Godslayer: Reincarnated with SSS Rank Cultivation System

The system screen burned brightly in the dimly lit room, its glow casting shifting shadows on the walls. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on Wen Ran's shoulders, but deep in his heart, he already knew the answer. It was the only option that made sense, given his circumstances and how the system seemed to operate. He had pieced together the hints from previous quests, and the choice was clear.

"I choose the demonic path," he said, his tone flat and devoid of emotion. There was no hesitation, no regret.

[Is that truly what your heart desires?]

The sudden question made Wen Ran frown. What does it even know? he thought bitterly. After all, it was the one that forced me into a corner, presenting one good and one bad choice as if there was ever any real freedom in this decision.

"My heart only desires one thing," he said, his voice firm but edged with irritation. "And that's to slaughter the gods until none remain." His sharp eyes glinted as he continued, "No matter what path I must walk, I will fulfill that desire. Even if you demand I destroy the world or the universe itself, as long as you give me the power, I will do it without a second thought."

That single sentence seemed to make the world tremble. It was as if the heavens themselves had heard Wen Ran's declaration. The sky above the city began to shift unnaturally, black thunderclouds forming rapidly from what moments ago had been a clear day. Their dense, ominous presence blotted out the sun, casting the entire Fang Clan's territory into an eerie darkness.

"This is..." a man dressed in the robes of a prominent sect stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "This is Heaven's Punishment! Wh-who in the world triggered it?" His terror was palpable, and the wet stain spreading across his robes only added to his humiliation.

"Heaven's Punishment?" someone in the crowd echoed, panic spreading like wildfire. "Could there be an evil cultivator among us?"

The streets filled with murmurs of dread and confusion. Such phenomena had only ever been recorded in ancient texts and legends. None had ever witnessed it firsthand. It was a spectacle that would echo through the annals of history, a tale to be retold for generations.

Elsewhere, in a hidden chamber within the Fang Palace, an old man sat cross-legged. His aura exuded a mix of immense power and profound serenity, as though he were a vessel of the heavens themselves. His ancient face bore the marks of time, his body fragile and nearing its limit. Yet his eyes blazed with vitality, sharp and piercing as they gazed upward, as though peering through the layers of the palace to the storm beyond.

"So, the day has come when my Fang Clan faces punishment..." His frail voice was barely audible, but every word carried the weight of experience. "I wonder... what kind of genius has been born under this omen? These clouds, so dark and foreboding..." His expression remained unreadable as he fell silent for a moment. "Yet, they carry not just resentment but also sorrow and hope. Who among us is deserving of such a treatment from the heavens?"

He struggled to rise, but his body, weakened by years of stillness, refused to obey. It seemed as though his limbs had fused with the ground, his long meditation chaining him to his place.

"It appears that it is not my time, nor my destiny, to meet this child..." he muttered, closing his eyes once more. The powerful aura surrounding him remained steady as he sank back into meditation. "The Dao of this individual is strong. I can only hope they can carry it forward without faltering."

Meanwhile, the city was in chaos. High-ranking officials scrambled to understand what was happening, their fear palpable as they anticipated the worst. Many believed this phenomenon to be an apocalyptic disaster, one that could wipe out the entire city in an instant.

Yet, amidst the uproar, two individuals remained blissfully unaware. Fang Jinyao slept soundly, her slumber deep and undisturbed. Not even the chaos outside, which could have awakened the dead, seemed capable of rousing her. She might have slept through a war without so much as stirring.

And Wen Ran? Shielded by the system, he remained oblivious to the monumental events unfolding outside the room. The system's interference wrapped him in an unseen barrier, muting the truth of his actions' consequences, leaving him in the dark about the storm his words had summoned.

[Congratulations!]

[From today, you are a demonic cultivator]

[Rewards:]

[Demon Sovereign's Scripture: This technique enhances cultivation through slaughter and sacrifices. It maintains stability in the cultivation base while stealing power from other living beings]

[Demon Body Transformation Sutra, Part One: Enables the practitioner to transform their physical body into a powerful demonic weapon. While the body's appearance remains unchanged, it receives boosts in power, agility, and longevity. The practitioner can evolve their meridians, bones, and spirit root using the power of beast blood. The stronger the beast, the more potent the effect]

Wen Ran's eyes widened as he read the system's message. A smirk crept onto his lips, growing into a wild grin as the realization sank in. This power... It's everything I need! While others might scorn these methods, what do I care for their judgments? This world is mine for the taking. Let them cower in fear. I'll carve my name into their nightmares if that's what it takes. His thoughts were consumed by an unshakable resolve.

He exhaled slowly, the weight of his decision settling over him. He thought back to his original world—a place where he once cared deeply for others. The memories of those bonds flickered briefly in his mind, a faint echo of a life long gone. But now, in this foreign realm, there was nothing left to tie him down. He had nothing to lose, and a man without anything to lose was the most dangerous creature in existence.

[To complete this step, you must face the Heavenly Punishment. You have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to prepare]