Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 307

At the end of the palace, it felt like darkness had wrapped around everything.

On the high throne, a vague figure sat, its true appearance obscured. Its fingers gently tapped the armrest, seemingly following some strange pattern.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, feeling something amiss, the figure opened its eyes wide. The bright light from its eyes pierced through the darkness like a dazzling beacon, standing out starkly in the dim surroundings.

“Strange, why do I feel uneasy? Could it be that the army attacking Litang City has encountered an accident?”

Ku Wuchang furrowed his brow and murmured to himself.

To the outside world, he was the deputy leader of the Fire Cult, second only to the leader. This large-scale siege was executed under Hong Qianye’s orders, but only Ku Wuchang knew that the whole thing was a meticulously crafted conspiracy.

The goal was to quickly gather personnel from the Demonic Path and then assault Litang City.

The reason for this was to pressure Ding Zhen, the king of Litang, into using the Ice Spirit Immortal Pearl!

“As long as the mission goes smoothly, the Snow Wolf King will start to act. With its backing, I can navigate the Demonic Path freely. So what if my current identity is fake? Over time, the fake can become real! I’ll be the true power behind the Fire Cult!”

Ku Wuchang spoke in a low tone, his eyes filled with immense ambition.

Previously, he had been a nobody in the Demonic Path. Benefiting from changes in the world, he seized the opportunity to soar to prominence. Later, while traveling through North Origin State, he encountered the current Snow Wolf King, who claimed to be a being from ancient times. It promised unmatched benefits if Ku Wuchang helped it achieve a certain goal.

At first, he was skeptical, but after being overwhelmed by a whiff of Immortal King level aura, his mindset did a complete turnaround.

An Immortal King!

That was an Immortal King!

In the Central Region, being a Celestial Immortal meant being a dominant force, while a Profound Immortal was at the pinnacle of strength.

At that moment, the appearance of an Immortal King was incredibly shocking for someone with Ku Wuchang’s limited understanding!

If he could hold onto this powerful figure’s coattails, wouldn’t he be able to swagger around?

However, Ku Wuchang also felt apprehensive, fearing that the other party would make excessive demands…

Until the Snow Wolf King clearly stated its needs, Ku Wuchang finally sighed in relief and wiped his brow.

It turned out that what the Snow Wolf King wanted was the Ice Spirit Immortal Pearl in Ding Zhen’s possession. That thing was a preeminent treasure, containing unmatched ice energy. If given to a suitable being, its power could be unimaginable.

The Snow Wolf King could not fathom whether Ding Zhen had completely mastered the Ice Spirit Immortal Pearl. If so, trying to seize it by force could surely lead to disaster.

So, it needed a reliable ally to test Ding Zhen’s true capabilities!

Hearing the request, Ku Wuchang fell into deep thought. After all, Ding Zhen’s reputation echoed throughout North Origin State. Unless there was a massive external threat, he would never use the Ice Spirit Immortal Pearl.

If he rushed over himself, he’d likely be dead before he even saw him!

Keep in mind, Litang City was heavily guarded, the top-tier cultivation city in North Origin State!

In light of this, Ku Wuchang racked his brains, thinking about his identity as a Demonic Cultivator and the recent buzz surrounding the Red Demon. Suddenly, a bold idea struck him!

He could use the name of the Red Demon to rekindle the Fire Cult in the Central Region. He would act as deputy leader and recruit Demonic Cultivators willing to serve the Red Demon, and then mount a large-scale assault on Litang City to pressure Ding Zhen into using the Ice Spirit Immortal Pearl.

Before long, Ku Wuchang launched his plan. To his surprise, once the news broke, it caused a significant stir in the Demonic Path. Countless cultivators from all corners rushed to join the Fire Cult, eager to serve Hong Qianye!

Of course, many cunning individuals doubted Ku Wuchang’s claims as deputy leader. Fortunately, he was prepared and produced the token given by the Snow Wolf King, which contained a wisp of its power, enough to intimidate even a Profound Immortal.

Holding the token, Ku Wuchang declared that it was a holy order bestowed by Hong Qianye herself. With this holy order, it was as if they had seen the true leader in person!

This way, the cultivators who initially doubted him shed their skepticism, replaced by deep respect…

With his position solidified, Ku Wuchang aggressively recruited more followers, under the pretext that the leader aimed to conquer North Origin State, prompting his subordinates to form a formidable force for expansion!

The Demonic Cultivators, convinced they were working for the leader, quickly formed a team to sweep through North Origin State, aiming for Litang City!

At that moment, Ku Wuchang believed that if he gathered all the Demonic Path strongmen to attack the city, the overwhelming external threat would force Ding Zhen to utilize the Ice Spirit Immortal Pearl. If all went well, his plan would succeed!

As for the numerous Demonic Cultivators sent out, becoming casualties wasn’t something Ku Wuchang cared for at all.

Having crawled through the Demonic Path, he understood the brutal truth of life and death. Whose underfoot weren’t piles of bones?

