Strongest Maniac: Born in an Asylum

March 6th.

Clear Skies!

It was another beautiful day. On the green lawn, a group of mental patients, yearning for freedom and chasing their dreams, gathered together. Some ran with joyous abandon, some recited poetry, while others spoke slowly to the trees, discussing natural philosophy.

Leo and Walter, however, were lying side-by-side on their stomachs, their butts pointed towards the sky. No one knew what they were doing; it was as if they were discussing some monumental secret.

"Look how amazing ants are," Walter said. "No matter how far they stray from home, they always remember the way back."

He picked up an ant that was climbing towards its nest and placed it far away. He then watched as the ant, after landing, scurried quickly back towards its home. Just as it was about to reach the entrance again, Walter picked it up and placed it far away once more.

The Ant: You monster! You've gone too far!

"It really is amazing," Leo said calmly.

"This is a discovery I made from my research last time," Walter said, beaming with pride.

"I'm going to go cultivate now. You can watch them yourself," Leo said.

"Is it electro-therapy?" Walter asked.

"No. The current from the outlets can no longer satisfy me. I need to practice Qi Gong," Leo replied. He believed the Qi cultivation method he had learned in his dreams was very powerful, and he needed to study it seriously. It was just like how Walter studied acupuncture, constantly improving, eventually developing his Half-Step Cosmic Circulation Technique.

"Leo, I know a place with really powerful electro-therapy. Do you want to know where?"

Walter glanced around furtively. After confirming that none of the "bad people" were nearby, he whispered, lowering his voice. They already looked suspicious hunched over like that, but his conspiratorial tone made them look even more furtive.

To the orderlies, their main responsibility was to watch the patients, prevent them from doing anything dangerous, and stop any fights from breaking out. Fights among the patients tended to be sudden and for the strangest of reasons, reasons that were hard for a sane person to comprehend.

"Where?" Leo asked curiously.

The outlets were fried, and the current was weak. It no longer had any effect on him. Many of his old cultivation methods had become useless, and he didn't know why. Maybe this was the result of his successful cultivation.

Walter quietly pointed to a high-voltage transformer box a hundred meters to their right.

"That thing right there. I've seen it on TV. The current there is the strongest. If you want, I can help you. I guarantee you'll get what you want."

"But before that, I think I need to give you some acupuncture. My Half-Step Cosmic Circulation Technique is very powerful."

Walter was completely dedicated to serving Leo. No one else believed Leo could cultivate, but he did. He could pound his chest and guarantee that he was the one who believed in him the most.

"Okay."

Leo gazed calmly at the high-voltage box in the distance. He really wanted to try it. The Electro-Shock Cultivation Method was viable; that was the conclusion he and Walter had come to after years of experimentation, a conclusion that had recently been proven true.

"But those bad people won't let me get close."

A fire burned within him. He hadn't noticed the high-voltage box before, but now that Walter had pointed it out, he was desperate to try it. Just a touch, maybe it would really work.

"Trust me, I have a good plan," Walter said, patting Leo's shoulder, his eyes firm. "You're my friend. I will do everything I can to help you. In a moment, I'll lead them away. When you have a chance, you climb up. But first, let me give you a few needles."

"Okay," Leo nodded.

He trusted Walter's acupuncture skills. It had been scientifically verified, and the effects were great. Every time, he would feel tingly and dizzy, and after waking up, he would feel wonderful. Others said it was dangerous, that it could kill someone, but he trusted Walter.

He wanted to tell those people... If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense.

Walter glanced furtively at the orderlies, who stood like stone statues in the distance. Then, he carefully took out his case of silver needles. He held a needle between his fingers and swiftly and decisively inserted it.

A moment later, Walter scratched his head.

"What's wrong?" Leo asked.

Walter pouted and said sadly, "I can't find the right spot."

"Just poke anywhere," Leo suggested.

Walter shook his head. "No. You're my friend. I have to be serious. I can't just poke anywhere. Oh! I found it! This spot really bothers me. This is it!"

With that, the final needle went in decisively.

"What do you feel?"

"Tingling."

"Anything else?"

"Sore."

"Anything else?"

"Dizzy."

"That's it! That's the effect of the Half-Step Cosmic Circulation Technique! I think it was a success. That last needle was the right one. According to my research, all the cells in your body have been activated. They will provide you with super strength."

Walter beamed, his smile radiant. He believed in Leo's cultivation method, and Leo believed in his acupuncture. It didn't matter if no one else believed. As long as his best friend believed in him, that was all that mattered.

Then, Walter removed the needles from Leo's body and carefully placed them back in their case. He then pointed at Leo's crotch. "I suggest you give me that thing for safekeeping. Otherwise, those bad people will definitely take it away."

Leo looked down at his crotch and pondered for a moment. "You have a point."

He unzipped his pants, took out the hidden small knife, and solemnly handed it to Walter. "You're my friend. I trust you to keep it safe."

"Mmm, I'll protect it well," Walter said, taking the knife with both hands. He then unzipped his own pants and tried to put the knife inside. "Hiss... that hurts a little." He took the knife out. "Maybe it's better to put it in my chest pocket."

"Watch me."

Walter stood up. He looked at the motionless orderlies around them and walked towards one who was standing with his arms crossed. He stood in front of the man and stared at him with wide eyes.

This young male orderly was named Ned. He had large eyes. After graduating from college, he had entered the vast sea of commerce with a heart full of ambition, only to be scammed by his classmates, his girlfriend, and his best friends. He had lost everything and returned to Seaside City in disgrace. Through a family connection, he had become an orderly at Green Mountain Asylum.

Becoming an orderly was difficult. You had to be mentally stable, patient, sincere, and loving. He believed he could do it.

But...

SLAP!

Walter slapped Ned on the head. He then stared intently at Ned, his meaning clear: I'm provoking you. Don't you have any thoughts about that?

"You..."

Ned was about to ask what was wrong, but he caught himself. He remembered his training: be patient, be loving, no hitting or scolding, communicate well.

SLAP!

Walter slapped Ned on the head again. Then he crouched down and slapped Ned in the crotch.

"AH!"

Ned clutched his crotch, his face turning red. He saw Walter running away, laughing, and yelled, "Get him!"

The surrounding orderlies saw Walter having an episode and quickly surrounded him.

Leo watched as Walter was chased by a group of bad people, and he was moved to tears.

Walter, you're the best!