Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 682

However, Li Ruotong simply stared calmly and after a moment opened her mouth, saying, “Young Master Xu, please conduct yourself. I have no intention of leaving. If you wish to stay here, my Li family will host you with the highest standards, but regarding the topic we just spoke about, I hope we can just drop it and let each of us live in peace.”

With that said.

Li Ruotong stood up and was about to leave.

Xu Yaolin was stunned for a moment, an indescribable sense of defeat washing over him, quickly followed by a feeling of rage fueled by humiliation. He slammed the table, stood up, and roared:

“Stop right there!!!”

A terrifying aura suddenly burst forth, enveloping the surroundings.

Li Ruotong’s heart raced, a chill running down her spine as she felt an unprecedented pressure.

It dawned on her that she had underestimated the other party’s level; he was definitely a powerhouse above the True Saint realm!

Realizing she had no way out, Li Ruotong turned to face the unyielding youth and coldly asked, “Young Master Xu, what do you mean by this?”

Xu Yaolin decided not to pretend anymore, tearing off his hypocritical mask, and sneered, “You really don’t understand your situation. Do you know how many people are vying for this spot? Now that it’s right in front of you, not only do you refuse to appreciate it, but you outright reject it. Where do you think that leaves me?”

Li Ruotong maintained her dignity, replying, “I appreciate your willingness to help, but I also have the right to refuse. That shouldn’t be in conflict, right?”

“Hmph, that conflict is huge!”

Xu Yaolin sneered, “I am willing to sit down and talk properly with you, which shows I think highly of you. I’ve already given you enough face. Otherwise, given your abilities, why would I waste my time with you? My patience is limited!”

His words were thick with threats.

Li Ruotong felt a chill in her heart, her gaze turning increasingly cold. It was clear that he might try something forceful.

Having come this far, she could only do her best to stall him!

“This is the territory governed by the Celestial Court. If you dare to do me harm, the Lord of the Celestial Court will not let you off lightly!”

“Let’s not forget, not long ago he wiped out numerous foreign cultivators with a single decree. Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?!”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yaolin was taken aback, as if recalling something, and scoffed, “You mean that short-lived ghost? By the time the Nine Nether Coalition comes, he’ll be taken by those guys for a sacrifice!”

“Besides, his tricks only scare the weak. For someone at my level, they are nothing but petty moves!”

“Even if he came in person, I could ensure he returns empty-handed!”

Xu Yaolin was brimming with confidence, bolstered by his status as a member of the Divine Eye Race.

With his identity, venturing into a place like the Holy Realm meant even the strongest locals would have to treat him with respect. He didn’t believe that the Lord of the Celestial Court would dare to challenge him.

Moreover, his strength was even greater than the Ghost Blade Heavenly Saint; if it came to a fight, he wouldn’t be the least bit worried—just a bit of a hassle!

Seeing the other party completely unbothered, Li Ruotong’s heart sank to the depths.

“Since that’s the case…”

Before she could finish, an overwhelming sacred aura erupted from her, a grand moon wheel appearing behind her, emitting threads of divine, luminous brilliance that made her skin even whiter than jade, resembling a moon goddess walking among mortals.

Without a doubt, after her ascent to Saint, Li Ruotong’s sacred and untouchable aura was even more pronounced than before.

“Heh, still thinking of resisting me?”

Xu Yaolin, who had already anticipated this, scoffed disdainfully as a far mightier sacred pressure erupted from him, stepping forward.

Boom!

Li Ruotong felt as though struck by lightning, blood trickling from her mouth as she staggered back a few steps, shock overtaking her beautiful eyes.

In just a single exchange, she was injured.

One could only imagine how vast the gap in their strengths was!

“I had high hopes for you, wanting to take you away from this wretched place, yet you choose not to appreciate it. You’re not just rejecting me; you’re humiliating me!”

Xu Yaolin’s face darkened as he advanced step by step, the sacred pressure instantly engulfing Li Ruotong, gradually pressing down on her.

