Wen Ran's gaze lingered on the gray robes, their rough fabric a constant reminder of his current status. He let out a silent sigh, bitterness clawing at his thoughts. From standing at the top to this—a lowly man, forced to endure humiliation just to survive. His lips twitched into a faint, humorless smile. If my brother could see me now…
The thought pierced his heart like a blade, dredging up emotions he had tried to bury. My brother... The path he chose severed the bond we once had. The next time we meet, it won't be as family—it will be as enemies.
His heart burned with sorrow and an unrelenting thirst for vengeance. Yet, deep inside, a flicker of affection lingered—a love he couldn't extinguish so easily. But forgiveness? No. That was a luxury Wen Ran refused to allow himself. Not after what he's done. Not after the countless lives he destroyed.
"Wen Ran, come on! Hurry up!"
Fang Jinyao's cheerful voice pulled Wen Ran out of his thoughts. He stepped out of the room, his face betraying nothing of the turmoil within as he followed her lead. She moved with a carefree energy, her golden hair flowing behind her like sunlight caught in motion. From the way she carried herself to the natural beauty that seemed to radiate from her, it was no surprise she could captivate those around her.
Even Wen Ran, with his cold and calculating heart, couldn't entirely deny her charm. Yet, compared to the goddess he had once encountered, her allure paled in comparison. Countless men had crumbled before the goddess's ethereal beauty, their minds clouded and their wills shattered. But Wen Ran was not like those men. His resolve was forged in fire, his heart a fortress of steel, impervious to the fleeting temptations of desire.
"Where do you think you're going, Jinyao?"
The thunderous voice reverberated through the corridor, freezing Fang Jinyao mid-step. It came from behind the heavy doors of a grand chamber, the oppressive tone alone enough to make the air tremble.
Her posture stiffened, fear flashing in her golden eyes. "Father, I—"
Before she could finish, a crushing pressure descended upon them. The air seemed to transform into an ocean, drowning them both in its suffocating weight. Wen Ran's knees buckled under the assault, but he refused to let them touch the ground. His teeth clenched, every fiber of his being straining to resist. I will not kneel. Not to him. Not to anyone.
Revealing his cultivation now would only complicate matters further, but submission wasn't an option. His resolve burned brighter than his fear, a defiance unyielding against the torrent of power.
Fang Jinyao fared better, though even she wasn't unaffected. Her golden aura flickered faintly, her knees bending slightly under the pressure, but her determination remained intact.
The heavy door creaked open. A tall man with flowing golden hair stepped into view, his very presence exuding authority. His sharp eyes swept over the two, his aura suffocating as it bore down on them.
The oppressive weight intensified. Wen Ran's muscles screamed in protest, sweat soaking his body, but he held firm.
"Good," the man said coldly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "At least your will isn't entirely pathetic, even if you are." His gaze locked onto Wen Ran with disdain. "Your father was a disgrace. It's no wonder he abandoned his crippled son for us to deal with."
Without warning, the man spat in Wen Ran's face.
"Father, do no—"
"Do no what?"
The sharp slap echoed through the hall. Fang Jinyao stumbled back, her cheek burning red from the force of the blow. Her golden eyes widened in shock, a single tear slipping free despite her effort to remain composed.
"Ah!" she screamed in pain, clutching her cheek as tears welled in her eyes. Yet the man before her remained unmoved, his face a mask of indifference. His piercing gaze shifted to Wen Ran, noticing his defiance. Despite the crushing pressure bearing down on him, Wen Ran was still not fully on his knees. The man's eyebrows twitched, surprised by the boy's resilience.
"Junior, you dare resist my pressure? Are you planning to defy the will of the heavens next? Such arrogance at such a young age." His tone dripped with mockery, yet his eyes blazed with anger. He stepped forward, pressing his hand against Wen Ran's head, forcing even greater pressure onto him. The invisible weight grew suffocating, testing the limits of Wen Ran's endurance.
Wen Ran gritted his teeth, veins bulging along his forehead as his body trembled under the strain. He was faced with a cruel choice: reveal his cultivation and risk certain death or endure the humiliation and live another day. His heart screamed in agony at the thought of submission, but his mind clung to the bitter truth—this was not the moment to fight.
Gritting his teeth, he let out a slow, shaky breath. His pride bled as he gave in, but he did so on his own terms. Instead of dropping to his knees, he mustered every ounce of strength he had and sank to the ground, landing on his butt.
"You piece of shit!" the man roared, his killing intent flaring like a raging inferno. He raised his hand, prepared to deliver the fatal blow.
"Father!" Fang Jinyao's sharp voice cut through the tension, her hand trembling as she lifted it to her throat. Her sharp nails pressed against the delicate skin of her neck, threatening to draw blood.
"If he dies, I die," she declared, her golden eyes burning with defiance. "Now, let us go, Father!"
"Tsk..." The man clicked his tongue in frustration, his fingers curling into a tight fist. His murderous intent radiated off him in waves, yet he hesitated. He couldn't let his daughter throw her life away so easily—not yet. Outwardly, he relented, but inside, his thoughts churned with dark schemes.
The oppressive pressure vanished, and Wen Ran inhaled deeply, his body trembling as he gasped for air. Sweat drenched his robes, clinging to his skin like a second layer.
"Get out of my sight," the man spat, waving them away dismissively. "And take your filthy dog with you. If I see him in this house again, I will kill him—and you—with my own hands. Even your great-grandfather won't be able to save you from me, that senile old bastard..."
He turned sharply, slamming the door with such force that the surrounding walls cracked, the sound echoing through the hallway.
"I'm sorry," Fang Jinyao whispered, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. Guilt weighed heavily on her. She regretted bringing Wen Ran into this house, but she hadn't known where else to take him.
"No need to apologize," Wen Ran said, his voice calm, though a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. "We'll talk later—somewhere private. For now, let's go before your great," he emphasized the word with a sharp tone, "father changes his mind."
The two of them stood in silence for a moment, gathering themselves. Fang Jinyao wiped her eyes, while Wen Ran adjusted his robes, his composure returning despite the humiliation he had just endured.
The morning sun was beginning to set as they stepped outside. The streets were alive with activity, merchants calling out their wares and pedestrians bustling about. The vibrant, magical city stretched out before them, its beauty a stark contrast to the turmoil in Wen Ran's heart.
He looked around, the sight stirring something deep within him. Memories of his hometown flickered to life, bringing a pang of longing. But those thoughts were quickly overshadowed by a new, more pressing concern.
[You have received a new quest:]
[Kill Fang Jinyao's father]
[Time limit: 5 days]
[Failure will result in death]
[Reward: Random]
Great... Wen Ran thought bitterly, his mind racing. Just what I needed.