My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world-Chapter 117: The Covenant in Moonlight and the Call of the Ruins

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With joking teasing and shared smiles, Harper's sad self-consciousness started to dissipate. Every joke and every catch reminded him that his gift—differing as it was—was his, and something he had to be proud of.

Kent's encouragement and teasing by Nima and Auri transformed the painful ordeal of the day and constructed a stepping stone on to self-acceptance.

"See?" Kent was saying as he pulled in a wriggling fish, thumping Harper on the back. "Your superpower isn't something to be ashamed of. It's fantastic—and it makes you, you know, you. We're all here for you."

Harper's hearty, warm laughter echoed across the lake. "Maybe you're right, Kent. Maybe it's time I embraced the weirdness instead of keeping it on the down-low."

With every cast of the line and every laugh they exchanged, the night was less about shame and more about the strength of true friendship—a friendship that could turn even the most strange superpower into a badge of honour.

Under the soft light of the moon and the gentle rhythm of the lake, Harper regained his dignity. And as they continued to fish, the group—bound together by laughter, determination, and shared affection for the absurd—wrote a new chapter of redemption and hope on the lake's shore.

It was only a matter of minutes before they had amassed a catch that would make a good meal. They worked together, gathering dry twigs and logs, placing them carefully together to build a good campfire. The flames took hold, and warmth spread into the chilly evening air. The fire crackled and snapped as the fish sizzled over the open fire, releasing a smoky, tantalizing aroma that made their stomachs growl with hunger.

Now and then, a log exploded with a sharp crack, firing a burst of yellow sparks into the evening air. The orchestral cracking and popping of the wood as it burned made a soothing melody, blending with the gentle whispering of the trees surrounding them.

Seated around the fire, Nima, Auri, Kent, and Harper savoured their freshly roasted fish, relishing every bite. The crispy, golden-brown skin gave way to tender, flaky flesh, perfectly cooked by the open flames. Laughter and conversation came easily to them, and their voices mixed with the sounds of the night. For a time, under the vast, starry sky, they were completely at peace, relishing a simple but satisfying meal in each other's company.

Breaking the easy silence, Kent leaned forward toward Harper, his eyes questioning. "Harper, do you somehow have any connections with Nexus Yang Li? I recall both of you sharing the surname Li.".

Harper, holding two roasted fish delicately between his palms as if they were something precious, hesitated before speaking in a measured, slow tone, "I shouldn't talk too much about it. But we are connected, members of the same family. Let us just say that our destinies are intertwined."

Kent nodded solemnly. "Alright, alright. I understand. I won't pry any further."

Nima, mouth full of fish and eyes sparkling with mischief, said, "Big Brother, you mentioned that guy from this morning—Nexus Yang Li. That old man was strange, to say the least.".

Harper's expression darkened slightly as memories of the past flashed through his mind. "Let me give you some advice: steer clear of him. He's grumpy and quick to blow over the slightest error. He loves to lecture people with tiny mistakes. A one-hour harangue if you make a mistake in front of him."

Kent chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. "I never knew, you knew him that well. You've certainly had your fair share of his lectures."

A shiver ran down Harper's spine as the weight of those memories rested on him. "Kent, I should probably go," he said quietly, his voice tinged with worry. "You must promise me that you won't tell anyone what I've just shared with you about the Third Nexus."

"Okay, go ahead, then," Kent soothed him by clapping him on the shoulder. "We'll keep the campfire lit for you."

A few minutes hence, while the group (Kent, Nima, Auri) enjoyed the simple joys of grilled fish and laughter, Nima interrupted the silence, calling out, "Kent, can you take some good pictures of me against the backdrop of the moon? And maybe get Auri on my shoulder? I want to upload my picture on the Cultibook app. I always saw many cultivators upload good pics of them. They boast a lot."

Before Kent had a chance to react, a figure emerged out of the shadows. In formal, creased robes and with an aura of authority, Nexus Yang Li strode into the circle of light. His presence was commanding—every eye moved toward him as if drawn by some magnet.

"Ah, I have found you all at last," he declared, his words as polished stones and dripping with secrets. "Some little geniuses informed me that you all attended the lake this evening. I talked with Jade, and I have learned what is happening in your lives."

The gaze of Yang Li shifted, settling on Nima with an unblinking look that stole her breath away. "Little girl," he quoted, a blend of respect and provocation in his voice, "you have the wisdom of your years. I think your degree of cultivation is much higher than the average people of your age." His eyes flicked over to Kent. "And you, young man, why not join my clan? Both of you, as orphans, could benefit highly from the guidance and strength of our great clan."

Kent reacted swiftly and firmly. "I won't do it," he said firmly.

The air around Yang Li at that moment seemed to ripple with raw emotion. A chain of SP points materialized in his mind, each one representing his inner turmoil:

+999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Shock)

+999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Speechless)

+999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Sad)

+999 SP copied from Yang Li. (Heartbroken)

The SP points, indicators of the flood of overwhelming emotions coursing through him, were silent witness to the momentary vulnerability Yang Li felt.

A moment later, his voice eased as he continued, "Tell me, Kent, where are you at in cultivation? Do you have a master to guide you along the way?"

Kent paused for a moment, his mind reeling with the mysteries of his abilities. "I am Level-E," he answered finally, his tone firm but laced with hope. "I am seeking the chance to break through. I train in swordsmanship under a cranky old man who lives nearby. Why do you ask?"

Yang Li's face softened further, and he replied, "I was just wondering. And you, Nima? Do you also train in sword art? What level of cultivation do you have?"

With a haughty tilt to her head and a mischievous glint in her eye, Nima crossed her arms and announced, "I am a Level-D cultivator. Sword practice is tiring—I prefer a regimen that has fine food and less complicated techniques.".

For a moment, Yang Li's eyes widened in an expression of instant enlightenment. "She… she is the youngest Level-D cultivator of this world, " he thought to himself. "I cannot let this chance slip by—I must make her my disciple! But how do I mould one who has a taste for food over the stern discipline of the sword? Perhaps I need to be creative."

He hunched forward and addressed Nima in a voice that was both gentle and commanding, "Nima, I teach you vitality and nourishment. I am a master of calligraphy and talisman-making; I can teach you many arts less exhausting than customary methods. What do you want to learn?"

Nima's eyes flashed with pretended rebelliousness. "No," she replied, sticking out her tongue. "I've heard terrible things about you. They say you have a bad temper and love to lecture and scold people all the time. I'd rather not learn from someone who lectures left and right."

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Yang Li's face contorted with indignation and surprise. "Who has spread these vile lies about me? If I lay my hands on that one, they will pay in full!"

His voice growled for a moment, then melted into a honeyed tone, as if trying to bribe her with promises of greatness. "I can give you much—information, power, and guidance. Consider it, child. I am even willing to adopt you as my own grandc…..."

At that very moment, the ground beneath their feet trembled as if awakened by ancient energies. A colossal, resonating throb shook the air, echoing like the roar of long-extinct monsters. The thick, swirling fog began to rise up from the earth, obscuring the clearing in an impenetrable shroud. With a thunderous crack, the proximate ancient ruins began to shift. Gigantic stone pillars with weathered runes shifted, their ancient carvings illuminated by the ethereal glow.

The mist coalesced into ghostly silhouettes, and the very air vibrated with the energy of ancient myths.

Yang Li's voice thundered over the commotion, firm and commanding: "Everyone of you, prepare! We are going to enter the ruins!" In a magnificent display of unity, nearly a few thousand young masters and disciples stepped forward, their faces shining with a mix of fear and excitement.