NOVEL NEXT Chapter 53: The Seekers
Just after a few weeks of residing in Tianxue Jingjie, Spark's control over energy, force, and his abilities had grown by leaps and bounds.
His recent breakthrough had further boosted his prowess — all of which came into play when he delivered that punch. Though the punch looked simple, the complexity contained in the energy usage was deep and intricate.
Right now, Spark was finally at a level where he could face Slade head-on and not be at a disadvantage — both in raw physical might and control of force.
Spark stood silently under the astonished gazes of the four. Bao'er's gaze, which previously glanced at him with cold disdain, had suddenly changed — she now looked at him with interest.
"Wait, brother… you don't know about the Seekers?" Lei Yu asked in confusion. Information about the Seekers, though hidden from the public, was common knowledge among disciples of mortal sects and even members of royal families across the mortal nations.
So he found it strange that Spark wouldn't know about them. He had assumed Spark was from a martial sect. Could he be wrong?
Spark just smiled wryly in response…
Deciding not to pry further, Lei Yu began explaining. "Many people believe the only powers ruling the mortal lands are the mortal nations, the Essence Weaving sects, and martial sects…
But the truth is that aside from these few, there is one more group — just as powerful, if not more. They are called the Seekers."
Spark listened with rapt interest, then asked, "Wait… are you saying that apart from the obvious two, there's one more cultivation path in the mortal realms?"
Lei Yu shook his head. "No. They are not cultivators…"
"They are vile heretics who walk an abominable path," Zhao Mu spat disdainfully.
Zhao Mei helped explain, her tender voice ringing out. "They are a group of scholars who study and research various aspects of reality. Some study the body and genes, some study mechanics, and many more."
After hearing this explanation, Spark's expression turned weird. Wait… aren't they just scientists? Is being a scientist in this world heresy by default?
Seeing Spark's confused visage, Zhao Mu seemed to understand what he was thinking. "Brother, it's not the path they walk that earned them the label — it's how they walk it."
"Those despicable bastards are famous for kidnapping humans for testing, creating inhuman abominations. Sometimes these humans don't survive, and even those who do become something neither human nor spirit beast." Zhao Mu gestured toward the bloodied remains of the monsters that had approached them earlier.
Zhao Mei's lips curled in disgust as she continued. "They call themselves revolutionists, preaching that they wish to bring out the true potential of humankind. But when it comes down to it, their actions are so vile and abominable that the mortal sects couldn't bear to watch."
Lei Yu nodded helplessly. "Any time they're caught, they never admit to wrongdoing. They only claim they wish to help humanity reach its full potential."
Spark finally nodded in understanding, his expression growing grim.
If these Seekers were as they said, he was in grave danger. After all, Spark wasn't a man of this world — he was not a cultivator, but he wielded powers beyond mortal capabilities. In such a situation, Spark would be akin to a wet-dream come true for these people.
He shivered at the thought of being dissected and researched on. He had to escape — and fast.
Just as he had this thought, Bao'er yelped in alarm, drawing his attention.
From the distance, a dark tide of shadows could be seen looming closer. To make things worse, the past-like remains of their previous attackers began wriggling — their meaty remains stitching themselves back together.
"Get ready to defend! Mei, go help us look for a safe place to hide… we only need to draw this out. I'm sure my grandfather will be coming to check on us soon," Bao'er yelled, wielding the plus-sized axe behind her, ready for battle.
Zhao Mei nodded sharply. Unlike the rest, she wasn't suited for battle, so sending her to find a hideout was wise — that was the best she could do at this moment. Fortunately, thanks to her psychic connection to her brother, she could alert them the moment she found one.
A silver ring on Lei Yu's finger glowed as space warped, spitting out three sets of metallic balls that defied gravity by floating mid-air.
From Zhao Mu's side, a long sword appeared in his hands as he quickly got into a stance — his blade ready to taste blood.
Very quickly, the looming horde was already in sight. The abominable chimeras marched rabidly toward them, struggling and lunging toward what they perceived as prey.
As the others had said, these monsters were neither spirit beasts nor human. With coarse features of various beasts melded together, some had human faces with spider legs and eagle wings. Others had lion heads, snake bodies, and a human leg as a tail.
These chimeras were random and eerie — they brought with them a fetid smell of decay and death.
The moment the first beast stepped into range, Bao'er's axe arced as energy strings formed from mid-air. These strings, attracted to the axe, burst into motion and gathered onto the metal blade, intertwining and weaving themselves into various runic lines.
Following this, the weapon was suddenly engulfed by purgatory-like flames. But these flames didn't burn the weapon — no, they only bolstered its attack capabilities.
The axe cleaved, slicing right through a chimera with ease. Bao'er's figure moved with such grace and beauty, it could only be described as a dance. Her mighty axe was wielded with such ease, one would wonder if it was truly heavy.
Each strike she delivered caused the monster to be engulfed in runic flame, reducing it to immediate cinders — killing it and leaving no chance for regeneration.
Lei Yu and Zhao Mu didn't fall behind either. With countless energy strings coming to life around them, they were granted different abilities. Lei Yu's figure became coated in electric sparks.
As energy strings wrapped around all three metallic balls floating mid-air, anchoring them to his fingers, an immense amount of voltage traveled through the connection. The balls hummed with static.
The high-voltage current ensured anything hit by the metal balls when swung would be instantly burnt to a crisp on contact. Lei Yu's dexterity and finger control were unparalleled as he wielded his unique weapons with finesse — decimating all chimeras around him.
And finally, there was Zhao Mu. Unlike the others, the energy strings in full bloom around him didn't coalesce into his weapon. Instead, they weaved themselves into a humanoid figure that floated behind him.
An ethereal figure of what seemed to be a Buddha, sitting in a meditative position with hands clasped together. It had two heads — the one on the left crying, and the one on the right laughing.
The lips of the figure moved as ancient chants and holy hymns rang out. The figure radiated a holy cadence, which Zhao Mu mirrored. With every cleave of his sword, his enemy was engulfed by a surge of holy light — leaving nothing behind. No corpse. No ashes. Just nothing.
Spark watched the trio from behind, entranced, as he screamed inwardly, So cool!
Right then and there, his determination to become an Essence Weaver surged to an all time high.