Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 109

Two minutes later.

The Great Mushroom King had done a full mental workout and voluntarily jumped back into its original form, diving into a big black pot without any coercion.

“Xiao Xi, hurry up and add water!” Ye Junlin rubbed his hands together impatiently, eager to taste the delicious mushroom soup.

Even though Bai Xiaoxi felt sympathy for this little junior brother, a command from the Master was a command, so they obediently poured water into the big black pot and consoled, “Junior brother, don’t be scared, just stay in there for a bit. The Master won’t do anything to you.”

The Great Mushroom King was distraught; it had really fallen into a trap!

Ye Junlin exclaimed excitedly, “Xiao Hong, start the fire!”

“Understood!”

Hong Qianye smirked darkly, thinking, “As expected, the claim of taking this mushroom as a disciple is just a cover; the real plan is to eat it!”

Then, with one hand, he formed a hand seal and injected a raging flame into the bottom of the black pot. The flames contained terrifying energy and high temperatures; luckily, this pot was a system item, otherwise it would have melted by now.

“Fourth junior brother, how’s the water temperature?” Bai Xiaoxi asked with concern.

“Hot, really hot!” The Great Mushroom King found itself in boiling water, bubbling furiously.

It felt miserable and wanted to jump out immediately, but an invisible force held it back, forcing it to stay inside the black pot.

Before long, a fragrant mushroom aroma filled the air.

Everyone couldn’t help but swallow hard.

This was a fresh soup made from the finest medicinal mushrooms!

Li Wujie frowned, “It does smell good, but the little brother looks really uncomfortable.”

Hong Qianye teased, “Oh? They say that soup made with Undying Chaos Mushrooms can enhance anyone’s constitution if they drink too much, granting them an immortal form!”

“Gah!!!!”

Li Wujie took a deep breath.

An immortal form!

Anyone in the cultivation world would hope to become an Immortal one day! And now, just by drinking some soup, where else could you find such a good deal?

Li Wujie immediately put on a serious face and said with a booming voice, “Little junior brother, bear with it!”

The unfortunate Great Mushroom King was enduring the steam from the boiling water; the heat was unbearable, almost fainting, especially with Hong Qianye fueling the fire.

If the black pot hadn’t isolated the flames, the Great Mushroom King would have likely been cooked through by now.

[Ding! Friendly reminder to the host, if your disciple has an accident at this moment, this system will reclaim the rewards previously granted to you!]

Even the system chimed in, urging Ye Junlin not to go too far, fearing for the life of this poor disciple.

Ye Junlin froze, angry, “System, are you questioning my character? I, Ye, am a benevolent teacher! This is all to temper him! To give him a will of steel!”

As he spoke, Ye Junlin communicated telepathically to the Great Mushroom King in the black pot, “Little Black, operate the Azure Emperor Longevity Technique, remember, from death to life!”

On the verge of giving in, the Great Mushroom King instinctively focused and began to comprehend the martial arts technique.

In this peculiar environment, the Great Mushroom King hovered between life and death, jumping back and forth, seemingly forgetting the passage of time.

The so-called Way of Wood is the Way of Life, as well as the Way of Time, allowing for endless continuity and eternal resilience!

As it comprehended, the wood essence around it became increasingly active, shimmering with a brilliant blue light, and shimmering words became vaguely visible—this was the core of the Azure Emperor Longevity Sutra.

The water temperature began to boil furiously, smelling delicious.

“What’s going on?!”

Hong Qianye and the others looked on with astonishment.

Whoosh!

A massive blue light beam erupted from the Great Mushroom King, exuding a dignified aura.

Its realm broke through, reaching the early stage of Crossing Tribulation!

Li Wujie was flabbergasted, “No way! It can break through like this?”

This was way more impressive than sipping enlightenment tea to break through!

As the third senior brother, he suddenly felt a sense of crisis—why was everyone getting so ahead?

Ye Junlin stood with arms crossed, looking inscrutable, “System, did you see that? This is my intent!”

System: “!!!”

After breaking through Crossing Tribulation, the Great Mushroom King’s patience improved significantly, slowly adjusting to the temperature and feeling much less uncomfortable.

“Damn it!” Hong Qianye felt displeased, like he’d been slapped in the face, and then increased the power of the flames.

Before the Great Mushroom King could even celebrate, it suddenly felt the water temperature continue to rise, leaving it dumbfounded. What was going on?

Smack!

Ye Junlin slapped Hong Qianye on the back of the head, “Are you trying to cook your junior brother alive?”

Hong Qianye had no choice but to stop, nervously saying, “I just wanted to make the soup taste better.”

When the black pot stopped heating, the Great Mushroom King quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally escaped a disaster!

