Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 613

“Tu Xiong, sorry to keep you waiting!”

The Righteous Heaven Sword Emperor strolled into the Hall of War Gods, all excited, only to find it empty and a spooky breeze blowing through.

He froze on the spot, taken aback.

Just then, a familiar and rugged voice came from the other side, “Bu Xiong, long time no see!”

A man as imposing as a towering iron pagoda stepped out, dressed in loose, dark red garments, adding a fierce vibe to his already intimidating presence.

The Righteous Heaven Sword Emperor’s real name was Bu Qianfan.

This was also information gathered by the Luantian Blood Emperor through soul searching.

From his memories, he learned that Tu Lie and Bu Qianfan had a sparring agreement, and today just happened to be the due date for that arrangement—Bu Qianfan would personally show up.

During this time, the Luantian Blood Emperor had nearly drained the blood of the Hall of War Gods’ members just to satisfy his cravings.

As for the remaining few, they were transformed into blood servants to cover up the Hall’s dire conditions.

For example, those two disciples outside earlier were blood servants, following his orders to concoct excuses to deceive outsiders.

When faced with the willingly entrapped Bu Qianfan, the Luantian Blood Emperor naturally wouldn’t let this golden opportunity slip by.

Such a powerful Sword Emperor, his blood must contain precious essence—if he could successfully siphon his blood, his strength would soar to new heights.

However, the Luantian Blood Emperor didn’t want to act recklessly, as he learned from the original owner’s memories that Bu Qianfan was even stronger than his predecessor, nearing the level of top-tier powerhouses.

If the Sword Emperor decided to burn his life fighting back, it could pose quite a threat.

After all, the terror of this Sword Emperor was no less than that of an unparalleled Sword Emperor himself!

So.

He needed to pacify him first, then find the right moment to deliver a fatal blow!

Bu Qianfan frowned slightly, faintly sensing that his old friend had a somewhat different aura about him, as if something had changed.

Was it just an illusion?

The Luantian Blood Emperor feigned enthusiasm, sporting a smile as he greeted, “Bu Xiong, you’re too kind! Every time you bring two jars of fine wine, let’s drink to our hearts’ content first.”

Bu Qianfan nodded, “I was waiting for those words!”

The two made their way to the table, seating themselves on the ground.

After removing the seal from the wine jars, a rich aroma of wine wafted through the air.

The Luantian Blood Emperor feigned ecstatic joy, mimicking the original owner’s previous behavior—he leaned in and took a deep sniff near the jars, his face immediately expressing bliss as he exclaimed:

“Good wine! Bu Xiong really knows me!”

Looking at the robust man in front of him, familiar gestures made Bu Qianfan’s doubts wane significantly as he chuckled:

“Tu Xiong, I knew you’d enjoy it! This is Immortal Spirit Wine worth sixty million Immortal Crystals a jar; I guarantee once you taste it, you’ll never forget it!”

The Luantian Blood Emperor chuckled, “Haha, Bu Xiong is so generous!”

Then, without hesitation, he grabbed a jar and gulped down a large swig.

The wine was incredibly strong and rich, carrying the aroma of years of aging, smooth and dense on the palate.

Initially, the Luantian Blood Emperor didn’t think much of it, but as the liquid slid down his throat and into his stomach, his eyes widened in shock, showing traces of panic.

It felt like he had swallowed a massive ball of blazing fire, with every organ and drop of blood igniting in flames.

“What the hell is this wine? Why does it feel so awful, like it’s suppressing my Undying Blood Clan?”

A thought flashed through his mind.

The Luantian Blood Emperor gritted through the discomfort inside, lowering his head to set down the jar with great difficulty, his eyes flickering with suspicion. He began to suspect whether Bu Qianfan had figured out his identity and purposely used this wine to test him.

“How’s it? Not bad, right? I heard this wine is brewed with ten exquisite Immortal Medicines called Sunflowers; it took the brewer a whole century to refine it. Even an Immortal Emperor would feel comfortable and benefit their vital energy!”

Bu Qianfan introduced with a cheerful grin.

“Su… Sunflower?”

The Luantian Blood Emperor’s face went pale as he finally realized why he felt so miserable.

The Sunflower is an extremely Yang substance, brimming with massive Yang energy.

