Back in the castle, Xiao Bai and Lil'blackie were growing increasingly restless. Xiao Bai watched Team Leader Zhang with mounting frustration, seeing him sometimes sitting, sometimes pacing.
But when Team Leader Zhang finally settled cross-legged to meditate, Xiao Bai's patience snapped.
Blending into the darkness, he activated Lin Xiao's Memory Manipulation Domain and teleported above the whole team, aiming to alter their memories and make them loyal to him.
Team Leader Zhang was immediately startled, his eyes snapping open as he found himself enveloped in a strange, dark domain. "Who dares?!" he yelled, his voice echoing in the void.
In an instant, Team Leader Zhang activated his own domain, a vibrant blue field that clashed fiercely with Xiao Bai's.
Lil'blackie, alarmed by Xiao Bai's sudden attack, quickly moved to immobilize the team. Using her time manipulation powers, she reversed the age of their arms and legs by ten years.
The transformation was eerie: their limbs rapidly thinned and weakened, muscles atrophying as if drained of strength over a decade in mere seconds.
The team members crumpled to the ground, unable to support themselves.
Team Leader Zhang, now fully aware of his attackers, was taken aback. "Cats with superpowers? What is happening?" he exclaimed, bewildered by the sight of Xiao Bai and Lil'blackie.
Regaining his focus, Team Leader Zhang intensified his efforts, his bluish domain growing more aggressive.
The air around Xiao Bai began to fill with strange water vapors that clung to his fur, sizzling ominously.
Xiao Bai hissed in pain and surprise as the vapors began to explode, small but powerful bursts that tore at his fur and skin.
Each explosion sent shockwaves of pain through his body, and he struggled to maintain his concentration on the memory manipulation.
"Stay back, Lil'blackie!" Xiao Bai shouted, wincing through the pain. "I can handle this!"
Lil'blackie, her eyes wide with fear and concern, nodded reluctantly but stayed close, ready to intervene if necessary.
She watched as Xiao Bai and Zhang's domains clashed, the dark and blue energies battling for dominance.
Team Leader Zhang, gritting his teeth, focused all his energy on his domain, trying to overpower Xiao Bai's. "You won't succeed," he growled, pushing back with all his might.
Xiao Bai, feeling the pressure increase, knew he needed to act quickly.
Summoning all his strength, he directed his space power towards Team Leader Zhang, aiming to lock him in his place, so Lil'blackie could attack him.
The clash of domains reached a fever pitch, the air crackling with energy.
Suddenly, there was a blinding flash as the two forces collided, creating a shockwave that sent both Xiao Bai and Team Leader Zhang staggering backwards. The room seemed to shudder, and for a moment, everything was silent.
Xiao Bai, panting and wounded, looked up to see Team Leader Zhang still standing, albeit unsteady.
The blue domain had weakened, but it was still present. "Dual Powers, What are you?!" Team Leader Zhang said, breathing heavily. "But this isn't over."
Lil'Blackie, seeing Xiao Bai's condition, quickly moved to his side. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Suddenly, Team Leader Zhang's domain surged with new strength, now accompanied by a strange, coarse mist that scraped like sandpaper. "You think you're the only ones with dual powers?" Team Leader Zhang yelled, his laugh echoing through the castle. Xiao Bai was startled as the mist began to tear at his fur.
Lil'Blackie attempted to use her time control powers, but they waned within Team Leader Zhang's domain. "In my domain, nobody can hurt me!" Zhang shouted triumphantly.
Lil'Blackie, frustrated and angry at Xiao Bai for attacking without a proper plan, knew now wasn't the time for blame.
An idea sparked in her mind: what if she also used strength sharing to activate Lin Xiao's Memory Manipulation Domain?
Acting quickly, Lil'Blackie focused and tapped into Lin Xiao's domain, to her surprise it worked. The domain was activated, and she quickly started merging her domain with Xiao Bai's.
The combined power of their domains began to grow stronger, pushing back against Team Leader Zhang's oppressive domain. The mist started to dissipate as their collective strength overpowered Team Leader Zhang's domain.
Team Leader Zhang's eyes widened as he spat out a mouthful of blood. "No, this isn't over," he gasped, determination and fear etched on his face. "I can't die here."
Xiao Bai and Lil'Blackie concentrated harder, pouring all their energy into the domain. With a final, resounding boom, Team Leader Zhang's domain shattered.
The memory manipulation took hold, and Team Leader Zhang's expression changed to one of confusion and submission before he collapsed, unconscious.
Lil'Blackie and Xiao Bai panted heavily, the strain of the battle evident. "We did it," Lil'Blackie said, relief washing over her.
"But it was close," Xiao Bai admitted, his voice shaky. "I am sorry. I should've been more careful."
As they looked around the now-quiet castle, the gravity of their situation hit them. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over. The real challenge lay in finding a way back to Lin Xiao.
...
...
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao was in the strange sci-fi library, trying to make sense of the cryptic messages and futuristic setting.
His mind was racing with questions: Was this truly the future? Was someone trying to deceive him?
Lin Xiao began to explore the expansive library further, weaving through the aisles of towering bookshelves.
Each shelf was meticulously organized, filled with countless volumes that spanned from ancient history to futuristic predictions.
The architecture of the library was a blend of sleek, metallic designs with glowing panels, creating an atmosphere that felt both advanced and reverent.
Hovering bookcases and floating orbs of light added to the surreal ambiance.
As he browsed, Lin Xiao noticed that the majority of the books were historical accounts, with titles such as "How the God-King Saved the World in 2026," "Daily Life of the God-King," and "God-King and His 12 Apostles." The recurring mention of the God-King intrigued and baffled him. Who was this God-King?
Finally, Lin Xiao's attention was drawn to a desk that resembled a traditional reception area, but with a high-tech twist.
As he approached, a holographic projection, a blonde girl emerged from the desk, greeting him with a robotic yet polite tone. "Welcome to the Human Federation Library. Please drop your blood here to register or show your library card to access the books."
A vial and a pin appeared in front of him, ready for use. Lin Xiao hesitated, recalling his vow never to share his blood.
This situation, however, was unprecedented. The chance to learn more about this possible future and the enigmatic God-King was tempting.
After a moment of contemplation, he decided to take the risk. He pricked his finger with the pin and let a drop of blood fall into the vial.
The vial glowed momentarily before the blood evaporated, and the projection's smile widened.
Suddenly, a large projection screen appeared, displaying an older version of Lin Xiao along with his entire history. It flashed for a second and then it disappeared.
Lin Xiao with this photogenic memory was able to see some of the things on the projection like his birth date and death date.
He was taken aback by the accuracy of his birth date and even more so by the death date: 2025, which was just next year. Confusion and shock coursed through him. Was this really his future? Am I going to die next year??
The projection's voice broke through his thoughts. "Welcome, Level-2 Citizen Lin Xiao. You are now free to browse Level-1 and Level-2 books." A card materialized in front of him, displaying his older face and the words "Level 2."