My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world

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Their smiles lasted until they rounded the last turn. Kent's heart dropped like a stone. The neat snack land garden was now mostly a charcoal wasteland. Shattered fence rails stuck out like ribs. A crooked bucket dangled from a half‑melted pump. Steam still curled from holes in the ground.

"MY VEGETABLES!" he gasped. "My million‑dollar carrot empire!"

Nima's jaw fell open. "Who nuked our backyard? They even broke the sign I put up."

Auri fluttered above the wreck. Chip‑chip‑chip?!? "Looks like a dragon sneezed on the garden."

Kent staggered forward, fell to his knees, lifted one limp black lettuce leaf and let it crumble. His eyes went blank with shock.

From the porch, Old Man Xian Yu shuffled forward, broom in hand, ash on his robe. He cleared his throat.

"Welcome home, my dear disciple," he said, forcing a smile. "About the garden …"

Kent turned slowly, face pale. "Old man, What…happened?"

Xian Yu bowed so low his beard touched his knee. "The sky happened. I will explain everything, and I will fix everything. But first, please sit; your legs are shaking. It's just some veggies they will grow up in a months"

Kent looked at the field, at the smoking craters, then back at his teacher. "My heart is shaking," he croaked.

Nima rush to fetch a chair, Auri trying to fan Kent with his ember warmed wings, and Old Man Xian Yu preparing a story about heavenly lightning, shattered carrots, and how to repay a million‑dollar loss with something far rarer than vegetables.

Kent sat on a wooden chair that Nima dragged from the porch. His hands were still shaky; flakes of burnt carrot leaves kept sliding from his fingers. Auri fluttered near his ear, whispering tiny comforting chirps.

Kent sat like a statue in the broken dirt. Ash coated his sneakers; half‑burned carrot stalks poked from black craters. Hours earlier he had dreamed about selling these bright orange roots to rich families. Now only smoke coils rose in the evening air.

Nima stepped beside him."B‑Big Brother… your whole garden…" Her voice cracked.

Old Man Xian Yu hurried from the back shed, ash still on his robe. He bowed low, both hands pressed together. "Disciple, I failed you. Heaven sent lightning for my Level‑A test. I used your plants for my defense arrays. Eighty percent of the garden is burned."

Kent did not speak. He stared at a single scorched tomato vine, lips tight. His heart felt like dry paper, one spark away from fire.

Auri fluttered from Nima's shoulder to Kent's arm. "Chip‑chip." ("Please don't be sad.") Kent managed a tiny nod but his jaw muscles ached.

The old man straightened. His eyes, bright with new power, still showed deep regret. "I must tell you the truth." He took a deep breath, voice soft but clear.

"I reached Level‑A today. That means a golden core now spins inside me, feeding every cell. I can live two hundred more years if no enemy kills me. Why did I succeed? Because you gave me those odd fruits months ago. The ones you called physique boosters. They fixed wounds I hid from you. When the tribulation clouds formed, your garden's fat roots pulled lightning away and gave me time to finish the breakthrough."

He held up a small jade bottle. "Inside is Thunder‑Wood Essence. Three drops in new soil will grow crops twice as strong."

Kent finally found his voice, low and hoarse. "You traded my whole business for your next two hundred years."

The words were not a shout, but the hurt inside them made Nima wince. Xian Yu bowed again, forehead nearly touching ash. "I will repay. I promise on my new core."

They moved to the porch. Kent sat on a wooden step, elbows on knees. Xian Yu lowered himself onto a stool. Sunlight faded; crickets began to sing. "Tell me what a golden core really is," Kent said. "If I keep training… What comes after? Will I also get struck by lightning?"

The old man placed one hand over his lower belly. "When a cultivator reaches Level‑A, all the loose energy inside the dantian twists into a ball the size of a plum. That ball shines like metal mixed with sun. It pumps power into flesh and bone every breath."

He drew a small circle in the air. "Next step? You must break it. Crack it like an egg so that a tiny spirit baby… your nascent soul flies free.

That is the road to Level‑S or whatever names young folk use now. From Level-A there will be tribulation on every breakthrough."

Kent let the words sink in. "So first we make a ball, then we smash the ball? We will get struck by lightning by doing it."

