Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 167

In a certain mountain forest, a vibrant tiger had just finished feasting on a gazelle and was ready to enjoy its meal when it heard rustling from the bushes ahead.

The tiger let out a low growl, its roar echoing in all directions, stirring up the scattered leaves on the ground.

“Grandpa! Is that the tiger you were talking about?”

“That’s right, it almost had me for dinner last time.”

“Whoa? That’s so dangerous!”

“We have to avenge grandpa!”

An old man in hemp clothes approached, accompanied by seven little kiddos with miniature gourd heads. They chattered excitedly, their eyes glued to the tiger, looking at it as if it were a doomed prey.

“Roar!”

Seeing so many humans, the tiger roared in excitement, flexing its muscles, preparing to leap. Its gleaming claws could brutally shred trees apart.

“Beast, dare you act so cocky?”

Big Baby jumped into action, punching down hard, slamming the massive tiger into the ground with a thud, leaving its head bloodied and caved in.

Within moments, a thick tiger skin was torn off.

Big Baby carefully picked up the tiger skin, presenting it to Ye Junlin like it was a treasure, earnestly saying, “Grandpa, here you go. It’ll keep you warm!”

Ye Junlin clapped and smiled, “My dear grandson is so thoughtful.”

With the protection of the seven gourd kiddos, Ye Junlin was practically the king of the mountain, free to roam as he pleased.

Though the beasts on the mountain were getting stronger and more frequent, it didn’t matter to Ye Junlin anymore.

After all, with Second Baby’s keen eyesight and hearing, it was like having radar that kept tabs on all mountain activities, ready to warn him at the slightest disturbance.

If Ye Junlin had trouble walking, Big Baby would carry him; any steep rock face was as flat as a pancake for them.

Day 250.

Ye Junlin found himself ambushed by a flock of birds; Fourth Baby instantly reacted, opening his mouth to unleash scorching flames, roasting all the birds on the spot.

Looking at the fragrant roasted birds scattered around, Ye Junlin smiled with satisfaction, digging in without hesitation.

Day 370.

A towering fortress rose from the ground, built with Big Baby’s endless strength. Ye Junlin now lived in a building that looked like a fortress, complete with a ready-made swimming pool filled with water sprayed by Fifth Baby. Ye Junlin, in his old age, was livening it up in the pool, swimming like a fish and enjoying playtime with his grandkids.

Day 500.

Ye Junlin stood atop the mountain, gazing at the rolling hills, a sense of grand ambition swelling within him. He stroked his white beard, his aged face showing hints of melancholy.

He sighed, reflecting on having conquered all the beasts of the mountains, no longer feeling threatened. And as he made this otherworldly declaration, the seven gourd kiddos behind him all nodded in unison, exclaiming, “Yes!”

Day 1001.

Ye Junlin stood high on the city wall, feeling safe and sound—a tiger skin draped over him, wielding an iron sword made by his grandchildren, his deep-set eyes scanning the lush, verdant forest beyond, seemingly recalling glorious days of the past.

After all, the good life he enjoyed today was all thanks to his hard work; the struggles behind it could make one weep…

Time passed swiftly.

As Ye Junlin aged, he grew too old to even walk, depending on Big Baby to carry him during outings, reminiscing about past moments amidst beautiful landscapes.

Age 100.

In a spacious room, flickering candlelight cast shadows, illuminating a frail old man with white hair, lying on the bed, exhausted and powerless.

Surrounding him were seven adorable gourd kiddos, all visibly worried, their large eyes glistening with tears, some even beginning to sob.

“We’re all here…” Ye Junlin looked at the familiar faces around him, trembling as he reached out with his bony, age-spotted hand.

Big Baby was the first to grasp Ye Junlin’s hand, crying, “Grandpa! Don’t leave us!!”

“Wah… Grandpa…” The other gourd kiddos cried out, their hearts breaking; to them, this white-haired grandpa was their closest relative, their entire world.

Sadness and reluctance surged within Ye Junlin. He knew this was just a virtual projection, yet after years of close companionship, he’d formed a deep bond with these little ones. The thought of leaving them truly pained his heart.

“Thank… you all for… being with me… through these years… I will miss you all… in the real world…”

Upon hearing this, the seven little ones cried even harder, “Grandpa, we don’t want you to die!”

They thought the old man was talking nonsense.

Ye Junlin sensed the end was near; his eyes suddenly became calm, a faint smile forming on his lips.

Slowly, his gaze dimmed, his frail body lost all life.

“Wah—”

The room erupted with grief.

The seven gourd kiddos, heartbroken, said goodbye forever to their kind-hearted, hardworking grandpa.

Ye Junlin’s days of life counted…

He passed away peacefully!

Seeing this, Liu Huangshu stood frozen, like a statue, his mind swirling like a fog, his expression shifting through confusion, shock, and awe.

He never believed the second round could turn into this!

While others were on edge, hiding in fear, he was over here, vibing and living it up?

Honestly, the things that happened in the first 200 days, I could somewhat accept, but…

What in the world were those seven gourd kiddos?!

Could it be any weirder?!

You can’t just pull this kind of stuff; it makes me look bad!

Liu Huangshu realized he underestimated Ye Junlin’s luck; who would have thought he could still turn things around in such dire circumstances?

To die of old age in such a terrifying mountain—that’s some divine achievement!

Scary, way scary!

Liu Huangshu looked at Ye Junlin as if gazing at a never-before-seen monster.

In the waiting area, all the testers murmured among themselves, pointing at the one container still shining with light.

“Wow, how long has it been? Why hasn’t Senior Ye come out yet?”

“Seriously? How did he survive in that environment for so long?”

“A completely ordinary old man without any training potential could really last that long in a mountain filled with beasts?”

…

Li Wujie felt his scalp go numb, “Master must have ascended in there! How else could he stay for so long?”

“Impossible!”

Hong Qianye directly dismissed this, convinced that such a character couldn’t possibly achieve that.

Still, he was perplexed—how could that guy manage to survive in such harsh conditions if he couldn’t cultivate?

Hong Qianye knew too well that after 200 days in the mountain, it was a nightmare for any mortal; every step could lead to death!

“Senior Ye, just how many days have you been in there…” Xue Wuhen sighed, utterly baffled.

Only those who experienced it firsthand knew how difficult it was. With Ye Junlin still not emerging, any pride and satisfaction Xue Wuhen had felt were long gone.

How on earth did he do it?!

Just then, the light in the container faded, signaling the end of the last person’s trial.

Amidst everyone’s watchful eyes, a young man in an embroidered black robe stepped out, hands behind his back, his silver hair glimmering and flowing in the wind.

Unlike other testers who came out downcast or regretful, this young man had a calm and serene expression on his handsome face.

“Senior Ye is out!!”

The crowd instantly erupted in commotion.