Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 168

“Hmm?”

Hong Qianye was taken aback, wondering why this guy was reacting like that after coming out.

“Master, you finally made it out!”

Li Wujie rushed over to the silver-haired youth, eagerly asking, “So, how many days did you live in there? And how did you die in the end?”

That question was on everyone’s mind, and all eyes were fixed on Ye Junlin, filled with confusion.

Ye Junlin’s expression was unusually calm, as if still lost in Grandpa’s state, and he smiled gently at Li Wujie, “I died of old age.”

Died of old age?

Everyone was stunned by the answer!

Xue Wuhen was the first to snap back to reality, trembling as he pointed a finger, his face incredulous, “You, you mean you died a natural death?”

Upon hearing that, everyone’s pupils constricted, staring at Ye Junlin like he was some kind of monster.

In that hellish environment, how could an ordinary old man die a natural death?

If he said he died of old age, wasn’t that what people commonly called a natural demise?

Thinking this, everyone exchanged glances, reflecting their deep shock.

Silence engulfed the scene.

The room was deathly quiet; you could hear a pin drop.

You have to realize, this wasn’t about how many days he survived; Senior Ye had lived straight for decades in there!!

Hong Qianye looked dumbfounded, never expecting this outcome.

The gap was just too ridiculous!

It was like a villager priding himself on breaking through Qi Refining while Old Wang next door silently became an Immortal; the difference was like heaven and earth!

“Ye, Senior Ye, may I ask how you managed that? Is there some trick to it?” Xue Wuhen managed to suppress his shock and tentatively inquired.

He came with a genuine desire to learn the secrets of this remarkable figure.

“Yeah, Master, since the second round is over, just tell us the secret to getting through!” Li Wujie couldn’t resist chiming in.

Everyone perked up, eagerly listening, their curiosity piqued, as if something was scratching at their hearts and itching them.

“Hm… alright!”

Ye Junlin nodded seriously, saying, “Actually, the secret is simple: just relax, grow some flowers and grass, and then you’ll get seven magical gourds to dominate the mountain and live a carefree retirement life.”

Everyone: “…”

Do you even hear what you’re saying?

In that kind of situation, how could anyone relax and grow flowers and grass?

And what in the world are those seven magical gourds?

Xue Wuhen took a couple of steps back, his face full of disbelief as he looked at Ye Junlin, lips moving as he stammered, “Is… is it really that simple?!!”

Ye Junlin blinked innocently, nodding earnestly, “Yes!”

Xue Wuhen fell silent.

Could this be the hidden passageway technique from the map?!

Maybe it was to test the testers’ ability to stay calm and composed in a dire situation?

If that’s the case, it all made sense!

Xue Wuhen took a deep breath and cupped his hands to bow respectfully, “Senior Ye, I learned a lot!”

His bow was genuine, no pretense whatsoever.

To remain aware of the need for self-cultivation even in that terrifying mountain, just that mindset alone earned his admiration.

“So we’ve been going the wrong way all along, sigh…” Everyone sighed, expressions full of regret.

Observing all this, Liu Huangshu’s lips twitched.

If you all insist on thinking that way, there’s nothing I can do.

Shifting his gaze back to Ye Junlin, Liu Huangshu felt an intricate mix of emotions, utterly at a loss for words about the sheer luck this guy had.

Sigh, give the rewards.

Swish!

A beam of celestial light, two meters wide and filled with ethereal energy, fell upon Ye Junlin, making him look like an Immortal King radiating a mystical authority.

Wow.

The crowd instantly erupted.

“Receiving two blessings of celestial techniques in a row, Senior Ye will surely have an extraordinary future; the path of an Immortal lies ahead!” Xue Wuhen spoke enviously.

“I…” Hong Qianye wanted to curse, fists clenched tightly, her heart feeling like it was bleeding.

The first round was like this, the second round too; could it be that this trial truly had nothing for him?

Amidst the exclamations around him, Ye Junlin rolled his eyes.

Pfft.

What a waste!

Not worth anything!

Even if his foundation was completely destroyed and his talent was abysmal, as long as he had that golden finger that boosted him against stronger foes, he could achieve higher realms than anybody strong against him.

So does it really matter how good his talent is?

“Uh, is it just my imagination, or does Senior Ye seem to be a bit ungrateful?” One male cultivator looked astonished; this was the legendary reward of celestial techniques, and if it were him, he’d be over the moon.

“Maybe Senior Ye just isn’t good at showing his inner joy,” others speculated uncertainly.

“Huh?”

That detail made Liu Huangshu’s eyes widen.

What’s with that expression of yours, kid?

Is it that you think the rewards I gave are pathetic?

Liu Huangshu found it baffling; this was a blessing even Immortal Sovereigns would be touched by!

Those who received such a blessing have a one in ten chance of becoming an unrivaled Immortal Emperor!

Such a major project could only be proposed by him!

And yet, it seemed to be rejected by a younger generation!

This left Liu Huangshu questioning his very existence…

Is it really all my fault?

“Forget it, the next round, which also happens to be the last one in this trial, is one I’ve meticulously crafted; it’ll definitely be the most innovative one in all realms!”

Thinking this, Liu Huangshu’s eyes sparkled like a master deeply engrossed in crafting mechanisms, eager to show off his proud work.

At the same time.

From above the venue, a deep and commanding voice slowly resonated, carrying an air of authority, “This round is over. All testers ranked outside the top one hundred will be eliminated!”

With those words, in a flash of light, most of the cultivators in the crowd vanished; they were directly teleported out of Fallen Immortal Island.

What remained were the one hundred testers who met the ranking requirements.

Li Wujie clenched his fists, excitement lighting up his rugged face, “Awesome! I didn’t get eliminated!”

Hong Qianye shot him a glance, unamused, “Heh, as if just staying here means you have a chance.”

Li Wujie fell silent.

A few seconds later, he pretended to cough a bit and seriously declared, “It’s the participation that matters.”

“Now, let’s begin the final round!”

That deep, resonant voice echoed again.

Ahead, the void split open, revealing a mysterious gap filled with milky white light, as if something was about to spill out.

Swish!

Before everyone could look properly, that gap suddenly expanded wildly, as if something inside was forcing it open.

Crack! As the gap widened into an entrance, the internal milky white light blazed brightly, as if it wanted to flow out slowly.

“Next, please enter the passage in an orderly fashion!”