Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 165

In the external arena, countless stick-shaped containers lay dull and lifeless, every Tester who emerged looking utterly downcast, anxiously counting the days of their survival.

Among them, a tall figure in red gracefully stepped out, the fabric fluttering around them, their aura exceptionally outstanding, and that stunning face held a hint of unwillingness.

“Hong Shixiong,” Li Wujie hurriedly approached and whispered, “How many days did you survive? How did you die?”

Hong Qianye let out a heavy sigh, “On the two hundred six day, I was torn apart by a pack of wolves when I went out.”

“Whoa!” Li Wujie gasped, giving a thumbs up, “That’s impressive, surviving that long!”

“You don’t understand, I could have lasted longer.”

Hong Qianye grit their teeth, reminiscing about the endless worry while on the mountain, pushing through with care and vigilance. But in the end, a bunch of beasts ambushed and killed them, igniting a fiery anger within.

They had really made it work and could have survived for hundreds of days, had it not been for the strange occurrence. After the two hundredth day, the beasts on the mountain became remarkably stronger, appearing in greater numbers, making it impossible to prepare for their attacks!

Hong Qianye thought they had enough caution, having anticipated dangers in the perilous mountain terrains, bringing out their best skills honed from earlier struggles in the Demonic Path to avoid disaster.

Even their frail body was transformed using secret techniques from the Demonic Path, making it comparable to an average adult male. They did everything they could.

Yet, even with that, the sudden changes caught them off guard!

They remembered the last moments, wielding a torch and doing everything possible, only to be besieged and bitten to death by a growing number of wild wolves.

Thinking of this, Hong Qianye’s lips trembled with rage, and their fists cracked ominously.

In that environment, normal people simply couldn’t survive!

Absolutely impossible!!

“I managed to live this long; it’s the absolute limit, and surely no one can surpass me.”

While pondering, Hong Qianye squinted, glancing around as if searching for something.

Li Wujie spoke up, “You’re looking for Master, aren’t you? He hasn’t come out yet.”

Hong Qianye froze, their face filled with surprise, “Master hasn’t come out from the start? This…”

Li Wujie quickly waved his hands, explaining, “No, no, no, it’s not what you think; Master went in later than all of us, so you get it.”

“Got it.”

Hong Qianye relaxed, a rare smile gracing their face, “Then we can wait.”

Ye Junlin, you usually loaf around, expecting others to serve you. Now you’re in there without any support—must be living in fear, starving and suffering!

Just thinking about it makes me so happy!

Imagining you hiding and scrambling for food all day long, Hong Qianye couldn’t help but smirk derisively.

Not to mention that after two hundred days, the mountain would unleash hellish difficulties!

By then, even closing your eyes to sleep would be a luxury!

I truly wonder how someone like you, who enjoys slacking off, will ultimately perish—will it be by beast, starvation, or sickness?

Heh, either way, there’s bound to be a fitting option for you!

At this moment, Hong Qianye remained calm, anticipating the expression on that silver-haired young man’s face when he finally emerged, completely defeated.

Oh, I can’t wait!

On the two hundredth day.

In a lush jungle, all the animals suddenly mutated, their eyes turning bright red, growing increasingly aggressive.

They raced like the wind, howling past with raw ferocity, endlessly seeking prey.

Bang!

A dull thud resonated.

Watching the leaves flutter down and the rabbit’s corpse lying beneath a massive tree, Ye Junlin, typically hoping for a rabbit to appear, opened his mouth in shock, aged face filled with astonishment.

What’s going on?!

How could such a harmless, plump little rabbit create such a heavy impact on the tree?

If it had slammed straight into his belly, he’d have vomited a meter of blood on the spot—game over!

Ye Junlin thought carefully and felt a chill creeping up his spine as he held the rabbit by its ears and hurried home.

He had a faint sense that the animals in this mountain might have undergone some kind of change.

“Roar~”

Suddenly, a low, thunderous tiger roar echoed, sending chills down Ye Junlin’s spine, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

“There’s a tiger nearby?!”

Ye Junlin found it hard to believe; in previous days, he could act carefree without a single threatening beast in sight, but now—a tiger was close by!?

This is just…

Too dangerous!

