Reading the email that confirmed Le Ping'an was the werewolf, Feng Qi froze in disbelief.
He had considered every student a suspect, including Le Ping'an, but now that it was confirmed, he still found it hard to accept.
Feng Qi had always held a good impression of Le Ping'an. Through their interactions, he had observed Le Ping'an as an eager learner with exceptional self-discipline. In fact, his ability to brew Clear Mind Brew was thanks to Le Ping'an's patient guidance.
The revelation left a bitter taste in his mouth.
However, with Le Ping'an's identity as the werewolf confirmed, Feng Qi knew there was no room for leniency. Doubt lingered, but he continued to read the subsequent messages in the email.
126. I know you're shocked. I was just as incredulous when I uncovered the truth, but facts don't lie.
After I got drunk, Le Ping'an carried me back to my dorm and implanted a surveillance chip in my body during that time. Everything that happened was recorded by the Crimson Research Institute's operatives.
Attached to this message was a video file.
Feng Qi opened the video. The footage was shot from a high vantage point and moved rapidly, tracking Le Ping'an as he carried his future self towards the dormitory building.
After entering Room 301, the perspective shifted as the operatives from the Crimson Research Institute transformed into shadows and slipped through the door's cracks. They installed a miniature camera on the ceiling, providing a clear view of the room.
In the video, Le Ping'an carefully removed his future self's shirt, then retrieved a small chip from his mouth. Using his fingernail, he made an incision on the back of Feng Qi's neck and inserted the chip.
Le Ping'an's hands glowed faintly green as he cast a healing spell, sealing the wound flawlessly, leaving no scars.
After ensuring everything was in order, Le Ping'an dressed Feng Qi, placed a glass of water on the bedside table, and quietly left the room.
The entire sequence of events unequivocally confirmed that Le Ping'an was the werewolf. This revelation also raised suspicions about the Institute of Technological Research, the organization Le Ping'an's family belonged to.
But another perplexing question emerged: What about Mo Fei? Mo Fei had also worked at the Institute of Technological Research later on. Could he have been completely unaware of all this?
Carrying his doubts, Feng Qi delved further into the email contents.
127. Upon waking up, I couldn't feel the chip at all. Removing it wasn't an option, as that would alert the werewolf to my suspicions. The chip would serve as a critical lead in uncovering the shadowy forces.
129. With Le Ping'an's identity as the werewolf confirmed, the Crimson Research Institute began a covert investigation into him. I expected they would soon gather more data.
134. The Crimson Research Institute sent over a file on Le Ping'an today.
His parents were core members of the Institute of Technological Research, consistently working within the organization. On paper, nothing seemed suspicious.
Wei Wei contacted me, reporting that the Crimson Research Institute's leadership now suspected the Institute of Technological Research itself might be the shadowy force and planned to initiate a secret investigation (using text communication to avoid the chip intercepting any spoken discussions).
This aligned with my suspicions.
There were now two possibilities:
1. The Institute of Technological Research is the hidden cancerous entity.
2. Le Ping'an and his parents are spies planted within the Institute of Technological Research by the shadowy forces.
In either case, it was clear the Institute of Technological Research had been infiltrated and possibly taken over entirely by shadowy forces.
Additionally, I couldn't rule out the possibility that there were other werewolves among the students. As such, all students needed to undergo thorough checks and testing.
168. Over this period, I conducted tests leveraging information gaps among all the students. Everyone else passed, but Le Ping'an's responses once again revealed his identity as the werewolf.
It was now confirmed: aside from Le Ping'an, the other students were trustworthy.
171. The Crimson Research Institute began a comprehensive investigation into the Institute of Technological Research.
This investigation couldn't be conducted openly, as that would undoubtedly alert the shadowy forces. Progress was consequently slow.
173. While Le Ping'an returned home today, I summoned all the students to my room. After thoroughly inspecting the room for bugs, I used my phone to type out the truth: Le Ping'an was the werewolf.
The students were stunned. Lu Yue even asked if he should eliminate Le Ping'an.
I immediately rejected the idea. Le Ping'an himself was insignificant—the shadowy forces backing him were the real target.