"Exactly," Xian Yu laughed, lines on his face deepening. "Cultivation is strange. It's going against the heavens."

Nima raised her hand like a school child. "Grandpa, you're already so old. If you get two hundred more years, how many birthday candles is that?"

Xian Yu chuckled. "Too many cakes for my teeth."

Silence settled again. Kent looked over the dark field. Rows of ash reminded him of ruined dreams. He inhaled slowly.

"Gramps," he said at last, "I believe you. I'm glad you lived. But this loss hurts. Those vegetables were my hope to earn steady bucks, pay Nima's school, save money for our future."

The old man nodded. "Give me one planting season. I will nurse this ground until it blooms better than before. And I will add new seeds of your choice."

He pushed the jade bottle into Kent's hand. "Thunder‑Wood Essence. The first payment."

Kent studied the cool green vial. He could still smell faint spice, like rain and cedar. Some of the anger eased. "All right. One season," he murmured.

Nima exhaled, relief softening her shoulders. "Don't be a sad puppy, big brother, we will create snack land 2.0!"

Just then, a familiar voice floated over the fence. "Kids! Xian! Soup is boiling, come eat!" Aunty Zhou waved her ladle under the porch lamp, rosy cheeks shining.

Kent's stomach growled loud enough to make Auri tilt his head. He stood, brushing ash from his pants. "Thank you, Aunty! We'll be right there."

He grabbed a paper bag from inside the doorway. "Dried peaches from Azure Bay."

They crossed the yard. Xian Yu followed, hands clasped, scarf snug around his neck.

Inside Zhou's warm kitchen, steam fogged the windows. Bowls of rice, braised pork belly, garlic‑green beans, and fluffy mantou buns covered the table. The smell made everyone's mouth water.

Aunty Zhou beamed saying, "Sit, sit! You siblings look thin as sticks." She accepted the fruit bag with a happy gasp.

They filled plates. Nima attacked green beans, speaking between bites. She was telling her the Tails of their vacation. "Aunty, I will show you the flying boat Kent built for my birthday. It fly faster than a hawk!"

Aunty gasped. "A boat… in the sky? Will you take me shopping someday? I would like to ride a flying boat."

"Of course," Nima said. "But first we need to buy some new carrot seeds for Kent. He is sobbing like little puppy."

That joke drew soft laughter from everyone but Kent. Xian Yu slurped soup, eyes shining at flavors. He looked at Kent. "I will visit seed merchants at dawn. I have some sword from my adventureing days. They are all yours."

Nima fake‑whispered to Aunty, "Grandpa blew up our garden so he's paying rent in sword." Xian Yu coughed on soup. "True, true. High rent!"

Even Kent smiled. A tiny one, but real.

Auri pecked at a mantou crumb. Steamed bun fluff puffed around his beak. Everyone laughed again.

They spoke of small things, like the taste of airport mango pudding (Nima rated it nine of ten). The cloud shapes seen from the plane window (Kent noted one looked like Xian Yu's beard). Aunty Zhou's plan to pickle radish for winter. For a short hour, worry slipped away. Bowls emptied; teapot drained.

They thanked their hosts and stepped outside. Cool air carried the scent of night jasmine. Fireflies blinked over the blackened field, dancing in tiny yellow arcs.

Kent paused at the fence. He looked at the wreckage, then at the small green vial in his palm. Behind him, Xian Yu placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I will start before sunrise," the old man said.

Kent nodded. "I believe you, Grandpa Yu." He surprised himself, because he truly meant it. The anger was not gone but hope had room again.

Nima yawned, leaning against Kent's arm. "Tomorrow we plant. Next week we will harvest our dreams."

Kent chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Dreams need water and weeding."

Auri flapped to the fence top, looking like a tiny red lantern. "Chip!" ("We will help!")

The moon climbed high. Brother, sister, Emberling phoenix, and old master stood side by side, watching silver light wash over ruined rows… rows that, by promise and work, would soon live anew.

Kent took a long breath of cool night air. "Okay," he said softly. "Let's rest. Morning soil waits for seeds."

And with quiet hearts, they turned toward the little house, ready to build again, together.