If it had all been a dream, that would be one thing. But the problem was, it wasn’t a dream. When he returned to that point in time, it was already a completely different 21st century—a century that could be said to have been single-handedly created by him in the Great Song dynasty. Although the Great Song was long gone, Huaxia was still the most powerful empire in the world, and his portraits could be seen everywhere.

There was another difference: on January 1, 2012, eight supervolcanoes around the globe erupted simultaneously and continuously. Volcanic ash blotted out the sky and sun, and for more than half a year, the earth saw no sunlight. Earthquakes and tsunamis were everywhere; all the island nations in the Pacific were submerged by seawater. In just half a year, hundreds of millions of people lost their lives. Humanity was facing a true apocalypse.

Fortunately, two years earlier, scientists had discovered a new planet in the universe that was suitable for human habitation.

Unfortunately, at that time, technology was nowhere near advanced enough to send humans to that new planet.

Then, on October 25, Richard Thompson suddenly appeared in a laboratory in Huaxia dedicated to researching space-time tunnels, and he brought with him a strange, massive magnetic field. After Richard Thompson told the scientists about his experiences, they were ecstatic, believing they had opened a space-time tunnel, and began experimenting with the magnetic field. However, no one was able to travel through it.

Moreover, the magnetic field was showing signs of instability.

The scientists believed that the magnetic field might only work on Richard Thompson. One of them proposed a bold plan: “accelerate civilization.” He believed that it was precisely because Richard Thompson had traveled to the Great Song dynasty that the new 21st century’s technology far surpassed that of the 21st century before Richard Thompson’s journey.

For example, the two capsules Richard Thompson had just eaten were actually black technology from that era—concentrated food. The yellow capsule contained concentrated granules with the nutrition of a full meal. When these granules combined with a certain enzyme in the stomach, they would slowly expand, matching the stomach’s peristalsis and preventing hunger. The blue capsule was concentrated water, able to supply a day’s worth of hydration and energy—extremely advanced.

So, if Richard Thompson could travel back again and advance technological civilization by several hundred years, then before the apocalypse arrived, humanity could be relocated to the new planet. After all, stopping tectonic movement and volcanic eruptions was unrealistic; the only option was to escape in advance.

Additionally, the scientists all believed that the space-time tunnel followed certain rules. If Richard Thompson could go back, it should be to the Great Song dynasty.

Of course, Richard Thompson was willing to go back. First, it was the apocalypse—staying meant waiting for death. Second, his wife and child were in the Great Song dynasty.

However, with the scientists’ help, he did leave the apocalypse, but to his utter surprise, he didn’t return to the Great Song dynasty. Instead, he arrived here, and shortly after arriving, he encountered a ferocious beast he’d never seen before, nearly dying before he could even begin his mission. In the chaos, he lost his backpack in the forest. That backpack contained many important items, especially scientific materials. To accelerate civilization, he would definitely need to advance technology, and Richard Thompson couldn’t possibly memorize everything before traveling—after all, it was the end of the world, and tomorrow was never guaranteed, so he had to act fast.

Gradually, a deep longing appeared between Richard Thompson’s brows. This was already the second time he had lost his loved ones. The first time, including his parents, he could no longer find them, because the era had completely changed. The butterfly effect had erased his family from existence. This was unbearably cruel for him.

“If I follow the plan and accelerate human civilization, then the Great Song dynasty will surely change drastically, just like that 21st century, and my loved ones will disappear as well. But if I don’t do it, and I can’t find a way back to the Great Song, humanity might face extinction.”

Richard Thompson looked at the night sky with a conflicted expression. It was pitch black—not even the moon, not a single star. He sighed inwardly. Others can at least send their longing to the bright moon, but I can’t even do that. How sad. He let out a gentle sigh and thought, No matter what, the survival of humanity is most important. I must complete this plan. Besides, even if I want to go back, I’ll need advanced technology. As long as I develop technology, the butterfly effect is unavoidable—just like when I was in the Great Song dynasty. In truth, I have no choice.

At this thought, tears welled up in his eyes. Suddenly, he frowned. No, this time I absolutely cannot give up so easily. Even if I carry out the plan to accelerate civilization, if… if I can figure out what’s really going on, why only I can travel through time, maybe I can still see my family… That’s right, fate should be in my own hands.

Suddenly, a buzzing noise interrupted his thoughts.

Richard Thompson looked up and vaguely saw an unidentified flying insect, as big as a moth, circling above the head of an uncle named Logan Scott. But the sound it made was as loud as ten flies.

Suddenly, Logan Scott reached out like lightning and grabbed it. The buzzing stopped instantly.