Until we had identified those forces, Le Ping'an could not be eliminated.
182. The Crimson Research Institute's investigation yielded results today.
According to Wei Wei, irregularities had indeed been identified within the Institute of Technological Research. For instance, the institute had previously rejected a project proposal involving artificial intelligence.
The proposal for developing artificial intelligence described a revolutionary concept aimed at addressing the inefficiencies of human labor. The proponent, a teacher from the Academy of Technology, suggested creating an AI system capable of processing vast amounts of data at unparalleled speeds, thereby optimizing human efforts. Over time, with further advancements in machine learning, the AI could provide precise guidance to cultivators regarding their physical conditions and future development.
The teacher had already completed the foundational architecture for the AI project. However, the Institute of Technological Research vetoed the proposal before it could progress further. Their reasoning was that current technological capabilities were insufficient to support the development of true AI.
According to the institute, a genuine AI would require multifaceted capabilities, such as observational skills, memory, imagination, creativity, analytical judgment, adaptability, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. Anything less was dismissed as artificial stupidity, not artificial intelligence. Consequently, they refused to allocate resources or manpower to the project.
However, findings from the Crimson Research Institute revealed that the teacher had developed an advanced logical algorithm capable of solving almost all issues except granting the AI independent consciousness. The project had also garnered interest from multiple research institutes, with the Academy of Future Sciences even expressing willingness to take over the project.
A month later, the teacher was mysteriously found dead in his dormitory, with all his research destroyed. No traces of evidence or clues were left behind. Reflecting on these events, it seemed highly likely that the teacher had been assassinated by agents of the Institute of Technological Research.
If the institute had indeed been completely infiltrated, it was no surprise they wouldn't want humanity to achieve such groundbreaking advancements. The creation of true AI would propel technological progress to unprecedented heights, bolstering both technological and cultivation sciences—a scenario utterly undesirable to forces bent on humanity's destruction.
197. Among the students, only Le Ping'an continued his façade, unaware that everyone else knew the truth.
The other students, including Lu Yue, maintained their usual demeanor around Le Ping'an, never letting slip any signs of their awareness. Even Lu Yue engaged with him normally, refraining from drawing his weapon.
235. The investigation reached an impasse, as the Crimson Research Institute couldn't penetrate the core operations of the Institute of Technological Research.
To uncover the institute's secrets, the Crimson Research Institute devised a plan: they would groom an insider to infiltrate the institute. However, such an operation would take time to execute.
The problem was, I could meet an untimely demise at any moment. Waiting wasn't a luxury I could afford.
238. I made a decision today: to hand over control of the organization to Lu Yue.
From now on, he would manage its operations and handle all related matters. I resolved to join the Crimson Research Institute myself to aid in investigating the shadowy forces.
Lu Yue and the others didn't object to my decision. They understood the significance of my mission, which far outweighed the organization's expansion.
Lu Yue even pledged to eliminate Le Ping'an once sufficient evidence against the shadowy forces had been collected. In the meantime, he would continue building the organization's strength, preparing to confront the enemy once their existence was exposed.
241. I prepared to depart for the Crimson Research Institute, beginning a new chapter in my life.
I chose not to remove the surveillance chip embedded in my neck. The institute intended to use the signals transmitted by the chip to locate the shadowy forces. However, their technology in this area was limited, and seeking assistance from other research institutes was out of the question. The shadowy forces' influence likely extended beyond the Institute of Technological Research, so any external collaboration risked compromising the operation.
245. I bid farewell to the students, under the guise of pursuing a passion for biotechnological research.
Months earlier, I had deliberately dropped hints about my growing interest in bioengineering, particularly in developing advanced regenerative techniques for limb restoration. This narrative laid the groundwork for my departure.
Le Ping'an didn't suspect a thing. Instead, he expressed regret, lamenting that he wouldn't be able to continue working alongside me to advance humanity's resurgence.
Hearing his words stirred a mix of emotions within me. I couldn't help but wonder what was truly going on in his mind at that moment.
389. The infiltration of the Institute of Technological Research clearly wasn't something that could be accomplished overnight.
