Cultivation Chaos: Superheroes In The Realm Of Immorals

Argh!

Spark let out a groan of pain, his mind foggy, his thoughts slowed to a crawl. All he could process were the sharp jolts of agony that came with every slight movement.

It took several minutes before he fully came to as his memories of wha happened previously came rushing in like a tide. A blinding light erupted in his vision the moment he cracked his eyes open — a crystal lamp dangling from the ceiling above his head. What the hell?

Suddenly, he realized he couldn't move. His arms, legs, and neck were clamped down to a metal table-like structure.

Whoever had done this was vicious. As These clamps weren't ordinary restraints. The metal surfaces pressing into his skin weren't smooth — instead they were jagged, lined with nine-inch nail-like protrusions.

They dug mercilessly into his flesh, scraping bone at the slightest movement. At least now he knew the source of those sudden jolts of pain.

Spark's breath hitched, veins bulging as fury surged. Who dared treat him like this? Like a lab rat? Whoever they were, he would make them beg for death — and deny them even that. He would be their nightmare.

As vengeful thoughts burned in his mind, he reached for his output, ready to decimate the shackles. But his heart turned cold suddenly at the response he got.

He could still sense his abilities working, but whenever his internal energy moved, the protrusions in his skin devoured it instantly. No matter how much or how fast he channeled, the metal always reacted first. He understood then — these restraints weren't just for pain only.

They were designed to nullify him.

Worse, the juts impaled his vocal cords. He couldn't speak. He couldn't scream.

This helpless, fragile state reminded him of that humiliating moment with the sect masters not long ago. He had promised himself never to be this powerless again. And yet here I am, he scoffed inwardly, gritting his teeth. From the clues so far, he was certain — he had been captured by the Seekers.

Creak!

The sound of a door opening rang in his twitching ears. Instinctively, he tried to sit up — and paid dearly for it. The protrusions dug deeper, their rough tips scraping his marrow harshly.

Grhhh!

He grunted uncontrollably from the agony of the experience.

An amused voice rang out. "Oh? You're awake? Interesting. That's earlier than estimated, interesting."

A figure in azure robes, messy hair, and crumpled skin came into view, as the man walked over then hunched over to stare him in the eye.

Seeing the rancor smoldering in Spark's sapphire gaze, the man chuckled, as though amused. "A feisty one, I see. Well, that won't last long. They always break sooner or later…"

Straightening his posture, the man scratched his head awkwardly as he continued. "Or maybe you'll be different. I don't know." he ended with a shrug.

He stepped briskly out of Spark's line of sight, though his voice still carried clearly.

"You see, I pride myself as a scholar pursuing the peak of knowledge. Forcing a subject against his will? I find that quite… whats the word? barbaric, yes. Barbaric in nature.

So I'll give you a chance. Join my cause. Assist me on the path of creating the ultimate creature. Naturally, you'll gain benefits. Who knows? After I correct my flawed human body, I might even help you shed your innate flaws as well."

As the man spoke his voice grew more fanatical with each word.

Spark grimaced in horror and realization. Holy shit. I've been captured by a lunatic. A chill crept down his spine at the thought, this was the worst possible scenario he could think of.

Suddenly the voice rang out once more this time eerily soothing.

"I'm going to release your vocal cords so you can talk…"

The sound of clinking rang out. Spark felt sudden relief in his throat as the jut piercing his vocal region retracted, though the rest of his body remained bound.

"So, what's your answer?" The man's excited face popped back into view, eyes gleaming with optimism and expectation.

The closer the face came, the stronger Spark's revulsion grew. His eyes twitched. He knew what he was about to do wasn't smart — but he did it anyway. Unfortunately for this lunatic, Spark was insane in his own way also.

Ptuui!

A wet splat rang out as Spark's bloody saliva splashed across the man's face.

The man's smile froze. His expression darkened, growing colder and colder by the second.

But instead of the furious outburst Spark expected, the man simply turned around and walked away, picked up a cloth by the corner, and wiped his face clean. When he turned back, his expression was stoic.

Spark's frown deepened. If this man had been the type to lose control easily, Spark would have felt assured. But this? A lunatic with self-control was the most dangerous kind of all.

The man's voice, now frigid, rang ominously in Spark's ears.

"The gates of heaven were swung wide open, but you chose to walk the narrow path to hell.

I planned to treat you as a partner, striving for perfection together."

His voice carried disappointment, followed by a sigh. Then it hardened.

"I offered you something good, and you refused. Now I can only change hands and be brutal.

Make no mistake — I take no pleasure in barbarity. But what can I do? You forced my hand. You left me no choice."

A familiar clinking rang out and...

Grrrghhh!

Spark groaned in agony as the protrusions pierced back into place, somehow this time they aimed to go deeper than before, crimson blood pooled as his grunts were finally silent as he was reverted back into a mute.

The man shook his head in disappointment once more, tone cold. "My name is Lu Ming. You should at least know the name of the man you'll be cursing… for a very long time.

Cause you see, I have no intentions of letting you go ever, well not alive at least.

So let's start with the first question. Where are you from?"