Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 245

“Damn! Sect Master Feng is serious, huh? He’s actually issuing a demon-slaying order on behalf of the Eight Great Sects!”

“Didn’t you guys know? His son was killed by Red Demon Hong Qianye back in the day, and it was brutal! Even his ashes were scattered!”

“Yeah, I remember that. It all started when Young Master Feng was boasting in a tavern, saying he wouldn’t mind taking Red Demon Hong Qianye as his male lover, two guys together. That got around, and it’s what brought on the demon’s revenge!”

“Tsk tsk, that’s the cost of running your mouth!”

“Shh, watch what you say! If any disciples from Wujidao Sect hear you, it could lead to your doom!”

“Right, right, Wujidao Sect sits at the top of the Eight Great Sects, and Sect Master Feng’s disciples are everywhere. We need to be careful!”

“Anyway, knowing that Red Demon Hong Qianye is in the Eastern Domain, Sect Master Feng is dead set on avenging his son! He’s even rallying the Eight Great Sects to start another Immortal War!”

…

The announcement sent shockwaves across the one hundred and eight states of the Central Region.

There was a wave of discussions, and opinions were varied.

Many felt that this move by the Eight Great Sects was definitely a solid win.

But some believed that given how Red Demon got away last time despite the commotion, he might just pull the same trick again and run to another region.

While the outside world was buzzing, inside the Cangming Dao Sect.

In the Great Hall, a middle-aged man clad in a sky blue dao robe, with black and thick eyebrows and an imposing demeanor, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes sharp as blades, making it hard to meet his gaze.

“Young Brother Ye, I’ve discussed with several other Sect Masters. Tomorrow we’ll lead our sects together to the Eastern Domain to hunt down Red Demon Hong Qianye. Do you have any objections?”

The middle-aged man held a superior stance, staring down at Ye Wusheng, his tone extremely rigid.

From the sound of it, it felt like he was delivering an edict.

The surrounding elders lowered their heads, not daring to show any discontent.

Because this man was none other than the Sect Master of Wujidao, Feng Qingyang!

Ye Wusheng shook his head, “I’ll follow Sect Master Feng’s lead. I hope that under your leadership, the Seven Great Sects will achieve victory and completely eradicate the source of trouble, Hong Qianye, to let the righteousness of the Central Region shine throughout the Kunlun Realm.”

“Hmm… wait!!”

Just as Feng Qingyang was about to nod in satisfaction, he suddenly caught onto something and furrowed his brows, asking sternly, “Are you saying that your Cangming Dao Sect doesn’t want to contribute?”

Under the subtle pressure, Ye Wusheng’s eyes flashed with a hint of trepidation, which quickly faded away. He put on a look of regret and sighed, “Sect Master Feng, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I’m simply unable to.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Feng Qingyang crossed his arms and smirked coldly, eager to hear the excuse.

Instead of directly addressing it, Ye Wusheng stepped forward, lifted a black cloth, revealing a large black-and-white portrait. The frame was inlaid with neatly arranged jewels, shimmering with a sacred luster, emanating a rare aura.

This was even more valuable than spirit crystals—immortal crystals!

Even a single one would cause a frenzy in the Central Region, and here it was, merely a decorative piece for a portrait!

In the portrait, a middle-aged man with a warm smile was none other than Elder Wei, who had recently passed away!

“What… what is this…” Even Feng Qingyang, a giant in the Central Region, was momentarily taken aback by this scene.

As he looked at the rows of sparkling immortal crystals embedded in the portrait’s frame, a spark of fervor flashed in his eyes, and he felt a strong swell of frustration inside.

Is this guy flaunting his wealth?

And the way he’s doing it is just bizarre!

The next second.

With reddened eyes, Ye Wusheng spoke slowly with deep sorrow, “Sect Master Feng, as you can see, Elder Wei was my most trusted follower from the very start. He risked his life to delve into a demon cave for the safety of the Central Region and perished at the hands of Red Demon Hong Qianye.”

“His death hit me hard.”

“I had this portrait made to plan a grand funeral for him at the sect, lasting forty-nine days, to comfort Elder Wei’s spirit in the afterlife. During this period, no cultivators from Cangming Dao Sect shall act externally, myself included!”

“So, this demon-slaying war will have to be entrusted to you Seven Great Sects. I believe under Sect Master Feng’s leadership, you will surely eliminate the threat that haunts the Central Region!”

He said this, and before Feng Qingyang could react, Ye Wusheng dramatically knelt before the portrait, his expression seeming to age significantly, trembling as he reached out to touch the black-and-white portrait, choking out:

“小魏，你死得真惨啊~”

Seeing this.

