Affected by the Timeline Again

The Negative Speed Force's effect on emotions was somewhat beyond Zhang Tianran's expectations. But that was all; it did not bring him much surprise.

To prevent any accidents, Zhang Tianran carefully examined the Speed Force within his body and found no changes at all. It was as if he was completely unafraid of the Negative Speed Force's corruption.

Zhang Tianran had originally been very confident in his ability to resist the Negative Speed Force. After all, the Speed Force was rather subjective—so long as he did not choose it, even a temporary influence could be reversed.

Just like Barry's future daughter, even after her Speed Force had been reversed, she could still recover.

Yet the Speed Force had not changed at all, while his emotions had been greatly affected instead.

"Could it be that I really am the Speed Force?" Zhang Tianran muttered.

Back then, the Speed Force's words had puzzled Zhang Tianran for a long time. He truly could not imagine any possibility of a human becoming the Speed Force...

Still, his body was indeed vastly different from that of an ordinary Speedster.

The current Zhang Tianran was like a student who had cheated on an exam and gotten a perfect score. Though he had received the reward, he had no idea how the process had worked.

In the end, Zhang Tianran gave up thinking about it. His future self could not possibly harm his present self. One day, he would understand.

"Dr. Zhang, I need to talk to you." Barry Allen's voice sounded from outside the door.

The moment he heard that voice, Zhang Tianran immediately guessed it... It seemed Reverse-Flash had already dangled the bait before Barry Allen.

The result was naturally just as Zhang Tianran had expected. Reverse-Flash had indeed successfully tempted Barry with the prospect of changing the past...

"You came to me for advice? Then I have only one piece of advice: don't! Remember, never interfere with the timeline, whether your intentions are good or bad." Zhang Tianran spoke without mercy.

Hearing such an exact answer, Barry froze where he stood.

In truth, the reason he had come to seek Zhang Tianran's advice was because Barry Allen had already been tempted—deeply tempted.

After hesitating for a long time, Barry finally said, "Reverse-Flash set the Particle Accelerator's activation time. If I don't go change the future and send him back when the time comes, all of Central City will be reduced to rubble by the Particle Accelerator's explosion."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianran immediately understood. Reverse-Flash had long since prepared a second plan to force Barry into making a choice.

"Then why did you come ask me? I have no way to undo Wells's technology. Looks like that guy has you right where he wants you." Zhang Tianran stared at Barry and spoke calmly.

"I don't know..." Barry shook his head helplessly, hoping in his heart for an answer Zhang Tianran would approve of.

"Spread the news of the Particle Accelerator's explosion and evacuate Central City. That is the wisest choice. I don't care whether you understand it or not. Remember this: nothing is more important than time. Even if everyone in Central City dies, the destruction you cause by altering the timeline will be worse." Zhang Tianran's voice was cold.

Although he had only spent a few months in Central City, Zhang Tianran had already come to understand Barry's personality well. The guy was kind, that much was true, but he never learned to listen.

Perhaps this was what people called a saint complex—being unable to bear witnessing suffering. Even knowing the consequences would become worse, he still could not endure it and chose to save what was right before his eyes.

Barry had not expected this answer. He asked bitterly, "Is there really no other way?"

"No. But if you insist on doing it, I can't stop you..." Zhang Tianran said.

In fact, he already knew Barry's choice. There was no sign that Central City had ever been destroyed in the future.

In the end, Barry Allen left in disappointment. Zhang Tianran, meanwhile, arrived outside the cell where Wells was being held...

"The Negative Speed Force didn't affect you.

Why?" The moment Wells saw Zhang Tianran, he immediately asked.

"I don't know..." Zhang Tianran shook his head. After hesitating, he continued, "How did you endure those negative emotions?"

"It's simple—hatred! My hatred for The Flash can drown out everything. But now... it seems I've been away from the Negative Speed Force for too long. Even that hatred has lessened considerably." Reverse-Flash smiled and spoke thoughtfully.

"I think there's nothing bad about you being locked up. At the very least, you won't have to suffer the Negative Speed Force's negative emotions. That feeling isn't pleasant." Zhang Tianran spoke as though offering advice.

Reverse-Flash understood what Zhang Tianran meant, but merely shook his head without explaining.

Seeing this, Zhang Tianran did not try to persuade him further and turned to leave. As Reverse-Flash watched Zhang Tianran's departing back, he suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion.

In the end, Barry still chose to travel back to the past. The imminent explosion of the Particle Accelerator swept away all of Barry's concerns.

As for Zhang Tianran's suggestion to evacuate all of Central City... it was simply impossible!

Leaving aside the issue of time, there was no way to make everyone in an entire city evacuate. The people of this country were far too accustomed to freedom. Some idiots simply did not care about their own lives, while others did not believe anything at all.

If they forced an evacuation, it might very well trigger an even greater disaster.

So, for Central City—and to save his mother—Barry Allen chose without hesitation to go to the past and change the future.

Zhang Tianran did not stop him. He merely watched it all coldly.

Soon, all preparations were complete. Barry Allen entered the Particle Accelerator and began running.

When his speed reached a certain threshold, Cisco immediately released a particle to collide with him.

A stable portal soon opened, and Barry Allen vanished from this point in time...

Zhang Tianran, who had been watching from the side, vanished with him.

Having arrived more than a decade in the past, Barry never could have imagined that someone had appeared beside him.

"Don't overthink it. I didn't come here willingly," Zhang Tianran explained gloomily.

The last time Barry crossed the timeline, Zhang Tianran had been affected as well. But he had not expected to be affected again this time and dragged here directly.

Could there be some connection between me and Barry Allen? No, that can't be right. When Future Barry came back last time, my future self wasn't affected.

At that moment, Future Flash and Reverse-Flash were fighting downstairs. Barry had no time to pay attention to Zhang Tianran and immediately hid behind the door, carefully searching for an opportunity to save his mother.

But just then, Future Flash noticed everything. He gently shook his head at Barry, then carried the young Barry away.

Reverse-Flash, realizing that Future Flash had escaped, flew into a rage and raised a knife from the room...

Unable to bear watching this scene, Barry closed the door and cried silently.

Once everything outside had completely settled down, Barry finally could not hold back any longer and rushed out of the room. He gathered his dying mother into his arms...