Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 409

In a certain mining site, a group of cultivators was swinging pickaxes, drenched in sweat as they mined.

Due to the peculiar magnetic field in this area, their cultivation levels were severely suppressed, and their bodies were gradually eroded by the bizarre forces here. Over time, their vitality would decline, leaving them in a state of lethargy.

Around the mining site, powerful divine senses occasionally swept through, causing the cultivators being investigated to feel a chill run down their spines.

Clearly, these were the alien races responsible for the surveillance.

To ensure the mining progress, each mining site had four alien races’ experts overseeing operations and suppressing any rebellious cultivators from the Eastern Domain.

Under such overwhelming strength, several mining site riots were quashed.

A shadow of despair loomed over everyone, creating an atmosphere that was extremely oppressive and heavy.

There was no hope in sight!

They were merely driven like cattle, destined to die in the mines!

Clang! Clang!

Inside the mine, the crisp clanging of metal echoed, with many laboring cultivators covered in dirt, utterly exhausted.

“Did you hear? Many factions recently got punished for failing to meet their quotas, and even the high-ups were sent here to work in the mines,” said a sturdy man while swinging his pickaxe.

“Yeah, just the other day, the ancestor of the Banshan Sect, Ouyang Feng, was sent to our mining site to participate in the excavation. Even a dignified profound immortal like him is wiped out!”

A companion chimed in.

“Now, if they fail to meet the quotas, the entire sect suffers, regardless of status; everyone gets sent to mine. Only the upper echelons of the three great sects can barely maintain their image.”

“Right, but at this rate, I think even the three great sects will eventually be dragged down together.”

“You’re right, those alien races’ appetites are growing bigger, they’re simply insane!”

“I don’t even know what they want from mining these worthless crystal stones! They’ve turned the whole Eastern Domain into a quagmire!”

“Exactly, it’s against the heavens!!”

Their conversation resonated with the nearby cultivators, amplifying their agitation and grievances.

As previously mentioned, due to the immense difficulty in mining, many factions from the Eastern Domain faced hardships, being sent to mine by the alien races.

In the same mining site, you could even see the family master of a certain cultivation family, along with his wives, children, and distant relatives, all toiling at the mine…

Or the once lofty sect master and the newly joined disciple working side by side, laboring and resting together!

To the four alien races, any cultivator could be used as free labor to speed up mining efficiency!

Currently, only the three great sects in the Eastern Domain could barely maintain their image, namely, Xuantian Sect, Xuanji Sword Sect, and Wendaozong!

But given time, they too could be dragged down and join the vast army of miners.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the mine, listening to the outraged voices of the crowd behind him, a towering old man silently swung his pickaxe, sighing helplessly, bitterness churning in his heart.

Remembering the past, he too had once been passionate and proud, resolutely facing overwhelming pressures from outside forces, vowing to defend the dignity of the Arid Province’s cultivators, even when he was beaten badly.

Yet now, because his sect failed to meet quotas, he was captured by the alien races and thrown here to mine. Day by day, under relentless physical and mental strain, he became increasingly silent, his face displaying weariness and despair.

Who would have imagined he was once famous in the Arid Province, the ancestor of the second largest sect, the Banshan Sect?

Life is unpredictable!

Recalling all he had been through, Ouyang Feng felt a deep pang of sorrow.

Even shortly after the tumultuous changes in the world, as he gained numerous fortuitous encounters and his cultivation level skyrocketed, reaching profound immortal status and nearing the realm of immortal sovereign, in the eyes of the four alien races, he was just a nobody!

Who would have thought such terrifying beings would hide in the vast Hundred Thousand Immortal Mountains?

Even those ancient cultivators who prided themselves as revivalists would retreat when meeting them, fearing to breathe loudly.

It was utterly despairing.

Truly, utterly despairing!

Ninety-nine percent of the cultivators were either mining or on their way to mine every day.

In such a harsh and oppressive environment, did the Eastern Domain’s cultivation world still have a future?

Feeling his body weakened, Ouyang Feng’s heart had already grown numb.

A familiar young figure resurfaced in his mind; the person he admired most in his life.

“Senior Ye, please come back soon…”

Ouyang Feng murmured, filled with longing.

Now, the only one who could save the Eastern Domain was that once-revered Senior Ye!

This was the only hope for the cultivators of the Eastern Domain to persevere!

Unfortunately, according to information from the Xuantian Sect, he had left the Eastern Domain a long time ago to travel to the Central Region.

But countless people yearned, hoping that when Senior Ye returned, he could once again demonstrate his might and defeat the tyrannical four alien races!

Just as Ouyang Feng’s thoughts drifted, an angry shout from an alien race supervisor echoed outside the mine,

“Shut your mouths! What are you making noise for? Do you want to die?!”

Immediately, the clamor fell silent.

Everyone instantly fell mute.

In this place, the alien race supervisors were gods; anyone who defied their orders would face relentless torment, living a fate worse than death.

At that moment, the alien race supervisor smirked, addressing his companion, “See? These beasts need to be trained!”

