I started by watching videos, and I chose 10,000 combat power.

Soon, villagers saw Luo Weidong and Li Xiulan looking younger.

But they couldn't recognize the face; it was too young, so young that they needed to go back decades in their memories to find the corresponding image.

Aunt Wang was the first to ask.

Her eyes widened as she stared at Li Xiulan, her mouth opening and closing several times before finally managing to squeeze out, "Xiulan? You...you've become young again?"

Li Xiulan smiled as she looked at Aunt Wang's confused and shocked face.

"Xiaofei said that the country has developed a new drug that can make people younger. We are testing it, but soon everyone should be able to use it."

Aunt Wang stood frozen in place, her mouth still open, her chin trembling slightly.

She thought of the wrinkles on her face, her gray hair, and the increasingly deep nasolabial folds she saw every morning when she looked in the mirror.

She looked at Li Xiulan's smooth, firm, wrinkle-free face, said "That's great," and then turned and left, walking much faster than usual.

Luo Weidong ran into Lao Zhang at the village entrance.

Old Zhang was squatting on the steps in front of his house, smoking a homemade cigarette. The paper wasn't rolled tightly, and ash had fallen all over his trouser leg.

He looked up and saw Luo Weidong walking towards him from the village entrance. The cigarette in his hand fell to the ground, and a spark splattered onto his trouser leg, burning a small hole. He didn't feel any pain because he was completely stunned.

He has known Luo Weidong for decades, since they were toddlers.

He looked at Luo Weidong's face from when he was in his twenties, at his straight back, and at his eyes that were no longer cloudy.

His mouth opened slightly, but he didn't know what to say.

Luo Weidong walked up to him, squatted down, patted his knee, and said, "Old Zhang, what are you doing here?"

Old Zhang's lips trembled slightly before he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Wei Dong, have you eaten Tang Sanzang's flesh?"

Luo Weidong smiled.

"Xiaofei said I got to use the newly developed drug ahead of schedule. You'll be able to use it later too, don't worry."

Old Zhang picked up the still-smoking cigarette from the ground, put it in his mouth, and took a puff.

The news spread quickly throughout the village, but no one was jealous, no one doubted, and no one said, "Why did they get to use it first while we didn't?"

Because that was Luo Fei, who did so much for the country, built an activity center for the village, distributed New Year's goods to every household, and protected the entire planet from alien invasion.

Some people started asking in WeChat groups, "When will that drug be available?" Others said, "I'm not in a hurry, I can wait. Anyway, Luo Fei said that everyone will be able to use it after that."

No one doubted what Luo Fei said.

Time flew by and it was New Year's Eve.

Luo Fei opened his eyes in the sunlight, turned over, and activated the system in his mind.

The options were the same as in the previous days: two ordinary household items, namely 500 non-stick pans and 500 knife sets.

He chose a non-stick pan. Just a couple of days ago, Li Xiulan was complaining that the pan at home was no good; food always stuck to it when stir-frying and it was impossible to clean properly. This pan is perfect for her.

The cell phone on the bedside table rang; it was Director Qin calling.

Luo Fei answered the phone, and Director Qin's voice came through the receiver.

"Xiao Luo, we've saved you a seat for this year's Spring Festival Gala. Master Long said you can bring your family to watch it live."

"It's still nearby. We've arranged a courtyard house for you. You can rest there first, and then go directly to the site tonight. Your clothes are all prepared."

Luo Fei leaned against the headboard and said, "Okay, I'll ask my family."

When he came downstairs, Li Xiulan was busy in the kitchen.

Luo Weidong was putting up Spring Festival couplets in the yard. The ladder was leaning against the wall. He stood on the ladder, holding a brush with paste on it.

Luo Ying stood at the bottom of the ladder, giving instructions, "Too high, down a little, down a little more, that's it."

Zhao Lin squatted on the steps, holding the remaining Spring Festival couplets in her hand, and read the words on them: "Peace and safety every year."

Luo Yumei was wiping the table inside the house.

Luo Fei stood at the kitchen doorway, watching his family bustling about, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He spoke, and everyone could hear him.

"Mom, Dad, I have some good news for you."

