Godslayer: Reincarnated with SSS Rank Cultivation System-Chapter 75: Trial by Fire

As Wen Ran stepped into the room, a surge of intense fire energy slammed into him, the heat searing his skin. A sharp pain shot through his body, but it was not overwhelming—his body, tempered by countless trials, withstood it. However, the vastness of the room immediately struck him as strange. Am I inside an array? What is this place? He glanced around, his eyes scanning every corner, but there seemed to be no boundary to this space. It stretched endlessly in all directions.

He knew well that some high-level spirit arrays were capable of containing a small world within, but even so, Wen Ran found it difficult to believe that such a treasure could exist in this world. After all, this was a world he had once thought was in decline. Yet, the longer he spent here, the more he realized how far from his initial assumption that truth lay. This world was far from the broken realm he had once imagined. The only true weakness lay in the Fang clan, whose power was so pitiful that even a rookie in the Spirit Gathering Stage could wipe them out without breaking a sweat.

Suddenly, an overwhelming, ancient voice resonated through the vast space, its power causing the very air to tremble. "Welcome, junior. You have been chosen by the sect master to become my disciple. And no, you cannot refuse. I see that look in your eyes," the voice declared, the words carrying an undeniable weight.

Wen Ran was momentarily stunned. Who was this enigmatic figure? And why had he, of all people, been selected to be their disciple? The audacity of it was almost beyond belief. Forcing someone into a disciple relationship was the height of arrogance. Still, Wen Ran’s expression remained composed. For now, I’ll play along. If there’s something to be gained, then I shall find it. After all, benefits are what matter most to me.

"Junior Wen Ran humbly greets the senior," he said, his voice steady as he bowed deeply, his fists respectfully cupped before him. His gaze remained focused, but a flicker of curiosity danced in his eyes. "If it is not too bold, may I inquire why I was chosen specifically to be your disciple? Surely, there must be a reason behind this decision. I trust I am correct in that assumption?"

A booming laugh echoed from the ancient voice. "Haha, you truly are just as the rumors say. Very well, I will tell you, but you must first pass my trial. If you succeed, not only will I allow you to refuse my teachings if you so wish, but I will also grant you a medicinal pill to aid your cultivation and even enhance your worthless spirit root. How does that sound?"

Wen Ran’s ears immediately perked up at the mention of the spirit root. If someone were to observe him in that moment, they might swear he had sprouted a pair of fox-like ears in his excitement.

"Senior must be joking," Wen Ran replied, his tone smooth, though a gleam of amusement flashed in his eyes. "How could I possibly refuse such a master and such an offer? I will gladly accept your trial. But, if I may ask, what happens if I fail?"

"You will die," the man’s voice rang out, tinged with a chuckle. In an instant, the dark room—once illuminated only by faint flames in the distance—transformed into a raging inferno. Beneath Wen Ran’s feet, the ground shifted, revealing a massive volcano, its molten heart boiling with heat. He found himself standing on a single stone slab, the door behind him dissolving into the abyss. Panic rose within him as he realized he was trapped. The only path forward was a narrow, brightly lit trail, leading into the ominous unknown. The sky above, a vast expanse of darkness, was dotted with stars—further proof that Wen Ran was truly in a pocket dimension, a world contained within a world.

To hell with this... what the hell... Wen Ran’s mind raced, frustration bubbling up as he cursed inwardly. He longed to hunt down that senior and make him regret this twisted trial. Who in their right mind would leave a junior in the heart of a volcano like this? His gaze swept the path ahead, which seemed to ascend the volcano’s sheer wall. The way was fraught with peril—obstacles scattered along the way and a towering fire wall blocking his path. Strange symbols were inscribed upon it, but from this distance, Wen Ran couldn’t decipher their meaning.

"You have the time it takes to burn two incense sticks to escape this place," the voice echoed, its tone playful yet chilling. "I will be waiting for you at the top." With that, the voice faded into the void, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake.

Suddenly, two enormous incense sticks appeared in the air, materializing out of nothing. They hung suspended, their thick, twisted forms swaying gently in the unseen breeze. One of them ignited, its flame flickering to life, signaling the start of the trial.

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Wen Ran cursed his fate, his teeth grinding in frustration. Damn it... His mind burned with resentment as he cursed the system for bringing him here, and the sect for dragging him into this madness. Ever since his arrival, rest had been a distant dream—only torture and trials had been his companions. His body was weary, drained by exhaustion, and his stomach growled with hunger. Worse still, there had been no new system notifications, leaving him on edge, wary of the moment when it would spring another absurd quest on him. When I get out of here, I’ll find Luo Feng and feed him to the wolves. That bastard tricked me into this! That bath... it was nothing but a pitiful attempt to placate me once the trial was over...

Meanwhile, far from Wen Ran’s fury, Luo Feng strolled casually through the city, but suddenly, a cold shiver shot up his spine. It was as if an unseen, malevolent force had fixed its gaze on him, a demonic presence watching from the shadows. His heart faltered. "I better get out of here," he muttered under his breath, his steps quickening. "Wen Ran must be cursing me to death right now..."