CLACK, CLACK, CLACK...

Chen Gu quickly locked himself up. Actually, I also really want to figure out if I'm truly being stalked by a Lust Fiend.

That creature's disappearance was indeed somewhat unreasonable.

"All set," he called out.

Gong Shuxu let out a sigh of relief. As a Sixth Energy Level powerhouse, he wouldn't be afraid or so cautious if he were to face a Lust Fiend alone in the Endless Realm during his advancement. But it was completely different in the real world. A slight misstep could result in catastrophic loss of life!

He checked the surveillance and saw that Chen Gu had indeed "fully suited up." He maintained control over everyone present but made them appear "free." Then, he had the "Director" press the button to activate the mechanism.

HISS—

The airtight door opened with the accompanying sound of chains. Chen Gu walked out and asked, "Hurry up with the check. This thing is quite uncomfortable to wear."

It wasn't heavy; Chen Gu had already reached the Second Energy Level, so the weight didn't affect him. It was just that the chains were a bit of a nuisance.

"Of course," the Director quickly agreed. A complete set of detection equipment was on hand. The Bureau of Mystic Security was very thorough in its checks for contamination. After the researchers had been busy for a few hours, Gong Shuxu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Safe. No contamination.

He withdrew his ability. Everyone present looked completely normal on the outside. Even the ordinary researchers, unaware they had been controlled, subconsciously believed they had wanted to act that way all along.

As for the professionals, like the branch chief or the Fourth Energy Level experts, they were deeply shaken. So this is a Sixth Energy Level Psychological Spy?! Their abilities are unimaginable!

A profession not originally adept at direct combat could, at high energy levels, exert the power of psyche manipulation to such a terrifying degree!

Chen Gu was unaware of everything happening secretly around him. Gong Shuxu stepped out, no longer concealing himself, and said, "Chen Gu, let me introduce myself. I am Gong Shuxu, a First-Level Inspector from the Main Bureau and a Sixth Energy Level Psychological Spy. I am in charge of your comprehensive review this time."

Chen Gu was stunned at first, then he understood. "Is it because the Lust Fiend appeared?"

Gong Shuxu nodded. "It's good that you understand. I trust you can appreciate that we cannot immediately remove the 'security shackles' from you. We will need to isolate you for a period."

Chen Gu showed a helpless expression. "Alright, I understand."

I was actually observing Gong Shuxu in secret. This was the highest-level powerhouse I'd encountered since arriving in this era, even more powerful than the figures in the three sets of memories I possessed, considering their Energy Levels.

However, each of those three memories showed that professionals had their own distinct strengths.

Griffin Wester excelled more in his battlefield command capabilities.

Derek Kun Shen's focus was on scientific research rather than the development of professionals.

Milna Katerina... could be considered to have died young. She should have gone further on the path of the Nuclear Explosion Nun; the Atomic Holy Church had planned for her to reach at least the Seventh Energy Level.

Gong Shuxu nodded. It's good that Chen Gu is willing to cooperate.

With a wave of his hand, four Punishment Enforcers stepped forward and took Chen Gu to the branch's most secure cell.

The Punishment Force was a special mobile unit of the Bureau of Mystic Security. Its members were former criminals, now freelancers, who underwent rigorous reconditioning and training by the Bureau. They then joined the Punishment Force to participate in operations and atone for their crimes. They were formidable in strength and had "hidden" restraints within their bodies, compelling them to absolutely obey their superiors' commands. Otherwise, they would die instantly. Thus, the Punishment Force's combat capabilities were terrifyingly formidable and highly trusted.

After Chen Gu entered the prison cell, all his accounts were temporarily closed. This made Chen Jixian, on Empire River Star, somewhat anxious.

Chen Gu had been on Witch Star for quite some time. By all accounts, there should have been news about his advancement by now. However, his several inquiries were all met with an "Insufficient Permissions" error.

Chen Jixian knew something had gone wrong.

But if it was just a failed advancement, they would declare it openly. Why the "Insufficient Permissions" error? His general's battlefield intuition told him that something major had likely happened during the advancement process.

If that were the case, Qing Ruyan was the only person in the entire branch who might know the details.

It's impossible for me to ask Qing Ruyan myself. After all, I'm the "proud orphan" who personally showed him the door. How could I take the initiative to inquire about his well-being?

Chen Jixian called Mei Lixue over. After asking about a few unimportant work matters, he inquired, "How is Marcus, the leader of Special Service Team Five, doing?"

Marcus was Mei Lixue's former subordinate. She immediately looked worried and replied, "So far, so good. There are still no signs of mutation, and we're working hard to eliminate the latent threats in his body."

"Good. Team Five can't collapse."

"Yes! Rest assured, Director, we will definitely save Marcus!"

After Mei Lixue left the director's office, just as Chen Jixian had anticipated, she remembered Chen Gu, another "pillar" of Special Service Team Five.

Mei Lixue had previously been preoccupied with Marcus's situation. Only when she thought of Chen Gu did she suddenly realize, That kid has been gone for several days. He should be back by now.

She dialed Chen Gu's comm-link, but couldn't get through. Then, she sent a message via the Bureau of Mystic Security's secure channel, but the message failed to send!

A sense of dread struck Mei Lixue's heart. Could it be? With Marcus not yet rescued, have we lost Chen Gu as well...?

She immediately used her authority to check the results of Chen Gu's advancement ceremony. With a buzz, a large red box popped up on her personal interface: INSUFFICIENT PERMISSIONS!

Mei Lixue hurriedly returned to Chen Jixian's office. "Director, I don't have sufficient permissions. Could you help me check..." She explained Chen Gu's situation. When Chen Jixian pretended to check for the first time, he also received an "INSUFFICIENT PERMISSIONS" message.

Mei Lixue truly panicked. "How can this be?"

Chen Jixian didn't need to prompt her further. Mei Lixue rushed out, exclaiming, "I'm going to ask Qing Ruyan what's going on!"

Chen Jixian waited for the results of Mei Lixue's inquiry. About ten minutes later, Mei Lixue returned, looking dispirited. "Qing Ruyan also lacks the permissions, Director... That kid is really in big trouble this time!"

Chen Jixian's eyelids snapped open, his eyes flashing with a fierce light! The sudden burst of pressure from a high-Energy Level practitioner nearly knocked Mei Lixue off her feet.

...

These past few days, Chen Gu had been living a life of ease—eating and sleeping—much like a well-kept... domestic pig.

Witch Star had secretly entered a state of combat readiness. In the Star Sea, an entire fleet was stationed, unbeknownst to the general populace.

Only the interstellar trading vessels, subjected to extremely strict security checks when entering and leaving the planet, gave their crews a vague sense that something was amiss...

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