Noticing Li Ban's unease, the Director adjusted his glasses.
"Don't worry. Ze reported your forced logout issue. We've already repaired the motherboard of Test Chamber 444. The problem will be resolved soon."
He leaned slightly forward, holding paper and pen instead of more advanced electronic devices.
"You don't remember the mission and just encountered two suspicious targets, so I won't ask too much this time. After returning, make sure to review the mission details and maintain concealment."
"Currently, you're the only undercover agent we have left in Death Prison."
"Understood." Li Ban nodded. "I was just concerned my memory loss might affect the mission."
"Memory loss has its advantages." The Director straightened up. "Despite your condition, you still infiltrated the mission location and survived this long. We all believe in your capabilities."
"Unfortunately, we can't extract you for immediate treatment. But third-level memory distortion isn't severe enough to cause permanent damage—it can be cured later. For the mission's sake, and considering the lab's massive investment, you'll need to continue."
Chen Dong returned to Li Ban's side and reported to the Director: "Mission content loading is complete."
The Director responded sternly, "No discussing colleagues' status in the lab. If you learn information you shouldn't know, it might expose anomalies to Witch World inhabitants."
This lab's protocols were stringent.
Ze had mentioned before that agents couldn't share mission details with each other. Now it appeared even inquiring about others' situations outside was forbidden.
This truly was a large-scale infiltration operation.
Chen Dong interjected more gently, "Though you entered the same batch, minimize unnecessary contact to avoid mutual interference."
So visiting Ze was out of the question.
"I currently face several issues in Death Prison. A jailer keeps trying to frame me. Are there alternative methods to strengthen my self-defense capabilities?"
Chen Dong remained silent, awaiting the Director's response.
The Director waved dismissively. "Don't rush to enhance your Witch World abilities. Focus on diligent work—leave no vulnerabilities. Demonstrate loyalty to approach higher-ups."
Li Ban felt disappointed. "Director, doesn't the lab have any supportive facilities?"
Such an advanced laboratory couldn't provide powerful assistance in the virtual world?
The Director grew irritated. "Isn't sending you in with the mission assistance system enough? Do you know how much funding these resources consumed?"
Chen Dong mediated again. "Director, Li Ban's memory loss means he lacks certain understandings."
Turning to Li Ban, he advised, "If someone frames you without cause, seek help from jailer Zhang Baishan. He's relatively upright and Du An's trusted subordinate—"
"Chen Dong!" the Director snapped.
Chen Dong immediately fell silent, lowering his head like a scolded child.
The Director sighed. "Haven't we had enough members exposed from information overload?"
He addressed Li Ban sternly, "Remember—maintain concealment while advancing toward mission objectives."
Li Ban realized the Director wouldn't offer the slightest assistance.
Any external help might become Li Ban's exposure trigger.
In this lab, the mission always took priority.
There was inherent contradiction here.
How could critical missions succeed if agents' safety wasn't guaranteed?
Li Ban blinked, reevaluating this laboratory's purpose.
It seemed he'd have to confront Tree-Person A's schemes alone.
Technician Chen Dong broke the tense silence. "Li Ban, provide your current identity details for registration."
"Yu Province Death Prison menial worker, first-tier Identity, responsible for second-level prison chores."
Li Ban deliberately omitted his elemental attributes and cultivation progress. Surprisingly, Chen Dong didn't inquire.
Here, such details seemed irrelevant.
The test chamber's green light shifted to blinking yellow.
"Temporary logout period ending. Returning you now."
Chen Dong set down his tools and helped Li Ban lie flat.
A needle pricked Li Ban's neck.
His eyelids grew leaden with irresistible drowsiness.
The sound of flowing water faded in and out.
When Li Ban reopened his eyes, he was back in the storage room.
Fighting sleepiness, he immediately consulted his mission assistance system:
[Mission content loading failed. Data lost.]
Even through fatigue, he felt bitter amusement.
Had the lab seriously attempted to fix his issues?
They might as well have briefed him externally!
With mission data lost again, what about the forced logout problem?
Were they truly repairing it?
Rolling over, Li Ban felt disappointed with the lab. Yet strangely, these mounting difficulties didn't weaken his resolve.
Perhaps when you know retreat is impossible, you stop indulging futile fantasies about the future.
Tomorrow would bring another hard battle.
Li Ban willed himself to relax into sleep.
Morning arrived. After preparing, Li Ban sought out tree-person jailers.
"Honorable Tree-Person A, menial worker Liu Mu mentioned I could relocate to the third level. Since I've been assisting Officer Zhou lately, moving there would be more convenient."
Li Ban offered an ingratiating smile.
Tree-Person A's vertical pupils narrowed.
"Approved. Finish today's tasks before moving tonight."
"Of course, of course." Li Ban agreed hastily.
Proceeding to Death Prison's second level, he leisurely distributed meals and performed basic cleaning.
He was waiting.
That third-level map hidden in the storage room was a ticking time bomb. Li Ban couldn't let Tree-Person A control the detonation.
Nor would he destroy the map and pretend nothing happened, remaining perpetually vigilant.
He needed to trigger the explosion at the right moment.
By announcing his relocation to the third level, the map would soon become useless for framing him.
Therefore, Tree-Person A would certainly—
"Li Ban!"
Speak of the devil.
Tree-Person A descended from the third level.
"Officer Zhou summons you."
Li Ban straightened from his work. "Understood. I'll go immediately."
Tree-Person A's face now showed undisguised scorn.
"Your crimes are exposed. Let's see how you explain yourself today!"
Li Ban froze.
He even sensed killing intent.
Tree-Person A was pressuring him!
The jailer wanted him panicked before meeting Zhou Gu!
Without knowledge of the pre-planted map, Li Ban would indeed be bewildered now.
"Sir, I-I don't understand. What crimes?"
Playing along, Li Ban adopted the confused, fearful expression Tree-Person A desired.
The tree-person sneered without explanation, letting Li Ban's imagination run wild.
"Move!"
He barked like escorting a criminal.
Under Tree-Person A's prodding, Li Ban hurried forward.
Reaching the third level, he encountered menial worker Wang Hua about to leave.
Having met Wang Hua days earlier while preparing distilled wine for Zhou Gu, Li Ban expected greetings.
But noticing Tree-Person A's murderous expression behind Li Ban, Wang Hua immediately retreated inside and shut his door.
Li Ban hadn't expected Wang Hua—met only once—to defend him.
But such blatant avoidance still surprised him.
Perhaps this was the caution the Director demanded.
Prodded along by Tree-Person A, Li Ban entered Zhou Gu's quarters.
Zhou Gu sat behind a long desk.
Displayed atop it was the map Li Ban discovered last night.
As Li Ban approached, Zhou Gu looked up, eyes icy.
"Li Ban. Do you understand that privately mapping Death Prison is strictly forbidden? What are you plotting?"