“Mushroom soup is coming~” Bai Xiaoxi approached with a cheerful step, serving the finished mushroom soup.

The soup exuded a fragrant aroma, shimmering with a golden hue, coalescing and dispersing in a mystical manner.

Li Wujie scooped himself a bowl of soup and gulped it down.

“Ah~”

Li Wujie put down the bowl, tilting his head and unable to refrain from letting out a moan, feeling light as a feather, as if a euphoric feeling of immortality washed over him.

Everyone exchanged strange glances. Why was this guy acting like such a diva?

Li Wujie snapped back to reality, cleared his throat, and explained awkwardly, “It’s really delicious! I’m not lying!”

“I believe you!” Ye Junlin also drank a bowl and instantly felt it was not exaggerated; this mushroom soup was exquisite to the max!

Hong Qianye slowly put down his bowl, his expression moved; drinking that bowl of mushroom soup brought back memories of the carefree days when he had become an immortal ancestor.

One word: splendid!

“I think it’s delicious~” Bai Xiaoxi twirled in pure joy, feeling utterly euphoric.

Everyone was conquered by the flavor of the mushroom soup!

“Another bowl!”

“I want one too!”

Ye Junlin and the others clamored to drink the mushroom soup.

“Fourth junior brother, you should try it too!” Li Wujie generously invited.

“Uh, I’ll pass.” The Great Mushroom King felt very awkward; it felt utterly ridiculous.

Was my bathwater that good?

To be honest, viewing it from the perspective of the Great Mushroom King, it really was quite nauseating!

In the end.

Everyone scarfed down the entire meal.

Li Wujie licked the bottom of his bowl vigorously, remembering what his senior brother had said, that drinking too much mushroom soup would grant you an immortal form!

Ye Junlin stared seriously at his third disciple and finally concluded, “Little Li, you look especially like a devoted pup.”

Li Wujie’s face went stiff, chuckling bitterly, “Master, I’ll take that as a compliment…”

In central Buddha State.

Land of Pure Land.

This was the most powerful nation in Buddha State, possessing the strongest zen cultivation in the entire Eastern Domain.

Thanks to the renowned Hanging Temple established within it!

Every National Master of Pure Land was selected from Hanging Temple, wielding considerable influence in the court, even the national leader had to treat them respectfully.

There was even a saying circulating among the people for a long time: whether Pure Land is in chaos or not, it’s up to Hanging Temple to decide!

And today was a special day.

In the bustling royal capital, monks dressed in various robes gathered, trudging in the same direction toward Vantage Mountain.

With every step, they would put their hands together, bow down, rise again, then bow down again, repeating the process.

Moreover, many common folks mimicked them, following this group of monks up to Vantage Mountain to express their sincere devotion to the Buddha.

This was a common sight in Pure Land.

Atop the mountain, an ancient and solemn temple towered, emanating an air of timeworn majesty.

Here, the incense was thriving, with worshippers coming and going.

“Abbot, the Dharmarena is about to begin; the disciples are already prepared,” a young monk respectfully reported with hands joined.

Inside the temple, a frail figure sitting cross-legged on a mat slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep like the ocean, making one feel as if time had no significance.

“Mm, you may leave.”

“Yes.”

After a while, the Abbot sighed, “Sigh, who on earth could have dissolved my techniques?”

A few days ago, he suddenly felt an aura; the mark left on the Black Bear Essence by the tightening circle was activated and then severed, so he knew the Black Bear Essence was likely in trouble.

“A small place in the extreme west actually harbors such existence? Perhaps a fellow from another province happened to pass by and suppressed that beast; among all of Buddha State, only a few can indirectly challenge me. Knowing the risks, they would usually let it go.”

The Abbot squinted slightly, “This beast couldn’t withstand the temple atmosphere and sneaked out to wreak havoc; being suppressed now is just karmic retribution. I only hope the one who took action will stop at a reasonable point; if they go overboard, it would not be good for Hanging Temple.”

He had been feeling troubled lately.

The elder lantern bearer who had recently left Hanging Temple had mysteriously fallen; the breaking of his life jade slip caused a huge upheaval at Hanging Temple. However, this news was promptly sealed and not leaked.

Now, another suspected Crossing Tribulation big shot has taken action, not giving him face and insisting on going against him—these two events line up and left the Abbot feeling quite upset.

“Amitabha…”

The Abbot habitually muttered a Buddha chant before standing up and walking out slowly.

Today was the day for him to open the Dharmarena, where numerous zen practitioners would come, and this matter was not to be taken lightly; it concerned his and Hanging Temple’s reputation.

Looking at the bright red sun overhead, the Abbot’s right eyelid suddenly twitched, his pace slightly halting, wondering, “Strange, why do I have a feeling something great is about to happen?”