His build was massive, towering like an iron tower, resembling a primitive ape with bulging muscles, radiating explosive strength.

This was one of the four alien races—the Strange Ape Clan!

Compared to the Butterfly Immortals who absorbed immortal energy, the Strange Ape Clan’s unique ability was to release the Forbidden Technique Domain, rendering any cultivator within it unable to use any spells.

Of course, this also applied to themselves.

It seemed pointless at first glance, but it wasn’t, since the Strange Ape Clan was all about body cultivation, with top-notch physical defenses and brute force.

Within the Forbidden Technique Domain, their advantages could be maximized, and many cultivators would suffer in combat against them.

“You’re right; only then will these beasts mine quietly, providing more heavenly source crystals for our guardian spirits!” his companion grinned maliciously.

“I’ve heard from the tribe that there’s been a large influx of heavenly source crystals recently, and the guardian spirit’s condition is improving. As long as it remains safe, our Strange Ape Clan can continue to thrive.”

“Yes, praise the great guardian spirit!!”

Suddenly, a terrifying slash of the blade flashed by, and before the two Strange Ape Clan experts could react, their heads were severed from their bodies.

Li Wujie appeared beside the corpses, a mocking smile on his face,

“Ha ha, once my master makes a move, that so-called guardian spirit will soon meet its demise.”

He then shouted into the mine, “Fellow cultivators, come out! The Immortal Alliance is here to rescue you!”

Hearing the shout, the cultivators inside the mine exchanged glances, suspecting it was a trick from the alien race supervisors.

After all, there was no such force as the Immortal Alliance in the Eastern Domain, so they felt there must be something fishy going on.

Li Wujie called for a while, but the mine remained silent, not a single figure appearing, which infuriated him.

“What’s going on?” Hong Qianye dashed in, frowning.

“Hmph, a bunch of cowards too scared to come out!” Li Wujie grumbled.

“What’s happening?!”

Just then, a patrol from the Strange Ape Clan noticed something was off and rushed to this mining site to investigate.

Upon seeing their fallen kin, they flew into a rage; how dare any cultivators kill their supervisors?

That was punishable by death!

“Kill them!” the small chief shouted angrily.

The Forbidden Technique Domains sprang to life, enveloping the area.

“Hmm? I can’t use any spells?” Hong Qianye stared at the extinguished flames on her hands, her face contorting in shock.

“Ha ha, just watch closely!” Seeing Hong Qianye look like a plucked phoenix, Li Wujie wore a smug smile, relishing his moment to show off.

As a sword cultivator, so what if he couldn’t use spells? As long as he had a sword in hand, he could execute his strongest moves.

“Chaotic Heaven Sword Technique!”

Li Wujie showcased this supreme sword art, empowered by supreme sword intent, unleashing unimaginable power.

Even the formidable bodies of the Strange Ape Clan couldn’t withstand it at this moment.

“Ah…”

Screams echoed constantly.

Soon, the Strange Ape Clan’s experts were almost entirely wiped out, their prized Forbidden Technique Domain proving ineffective against Li Wujie.

“See? This is the advantage of sword cultivators! Not something you fire-wielding folks can compare with.”

Li Wujie turned back with swagger, boasting.

Having felt belittled as a sword cultivator before, he seized this chance to gloat.

Hong Qianye’s mouth twitched several times, coldly snorting and choosing to ignore him.

At this moment, if she said anything to refute him, it would only fuel his arrogance, so she opted for silence.

Who knew the Strange Ape Clan’s ability was so bizarre, that it could prevent cultivators from casting spells? Talk about bad luck!

“Hehe, left with no words.” Li Wujie felt a wave of relief, reveling in a sense of triumph.

As a sword cultivator, I am proud!

Hong Qianye was fuming but didn’t respond directly. Instead, she vented toward the mine, shouting,

“Everyone inside, get out here now! Do you want to stay in there forever?!”

Her voice rolled like heavenly thunder, shaking the mining site.

Finally, shadows began to appear in the mine, cautiously peeking out with uneasy gazes.

Fearful of any tricks from the alien race supervisors, they were extremely careful.

Among them, upon seeing Hong Qianye, a familiar cultivator yelled out like struck by lightning,

“Fairy Hong! It’s Fairy Hong who’s come!!”

Hearing those words, the other cultivators paused, then erupted in joyous exclamations.

Who is Fairy Hong? She was once the dream girl of countless men in the Eastern Domain!

More importantly, she was also Senior Ye’s top disciple!

You can only imagine how high her status was!

Upon hearing that familiar yet unbearable title, Hong Qianye’s mouth twitched uncontrollably, feeling an impulse to burn them all to the ground.

“Fairy Hong!!”

Suddenly, Ouyang Feng pushed through the crowd, hurriedly running out like a madman, eyes glistening with tears as he trembled and shouted, “May I ask if Senior Ye has returned?”

The place fell silent.

The hearts of the cultivators were in their throats, anxiously waiting…