Feng Qingyang stood frozen, his eyes a mix of shock and confusion.

Seriously? Is it necessary to go this far when someone’s already dead?

When my son was turned to ashes by Red Demon Hong Qianye, my funeral didn’t even come close to this extravagance!

“Ye Wusheng, you…”

Before he could finish, the other elders had already dropped to their knees, crawling toward the portrait like dogs, crying and wailing:

“Elder Wei! You died so tragically!~”

“We miss you so much, Elder Wei!”

“Why? Why wasn’t it me who died?!”

The sounds of weeping echoed around, filling the hall with a sorrowful atmosphere.

Standing among them, Feng Qingyang was decorated in big question marks above his head.

Is this for real?

That Wei guy was so well-liked?

As for Cangming Dao Sect’s internal matters, especially during such a special occasion, Feng Qingyang really couldn’t intervene; if news got out, it would tarnish his image.

So, regarding Ye Wusheng’s ridiculous excuse, Feng Qingyang had no choice but to hold his nose and accept it.

Didn’t you see the grandeur of the portrait with even immortal crystals embedded in it?

This major project clearly showed sincerity!

“It’s all my fault, I should have stopped him, leading to the unfortunate demise of little Wei,” Ye Wusheng lamented deeply before the massive portrait.

“Young Brother Ye, Elder Wei’s sacrifice holds great value, at least it revealed to us the whereabouts of Red Demon Hong Qianye. If we had allowed him to re-emerge, the entire Central Region would be in peril!”

Feng Qingyang, for some reason, began to console him gently.

“Sect Master Feng, among the sect masters of the Seven Great Sects, I trust you the most! Please seek justice for my Cangming Dao Sect!”

“As compensation for my absence, we shall gift all the resources of our Yunping Prefecture to your sect!”

With red-rimmed eyes, Ye Wusheng spoke earnestly.

“What?”

Feng Qingyang was taken aback.

Yunping Prefecture was an important resource site for Cangming Dao Sect, filled with prime spirit veins and spirit mines, and even a few immortal veins. He had been fretting over how to obtain it nicely, and here the guy was offering it up willingly!

Seems like he’s genuinely sincere.

At that moment, any lingering dissatisfaction in Feng Qingyang vanished.

“Hahaha, Young Brother Ye is truly a man of honor, I admire you! Rest assured, if the other six sect masters ask, I’ll take the hit for you! During this time, you just focus on the funeral for Elder Wei. When I return victorious, let’s celebrate together with drinks!”

Feng Qingyang said earnestly.

“Thank you for your understanding, Sect Master Feng! Allow me to see you off.”

“No need, you go about your business!”

Feeling quite satisfied, Feng Qingyang walked out of the Great Hall, transforming into a streak of radiant immortal light vanishing into the clouds.

After he left, Ye Wusheng dusted himself off, standing up nonchalantly, his expression turning chilly as he said:

“Enough crying! What’s the point in crying when he’s already gone?!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the wails stopped abruptly.

The elders stood up disgruntledly, some who had prepared for a show of emotions stifled their feelings, feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

“Sect Master, are we really giving away Yunping Prefecture?” A tall elder asked with a troubled look.

“Hmph, if you don’t seize the opportunity, how can you catch a wolf without giving it a meal? If we feed this wolf well, it’ll bite the enemies for us.”

Ye Wusheng sneered, “Besides, once they leave tomorrow, the people from the Seven Great Sects won’t be coming back. Even if I give away the resource site, so what?”

“Sect Master, is Red Demon Hong Qianye truly that strong? Can’t even the united forces of the Seven Great Sects handle him?” Another elder asked, filled with doubt.

I remember last Immortal War, even the immortals of the Eight Great Sects managed to suppress that great demon. With the changes in heaven and earth, the number of immortals in each sect has drastically increased; even if he has reached the Celestial Immortal Realm, wouldn’t he face suppression again?

Yet, Ye Wusheng narrowed his eyes, recalling that scene, his expression shifted as he gritted his teeth, saying:

“Very strong, extremely strong!”

“Unless the Four Great Sacred Grounds are willing to intervene, we definitely cannot match that great demon!”

Hearing such a definitive answer, the crowd exchanged worried glances.

Inside, they had already believed nine out of ten.

Once finished, Ye Wusheng turned to look at the large portrait behind him, his expression showing a trace of distaste.

“Go, remove the immortal crystals from the portrait; I want the same quality!”

“Understood!”