Chapter 43
The plan was exposed.
These four cold words, like pre-programmed instructions, lit up calmly deep in Lin Yao's absolutely rational mind.
There was no panic, no surprise, only a sense of finality that "it's finally here".
Yes, he expected it.
From the moment he implanted the fragile "guidance anchor" into Lu Cheng's spiritual realm, he had calculated countless possibilities, including the worst one.
According to his deduction, when the truth comes out, his strength should at least recover to 30% or 40%.
Thirty to forty percent is enough for him to protect himself under the rules of this world, enough for him to calmly erase all traces, and even... have the ability to choose whether to continue this "game".
The reality was even better than expected. Source Crystal, Everfrost Core, Void Star Marrow, the roots of the Life Vine, the essence quietly absorbed in the dungeon… His strength had already recovered to a terrifying 70%.
In this world, SS-rank was legendary, S-rank was the pinnacle. Nearly 70% of the power of the "Old World's Top"... meant absolute crushing! It meant freedom of will! It meant that the exposure of one's identity was no longer a death warrant for "heretic purges," but simply... a variable that needed to be addressed.
He could even instantly activate soul control again under Lu Cheng's empty and desperate eyes.
This time, the mark will be indestructible, enough to cover up all the painful "truths" and reweave a more perfect and solid dream.
Lu Cheng will once again become his loyal and affectionate test subject, indulging in false happiness, and the "truth" will never come to light.
He can continue to enjoy the inexhaustible supply of fresh emotional material.
The icy calculation is completed in 0.6 seconds.
However, Lin Yao's body stood stiffly in place like a silver-haired puppet with its soul taken away. He did nothing.
He just stood there, enduring Lu Cheng's pain, anger and overwhelming hatred that was like a volcanic eruption.
The flames that shot out from those bloodshot eyes, the broken questions that rang out from the depths of his throat, the energy that slammed into the walls and furniture, and even nearly reached him... all of this violent outburst of emotions, like the most intense storm, violently impacted his senses.
What… remarkable material.
Lin Yao's cold core was running silently like the most sophisticated recorder.
He watched every inch of muscle on Lu Cheng's face twist, listened to every tone in his voice collapse, and felt the silent wail from the depths of his soul that was completely crushed.
The pain, the anger, the despair, the shame of being fooled, the vast emptiness after the collapse of faith... so intense! So pure! So... unprecedented! It was more real and shocking than any carefully designed experimental scene.
Like a scientist who was detached from the matter, he observed the specimens in the petri dish struggling violently due to the poison, and calmly recorded every detail of their dying.
The redness and swelling on his wrist ached slightly, and the rose petals scattered on the ground, like bloodstains, were glaring and ironic, but none of these could disturb the icy operation of his core.
Until Lu Cheng was exhausted, he collapsed in the mess as if all his bones were sucked out, leaving only heavy and broken breathing.
The door of the room was silently pushed open, and the guards sent by Lu Tianheng, with a solemn aura, rushed in silently.
They looked at Lu Cheng, who collapsed on the ground, with complicated expressions, and then locked their cold and wary gazes on Lin Yao.
"Mr. Lin Yao, the city lord invites you." The leader's voice was flat, with an unquestionable command.
Lin Yao remained motionless, like a machine without any instructions. He calmly, even with a hint of indifference, glanced at the guards, then allowed them to restrain his hands with specially crafted alloy shackles that could suppress the flow of energy.
He was taken away from this small house full of false sweet memories, and away from Lu Cheng, who was lying on the ground, as if abandoned by the world.
No resistance, no words.
…
The core area of City D, deep underground.
The cold, thick alloy walls that block all spiritual detection form a cage of absolute silence.
There were no windows here, only the pale light pouring down mercilessly from above, illuminating the cold metal torture chair in the center and the energy suppression device around the chair that was flickering with a faint blue light.
Lin Yao was strapped to the torture chair, the cold alloy restraints tightening around his wrists, ankles, and chest. He lowered his head, his silver hair covering most of his face, revealing only his delicate chin and tightly pursed, bloodless lips.
He was like a delicate puppet without a soul, unresponsive to everything around him.
Behind the interrogation table sat two serious-looking interrogators. One had a stern face and eyes as sharp as a hawk; the other appeared younger, but his brows also carried the weariness and coldness of long-term exposure to darkness.
"Lin Yao." The stern interrogator knocked on the table, his voice echoing in the silent room. "Name, age, true origin. The level and type of your supernatural power. What was your purpose in sneaking into City D, approaching Young City Lord Lu Cheng, and tampering with his memory? Who are your accomplices? Who is the mastermind behind this?"
A series of questions came out like cold bullets.
The only answer he got was dead silence.
The young interrogator frowned. "Listen, your previously registered identity has been revoked. You are now an undocumented refugee. The Civil Protection Act doesn't cover you! Continuing to remain silent will do you no good. We have the right to take necessary measures against you, including coercive measures! Do you understand?"
