The assistant stated arrogantly to Fang Senyan: "Our laboratory lies fifty meters underground. To reach it, you would need to navigate at least seven interconnected death tunnels like this one—and that's merely one function of our formidable 'Sower' defense system. Do you truly believe a few of you are of any use here?"

Fang Senyan looked at the assistant, whose nostrils were practically pointing toward the ceiling, and smiled: "Since your lab is fifty meters deep and has only one entry point, the destructive power of this bomb can't be too great. Otherwise, if the shockwave collapsed the tunnel, you'd all be buried alive with us."

"So what if it is?" The assistant seemed enraged by Fang Senyan's stubbornness. He immediately tapped a few buttons beside him, displaying a cross-section of the pineapple-shaped miniature bomb. First, this device featured a sensor allegedly hypersensitive to biological life. Then, one could see it was packed with steel ball bearings, shrapnel, and even chemical poison gas. Upon detonation, its lethality derived entirely from these high-velocity projectiles, followed by the highly toxic residue. This detail immediately proved Fang Senyan's concern to be needless worry, as the bomb relied entirely on the kinetic impact from fragmentation for lethality, not a blast wave. Therefore, there was absolutely no danger of a structural collapse.

Before Fang Senyan could reply, Zi flicked her wrist, snatching the automatic rifle from the nearby guard, and aimed it at both Fang Senyan and Reef, pulling the trigger! The da-da-da sound of bullets hitting Reef and Fang Senyan rang out. Yet, they both stood there unaffected. Zi then contemptuously snapped the automatic rifle in half with a crisp "kacha," sneering: "Your so-called invincible bombs are a joke to us! As for the poison gas, what do you think gas masks are for?"

Watching Reef and Fang Senyan casually shake their hands, effortlessly flicking off the deformed, twisted warheads that clattered onto the floor. The assistant was already slack-jawed, though he stubbornly tried to hold his ground: "Did you think the Sower system only had one method of attack? We have electrical traps, flame jets that instantly raise the temperature to seven thousand degrees, lethal decoys..."

The assistant stopped mid-sentence because Kurutguo appeared. He immediately began demonstrating his specialized digging talent, carving a smooth, deep hole three to four meters into the adjacent wall in just two or three seconds. Fang Senyan stated calmly: "Is being fifty meters underground truly safe? The Sower system might be powerful, but why should I travel through the area it controls? A distance of fifty meters is enough for ten minutes of tunneling."

The assistant stared blankly for a moment, then, opening his mouth, insisted stubbornly: "We can install ten units, a hundred Sower systems—Ouch!"

Dr. W had already slapped him sharply on the neck and ordered the surrounding guards: "I think Vice Researcher He needs to calm down. Send him to a psychiatrist for treatment; he can return after a week-long course." "How dare you treat me like this! You bastard," Vice Researcher He immediately shouted. "My father is XX—you dare confine me?"

Listening to the obnoxious shouting fade away, Fang Senyan and his group felt the urge to swat away a persistent fly. Dr. W then turned seriously to Fang Senyan’s team: "I truly don't have much time to waste, so I entrust the safety of the experiment to you all. I trust Mr. G, and therefore I trust the people he recommended. Li, you will coordinate next and transfer the highest defense authorization to this Sailor here."

After speaking, Dr. W turned and left rather impolitely. Only then did his slightly stooped back reveal his clear exhaustion. His bloodshot eyes, spreading stubble, and tightly furrowed brow all indicated he hadn't slept properly in who knows how long. His weariness was palpable, inside and out.

Li, standing nearby in a sharp Major's uniform, looked silently at Dr. W's receding back for a moment before apologizing to Fang Senyan and the others: "Please forgive him. Dr. W’s situation is unique, so time is precious to him."

Respect entered Fang Senyan’s eyes: "Dr. W must be in the late stages of liver cancer, right? While standing there, he pressed his palm against his liver four times. A person of his standing wouldn't lack access to high-grade painkillers. Only the agony of cancer makes most painkillers ineffective."

Li looked at Fang Senyan with surprise, then nodded: "You are correct. The doctor estimates Dr. W has, at most, one week left."

Sanzai couldn't help but interject: "Since he's in that condition, why not use unconventional medication?" The so-called unconventional medications were those banned drugs, which, in fact, were almost all developed originally for anesthesia and pain relief.

Li sighed: "We have tried. But after using it once, Dr. W flatly refused. This drug doesn't help his health; although it alleviates the pain, it interferes with his thoughts while active. Dr. W knows he doesn't have time to waste, so he chooses to think despite the intense pain!"

"For their loved ones, people often unleash astonishing strength at critical moments," Reef sighed as well.

Li turned back and led them toward the defense control room, leaving behind a sigh: "But Dr. W has never married, and he’s an only child; he barely has any relatives or friends..."

The desolate plain stretched out, with thick clouds pressing low overhead. The wind carried grit and dried roots that stung the face, stubbornly grazing the corners of the mouth, making one taste the characteristic saltiness and astring