Once the plan was finished, he’d gain the Snow Wolf King’s support, securing his position as deputy leader.

If one day the real Hong Qianye showed up, he wouldn’t worry with an Immortal King backing him.

By then, Ku Wuchang would have no qualms about taking her place entirely! Becoming the true leader of the Fire Cult in every sense!

But now.

Ku Wuchang had a foreboding sensation, as if some disaster was about to befall him.

“It shouldn’t be. Am I overthinking?”

In the darkness, he muttered.

Suddenly.

The dim Great Hall lit up in an instant, each fire basin igniting with blazing flames, adding a touch of warmth to the cold environment.

On the throne, a thin man clad in black robes with a black hat, his pale face showing fury, bellowed:

“Who the hell lit the fire?! Looking to die?!”

Ku Wuchang was furious. He preferred the darkness, as it made him feel safe. That was why he ordered no light in the hall. Now, someone blatantly disobeying him made him feel disrespected.

“Shut up! You shameless impostor!” A thunderous voice from outside rang out, causing Ku Wuchang’s expression to change.

Gui Jianchou stormed in, glaring at the figure on the throne.

“You bastard!”

Ku Wuchang suppressed his inner panic, brandishing the holy order in an attempt to intimidate Gui Jianchou, his killing intent evident: “I have the holy order from the leader, how dare you call me fake?”

Gui Jianchou remained silent, respectfully stepping aside, “Leader, this scoundrel is Ku Wuchang!”

At that moment, a tall figure slowly walked in, hands behind his back. With a face as exquisite as sheep jade, cold as frost, its eyes seemed to hold divine light, piercingly bright. Its thin lips uttered chilling words,

“When did I ever grant you a holy order?”

At this sight.

Ku Wuchang felt like he had been struck by lightning, almost dropping the token in hand. Trembling, he pointed a finger, throat dry, speechless:

“Y-you are the Red Demon?”

He never expected the other party to show up so quickly, and in such an unanticipated manner.

The name of the person echoed louder than their shadow.

Not being afraid would be a lie, especially given that he had leveraged their reputation. A mix of panic and guilt crept in…

“Scum like you has the audacity to become the deputy leader of the Fire Cult?”

Hong Qianye sneered.

Those words struck Ku Wuchang’s pride like a dagger.

Desperately trying to calm himself, he forced a chilling laugh: “In that case, I won’t beat around the bush. You’re a legendary figure in the Demonic Path, someone I respected greatly. Your deeds have inspired many newbies, but fortunes change; it’s my turn to seize your place!”

“Presumptuous! How dare you disrespect the leader? Get down here!” Gui Jianchou roared, reaching out violently.

Countless skulls condensed into a massive dark hand, reaching for Ku Wuchang on the throne.

Swoosh!

In an instant, a bright barrier formed before Ku Wuchang, showcasing a large wolf-head emblem, terrifying in nature.

Boom~

The dark hand disintegrated instantly, a faint sound reminiscent of ghostly wails echoing.

“Ugh!” Gui Jianchou staggered back, blood seeping from his mouth, his face exceptionally grim.

In Ku Wuchang’s hand, a bronze token had appeared at some point. He sneered, “You think you can harm me with just that?”

Hong Qianye’s gaze fell upon the bronze token, her Danfeng Eyes narrowing, “That’s a magical treasure crafted by a great power. Seems like someone’s backing you.”

Playing with the token, Ku Wuchang coldly replied, “Red Demon, if you wish to survive in the Eastern Domain, that’s one thing. But since you’ve come knocking, don’t think you can leave unscathed!”

The last words were laced with overwhelming killing intent.

With the treasure granted by the Snow Wolf King, Ku Wuchang was inflated with confidence!

From initially looking up to this legendary figure to now staring her down, even wanting to take her place, he perfectly demonstrated what it meant to become arrogant.

“You fool! Whatever you have in your hand is worthless before me.” Hong Qianye’s tone was dripping with disdain.

Strangely, instead of getting angry, Ku Wuchang fixated on Hong Qianye.

In his eyes, she wasn’t just a woman but someone even more enchanting. Her black hair cascaded down to her waist, skin fair and flawless, features exquisitely painted, a trace of heroism in her brows embellished by a vivid flame symbol on her forehead, adding a breathtaking allure, especially when she tilted her chin in mocking pride, igniting a strange yearning in Ku Wuchang, his stare growing hot…

“This beauty, if I could capture her and train her, it would feel even more fulfilling than just killing her, right?”

Ku Wuchang found himself increasingly excited at the thought, eagerly raising his token again. Injecting his Immortal Power, the token radiated terrifying energy waves.

In a flash, a massive white wolf claw materialized, enveloped in a cold air capable of freezing the void, crashing towards Hong Qianye,

“I, Ku Wuchang, hereby declare myself the true leader of the Fire Cult from today!”

“As for you, kneel before your new leader!!”