Covert investigations couldn't proceed openly, and actionable intelligence was scarce. All I could do was wait.
During this period, I introduced a series of groundbreaking technologies within the Crimson Research Institute, further cementing their trust in my identity as a time traveler.
393. The investigation stalled. The surveillance chip in my neck was finally removed.
Keeping it within the institute posed an ongoing risk. Fortunately, its removal was unlikely to alert the shadowy forces. From their perspective, they would assume I had discovered the chip but lacked clarity on who had planted it.
Moreover, my actions during this period hadn't directly threatened the shadowy forces. Hence, they had no reason to believe I posed an immediate danger.
394. With the chip gone, I underwent a comprehensive physical examination, confirming that all residual risks had been eliminated.
During a conversation with Wei Wei, I asked about Mu Yan. Wei Wei had limited knowledge of her, even less than I did. She only knew that Mu Yan was an enigmatic figure of great age whom she had met once before disappearing without a trace.
Feng Qi reflected on Wei Wei's account of Mu Yan, specifically her belief that she might never encounter Mu Yan again. However, he knew better. Mu Yan would reappear in her life one more time, precisely when she created Suction Cup. At that moment, perhaps Mu Yan would deem the creation a new "miracle," prompting her return.
429. Progress on the investigation remained stagnant, leading to a meeting at the Crimson Research Institute today.
During the meeting, the high-level executives resolved to use bait to probe the Institute of Technological Research. The bait needed to be something irresistible—something that would compel the institute to reveal its hidden agenda.
The meeting dragged on for most of the day before reaching a consensus: they would release a concept for a groundbreaking technology, the mere announcement of which would shake the foundation of the scientific community. Whether the technology was feasible or not was irrelevant.
Wei Wei suggested a biological innovation termed "Cell Regeneration." The concept aimed to allow a deceased individual to be fully resurrected as long as a single cell remained intact. If successful, humanity would gain an indestructible army of warriors.
Of course, this technology was pure fabrication. The goal was simply to make the Institute of Technological Research believe it to be a genuine threat, prompting them to act and thereby exposing their involvement with shadowy forces.
The next challenge was determining who would serve as the face of the project and bear the risks, including the possibility of assassination. Wei Wei volunteered, arguing she was willing to take on the danger, and the high-level members agreed.
However, Feng Qi immediately vetoed the idea—not out of concern for Wei Wei's safety, but because he believed it made more sense for him to shoulder the burden. His inevitable premature death had already been established in multiple timelines. Why not make his eventual fate serve a greater purpose?
Furthermore, his recent development of the limb regeneration technology had already generated widespread acclaim. For him to now propose an even more ambitious concept would be consistent with his reputation as a trailblazer. If the shadowy forces succeeded in assassinating him, Wei Wei could assume control of his research and leverage the emails to gather additional intelligence.
529. The plan officially began today.
The Crimson Research Institute's leadership collaborated to produce an impressive 65-page report detailing the theoretical underpinnings of "Cell Regeneration." The report, brimming with elaborate technical jargon and speculative insights, was publicly released, claiming the concept was fully achievable.
As expected, the report caused a sensation across the major research institutes, sparking debates and discussions. Feng Qi, credited as the originator of the concept, was thrust into the spotlight.
Articles hailed him as a pioneer destined to lead humanity to triumph. Online forums overflowed with praise, and journalists wrote glowing editorials declaring him the savior of modern science.
Feng Qi, however, felt far from triumphant. With such attention focused on him, he knew the shadowy forces would be closely monitoring his every move. He was now a high-value target, and the risk of assassination loomed over him daily. Despite his outward composure, he admitted to himself that the constant threat made him uneasy.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Research Institute quietly deployed operatives to the vicinity of the Institute of Technological Research, closely monitoring its activities. The bait had been set, and all they could do now was wait for the shadowy forces to bite.
If this confirmed the Institute of Technological Research as a stronghold for the shadowy forces, Feng Qi knew what needed to be done. Upon returning to the real world, he couldn't afford hesitation or misplaced compassion. A swift and decisive "toxin removal" operation would be necessary to cleanse the system.