A cold, damp atmosphere enveloped Hiruko, while a nauseatingly sweet, rancid smell crept into his nostrils.
He found himself in a dim laboratory. Cold metal operating tables glimmered faintly, and all manner of strange instruments flashed with icy light in the shadows.
A smiling young man stood before him. It was Haotian.
"Welcome to my laboratory, Mr. Hiruko." Haotian wore a genial smile, but his voice was as cold as a snake's hiss.
"Your contribution will leave a lasting mark on my research."
Hiruko was shocked and furious. He recognized this place—it was the bizarre space that had swallowed him earlier!
"Haotian! What are you trying to do?!" he roared. His voice echoed through the empty laboratory, but no answer came.
Haotian merely smiled and swiftly formed hand seals.
A strange surge of chakra instantly enveloped Hiruko. The cancer cells inside him awakened like wild beasts, growing and spreading furiously as they devoured his flesh.
A wave of excruciating pain swept over him. Hiruko felt as if his body were about to be torn to pieces.
He struggled and roared in agony, but he couldn't stop the cancer cells from devouring him.
His skin began to ulcerate, his muscles began to dissolve, and his bones began to deform.
" Aaaaaah!" Hiruko's scream echoed through the laboratory, shrill and despairing.
He watched helplessly as his body became a writhing lump of flesh. His consciousness gradually blurred, and the world sank into darkness.
Haotian watched it all with keen interest, excitement glimmering in his eyes.
"What an... interesting test subject..." he murmured, reaching out to gently touch the writhing mass of flesh...
Haotian took out a sharp scalpel and lightly cut into the bloody tissue. With a hint of curiosity and excitement, he sliced off a small piece and placed it in