Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 608

Tu Lie felt like a complete clown. All those years of one-sided dedication? Pure foolishness.

The worst part was, he had brought this humiliation on himself. If he’d just handled things coolly like Su Yinghuo, then everyone could have lived happily ever after without the situation blowing up like this.

But no, here he was, watching as the woman he admired got all cozy with some guy while he just stood there like a kicked dog!

Tu Lie was so distressed he could’ve died; he nearly ground his back teeth to dust, fists cracking like popcorn.

The scene in front of him was burned into his brain—something he’d never forget in this lifetime.

Su Yinghuo noticed the odd vibe and shot at Ye Junlin, “Didn’t expect you to be such a troublemaker.”

Ye Junlin laughed, “Yeah? So do you dislike me now?”

“How could I?! I actually like you even more, uh-huh~”

Su Yinghuo’s voice was as sweet as honey, her flirtatious look practically dizzying.

To be fair, Su Yinghuo’s charm was nearly unbeatable, especially since she was the esteemed Empress of the Qingqiu Nation. How could any man resist such a powerful woman in such a high position?

Seriously, how many guys could keep their composure around her?

Even Ye Junlin, with her face so close, felt his heart, usually as steady as a rock, start to waver.

“This sly vixen has some tricks up her sleeve…” Ye Junlin forced down his inner turmoil, his expression returning to normal.

“Strange, why is Sister Su getting so close to Master?” Bai Xiaoxi asked with wide, innocent eyes.

“Because she’s itchy.”

Canglang Jun grunted in annoyance. He couldn’t stand how close Su Yinghuo and Ye Junlin were getting—he thought his granddaughter, Li Ruotong, was the perfect match instead.

“Huh? Itchy where?”

“Guess!”

“I can’t guess…”

At that moment, after downing a cup of celebratory wine, Ye Junlin broke away from Su Yinghuo.

He shot a sideways glance at Tu Lie and barked, “Who told you to stop? Keep going?!”

Tu Lie snapped back to reality, feeling the pressure on him mounting. With death looming over him, he gritted his teeth and continued banging his head on the ground—thump, thump, thump—hoping to just finish up that ridiculous thousand bows so he could skedaddle!

The sight was utterly bizarre.

On one side, Ye Junlin and the others were enjoying drinks and light banter, while on the other, Tu Lie was a bubbling pot of frustration, head bobbing helplessly…

And so the banquet dragged on for quite a while, until everyone was full and merry.

“Bai Swordswoman’s cooking is just, uh… unbeatable!” Canglang Jun said, rubbing his stuffed belly, reclined in his chair and sighing contentedly.

“Still prefer Xiaoxi’s cooking; I’m used to it,” Ye Junlin chimed, finally satisfied as he reminisced about the days of culinary famine he’d just endured.

“Hehe, it wasn’t that bad~” Bai Xiaoxi beamed, her cheeks flushed with joy from the compliments.

At that moment, the poor Tu Lie finally completed his goal of a thousand bows.

He felt a bit dizzy, his brain foggy from blood rushing to it, and the mental torment he’d endured left him feeling worse than dead.

“Y-Ye Lord, Tu has fulfilled your request. Can I leave now?”

Tu Lie said, putting on a brave face.

Ye Junlin replied, “You still need to swear you won’t step foot in Qingqiu Nation ever again.”

“Don’t worry, I swear I will never come back to Qingqiu Nation, even if Su Lord invites me!” Tu Lie exclaimed, his emotions running high.

He’d be humiliated there; only a deranged mind would return.

Why leave the lovely Dongsheng Immortal Domain to relive those embarrassing memories?

Su Yinghuo heard this and scoffed, “Hmph! I’d never invite you anyway; you’re always pestering me to come!”

Tu Lie’s face turned red with embarrassment.

“Well, since you realize your mistakes, just go,” Ye Junlin waved him off like shooing away a fly.

“Thank you, Ye Lord! I’m taking my leave!”

Tu Lie sprinted away like a weight had been lifted, afraid that in the next second that man would change his mind.

As he scurried off, the Imperial Capital erupted in cheers.

“Xiaoxi, go say goodbye to Su Lord properly; we’re leaving soon,” Ye Junlin instructed.

Upon hearing this,

Su Yinghuo showed reluctance, “Ye Lord, are you really taking Xiaoxi away so soon?”

“Ahem, understand that I came all this way just to take Xiaoxi back,” Ye Junlin sighed.

Bai Xiaoxi eagerly agreed to return with her Master; it meant she could finally relax and be herself again.

But she also felt a pang of sadness for Su Yinghuo, who had taken her in and provided a lovely home and comforts.

The only downside? The relentless push to practice.

“Sister Su, I really have to go back with Master. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely miss you!” Bai Xiaoxi declared earnestly.

Su Yinghuo pinched her little nose playfully, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really thinking. Sigh, what do I even say about you, child? You’re so clueless about your own blessings.”

She was still referring to Bai Xiaoxi’s talent.

Who could’ve guessed that the future inheritor of the first immortal body in the universe wouldn’t be some legendary powerhouse aiming for greatness, but rather a chef who just wanted to cook?

“But I’m happy right now!” Bai Xiaoxi insisted.

Su Yinghuo paused, recognizing a rare sincerity and purity in the silver-haired girl’s eyes.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Suddenly realizing this, Su Yinghuo felt a jolt in her heart. Wasn’t this, in itself, a kind of cultivation?

Then she cast a deep look at Ye Junlin.

So this was your true intention!

Not just a shallow perspective!

With this in mind, handing over such a unique talent to him wouldn’t be wasting a precious gem.

Su Yinghuo, naturally, assumed that with Ye Junlin’s unrivaled capabilities in raising disciples, it was undoubtedly a deeper plan than previously understood.

Seeing Su Yinghuo’s knowing gaze, Ye Junlin was left puzzled with several question marks popping up in his mind.

What did that mean?

Why couldn’t she just say it outright?

He was flummoxed…

Ye Junlin truly had no clue what this vixen was imagining. If he did, he’d be both amused and baffled.

Because honestly? He hadn’t thought that much at all!