Upon hearing Luo Fei's words, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him.

Luo Fei added, "Let's go watch the Spring Festival Gala live tonight."

The spatula in Li Xiulan's hand was suspended in mid-air, and the fermented soybean paste dripped from the spatula onto the stove.

Luo Ying was the first to react. She looked at Luo Fei, shook her head, and sighed.

"Brother, that's the bad news. What's the good news?"

Zhao Lin nodded along, nodding vigorously, causing the fluffy ball on her head to bounce back and forth.

Luo Fei looked at them, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"This is good news."

Luo Ying leaned against the door frame, her hands in her hoodie pockets, looking helpless.

"I always fall asleep before the Spring Festival Gala ends. What if I fall asleep at the live show? What if it gets caught on camera? That would be so embarrassing in front of the whole country!"

Zhao Lin nodded again from the side.

Luo Fei rolled his eyes at the two sisters, offered no further explanation, and after putting up the couplets and finishing breakfast, he had his family stand together. With a thought, the family arrived in Kyoto the next second.

Director Qin personally escorted them to the courtyard house.

The courtyard is small, but very exquisite.

The building has blue bricks and gray tiles, a vermilion gate, and a high threshold that requires lifting your leg to cross.

In the middle of the courtyard stands an old locust tree with a very thick trunk that requires two people to encircle it, and its branches are bare.

The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and moss grew in the cracks.

The door to the main room was open, and you could see the furnishings inside: dark-colored mahogany furniture that was polished to a high shine.

Director Qin led them into the courtyard.

He was wearing a dark Zhongshan suit today, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a bigger smile on his face than usual.

"All the rooms have been arranged. Please rest first. Someone will come to pick you up tonight to go to the site. The clothes are hanging in the room. Try them on to see if they fit. If they don't fit, have them altered immediately."

Luo Fei walked into the main room. The room was not big, but it was very warm.

The underfloor heating was on, and the floor felt warm underfoot.

A landscape painting hangs on the wall, depicting mountains in the distance, water in the foreground, and a small boat in the middle. A person sits on the boat, wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, holding a fishing rod in his hand.

The clothes hung on a mahogany hanger; it was a dark gray suit made of fine fabric, smooth to the touch, like silk but not silk.

Put on the suit, stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself. The person in the mirror is wearing a well-tailored suit.

He looked at himself in the mirror for two seconds, then turned and walked out of the room.

Li Xiulan stood in the courtyard, wearing a dark red cheongsam with silver trim at the collar and a slit in the skirt that revealed a section of her calves.

Her hair was tied up and secured with a silver hairpin, with a few stray strands falling beside her ears.

Luo Weidong stood next to her, wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit with the collar buttons neatly fastened.

Luo Ying was wearing a light pink dress with a hem that reached her knees and a tight waist. She wasn't used to this kind of clothing, so she took small steps when she walked, afraid that she might accidentally tear the dress if she walked too hard.

Zhao Lin was wearing a white princess dress with a fluffy skirt that looked like an upside-down trumpet flower. She twirled around, and the skirt billowed up.

Luo Yumei, wearing a dark purple cheongsam, stood next to Luo Ying; the two looked like sisters.

In the evening, someone came to pick them up.

There were two black sedans.

The driver, dressed in a dark suit and wearing white gloves, walked up to Luo Fei, bowed slightly, and said, "General Luo, please."

Luo Fei and his family got into the car, which drove out of the courtyard and through the streets of Kyoto.

There weren't many pedestrians on the road; most were at home having their New Year's Eve dinner. Occasionally, a few food delivery drivers on electric bikes would pass by.

The Spring Festival Gala was held in a huge building in Kyoto, with a circular hall and tiered seating.

The stage was large, the lights were bright, and the sound system was excellent.

The stands were already full of people, some in suits, some in military uniforms, some in ethnic costumes, and some in formal attire.

Their faces wore genuine smiles.

Luo Fei led his family to their seats, which were in the first row, at a small, individual round table.

This spot offers the best view and is closest to the stage.

Director Qin was standing next to the seat with the program in his hand. When he saw Luo Fei arrive, he handed him the program.

