Back to the Past

Zhang Tianran was in no hurry to leave this point in time. This newborn world was quite interesting to him; Metahumans and aliens were everywhere, with nothing particularly secret about them.

At the point in time Zhang Tianran had left, Central City's Metahumans had not yet entered the public eye, and many people outside Central City still believed the Flash was fictional.

Worried about the timeline, Zhang Tianran did not visit places he knew well. Instead, he went to famous cities such as Gotham and Metropolis.

It barely counted as sightseeing—taking in the scenery of the future, a world where superpowered crime, aliens, and superheroes all openly existed.

On the news, Superman, Supergirl, the Flash, and a series of other heroes were fighting the Anti-Monitor.

The Spectre apparently had not completely destroyed him, but the Anti-Monitor's remaining power could not cause much damage. He was something that could be eliminated easily.

Zhang Tianran had originally wanted to collect some Antimatter, but it was somewhat too harmful to this world. Besides causing destruction, it did not seem to have much use.

So, he did not act.

Sure enough, Zhang Tianran soon could no longer sense any trace of Antimatter. The Anti-Monitor seemed to have been completely expelled from this universe...

At the instant the Anti-Monitor was expelled, Zero suddenly detected something and reminded him, "Traces of another universe have been detected. Would you like to record them?"

"Explain. What universe?" Zhang Tianran asked curiously, because he himself had not sensed any traces of another universe.

After so many universes had merged into one, the barriers of this universe had become exceedingly sturdy. Traveling to another parallel universe again would be extremely difficult.

"The Microverse. It can be reached through Ray Palmer's shrinking technology." Zero's answer caught Zhang Tianran somewhat by surprise.

"Forget it. I'm not familiar with that place. Record the detected data." Zhang Tianran gave the order.

Zero responded and began meticulously recording the data in her database.

Zhang Tianran hesitated, but ultimately suppressed his curiosity. At this stage, it was better to go somewhere more familiar.

After wandering the streets for a while, Zhang Tianran arrived at Mercury Labs. Strictly speaking, Mercury Labs was stronger than STAR Labs, and most of its equipment was state-of-the-art.

However, Mercury Labs lagged somewhat behind in its research into supernatural abilities. At least, that was how Zhang Tianran saw it.

But Mercury Labs' security was far stronger. Most Metahumans had no way to infiltrate it, and even Zhang Tianran had needed to put in some effort.

After searching for a while without finding any technology that particularly interested him, Zhang Tianran was about to leave.

But at that moment, Zhang Tianran noticed that there was actually a batch of Superluminal Particles in the vault—the very one Reverse-Flash had taken.

Because the thing was troublesome to produce, Zhang Tianran had never bothered preparing to make it.

"There's actually another batch. Was it newly manufactured?" The instant Zhang Tianran reached out and took it, a piercing alarm rang out.

The next moment, a force field enveloped the area around the vault. Even Zhang Tianran had no way to escape without exposing himself.

But that was fine. Although he could not escape, that did not mean Zhang Tianran was trapped. There was nothing to do at this point in time anyway, so Zhang Tianran directly crossed the timeline and returned to the time when he had originally left.

Unlike other Speedsters, who needed to run a certain distance, Zhang Tianran's control over the Speed Force was exceptionally strong. He could travel through time and space without any preparation at all.

Zhang Tianran successfully returned to the past. At this point in time, Barry had discovered Wells' identity and was preparing to confront him.

He had not planned to return so quickly, but in the newly merged world, traveling between worlds was not easy.

Moreover, Zhang Tianran had not planned to give up on the dozens of parallel worlds in the past. Returning to the past first, then traveling through time from there, was a more reliable approach.

Back at STAR Labs, Barry and the others were planning to lure Reverse-Flash into admitting that he had killed Barry's mother, thereby clearing Barry's father of guilt.

While they were secretly making their plans, Zhang Tianran suddenly appeared.

"I have to say, you people haven't even activated STAR Labs' defenses. Aren't you afraid someone might sneak in and attack?" Zhang Tianran complained helplessly before preparing to leave.

He did not particularly want to get involved in this matter, especially since his own position was somewhat awkward.

"Wait, Dr. Zhang. About Wells..." Seeing Zhang Tianran preparing to leave, Barry immediately spoke.

"I know. He's Reverse-Flash. I'm not with him, but I don't intend to help you either. Also, don't trust people so easily next time. If you trust the wrong person, your loved ones could very well end up in danger." After speaking coldly, Zhang Tianran returned to his private laboratory.

There were actually no important instruments left here. His Time Ship contained more advanced equipment, capable of satisfying nearly any of Zhang Tianran's needs.

However, Zhang Tianran had no interest in researching anything right now. He had only returned to his private laboratory to make a Superluminal Particle Generator.

He had not planned to use one at first because it did not greatly enhance his speed, but now that another power existed within him, he could not simply let it go to waste.

After spending a few minutes completing the Superluminal Particle Generator, Zhang Tianran placed it on himself...

In an instant, a surge of energy rushed through his body. Under the influence of that energy, the Speed Force within him grew somewhat stronger...

No, it was not stronger!

Rather, his body had become more compatible with the Speed Force.

"I really didn't expect this thing to be somewhat useful. This way, the newly born Speed Force can also be put to use." Zhang Tianran murmured.

Outside Zhang Tianran's private laboratory, Cisco hesitated for a long time, yet still could not summon the courage to call for Zhang Tianran.

In the end, Zhang Tianran, having completed the Superluminal Particle Generator, could not bear to watch any longer and opened the door first.

"Are you here to persuade me to help Barry capture Wells?" Zhang Tianran asked calmly.

Cisco smiled awkwardly and hurriedly explained, "No. I know you're having a hard time right now, so..."

Zhang Tianran saw through Cisco's intentions, but he had no intention of accepting the gesture.

"I'm fine. Whatever Wells did... that's his business. As for the problems between you and Wells, solve them yourselves. Don't come looking for me. I won't help."

With that, Zhang Tianran shut the door.