Lin Yao's head moved slightly, as if it was raised a little. His blue eyes looked at the interrogator calmly through the gaps in his silver hair.
There was no fear or anger in those eyes, only a bottomless void, as if he was looking at an inanimate object.
"Take action!" The rigid interrogator lost his patience and gave the order in a stern voice.
Two operators in protective suits stepped forward and applied several electrodes coated with cold mucus to Lin Yao's temples, neck, and chest. The circuits were connected to a flashing red console.
"Final warning, speak!" The young interrogator stared into Lin Yao's eyes.
Lin Yao's gaze wasn't even focused on him, it was still empty and void.
Buzz——!
A sharp beeping sound was heard, and the pointer on the console suddenly moved to the right. A powerful electric current instantly penetrated Lin Yao's body.
Swish!
His body suddenly straightened and bounced on the torture chair; it was as if it was being grasped and pulled by an invisible giant hand; every muscle was spasming and twitching violently and uncontrollably.
Bones creaked under the weight, and silver hair stood on end. That exquisite face twisted and distorted instantly, the blood vessels beneath the skin bulging hideously, a terrifying bluish-purple color.
Physiological saliva flowed uncontrollably from the corners of his mouth, and his eyeballs rolled upwards due to great pain, revealing a large area of horrifying whites.
The entire cell was filled with a faint smell of burnt flesh.
The current lasted for a full ten seconds!
The moment the current stopped, Lin Yao's body slammed back onto the torture chair like a puppet with its strings cut, making a heavy muffled sound.
He was breathing heavily, and sweat was pouring out from his forehead, temples, and neck like streams, instantly soaking his thin clothes.
The body was still twitching slightly uncontrollably, and every breath was accompanied by a tearing pain.
However, when he raised his head again, through the silver hair that was wet and stuck to his cheeks, his blue eyes were still calm. Like a bottomless pool after a storm, without a single ripple.
There was no pain, no anger, only a cold, absolute silence. It was as if the torture that had just happened, which would have caused an ordinary person to mentally collapse or even die, was just a breeze blowing across the water.
"No... Impossible..."
The young interrogator muttered incoherently, his face pale. "The voltage has been adjusted to the limit of human endurance. How could he..."
The rigid interrogator's face turned pale. He suddenly walked to the control console, roughly tore off a piece of electrode, and stuck it hard on his bare arm.
"Switch to Level 5!" he ordered through gritted teeth.
The operator hesitated, then pressed the button.
Buzz——!
Just a moment.
The rigid interrogator's body was struck by a sledgehammer, sending him flying backward. He slammed heavily against the cold alloy wall, then slid to the ground like a broken sack. His entire body convulsed violently, foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolled back, and a hoarse, involuntary sound emanated from his throat. He completely lost consciousness.
The cell was completely silent, with only the faint hum of the equipment and Lin Yao's gradually calming, steady breathing as the sound remained.
…
In the end, the interrogators, having gained nothing, transferred Lin Yao to the more secure core detention area with unspeakable horror and frustration.
This place is made of several thick layers of special alloys that can block SS-level mental detection, and the walls and floors are engraved with complex energy-suppressing runes.
All the guards wear specially made protective suits with embedded mental shielding materials and helmets that can monitor mental fluctuations in real time.
The air was filled with the cold smell of energy suppressants.
Lin Yao was roughly thrown into a small, unfurnished solitary cell. The heavy alloy door slammed shut behind him and locked with a dull thud.
Darkness swallowed everything in an instant.
He slid slowly down to the floor, leaning against the cold wall. His skin, burned by the electric shock, burned with intense pain. His muscles still ached from the excessive spasms, and every breath strained his damaged nerves.
But these physical pains were like the clearest coordinates at this moment, re-anchoring his cold rationality that had temporarily deviated from its track due to Lu Cheng's collapsed and desperate look!
He needs punishment.
Punishment for his foolish choice.
A punishment for letting himself go and indulging in that false warmth.
Punishment for ignoring his body's instinctive warnings.
Punishment for him... for allowing "emotions" to temporarily override absolute rationality!
Three months of electric shocks.
Once a day.
He wanted to use the most extreme physical pain that this body could feel to burn away the dangerous impurity called weakness deep in his soul.
He wanted every sharp pain from the electric current running through his body to become an unforgettable scar, reminding him of his true nature - absolute rationality, control over everything, and never sink into depravity!
In the darkness, Lin Yao slowly raised his head. Even in this absolute darkness, his icy blue eyes still clearly reflected the cold outline of the prison cell.
Pain…is medicine.
It will wash away all the dust that shouldn't be there.
He closed his eyes, like an ascetic in meditation, quietly waiting for tomorrow... the beginning of the self-salvation ceremony.
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