"Gene evolution potion?" Yan Qing sensed that this must be crucial information. "Could it be the tonic that the sanatorium gives to the patients?"

If that's the case, then it's almost certain that this sanatorium is actually an underground laboratory specifically set up to research this so-called "gene evolution drug."

The news that Jin Zijie revealed was too explosive, so out of caution, the two decided to keep it a secret for now.

"However, you'd better protect me tonight. The nights in this sanatorium are practically hell for the patients." Jin Zijie rarely put aside his pride and took the initiative to plead with her.

Yan Qing naturally agreed; in the dungeon, each lost companion increased the difficulty of her own progress. However, she was quite curious...

"I remember the 'Patient Rules' mentioned that patients are free to move around after 11 p.m., right? What kind of danger are you referring to?"

Jin Zijie gave a wry smile. "Dr. Yan, there's something you've probably noticed. Although there are many rules in this five-star instance of the sanatorium, the minor rules must ultimately obey the major rules. And among them, the 'Wenshan Sanatorium Rules' are the highest level—so you should understand my situation, right?"

Upon his reminder, Yan Qing instantly realized the first rule of the "Wenshan Sanatorium":

Free time at Wenshan Sanatorium is from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Outside of these times, a curfew is in effect, and only doctors and nurses on duty are allowed to move around freely.

Ah, I see. She finally understood. Once adventurers were given the identity of patients, it was like falling into a deep pit. Even the rules for patients couldn't protect them.

Although the "Patient Rules" stipulate that patients have free time after 11 p.m., this time happens to be the curfew at Wenshan Sanatorium, during which no one except doctors and nurses is allowed to move around freely.

In other words, patients have no time to rest and are not protected 24 hours a day.

The first rule of the "Patient Rules," seemingly designed to protect patients, is actually a death knell for them. Once patients are allowed free movement after 11 p.m., breaking the rules will likely result in your death.

No wonder so many patients died in just one night! The truth is...

From that moment on, her opinion of Jin Zijie completely changed. He was incredibly meticulous! Moreover, he was extremely quick-witted and knew how to maximize his chances of survival.

Yan Qing agreed to join forces with him without hesitation. To show her goodwill, she directly gave Jin Zijie the 20 milliliters of diluted gold water.

"If you drink this in a critical moment, it can at least save your life."

Jin Zijie nodded gratefully to her and carefully placed the small bottle close to his body. His contamination was still under control; drinking it now would be a waste. It had to be used in a critical moment.

Yan Qing watched his actions and nodded to herself. This Jin Zijie was indeed brave and resourceful.

Jin Zijie finished packing his things and began to tell her about the evening at the sanatorium:

"Yesterday was the first day, and out of caution, I didn't leave my room. After 11 p.m., quite a few people did sneak out, but none of them came back."

He also found it strange, "The two people in the next ward went out together and never came back. Strangely, I didn't hear anyone cry for help; the corridor outside was always deathly quiet."

Something suddenly occurred to Yan Qing, and she asked impatiently, "Are you sure there wasn't a single sign of struggle outside?"

Jin Zijie shook his head, very certain.

Yan Qing recalled what Zheng Na, the strange doctor who seemed to have lost her heart, had said during yesterday's shift change. She had mentioned that there was a protective barrier here, meant to protect the doctors and nurses.

Furthermore, it was specifically mentioned that this barrier was related to Doctor Mu Yang.

This led her to a very bold conjecture: there must be more than one barrier inside this sanatorium building.

The word "barrier" was coined by Zheng Na. Based on Yan Qing's personal speculation, she was more inclined to believe that some kind of spatial distortion or folding had occurred here. Those patients who went out at night must have disappeared into some chaotic space.

Based on what the head nurse said, since she was so certain that all the "patients" had been discharged, it means that these patients should have all died as soon as they entered this chaotic space.

She shared her thoughts with Jin Zijie, and to her surprise, he highly agreed with them. After all, as a witness who had personally witnessed many people disappearing at the same time the previous night, he knew more.

To disappear without a trace is something no one could easily do, let alone these disorganized college students. It seems the truth is not far off.

Moreover, Yan Qing's guess gave him a reminder, and Jin Zijie recalled a detail that he had almost overlooked yesterday.

"What? You mean you saw Chen Qi suddenly appear last night, and then mysteriously disappear again? And Dr. Mu Yang was there too?"

Yan Qing's shock was absolutely genuine; Jin Zijie's news was simply too important.

"Jin Zijie, could you please be more specific? Don't miss a single detail!"

Yan Qing's expression was very serious, and Jin Zijie sensed it too; there was definitely something wrong with these two. So he thought it through carefully, then dipped his brush in water and started drawing on the ground.

"I remember there was a white door at this location. The two of them came out from through that white door, around 11:30 p.m.

Jin Zijie drew a straight line leading towards the elevator. "Both of them were wearing white protective suits, the kind ordinary guards wear. Dr. Mu seemed to be holding a long syringe, containing the white medicine we give our patients, but—"

He became a little uncertain, so Yan Qing quickly assured him, "Don't worry, just tell me what you see. I need your guesses."

Jin Zijie then added uncertainly, "I don't know if I'm seeing things, but the white medicine in Dr. Mu's hand seems a little different from what we drink. The color of the medicine seems to have some kind of metallic sheen, which flashed by, and I'm not sure if I'm just seeing things."

Yan Qing looked at the route he had drawn; further in, it would be out of Jin Zijie's sight. However, this place was very close to the fire escape, so it was hard for her not to think of the same thing.

"Did you see them come back?" Yan Qing added.