“Ugh,”

Sweat beads formed on Li Ruotong’s forehead, her face turning even paler. She could feel the terrifying weight of this pressure, as if carrying an enormous holy mountain, making it hard for her to breathe, threatening to snap her spine!

Thud!

In a matter of moments, Li Ruotong was forced to kneel on one knee, the ground collapsing like a spider web, the immense Li family experiencing a strong tremor, countless family members in a state of panic.

“Heh, this is the gap between you and me. I could easily kill you, but I could also elevate you. If you choose the latter, everything will go in a good direction. Just follow me and I can offer you a better life!”

Xu Yaolin stood with his hands behind his back, speaking in a condescending tone.

He believed he had broken her psychological defenses, thinking he could tame this stubborn woman in no time.

Little did he know, Li Ruotong remained resolute, her gaze determined as she looked directly at him, gritting her teeth:

“I choose the former!”

“You…”

Like being struck by a bolt from the blue, Xu Yaolin stood there dazed, his mind buzzing.

He never thought that despite threatening her life, this woman would still refuse to submit, as if agreeing to his demands was a massive insult and humiliation!

To put it into perspective,

Previously, he only needed to show a hint of goodwill for numerous young, beautiful female cultivators to get excited and cling to him, hoping to achieve an elevation in status.

Yet now, there was a woman who would rather die than associate with him!!!

For Xu Yaolin, this triggered a massive psychological blow!

Pain!

It hurt too much!!

Xu Yaolin was consumed by rage, his handsome face contorted, a fierce urge for revenge rising within him.

“Die? That would be too merciful for you! For a rare treasure like you, how could I bring myself to kill? I will imprison your sacred source, playing with you here to your heart’s content, letting your family see that the ancestor they’re so proud of is nothing but a filthy whore in my hands!”

“When I’m done with you, I’ll take you and sell you to a slave trader at a perfect price. From then on, you’ll be a plaything for others. This is the outcome of offending me!!”

His words dripped with deep malice.

“You beast!”

Li Ruotong felt chills all over, a mix of shock and anger as she wanted to resist but found it difficult to even stand, a wave of despair flooding her heart.

Was she really going to end up in such a state?

The very thought of a dark, humiliating life ahead made her feel that death might be better!

“Heh, you asked for this.”

Seeing this woman exhibit such intense emotional fluctuation for the first time filled Xu Yaolin with immense satisfaction.

Just as he raised his hand to seal Li Ruotong’s sacred source, an overwhelmingly powerful presence descended upon the scene, causing his actions to pause, an inexplicable sense of foreboding washing over him, as if a terrifying primordial beast had set its sights on him!

“Who?!”

Xu Yaolin instinctively looked over, his eyes sharply alert.

A striking young man, with long silver hair cascading to his waist and an ethereal presence, stepped forward with an unprecedented aura.

His appearance instantly nullified Xu Yaolin’s pressure.

In an instant, Li Ruotong no longer felt any pressure and felt remarkably relaxed.

When she saw that familiar silver-haired figure walking straight towards her, her heart was shaken, nearly stopping her breath.

Ye Junlin wore a slight smile and gently extended his hand, saying, “Daoist friend Li, need any help?”

“Hmm.”

Catching sight of this, Li Ruotong instinctively reached out, and as he assisted her up, feeling the delicate touch of his palm, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Xu Yaolin witnessed this unusual interaction.

He was dumbfounded, feeling incredulous.

What’s going on?

I, a member of the Divine Eye Race, born fourth in rank in the Great World of the Sacred Path, have frequently shown goodwill to you, yet you refuse to acknowledge it. Now, a man appears and you’re all over him?

Xu Yaolin couldn’t tolerate this preferential treatment, trembling with anger, glaring fiercely at that silver-haired figure, suddenly realizing he seemed somewhat familiar, as if he’d seen him before.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

Xu Yaolin’s pupils dilated, pointing as he exclaimed:

“Wait, you’re the Lord of the Celestial Court?!”