Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 686

Upon hearing his companion’s words, the tall monk’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Amitabha Buddha, you really dare to say that!”

“Even the Buddha Emperor is in on this?”

Shijia Shengsi froze for a moment, a faint smile appearing on his lips, “Amitabha, my two junior brothers are truly showering me with praises!”

It was clear that he had great potential and a promising future.

“Junior brother, time waits for no one, let’s get moving quickly,” the short monk said with a grin.

“Sounds good.”

Shijia Shengsi nodded, giving one last look at the Wanfo Sect, his thoughts swirling and emotions running high.

He knew that staying any longer was meaningless, but it was a pity that this lineage of the Buddhist Sect was about to be destroyed with the arrival of the Nine Nether Army.

“Junior brother needn’t worry, everyone has their fate. With your talents, this world is but a cage; it’s best to leave early,” the tall monk began to offer advice but was preempted by the short monk, who showered on praises instead, making the former’s expression turn sour.

Shijia Shengsi’s gaze flickered as he sighed, “Alas, this poor monk is willing but powerless. Once I reach the Western Sky Realm, I shall cultivate diligently, striving to avenge them as soon as possible. The only thing this poor monk can do is this, good, good~”

This excuse hit the mark, showcasing the hypocrisy in all its glory!

“Junior brother’s great compassion truly reflects a bodhisattva’s heart!” The tall monk quickly seized the opportunity, chiming in while sneaking a glance at his companion, looking quite smug.

Hey, finally got one back!

Shortly after.

Shijia Shengsi departed without a word, leaving the Holy Realm with the other two monks, stepping onto the ancient starry path toward the Western Sky Realm.

Before long, learning of the current abbot’s mysterious disappearance, the leaderless Wanfo Sect quickly fell into chaos, with elders from various factions squabbling over who would become the abbot, getting into a fierce fight.

Thus, the Wanfo Sect fell into decline!

Faced with the looming threat of the Nine Nether Army, the atmosphere of the Holy Realm grew heavy and oppressive.

A small fraction of cultivators were contemplating how to make a run for it, unwilling to stay behind and share the same fate. Some even pleaded with beings from beyond, requesting to be taken away, just to survive—even if it meant becoming a servant.

In fact, such phenomena occur everywhere; even if the Holy Realm were to unite as one, there would always be cowards who wanted to bail, ready to pack up and leave!

If it weren’t for the Celestial Court holding the fort, during the era when the Immortal Court ruled, facing such a situation, the Holy Realm would have long since been in disarray, everyone fleeing in different directions!

On the desolate land, an aura like that of a demon emanated from a figure in feathered robes sitting on a cliff, slowly opening his eyes, a peculiar glint flowing in his gaze, pondering gravely:

“The Nine Nether Army’s actions are determined to destroy the Holy Realm; should I stay or go?”

Years later, Yuhua Sheng’s cultivation was no longer at the Immortal Emperor level of yesteryear; now, he was a veritable Saint and just one step away from becoming a Celestial Saint!

Such a rate of advancement, aside from Ye Junlin, it was hard to find anyone else like him.

Even the so-called Son of Destiny, Tong Wudi, was merely his junior!

This is the terrifying aspect of the Magic Embryo Transformation Technique.

Ever since the Immortal Realm transformed into the Holy Realm, the environment of heaven and earth improved a thousandfold, providing an excellent condition for his growth. However, this wasn’t the key factor; if that was all it took, he wouldn’t have progressed so rapidly.

Ultimately, it was all thanks to Ye Junlin!

Yuhua Sheng realized with astonishment that every time Ye Junlin finished a battle, it became a golden opportunity for him to grow stronger; all he had to do was clear the battlefield and collect the corpses. You have to know, in the previous battles, how many Half-Saints and True Saints had fallen; all this served as nourishment for his Magic Embryo.

Although the effect of consuming decayed corpses would greatly diminish, sheer quantity made up for quality, and with this cycle, as the nourishment provided to the Magic Embryo increased significantly, Yuhua Sheng’s cultivation soared accordingly.

From the Immortal Emperor level, he rocketed straight to True Saint!

This rate of sudden enhancement felt dreamlike even to Yuhua Sheng, and he firmly believed this was his chance to rise, the wheel of fortune turning in his favor, nothing could stop him now.

“If I leave the Holy Realm, where else can I find such a good opportunity? Perhaps I could gamble, betting that the one surnamed Ye can once again turn the tide, slaughtering enemies left and right. If that gamble pays off, surely there will be even more powerful corpses for me to devour!”

As a professional corpse collector, Yuhua Sheng understood the importance of following behind and collecting the bodies. His current achievements were all thanks to Ye Junlin; Ye Junlin was the key to his rapid cultivation rise.

If this thought were to be discovered by beings from beyond, they would consider Yuhua Sheng insane.

Facing an apocalyptic decree, even a Saint King Realm expert could not guarantee a clean escape. Destroying such a newly arisen world would be like using a cannon to shoot a mosquito—simply absurd!

It was utterly impossible!

In truth, Yuhua Sheng did not fully grasp the weight of the apocalyptic decree; he was merely influenced by previous events, as the immense temptation clouded the last bit of his sanity.

Now, he only hoped that when the time comes, the Nine Nether Army would suffer defeat, preferably dying off entirely!

This wasn’t a shift in stance or a sudden pang of conscience, but rather Yuhua Sheng’s choice of the faction that offered greater benefits.

