Shen Jingqi pushed open the heavy door of the Time Administration Bureau, and a familiar yet strange aura hit him. The lighting was dim and eerie, and at the end of the corridor, Li Baiyu was standing in front of a massive time flow map, his brow furrowed.
"You're here." Li Baiyu's voice was deep and powerful; he didn't turn around, as if he had already sensed Shen Jingqi's arrival.
Shen Jingqi walked swiftly forward, his gaze falling on the time flow map, where the originally smooth like a mirror timeline was now undulating, filled with unknown variables. "This mission, I'm afraid, won't be simple," he said gravely.
Li Baiyu nodded, his fingers gently tracing a ripple on the time flow map, "Here is where the anomaly starts. A force is manipulating the timeline in the shadows, trying to change the course of history."
The two exchanged a glance, fully aware that this mission would be an unprecedented challenge. They quickly gathered their gear and embarked on a new time journey.
At the moment of crossing, Shen Jingqi felt a violent dizziness, as if being sucked into a massive vortex. When he opened his eyes again, he was in an unfamiliar era, surrounded by a bustling marketplace, teeming with people.
"Where are we?" Shen Jingqi asked cautiously, looking around.
"Ming Dynasty," Li Baiyu replied succinctly, his eyes scanning the crowd, "Be careful, that force may already have laid traps here."
Before his words faded, a clamor erupted as a group of people in black clothes surged from all directions, brandishing gleaming swords, charging straight at them.
Shen Jingqi's heart tightened, and he quickly drew the sword from his waist, rushing to meet them. Sword lights intertwined with the black-clothed people, and the marketplace descended into chaos in an instant.
Li Baiyu, agile as a swallow, moved between the black-clothed people, wielding a few slender silver needles that had somehow appeared in his hand, accurately striking their acupoints. The black-clothed people fell one by one, without making a sound.
"They're not ordinary people," Shen Jingqi panted, a serious expression crossing his eyes, "Their skills are too eerie."
Li Baiyu nodded, also filled with doubt. What on earth is this force? Why is it so powerful and cunning?
Just as they were about to leave the marketplace to continue tracking the force, a mysterious figure suddenly appeared before them. The person was cloaked in a black robe, their face hidden under the hood, revealing only a pair of eyes that gleamed coldly.
"Are you looking for me?" the black-robed person said coldly, their voice carrying an undeniable authority.
Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu exchanged a look, understanding that this person was very likely the enemy they had been seeking. They quickly assumed battle stances, ready to engage.
However, the black-robed person showed no intention of making a move. He simply stood there quietly, as if enjoying their tension and caution.
"Do you think you can change history?" the black-robed person suddenly said, his tone filled with mockery, "Let me tell you, the wheels of history have long been predetermined. Anyone who attempts to change it will only end up crushed to pieces."
Shen Jingqi, enraged, was about to retort when Li Baiyu stopped him with a glance. They knew that any impulsive action at this moment could lead to unforeseeable consequences.
The black-robed man smirked, turned around, and left. Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu did not pursue; they knew this person would appear again.
Returning to the Time Administration Bureau, Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu reported the situation to their superiors. However, their superiors could only shake their heads, indicating they knew nothing about this force.
"It seems we can only rely on ourselves," Shen Jingqi said gravely, a flash of determination in his eyes.
Li Baiyu nodded, and the two of them embarked on another time journey, this time with even more caution and care.
During one of the crossings, they arrived in an era filled with war. Smoke and gunfire filled the air, surrounded by wails and cries. Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu felt a heaviness in their hearts, knowing this was one of the historical nodes the enemy wished to alter.
They quickly weaved through the battlefield, seeking traces of that force. However, it seemed the enemy had anticipated their arrival and had set traps in advance.
A loud explosion suddenly sounded, and Shen Jingqi felt a massive force hurl him away. He hit the ground heavily, his ears ringing with a buzzing sound.
"Shen Jingqi!" Li Baiyu exclaimed, rushing over to help Shen Jingqi up, "Are you okay?"
Shen Jingqi shook his head, forcing himself to stand despite the pain. His eyes scanned the surroundings, only to see chaos on the battlefield, with soldiers fleeing everywhere, as artillery rained indiscriminately on every corner.
And at that moment, the black-robed man appeared before them once again. He stood amidst the smoke, as if emerging from Hell, like a Demon.
"You really don't give up, do you?" the black-robed man said coldly, his tone full of amusement, "However, do you think you can escape my grasp?"
Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu's hearts skipped a beat, knowing there was no turning back now. They could only give their all and fight this enemy to the end.
The battle erupted instantly, Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu joining forces against the black-robed man. However, the black-robed man's strength far surpassed their imagination. His movements were swift, his maneuvers odd, as if he could see through their every action.
For a moment, Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu were locked in a bitter struggle. They tried their best, but still could not defeat this formidable enemy.
"It seems you're still too inexperienced," the black-robed man sneered, suddenly launching a deadly attack. A black ray flashed, heading straight for Shen Jingqi's chest.
Shen Jingqi was shocked, trying to dodge but it was already too late. At that critical moment, Li Baiyu suddenly rushed in, using his body to block the black ray.
"Li Baiyu!" Shen Jingqi exclaimed, watching as Li Baiyu's body flew back like a severed kite. His heart filled with anger and sorrow, a powerful force surging within him.
"I will kill you!" Shen Jingqi roared, charging at the black-robed man with all his might. He seemed to transform into an enraged lion, delivering deadly blows that targeted the black-robed man's vital points.
The black-robed man obviously didn't expect Shen Jingqi to become so frantic; for a moment, he was flustered. He retreated repeatedly, but could not escape Shen Jingqi's assault.
Shen Jingqi continued his relentless attack, finally thrusting his sword forcefully, piercing through the black-robed man's body. The black-robed man let out a scream, his body gradually dissipating into the air.
Shen Jingqi stood breathless in place, filled with exhaustion and sorrow. He turned and ran to Li Baiyu, only to see him barely alive.
"Li Baiyu, hold on!" Shen Jingqi grasped Li Baiyu's hand tightly.
He held Li Baiyu's body close.
However, at that moment, a shocking discovery made Shen Jingqi look up abruptly. He saw a strange chip left where the black-robed man had dissipated. The chip flickered with a faint glow, as if concealing endless secrets.
Shen Jingqi's heart tightened, and he quickly picked up the chip, examining it carefully.
Back at the Time Administration Bureau, Li Baiyu fully recovered consciousness.
Shen Jingqi handed the chip to the technical department for analysis. After a series of complex operations, the technical department finally reached a stunning conclusion.
"This chip is a part of a super-intelligent entity from the future."