Godslayer: Reincarnated with SSS Rank Cultivation System

What Wen Ran didn't know was that outside the cave, a group of figures had gathered, their faces obscured by white cloth veils and hoods. The group consisted mostly of women, with only one man among them. The leader, a striking young woman around the age of seventeen, stood at the entrance of the cave, exuding an air of authority and command.

"This place…" Her voice was almost a whisper, flat and emotionless, yet there was a certain resonance to it that commanded attention. Despite the veil concealing her features, her beauty was undeniable, a soft glow of elegance even in the shadows of the night. "Yes, I can feel the aura of eternal ice here."

"Senior sister," a younger, more timid voice suddenly broke the silence. A girl stood slightly behind, her voice trembling with unease. "If master finds out we've sneaked out here alone, won't we get into serious trouble? Perhaps we should—"

"Shut up!" A man's voice sliced through the air, sharp and demanding. The younger girl flinched, shrinking back from the coldness in his tone. His eyes, though hidden by the mask, were full of fervor. "Do you have any idea how much this means to your senior sister? If she succeeds in obtaining the inheritance of the Ice Empress, she'll be able to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage. At her age, who else in this world has ever done that?" His words were thick with passion, but his lingering gaze, one that went unnoticed by most, was fixed on the senior sister with an unsettling mixture of reverence and infatuation. A hint of drool escaped from under his mask, betraying his feelings for her, though he would never openly admit it.

The woman walked into the cave without a word, her attention completely focused on the path ahead, ignoring the whispers and glances from the group behind her. She carried herself with the kind of confidence that made it clear—she cared for no one but herself. But soon, she was met with an unexpected barrier: a thick wall of ice, cold and impenetrable. Her brows furrowed slightly, a mix of intrigue and determination on her face.

"How mysterious," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "Does one need to first comprehend the laws of ice on a higher level in order to pass this wall?" There was a rare spark of emotion in her voice when she spoke of cultivation, a deep curiosity lacing her words.

Without waiting for any response from her companions, she calmly sat down on the cold stone floor. Her body emanated a powerful aura of frost, a chilling energy that radiated from her like an icy storm. The temperature around her plummeted, and the air became heavy with the raw power of her intent. She stretched her hands toward the ice wall, her fingers glowing with the ethereal blue light of her cultivation as she began to probe the very essence of the ice, trying to connect with its laws and unlock the way forward.

The group of ten watched in awe and silence, unsure whether to disturb her or wait for her to succeed. Little did they know, the reason this wall of ice stood in their way was far more complex than they could imagine—it wasn't simply a barrier, it was a reflection of something much deeper, something that Wen Ran had inadvertently triggered.

Meanwhile, deep within the cave, Wen Ran continued his frustrating journey, cursing under his breath as he trudged deeper into the cold abyss. His flame flickered weakly in his palm, the fire trying its best to push back the freezing cold that assaulted his body. But despite his best efforts, it wasn't enough. Every time he glanced over his shoulder, the massive ice wall seemed to follow him, an unyielding force preventing his escape.

"F**k, this is uncalled for!" Wen Ran growled, his patience wearing thin. "How dare you do this to me!?" His voice echoed through the cave, filled with frustration. Yet, in that moment, all he could do was curse the situation. He had found himself trapped in a mess of his own making, with no clear way out.

"When I find out who did this, I swear I'll turn your life into a living hell…" Wen Ran muttered through gritted teeth, his voice trembling as the cold gnawed at him. He could no longer feel his limbs, and the chill seemed to seep into his very bones, restricting his movement and forcing him to slow down. Despite the growing numbness, his heart burned with fiery determination, refusing to succumb to the cold, but his body was beginning to betray him.

"Is this the end?" he thought, his breath ragged and his mind clouded with frustration. He had been walking for what felt like an eternity, but at last, something caught his eye—a faint blue light ahead, chilling but promising. The sight sparked a glimmer of hope in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he was close to understanding the mystery of this cursed cave.

With his anger fueling him, Wen Ran pushed his body forward, his steps quickening. He needed to move faster. Perhaps running would warm him up? But the moment he entered the large ice-filled chamber, all warmth drained from his body, and he felt as if his very soul was being frozen. The temperature in the room plummeted, and Wen Ran's breath fogged up in the frigid air. He could sense the danger closing in on him, as if the cold was actively pushing him toward his demise.

Damn it… Wen Ran cursed inwardly. If only I hadn't consumed that fiery flower when I fought the serpent. I could have survived longer if I had saved it for now. His mind raced with regret, but it was too late. The flower was already gone, and all he could do now was face the consequences of his rash decisions.

As his body froze and his strength began to wane, Wen Ran clenched his fists, trying to hold onto the burning determination inside him. There had to be something he could do.