"Old Master Long will be here soon; he wants to sit with you."

Luo Fei took the program list, but didn't look at it; he placed it on his lap.

The party started on time.

The host walked out from both sides of the stage, dressed in a red dress, with a big smile and a warm voice.

Applause erupted from the audience, and Luo Fei clapped along.

Old Long next to him was also clapping, but his movements were small, and the sound of his hands clapping together was very soft.

Luo Ying sat to Luo Fei's right, holding her phone. On the screen was a group chat between her and her roommates, who were discussing the Spring Festival Gala programs.

Zhao Lin sat to Luo Ying's right, her attention not on the stage, but on Elder Long.

She secretly glanced at Old Master Long several times, turning away each time.

Old Master Long sensed it, turned his head to look at her, and smiled—a smile that showed the affection of an elder for a younger generation.

Zhao Lin blushed and looked down at the tips of her shoes, which had a white bow on them.

Li Xiulan sat to the left of Elder Long, her hands on her knees, her fingers slightly curled, her palms sweaty.

She wasn't nervous, she was excited.

Being able to sit next to Mr. Long and watch the Spring Festival Gala was something she never dared to dream of in her life.

The Spring Festival Gala featured a variety of programs, including singing, dancing, skits, crosstalk, acrobatics, and magic.

The audience erupted in waves of applause and laughter.

The Spring Festival Gala has ended.

The host said "See you next year" on stage, and the audience stood up and applauded.

Luo Fei also stood up and applauded.

He led his family out through the side door, with Director Qin following behind.

"Xiao Luo, tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Old Master Long said you should bring your family to his house for a visit. It's not a formal occasion, just a New Year's visit, so don't be nervous."

Luo Fei said "okay," and with a thought, the family was standing in their own courtyard in Liuxi Village the next second.

The night wind blew in from the other side of the mountain, carrying the scent of withered grass and earth.

Little White ran over from under the eaves and squatted down at Luo Fei's feet, its tail curled up in a circle. Its ice-blue eyes gleamed with a ghostly blue light in the moonlight, and a voice in its mind carried a hint of complaint: "You guys went out to play without taking me. I've been waiting at home for ages."

Luo Fei bent down, scooped up Xiaobai, and held it in his arms.

He spoke to Xiaobai through his thoughts.

"I forgot this time, but I'll definitely do it next time."

Lunar New Year's Day.

Upon waking up, Luo Fei activated the system in his mind.

[A divine choice has been triggered today.]

Options appear:

[Option A: Obtain the 'Time Machine'. System revamp, allowing travel to parallel worlds of Earth (without affecting the host's current Earth). The host can choose from three timelines, synchronizing time upon selection. The time elapsed in the parallel world is the same as the time elapsed on Earth. Each use requires seven days to recharge; it can be reused.]

Option B: Obtain 'Hovercraft Technology'. Capable of freely navigating all complex terrains including land, air, and sea, requiring no roads or runways, with vertical takeoff and landing, and a top speed of 2,000 kilometers per hour. Technical data includes a complete set of manufacturing processes and design blueprints.

Luo Fei looked at the two options and tapped his finger lightly on the bed sheet.

Hovercraft technology is amazing; it could completely change the way we travel on Earth.

But the time machine travels through parallel worlds of Earth, across three timelines.

The history of the Dragon Kingdom can be traced back thousands of years, from the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties.

Every dynasty has its own story and its own secrets.

He can witness those histories firsthand in parallel worlds.

He can change things in a parallel world, perhaps avoid some regrets, or perhaps save some people who shouldn't have died.

He chose A.

[Option A rewards: One Time Machine. Already stored in the host's storage ring. Instructions: Select a timeline and confirm to travel to a parallel world, Earth. Each travel requires seven days of charging time; it can be used again after charging is complete.]

Luo Fei took out the time machine from the ring and glanced at it. It wasn't big, like an enlarged pocket watch, with a silver-white case. The dial was empty, without markings or hands, only three blank slots.

With a thought, the first field lit up, displaying the message: "Please select a timeline."

He silently recited those years, those dynasties, and those people and events that had disappeared into the long river of history.