The figures of the two disappeared instantly in the laboratory, leaving only a faint glow flickering in place.
The glow gradually dimmed, finally disappearing completely, as if it had never existed.
They traveled through the space-time tunnel, surrounded by endless darkness and twinkling light points, like a fractured galaxy, yet dreamlike and ethereal. Shen Jingqi tightly gripped the Space-Time Instrument in his hand, his palm already full of sweat. Li Baiyu followed closely behind him, his eyes firm, yet unable to conceal the unease in his heart.
"Can we really succeed?" Li Baiyu's voice echoed in the tunnel, carrying an almost imperceptible tremor.
Shen Jingqi didn't look back, only saying firmly, "We definitely can, as long as we get back to the Time Administration Bureau, we can prevent that disaster."
At the end of the tunnel, a light suddenly flashed, and as their vision blurred, they felt their bodies lighten as if lifted by some force, before falling heavily.
They returned to the Time Administration Bureau. The familiar white walls, blue lights, and the faint metallic smell in the air brought Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu a sense of peace.
Shen Jingqi sat on the ground, gasping, his eyes filled with lingering fear and relief. If they had been a moment too late, they might have been utterly destroyed by the laboratory's self-destruct mechanism.
"We're back." Shen Jingqi's voice was a bit hoarse, yet unable to conceal his excitement.
Li Baiyu also collapsed onto the ground, a post-disaster smile appearing on his face: "Yes, we're back."
However, as they truly looked around, they discovered everything had drastically changed. The corridors of the Time Administration Bureau were empty, eerily silent. Those once busy Space-Time Agents were nowhere to be seen.
"What's going on?" Li Baiyu frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Shen Jingqi stood up, cautiously surveying the surroundings: "I'm not sure, but something must have happened."
They proceeded down the corridor, every step taken with great care. Suddenly, a closed door caught their attention. The door was engraved with complex runes, emitting a faint blue light, appearing exceptionally mysterious.
"This is..." Shen Jingqi squinted, carefully deciphering the runes on the door, "This is the entrance to the time cage!"
Li Baiyu's face changed at these words: "Time cage? Isn't that the place used to imprison major space-time criminals? How can it be..."
Shen Jingqi didn't answer, instead pushing open the door forcefully and rushing inside. Li Baiyu followed closely, the two entering the interior of the time cage together. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelꜰire.net
Inside the cage, all was dark. Only the weak glow emanating from the imprisoned space-time criminals faintly illuminated their surroundings. They saw various criminals, some in ragged clothes, some with sinister appearances, but without exception, all appeared extraordinarily weak.
"Why... are they all imprisoned here?" Li Baiyu said incredulously.
Shen Jingqi's gaze was heavy, slowly scanning the surroundings: "It seems something major did happen to the Time Administration Bureau. These criminals were all released, then re-imprisoned here."
"Who has such power?" Li Baiyu asked.
Shen Jingqi shook his head: "We need to find Mr. Lin and other space-time agents to figure out what's really going on."
They continued forward, passing cage after cage. The criminals cast hateful glances at them, seemingly wanting to devour them alive. But Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu were indifferent.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from ahead. Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu immediately became alert, hiding in the corner of a cage, cautiously observing the front.
They saw several people in black uniforms hurriedly pass by, their faces masked, revealing only two menacing eyes. Those people exuded a dense aura of killing intent, sending chills down one's spine.
"Who are they?" Li Baiyu asked in a low voice.
Shen Jingqi stared at the backs of those people, slowly saying: "Probably not people from the Time Administration Bureau. Let's be careful."
They continued to remain low, following behind those people. They watched as those individuals entered a spacious hall, where a gigantic Space-Time Instrument was situated in the center, emitting dazzling light.
"That is..." Shen Jingqi stared wide-eyed, incredulously looking at that Space-Time Instrument, "That's our Space-Time Instrument! How could they..."
Li Baiyu also showed a look of shock: "Could it be, these people are the culprits behind the Time Administration Bureau's upheaval?"
Just as they were shocked, a figure in a lavish robe slowly stepped out from the shadows of the hall. The person's face was covered by a half-mask, revealing just one deep eye and a cruel mouth.
"Welcome to my domain, Space-Time Agents," the person said coldly, "I am the Master of Space-Time and the end of your journey."
"Who are you?" Shen Jingqi demanded hoarsely, "Why are you here? What exactly happened at the Time Administration Bureau?"
The Master of Space-Time sneered: "There's no need for you to know these things. All you need to know is that your fate is already in my hands."
With that, he waved his hand lightly, and suddenly, the Space-Time Instrument in the hall erupted with intense light, a powerful force tightly binding Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu.
"Let us go!" Li Baiyu struggled desperately, but to no avail.
"Don't even think about it! We will find a way to defeat you, to save the Time Administration Bureau!"
The Master of Space-Time laughed heartily: "Ridiculous! With just you two insignificant Space-Time Agents, you wish to defeat me? Let me tell you, you've already lost your opportunity."
He said, he waved his arm again, the light of the Space-Time Instrument becoming brighter, a destructive force rushing straight at Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu.
At this critical moment, a figure suddenly rushed from the shadows of the hall, standing in front of Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu. The person swung their arms, dispersing the light of the Space-Time Instrument.
"Mr. Lin!" Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu exclaimed joyfully.
The Master of Space-Time stared at Mr. Lin, showing shock on his face: "You... how did you get here?"
Mr. Lin snorted: "I've been waiting for the opportunity, waiting for the chance to defeat you. Now, the time has come."
With that, he waved his hands, and instantly, the entire hall was filled with powerful energy fluctuations. Those imprisoned space-time criminals also woke up one by one, the light emanating from them resonating with Mr. Lin's energy, forming a strong combined force.
The Master of Space-Time, seeing this, his face changed dramatically. His body gradually dissolved into the air, leaving only a faint glow flickering in place.