Multiple Personalities

The medieval castle stood towering, its stone walls mottled and revealing the ravages of time. Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu stood on the castle terrace, gazing at the horizon stained blood-red by the setting sun, with a surge of indescribable unease within their hearts.

"Don't you feel that everything has been too smooth?" Li Baiyu furrowed her brow tightly.

Shen Jingqi pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Indeed, although we've encountered many challenges on our journey, it always feels as if some invisible force is secretly orchestrating everything. It's like... someone is deliberately guiding us."

"Guiding? Or entrapping?" A hint of coldness flashed in Li Baiyu's eyes, "Don't forget, the whole thing with the lords and the symbols, it's too strange. It seems like someone left clues on purpose, leading us step by step into a certain trap."

Shen Jingqi took a deep breath, his gaze resolute: "No matter what it is, we cannot sit idly by. Let's go back to the Time Administration Bureau and see if we can find any clues."

The two turned, hurriedly descended the terrace, passed through the narrow stone stairs, and headed towards the castle's main gate. At this moment, a gust of cold wind blew by, causing the candles within the castle to flicker as if something was watching them from the darkness.

Returning to the Time Administration Bureau, Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu went straight into the archives room. It was piled high with various historical documents and time records, the best place for them to search for clues.

Shen Jingqi leafed through a yellowed ancient book, his brow furrowed: "These symbols, I've seen them in the Middle Ages. But their origins can't be found in any records."

"Symbols?" Li Baiyu leaned over, looking at the ancient book in Shen Jingqi's hands, "These symbols seem to conceal some kind of power. I remember during the Middle Ages, these symbols would appear every time we approached a critical juncture."

"Exactly." Shen Jingqi closed the ancient book, his gaze deep, "Moreover, every time the symbols appear, our actions would inexplicably be hindered. It's as though... someone is deliberately stopping us."

Li Baiyu pondered for a moment, suddenly her eyes brightened: "Could it be that these symbols themselves are a hint? A warning or guidance left by some unknown force?"

"Warning? Guidance?" Shen Jingqi murmured, a sense of ominous foreboding welling up inside, "If so, what exactly does this force want to do?"

Just then, the lights in the archives room suddenly flickered, then went out. In the darkness, a low buzzing sound echoed, as if something was approaching.

"Who?" Shen Jingqi stood up alertly, hands clenched into fists, ready to respond to any sudden situation.

"Don't be nervous." Li Baiyu's voice rang out in the dark as she fumbled for an emergency flashlight. Turning it on, they saw a strange light shadow slowly emerging in the center of the archives room.

"What is this?" Shen Jingqi's eyes widened, looking at the light shadow, filled with confusion.

The light shadow gradually became clear; it was actually an ancient clock. But the difference was, the hands of this clock were rotating counterclockwise, as if turning back time.

"Turning back time?" Shen Jingqi was shocked, "Could this be the purpose of that mysterious force?"

"Highly possible." Li Baiyu said in a deep voice, "This force has been secretly manipulating the timeline, trying to change the course of history. And we are now their biggest obstacle."

Using the advanced equipment of the Time Administration Bureau, they conducted a comprehensive analysis of the clock. The results, however, revealed that this clock did not originate from any era known to them.

"This... how is this possible?" Shen Jingqi's eyes widened as he looked at the analysis report, incredulous, "This clock seems to have traversed from an unknown era."

"Unknown era?" Li Baiyu pondered for a moment, suddenly her eyes brightened, "Could it be, this clock is the entrance to that mysterious force? If we find its origin, we can trace it back to the source of that force."

Shen Jingqi nodded, hope surging within him: "Alright, we will start with this clock. We must find the source of that mysterious force and stop them from altering the course of history."

However, just as they prepared to delve further into the investigation, the Time Administration Bureau suddenly came under an unprecedented attack. A group of black-clad mysterious individuals infiltrated the Bureau like ghosts, wreaking havoc.

"Quick, protect the archives room!" Shen Jingqi shouted, rushing with Li Baiyu towards the door of the archives room. They knew the consequences would be unimaginable if the data here fell into the hands of that mysterious force.

However, the strength of the mysterious individuals far exceeded their imagination. They were agile, their moves bizarre, seemingly undergoing rigorous training. Despite Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu's fierce resistance, they gradually fell into a disadvantage.

"Go now!" Li Baiyu shouted, using her body to block the mysterious individual's attack, buying Shen Jingqi time to escape.

Shen Jingqi gritted his teeth, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: "No, I can't leave you behind!"

"Go now!" Li Baiyu shouted again, "You must find the source of that mysterious force and stop them! It's our mission!"

Shen Jingqi took a deep breath, looking into Li Baiyu's resolute eyes, finally nodding. He turned and rushed into the secret passage of the archives room.

In the secret passage, Shen Jingqi ran frantically.

Finally, Shen Jingqi reached the end of the passage, where a strange time-space appeared before him.

In this unknown space-time, Shen Jingqi explored everywhere, trying to find the source of that mysterious force. He traversed deserts, forests, mountains, and even dove into the deep sea. However, no matter where he went, it seemed as if some invisible force was secretly watching him.

"Who are you?" Shen Jingqi shouted into the empty space-time, "Why are you constantly tracking me?"

However, only echoing and endless silence responded to him. Shen Jingqi knew he must be even more cautious, lest he fall into a dire situation at any moment.

Just then, Shen Jingqi suddenly noticed a strange Light Gate appearing ahead. The Light Gate flickered with dazzling light, seemingly leading to another unknown world.

"Is this... the path to the source of that mysterious force?" Shen Jingqi's mind stirred, deciding to take the risk. He took a deep breath and resolutely stepped into the Light Gate.

Inside the Light Gate, it seemed as if Shen Jingqi was in an illusory space. The area was filled with various strange symbols and light shadows, making him feel dazzled. He tried to find the source of that mysterious force, but found himself seemingly trapped in a maze.

"What... what on earth is going on?" Shen Jingqi muttered to himself, filled with confusion and unease.

At that moment, a deep voice sounded in Shen Jingqi's ear: "Welcome to my domain, Shen Jingqi."