Chapter 2

Yixiao's mind raced with many thoughts, from kidnapping to terrorist attacks, but he ultimately concluded it was a穿越 (time travel). The surroundings were simply too suspicious. Fortunately, he didn't have to ponder for long because he would soon be able to meet the people here.

An old woman walked up the stairs, her head full of white hair, wearing a gray jacket. When she saw Yixiao looking at her, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, child, you're finally awake."

"Was I unconscious for a long time?" Yixiao smiled slightly.

"Oh, yes, you've been unconscious for two days," the old woman said as she sat down by the bed, gently patting Yixiao's head. "I found you on my way to take out the trash, in an alley in the back street. I don't know what happened to you, child, but fortunately, you weren't hurt."

Taking out the trash, Yixiao noticed this phrase, which sounded like modern society. "Well, where am I?"

"Chinatown," the old woman said as she stood up and walked downstairs. "I'll go have the kitchen prepare dinner. You rest well."

"Thank you," Yixiao said.

...

...

Yixiao sat up in bed, not quite believing it was time travel. He silently pondered, thinking it more like a prank. He walked to the window and pushed it open. The street below was bustling with people, both Americans and Chinese, and in the distance, he could faintly see the Statue of Liberty.

"I'm still in New York," Yixiao raised an eyebrow. First, the Institute of Supernatural Powers, then being unconscious for two days and waking up in Chinatown. This series of events left Yixiao very frustrated. He decided that when he saw that damned Englishman again, he would beat him into a pulp.

He felt through his belongings—his wallet, his phone, and the cards in his wallet were all still there. "Maybe this is a damned TV show. I should look around for cameras." Yixiao searched the room but found nothing.

"Alright," Yixiao rubbed his nose and walked downstairs.

Downstairs was a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. A few chairs were placed in the hall, with a TV hanging on the wall. To the right was a corridor with a few separate rooms.

Yixiao walked to the chairs and sat down, picking up the remote to switch to the news channel. Something on the table caught his attention.

"What's this?" Yixiao frowned as he picked up the doll on the table, a matryoshka doll. He recognized it. It was a traditional Russian craft, with a large doll containing smaller ones.

The surface of the doll was painted with a bald forehead of an Asian person, with only whites in the eyes and no pupils. Yixiao felt he had seen this doll somewhere before, but he couldn't quite remember.

At that moment, a news item on the TV caught his attention.

"The opening ceremony of this year's Olympics will be held tonight, with people from around the world gathering in Beijing. Let's wait and see..."

Yixiao was stunned. The Beijing Olympics had already taken place six years ago. "No way..." Yixiao groaned. He stood up and began searching the wall for a calendar, which was typically found in Chinese homes. "August 8, 2008," he read each word aloud.

"Damn it." Yixiao held the doll up to his eyes. "I really did time travel, six years back." He twisted the doll, but it didn't respond. Now Yixiao remembered why the doll seemed familiar. With his remarkable memory, he quickly identified the doll's origin—it was the one in the movie "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" that sealed Morgana.

"Oh, I picked up this doll a few years ago in front of an antique shop," the old woman said, shaking her head. "Maybe the shop threw it away because it was broken. I couldn't open it no matter what, as if it was glued shut."

"Is that so?" Yixiao smiled and discreetly realigned the doll to its original state. "It looks very exquisite. It's a pity it's broken. By the way, I'm feeling much better, so I won't stay for dinner."

"You should rest more, child," the old woman disagreed.

"No, thank you. Where are the craft workshops around here?" Yixiao pointed outside. "I need to make something."

...

...

In the evening, Yixiao checked into a hotel with his newly purchased computer and a replica of the Merlin ring. He had recreated the ring from memory, and the workshop had made it. Although he was very smart, drawing was a talent, not just a matter of good memory.

"Tsk, I didn't expect my bank card to still work," Yixiao said, lying on the bed as two laptops were working furiously. "What a magical world."

A lot had happened that day, and now he finally had time to think. Yixiao silently organized his thoughts. He had read many time travel novels, and this scenario, not ancient, not future, and not another world, left only one possibility: the Infinite Space world. However, he hadn't received any message or notification yet.

"Maybe there is one." Yixiao suddenly remembered. When he was on that deserted street, a voice in his heart told him to keep moving forward.

So, Yixiao closed his eyes and quietly felt within himself.

"Rule Body constructed, goal achieved: Renowned worldwide."

Indeed, Yixiao smiled, finding this information in his mind. He didn't know where it came from; no one had told him. It was as if it was directly etched into his mind, like a memory.

"An Infinite Mode time travel?" Yixiao thought, his brain working furiously. What does Rule Body mean? In the clinic, I could turn the matryoshka doll, which means I can open it. The old woman couldn't open it, but in the movie, Horvath could. The difference between Horvath and the old woman is that one has magic and the other doesn't. I can open it, which means the Rule Body is equivalent to having a body with magic. From the literal meaning, it seems I have a body that contains magic.

"Interesting, very interesting." Yixiao laughed, having deduced the essence of the Rule Body. "What a convenient golden finger. This means there are no issues with my body's potential." He didn't know if anyone else was involved, but this was his first encounter, and he had very little information.

There really are supernatural powers, Yixiao reached for his computer and began browsing the information. He had already successfully accessed the New York Police Department's database during his earlier efforts, leaving some small devices on their external lines as he passed by the police station.

He clicked on the household registration database and found the main character of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," Dave. "Oh, he's still in college." Calculating the time, it seemed that the unfortunate Balthazar the Great Mage would be released from the jar in two years.

First, I need the Merlin ring, Yixiao narrowed his eyes and continued browsing. Whether it's useful to me or not, it's a magical item and definitely very interesting. "Wow, what's this? Elm Street case files."

It seems there's more than one movie world. Yixiao put away his computer. First, I need power, he told himself. Without the original order of the world, relying solely on my brain won't get me far here. Magic is my first choice.

Yixiao laughed again, a habit whenever he thought of a crazy plan. "Then, watch me become renowned worldwide."