Godslayer: Reincarnated with SSS Rank Cultivation System-Chapter 153: A Distant Memory

"What a life..." Wen Ran sighed deeply, his breath escaping like a fading whisper. With careful steps, mindful not to disturb his master in case he was asleep, Wen Ran ventured deeper into the cave.

There, tucked in the corner, lay his master. His ragged body was barely holding together, each shallow breath a reminder of his fragile state. His face, once sharp and dignified, now looked pale and sunken, his skin stretched thin over his weakening frame.

Seems like he didn't notice me… this old fool... Wen Ran thought bitterly.

His legs gave out beneath him, and he slumped to the ground. His body felt like it was on the verge of collapse, every fiber stretched to its limit — as though his muscles, bones, and veins were barely holding together. Each breath was sharp and strained, and the dull ache pulsing through his body threatened to rip him apart if he moved even a fraction more.

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This is not good... Wen Ran's thoughts felt sluggish. But with some recovery, I'll be back on my feet. Half a day... that's all I'll need...

He exhaled heavily, his tired gaze lingering on his unconscious master. Rushing the pill now would only increase the chances of failure… better to rest first...

His heavy eyelids drooped shut, and the tension in his body slowly faded. His breath steadied, his mind drifting away, and before he knew it, he had slipped into a restless, dreamless sleep — one that brought neither comfort nor peace.

- - - - -

"Ran-ge! Look at what I've found!" A young boy, no older than six or seven, came sprinting across a field, his face bright with excitement. In his small hands, he clutched a squirming purple frog.

The surroundings were breathtaking — endless fields of vibrant green stretched far and wide, while towering mountains pierced the sky in the distance. The sun hung high above, casting a warm golden glow across the land, and a few fluffy white clouds drifted lazily overhead. The entire place seemed to hum with an immortal aura — serene, calm, and untouched, like a paradise removed from the mortal world.

Leaning against a sturdy tree was a young man dressed in spotless white robes that carried the refined aura of a scholar. A flute rested loosely in his hand, though he barely touched it now. The moment he heard the boy's voice, his face lit up like a million suns.

"Watch yourself, you little brat," the young man chuckled, eyes crinkling with amusement.

But the boy's excitement got the better of him, and before he could stop himself, his foot caught on a rock. With a startled yelp, he tripped and hit the dirt face-first, sending the purple frog flying from his hands. His once-pristine white clothes were now smeared with dirt and streaks of green grass.

"Ah?! My Amethyst Warden Frog!" the boy cried out, scrambling to his feet in a panic, his wide eyes brimming with tears. Meanwhile, the young man erupted with laughter, clutching his stomach as he watched the boy frantically chase after the frog.

"Xiao Zhi," he called between fits of laughter, "Mom's going to kill you when she sees your brand-new clothes, hahaha!"

The boy froze, his expression shifting from panic to horror. His teary eyes narrowed, and his soft, round cheeks puffed up like an angry hamster trying to pout.

"Ran-ge, please! Catch it for me!" Xiao Zhi demanded, stomping his foot. "If you bully me again, I'll tell Dad to beat you black and blue! Hmph!"

Wiping a tear of laughter from his eye, the young man let out a sigh, slowly rising to his feet. "Fine, fine… no more teasing." With a single step, his body vanished — like he had never existed in the first place.

Moments later, the wind whispered through the grass, and Wen Ran reappeared right before Xiao Zhi, kneeling down and ruffling the boy's hair.

"Now, now, Xiao Zhi," he said softly, his warm smile as gentle as a spring breeze, "Don't be angry at your big brother. I won't bully you anymore... I promise."

As he extended his hand, the small purple frog rested quietly in his palm. Despite its powerful aura — one that radiated the strength of a Heavenly Ascension cultivator — the frog seemed powerless in Wen Ran's grip, like a helpless cricket unable to escape.

"You promise?" Xiao Zhi sniffled, wiping away his tears. His smile bloomed like a morning flower as he snatched the frog back and hugged it tightly against his chest. "So that means you'll also protect me from Mom?" His voice turned sheepish, as if his messy clothes weren't entirely his fault.

But Wen Ran's smile faltered, and his gaze softened. Without a word, he gave Xiao Zhi one last pat on the head before his body flickered and disappeared once again — like a fleeting shadow.

"Y-you…!" Xiao Zhi stammered, gripping the frog tightly in his arms. For a moment, panic flickered in his eyes, but his grip was firm — far stronger than any ordinary boy his age should possess. The sheer strength behind his tiny hands was no weaker than the frog's own formidable power. Perhaps even greater.

"Mom's going to kill me…" Xiao Zhi muttered, glancing down at his filthy clothes.

But then he smiled — a small, genuine smile that made his earlier frustration melt away.

"At least I got to spend some time with Ran-ge…" He giggled happily and ran off, holding the frog high above his head like a prized treasure for the whole world to see.

- - - - -

Suddenly, Wen Ran's eyes snapped open. His breath hitched, and before he could fully process it, a single tear traced a slow path down his cheek. He instinctively wiped it away, yet the lingering sadness remained — heavy, suffocating, and bitter.

The warm glow of morning sunlight streamed into the cave, painting the cold stone walls with soft gold. The crisp scent of dawn lingered in the air — fresh and calming, yet somehow distant, like a memory slipping just out of reach.

Wen Ran sat there in silence, his gaze heavy with unspoken pain. He clenched his fist tightly, nails digging into his palm as frustration simmered beneath the surface.

I'll most likely never fully understand him... or how he turned out that way... His thoughts weighed on him like a stone in his chest.

Just wait for me, Xiao Zhi... Determination flared in his eyes, burning brighter than ever before. I'll let you reunite with your parents soon... They probably miss you a lot...

His fingers tightened further, the dull ache grounding him in reality.