The Undying Blood Clan’s constitution is predominantly Yin and cold, akin to dark creatures, making them especially averse to such pure Yang auras.

So, even if offered for free, they wouldn’t touch something like the Sunflower, as it provides them with absolutely no benefit and leaves them feeling dreadful, posing a certain safety threat.

To put it in perspective.

With the Luantian Blood Emperor’s supreme cultivation level, he could barely refine a single Sunflower, but the Immortal Spirit Wine in front of him was brewed with a whopping ten Sunflowers, making its potency exceedingly powerful.

This explained why even a single sip made him feel so deeply uncomfortable and close to unbearable!

Now that he understood the root of the matter, the Luantian Blood Emperor was furious.

Damn it, what’s with this whole jar of wine adding some pointless Sunflowers?! And ten of them at once—once I find out who that brewer is, I swear I’ll make him pay!

“Tu Xiong, what’s going on with you? Didn’t you always love this strong wine?”

Noticing the man before him acting out of sorts, Bu Qianfan’s eyes held a hint of suspicion, feeling something was off.

The Luantian Blood Emperor’s heart raced, and he quickly thought of a response, his gaze mixed as he sighed: “Bu Xiong, I’m just a bit overcome with emotion; after all, this wine is just too much to my liking!”

Bu Qianfan fell silent for a while, scrutinizing the expression on his face, before dismissing his doubts and breaking into a hearty smile. “Come on, we’re such old friends; this little bit of wine is nothing!”

As he spoke, he boldly picked up the wine jar, signaling, “Come on, let’s down it!”

At this demand, the Luantian Blood Emperor felt like he’d been struck by lightning.

Are you kidding me?

Down an entire jar?

The painful experience from that earlier sip still haunted him, and he could feel his stomach lightly twitching.

“What are you dawdling for? You don’t think I can drink you under the table, do you?” Bu Qianfan pressed with a stern face.

“How could…” The Luantian Blood Emperor’s smile looked more like a grimace as he awkwardly lifted the wine jar, staring at the contents, his scalp prickled with dread—this was the first time in his life he felt this scared.

Honestly, the Luantian Blood Emperor deeply wanted to flip the table, but considering the other’s prowess in swordsmanship, he hesitated.

It’s just a jar of wine; besides, with his cultivation and physical strength, he could still barely digest the medicinal properties, even if the process would be painfully uncomfortable.

If things went smoothly, Bu Qianfan would end up as his blood meal, and his own power would increase significantly—it would be a guaranteed win!

Thinking of this, the Luantian Blood Emperor clenched his teeth and decided to play along to the end.

He took a deep breath and shouted:

“Let’s do it!”

With that, he raised the wine jar and tilted it back, chugging it down, each swallow felt like swallowing razor blades.

The Luantian Blood Emperor’s pupils quivered, displaying deep anguish.

He had grossly overestimated his capacity for tolerance; now, he felt as though his whole body was ablaze, every inch of flesh searing and boiling within him like a furnace.

“Ahhhhhh…”

With veins bulging on his forehead, the Luantian Blood Emperor’s internal screams echoed as he trembled uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Bu Qianfan had finished his drink, slamming down his jar with a slight flush on his face and a grin still lingering on his lips.

“That was exhilarating!”

He then looked at the “Tu Lie” in front of him, his face filled with astonishment, “Tu Xiong, what’s wrong with you?”

At this moment, the Luantian Blood Emperor finally managed to finish off the jar, but due to his overwhelming pain, he couldn’t let it show. Instead, he forced himself to endure, causing him to shake involuntarily, his lowered head masking his contorted expression, teeth grinding audibly, thick veins bursting from his neck in a frightening display.

Every last drop of that Immortal Spirit Wine, filled with the power of the Sunflower, had been consumed, and the sensation was akin to a mouse swallowing poison—utterly agonizing and heart-wrenching!

Hold it together!

I must hold it together!

For the greater good, this little cost is nothing!

Damn, this really feels unbearable…

“Tu Xiong, Tu Xiong, are you alright?”

Bu Qianfan hastily patted the robust man’s shoulder, puzzled as he asked.

“I’m… I’m fine,”

The Luantian Blood Emperor raised his face, drenched in sweat, looking as though he was struggling on the toilet, forcing out a response through gritted teeth:

“It’s just that this wine… is really too delicious; I’m a bit moved…”