Li Ban was shocked, utterly and completely shocked.
He had already completed the fusion of his second elemental power on his way back.
Li Ban slowly approached and locked eyes with the cat-woman.
"Will I definitely die? I successfully fused elements even without an Identity before. Isn't there some probability the second element could work?"
The cat-woman said gravely, "I know you're desperate to grow stronger in this environment. But you're far from the only one who wants power. Others in this world have tried fusing elements beyond their tier for various reasons, and without exception, they all ended up dead."
"This is an ironclad rule all Spirit Practitioners must follow—don't gamble with your life." Suddenly, the cat-woman reached out and patted Li Ban's shoulder.
Only then did Li Ban realize he had unconsciously moved within her reach.
He stumbled backward awkwardly, still pondering her words.
He had clearly completed the fusion during his journey.
And his mission assistance system hadn't warned of any fatal consequences.
Could this be a privilege for lab-implanted individuals?
Or his unique golden finger?
Noticing Li Ban's strange expression, the cat-woman tilted her head. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you've already bought the element?"
Li Ban didn't answer directly, pressing his lips together before saying, "I understand now. I must have misunderstood earlier. Thanks for the warning—I need to report back first."
With that, he hurried away.
The cat-woman watched Li Ban's retreating figure and sighed helplessly.
"Good thing I asked, or I'd have no one to buy meat for me later."
Li Ban arrived at the stairwell between the first and second floors, knocking on the tree-person jailers' hidden door.
Tree-Person A answered.
"Officer A, I've brought back all the purchases."
Tree-Person A nodded and started closing the door.
Li Ban quickly added, "Officer A, I sold the mimic rat's tail to exchange for a new element. Any precautions I should take when fusing it?"
Tree-Person A paused mid-motion. "What's there to prepare for? You either succeed or fail. Anyway, Officer Zhou is waiting for your report—hurry along."
With that, Tree-Person A swiftly shut the door as if occupied with important matters.
Notably, he never mentioned the fatal risks of over-fusing elements.
Li Ban stared at the closed door before turning expressionlessly toward the stairs.
Was Tree-Person A omitting the warning because he wanted Li Ban dead?
This jailer had initially softened toward Li Ban after his promotion to menial worker.
He'd even offered guidance on cultivation questions.
But soon after, he became distant again.
While not as disdainful as during Li Ban's slave days, all previous friendliness had vanished.
Plus yesterday's deliberate testing on the third floor...
Li Ban thought of the deceased Lu.
Lu had tried killing him, believing he blocked her promotion.
But what was Tree-Person A's motive?
Regardless, Li Ban knew he couldn't keep waiting for enemies to strike first.
After reporting the liquor purchase to Officer Zhou—who now permitted Li Ban to visit the third floor for updates—Zhou showed no disappointment about the missing strong alcohol. Hearing Li Ban had asked the winery to watch for stock, he nodded approvingly.
Leaving Zhou's room, Li Ban doubled back stealthily, holding his breath at the stairwell.
Soon, he heard the tree-person jailers' door open again, followed by descending footsteps.
The sounds faded beyond earshot.
Was Tree-Person A going to meet Officer Zhou?
Approaching the cat-woman again, Li Ban found her meat already gone, now leaning gracefully against the wall.
"Confirmed your suspicions?" she asked without opening her eyes at his footsteps.
"How big is the power gap between first-tier and second-tier Identities?"
The cat-woman opened her eyes and turned with a half-smile. "Trying to ask if a menial worker can defeat a jailer?"
Not waiting for denial, she continued, "Can't speak for others—it depends on training duration, elemental mastery, weapons, and combat skills. But if that menial worker is you..."
"You'd definitely lose."
"That absolute?" Li Ban thought his dual elements at least matched second-tier practitioners numerically.
"Those tree-person jailers have held second-tier for years. Especially Tree-Person A and B—they've maxed out at least one element's spiritual essence. A second-tier's full essence differs entirely from first-tier."
"And you? Your only element is eye-based—has its essence even reached halfway?"
Seeing Li Ban's pensive look, the cat-woman's seriousness vanished, replaced by mischievous glee as she winked.
"Made another enemy among the jailers?"
When Li Ban stayed silent, she chuckled.
"Don't be shy. Relationships here are... complicated."
"Everyone cultivates desperately to max their essence. But even those who succeed still scheme—all for that single Identity spot that might open who-knows-when."
"Just remember—in this world, everyone only cares for themselves. Alliances are temporary;
enmity is the ultimate relationship."
"Don't waste time wondering why they're hostile. Just kill anyone you dislike."
She slashed the air with a whoosh, generating a sharp gust.
Li Ban finally spoke. "You... want to kill Tree-Person A too, don't you?"
The cat-woman glanced sideways, then raised an eyebrow. "Trying to borrow my claws?"
Li Ban's facial muscles tensed. "We've cooperated well temporarily, haven't we? They keep sending you to the beast-fighting arena. You barely win each time, claiming no injuries, yet barely move for three days afterward."
Her pupils narrowed to slits. "You observant little menial worker."
She sauntered to the bars, her ankle chains scraping harshly against stone.
"Little fool," she said with a grotesque smile. "When you discover weaknesses, keep them to yourself—speaking them invites silencing."
Li Ban, already in the safe zone, pressed his back against the wall.
"Thanks for the advice."
Her eerie smile vanished with an eye-roll. "Must you be so cautious?"
"I've actually gotten careless."
The old him would never have needed such constant vigilance.
These were lessons paid for in blood.
Returning to her spot, she added, "I can't take tree-people now. Find another ally."
Her phrasing implied pre-imprisonment capability.
"How powerful were you before?" Li Ban recalled their last interrupted conversation.
"Not telling~" she sniffed.
Amused, Li Ban produced a small oil-paper packet from his robe and tossed it over.
"Pork head meat—leftover from last night. Mind?"
Instantaneously, she transformed, eagerly shredding the wrapper.
The thirteen cell filled with braised aroma.
"Don't mind at all! You're the best! Ask me anything anytime!"
She began gnawing ungracefully.
After a quiet moment:
"Thanks for the warning earlier."