added, "To me, the pioneers who shed their blood to safeguard human civilization are the true gods."
The Mist Lord smiled, seemingly intrigued by Feng Qi's perspective. "Old Mist, why are you suddenly bringing up gods? Does this have something to do with the Miracle Bracelet?"
"Exactly," the Mist Lord replied with a nod. He continued, "I was bored the other day and decided to learn more about human society. I wandered around the northern district and happened upon a temple. While I was inside, I noticed the Miracle Bracelet reacting."
As the Mist Lord recounted his experience, Feng Qi listened attentively.
According to the Mist Lord, he had felt a faint response from the Miracle Bracelet when he entered the temple and approached the statues of the deities being worshipped. Curious, he decided to investigate further.
Through his research, he discovered something strange: the Miracle Bracelet seemed capable of absorbing a specific type of energy from the statues. This energy was entirely different from spiritual energy, nearly imperceptible, and emitted no detectable energy fluctuations.
Intrigued, the Mist Lord began studying this energy. He even delved into online archives of human mythology. There, he found references to this form of energy, which ancient texts referred to as "faith."
Faith, as described in mythological stories, was a pure form of spiritual power offered to gods as a form of sustenance.
However, when it came to the concept of gods, the Mist Lord was openly dismissive.
Feng Qi felt a wave of skepticism wash over him—if humanity truly had divine protection, it wouldn't have ended up in such dire circumstances.
Yet "faith" could be explained scientifically as a form of energy.
It was a unique power derived from the accumulation of pure spiritual strength, a type of energy that couldn't be utilized using conventional energy absorption methods.
With this perspective in mind, the Mist Lord delved into researching the Miracle Bracelet.
After numerous experiments, he finally discovered how to use the Miracle Bracelet.
The essence of the Miracle Bracelet lay in harnessing faith energy to empower oneself.
The method of usage wasn't particularly complex.
First, one needed to create a statue of themselves. Then, a wisp of their consciousness and a drop of pure blood had to be embedded into the statue.
Once completed, as long as believers worshiped the statue, the faith energy generated from their worship would be absorbed.
The green bracelet's function was to summon this faith energy to the wearer, regardless of distance, significantly enhancing their abilities.
The shadow that had appeared behind the humanoid leader on Black Absolute Island back then was actually its "faith projection."
Hearing this explanation from the Mist Lord, Feng Qi suddenly understood.
Back on the island, when the shadow appeared behind the humanoid leader, its tribe members had knelt in worship. At the time, they had speculated it might be summoning the power of an ancestor, an act of ancestor worship.
Now it was clear that wasn't the case.
Instead, the humanoid leader had established itself as a deity among its tribe, drawing upon their faith energy to strengthen itself.
Understanding this revelation, Feng Qi felt a mixture of astonishment and confusion.
The Miracle Bracelet's power seemed unimpressive compared to other Miracle Items. It felt more like a situational tool rather than a game-changer.
At this moment, the Mist Lord continued:
"By the way, during my testing phase, I stumbled upon something odd. When I tried worshiping my own statue, I discovered a secondary connection forming between my consciousness and my body. Through the statue, I could even transmit power to myself."
"What do you mean by a secondary connection with your body?" Feng Qi asked curiously.
The Mist Lord explained, "It means that when I use the Miracle Bracelet to channel power to the statue, the statue can then redirect that power back to me. Essentially, the Miracle Bracelet treats the statue as a relay station, enabling it to transmit power and abilities to followers who have established a mental link with the statue."
"That's surprisingly similar to the concept of borrowing divine power described in human mythology," Feng Qi remarked, deep in thought.
Listening to the Mist Lord's explanation, Feng Qi gained a clear understanding of the Miracle Bracelet's four primary functions:
Absorbing faith energy from believers, regardless of distance.
Establishing a mental connection with believers, regardless of distance.
Transmitting power to believers, regardless of distance.
Utilizing absorbed faith energy to enhance oneself.
Suddenly, an intriguing thought crossed his mind.
What if he worshiped himself?
If he and an alternate version of himself could establish a faith connection, could he bypass space and distance to draw power from the other version of himself?
Given the extraordinary nature of Miracle Items, Feng Qi thought this might actually be possible.
After all, Miracle Items were inherently beyond the realm of conventional understanding.
None of the Miracle Items could be fully explained through ordinary theoretical frameworks.
This thought stirred waves of excitement within him.
If he could borrow the power of another version of himself—bloodline powers, Purple Soul, telekinesis—then every sacrifice timeline could progress more smoothly. Perhaps he could even borrow the Narrator's assistance.
But for now, this was just a hypothesis.
Whether the Miracle Bracelet could transcend space, time, and distance to draw power from another version of himself remained an unknown.
Testing this idea would require ensuring that another version of him had the Miracle Bracelet.
Then, that version would need to create a statue, allowing him to establish a mental connection with it as a "follower."
Only then could the other version of him use the Miracle Bracelet as a relay to transmit power back to him.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Feng Qi's gaze toward the Miracle Bracelet subtly changed.
While he was contemplating how to obtain the bracelet, the Mist Lord suddenly tossed it to him.
"I've already figured out how this thing works. What happens next is up to you," the Mist Lord said nonchalantly.
"I'd suggest using it to gather followers. Drawing strength from their faith will make you stronger. Occasionally granting your followers some of your power could strengthen their belief in you as well."
"You're giving this to me?" Feng Qi looked at the bracelet in his hand, stunned.
"I have one too. Like I said, anything I have in the future, you'll have a share of it as well."
The Mist Lord's face lit up with a bright smile as he spoke.