The tiger’s roar grew nearer, making Ye Junlin stand rigidly, clutching the rabbit’s ears, every hair on his body standing on end.

Honestly, he hadn’t felt something like the imminent threat of death in a long time.

After all, out here, he had his golden finger, his cultivation always outpacing his opponents, plus all those badass martial arts techniques and divine abilities—never lost a battle.

But in this virtual projection world, where the strong thrived, he couldn’t suppress that tiger with sheer strength.

Danger, danger, danger, danger~!

It had been so long since a beast had come this close, and he thought he might just—

Sleep forever…

Realizing he almost zoned out, Ye Junlin shook his head vigorously, regaining his senses, determination gleaming in his eyes.

What is he doing just sitting around? This is definitely not the way of a traverser!

“If that beast dares to come over, I’ll just slide in and use this sharpened wooden sword to gut it and bleed it out in agony!”

At this moment, this elderly figure with white hair seemed to make up his mind, his eyes showing fierce intent, gripping that sharpened wooden sword, ready for action.

However, at that moment, another wild bear’s roar rang out, radiating intense hostility.

The tiger, attracted by the scent, turned to face a large brown bear emerging from the nearby bushes, challenging him.

The tiger’s eyes flashed with anger, letting out a defiant roar.

Roar~!

The deafening roar startled the birds in the trees, sending them fluttering into the sky.

The large brown bear slowly approached, eyes filled with the spirit of battle, ready for a showdown, while the tiger, drawn in by the distraction, naturally ignored Ye Junlin.

The two beasts circled each other, gearing up for a fierce battle.

Seeing this,

Ye Junlin couldn’t even muster the excitement to watch, quickly leaving with today’s spoils.

Along the way, beastly roars echoed, sending chills down his spine, heart racing.

“Damn it, did I just jump straight into hell mode?!”

“I swear the person who set these rules must be jealous of my leisurely retirement!”

Upon returning home, Ye Junlin hurriedly shut the wooden door, terrified.

Though he knew it was a trial and dying here didn’t matter, the immersion felt too real—after all, who would want to experience the feeling of being torn apart by beasts?

Upon seeing this,

Liu Huangshu finally showed a satisfied smile, stroking his beard, “Now that’s more like it; this is the intention behind designing this mode.”

Honestly, seeing Ye Junlin living so comfortably, enjoying life all leisurely, made him question the trial’s mechanisms.

Even knowing this is just a tribute fit for a luck bearer, it still irked him to no end!

It felt like something meticulously designed, thought to be complex, was whimsically toyed with like a child’s game.

Watching Ye Junlin finally getting scared, Liu Huangshu felt invigorated, a surge of ambition rising within him.

He straightened his back, feeling as if he had regained his old prowess.

“Kid, your tough days are about to begin.”

Just as Liu Huangshu said,

from the two hundredth day onward, Ye Junlin found himself restless, sleepless nights, always fearing he’d be torn apart by passing beasts.

By day two hundred and five, his nerves were frayed, his complexion far less vibrant, seemingly aging rapidly, as these past days of continuous anxiety took their toll.

Elderly folks struggle with bad rest—it’s dangerous.

At this moment, Ye Junlin was in such a plight; he might not even need beasts to attack—he could scare himself to death.

“Ugh, if this keeps up, I’m gonna kick the bucket soon.”

Dragging his tired body, Ye Junlin pushed open his door to the yard, soaking in the familiar sights, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of melancholy.

“Old man’s life is getting tough!” Ye Junlin sighed.

Suddenly, a childish voice rang out, “Grandpa! Grandpa!”

Ye Junlin turned in shock, wondering who was here and why a child’s voice echoed.

“Grandpa, we’re over here!”

Following the sound, Ye Junlin’s jaw dropped in astonishment, lips quivering, “Y-you are…”

“Grandpa, don’t be scared, we’ll protect you!” The one speaking was a plump red gourd hanging from a vine, alongside six others of different colors.

“Are you…?”

Ye Junlin fought hard to suppress his shock, cautiously approaching the seven uniquely colored, vibrant gourds, and suddenly, a familiar melody echoed in his head from childhood:

“Gourd Baby~ Gourd Baby~ Seven flowers on one vine~ Not afraid of wind and rain~ La la la la~”