Once upon a time, he was cautiously hiding, constantly cooperating with the tasks of the Nine Nether, simply to secure himself a promising future. The reality was harsh; as the sole mole inside, he didn’t even gain the respect of the Nine Nether experts, and endured endless humiliation and ridicule.

This sense of suffocation left a profound impression, making Yuhua Sheng understand that even if he served the Nine Nether, in the eyes of the prominent figures, he was merely the lowest of the low, disposable at any moment.

In the past, he had no choice, but now –>

He only wants to turn the tables!

Now, Yuhua Sheng saw a clear path to rapidly enhance his cultivation—following closely behind Ye Junlin, collecting corpses, and frantically devouring the bodies of powerful beings to strengthen himself!

With such a good opportunity, why wouldn’t he seize it?

Undoubtedly, Yuhua Sheng’s stance had shifted; previously, he wished for the Nine Nether to swiftly conquer this world, granting him a higher status, but now he looked down on such small favors!

All he wants now is to grow stronger! To become even more powerful!!

“Ye Junlin, I hope you won’t let me down when the time comes; I’ve staked my life and fortune on you, hehehe…”

Yuhua Sheng let out the signature laughter of a villain, his body brimming with surging demonic energy.

A hundred thousand miles around were desolate plains; looking out, one could see dried-up rivers and withered trees, scattered with bone-white skeletons, creating a terrifying spectacle of death.

Who would have imagined that this used to be a vibrant forest teeming with celestial birds and mystical beasts?

Dongsheng Sacred Region.

It was home to a top-tier demonic faction known as the Fire Cult, which all demonic cultivators recognized and revered as a place of pilgrimage, viewing it with awe and longing.

The leader of the Fire Cult was none other than the current chief of the demonic path, acknowledged as the strongest of them all!

At the headquarters of the sect.

On the Holy Mountain, a striking red figure stood tall, gazing out at the clouds with hands behind his back.

Looking at them, it was hard to distinguish whether they were male or female; their face was exquisitely beautiful, fair with a hint of rosy undertones, and a scarlet flame mark on their forehead added an element of mesmerizing allure.

Strangely enough, despite their vibrant beauty, their face was as cold as ice, especially those striking phoenix eyes, exuding a bone-chilling aura.

With a slight parting of her red lips, she spoke in a voice with a cool edge and a hint of killing intent,

“So, you haven’t found that guy yet?”

Behind her, a most loyal subordinate knelt on one knee, clasping his fists and lowering his head, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead, trembling as he replied, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, we truly haven’t found him; it’s as if he vanished from this world!”

This subordinate was the second strongest within the Fire Cult, yet even so, he dared not raise his head in fear that this figure might exact punishment upon him.

Simply because the one before him was the leader of the Fire Cult.

Though everyone knew of her reputation as the Scarlet Emperor, little did they know she was the top disciple of the current ruler of the Celestial Court, Hong Qianye!

“Vanished?”

Hong Qianye frowned, her thoughts drifting to last year’s events, where a singular incident nearly resulted in the destruction of the entire Fire Cult, and even she herself came perilously close to losing her standing.

Fortunately, due to her breakthrough in martial arts techniques, combined with the new heavenly environment, the abundance of Saint Aura allowed her to reconstruct her body, forming a Holy Body far exceeding the Immortal Body, known as the Flame Holy Body!

Upon manifesting this Holy Body, her cultivation surged dramatically, jumping from Immortal Sovereign straight to Immortal Emperor, stabilizing the situation. The source of chaos for the sect, seeing the peril, hastily cast spells to escape, and has since remained missing.

Later, leveraging her Flame Holy Body, she successfully weathered the Holy Catastrophe, and now she was a True Saint, one of the world’s rare superpowers!

However, a lingering concern gnawed at Hong Qianye’s heart: she still hadn’t found that person who once wreaked havoc on her cult.

That person had previously provoked her, and she had imprisoned them in Longyang Pavilion, letting her uniquely inclined male disciples toy with them. At first, Hong Qianye paid them no mind, thinking them inconsequential.

Yet, the unexpected happened!

That guy, having practiced some hellish technique, inexplicably reversed their gender, turning into a female, and not only did they draw energy from men, but also mastered a Charm Technique, making her male disciples utterly swoon and captivated.

In just a short time, this person nearly seized control of all male disciples at the headquarters, compelling them to attack her!

In that battle, far too many of her trustworthy subordinates lost their lives—formerly loyal commanders willing to give their lives for her, ended up like mindless demons, following the commands of that enchantress unconditionally, even unto death.

Hong Qianye knew this wasn’t betrayal, but rather manipulation by that aberration.

After gathering her Holy Body and experiencing a surge in cultivation, she managed to turn the tide, yet that person had fled early, leaving behind a sect in ruins.

While the Fire Cult has since regained its vitality, even larger than before, Hong Qianye could never swallow that anger.

Who would ever guess that a mere small fry could stir such great waves, almost toppling the entire Fire Cult and nearly obliterating all her hard work!

At this moment.

Hearing her subordinate’s report.

Hong Qianye’s mood dipped, her face cold as she said, “If that’s the case, then you may leave.”

“Yes!”

Seeing the Sect Leader didn’t lay down punishment, that subordinate retreated as if granted a great reprieve.

“This shouldn’t be! Currently, in this Holy Realm, my Fire Cult’s eyes and ears nearly cover the five great domains, how can it be that not even a shadow of that aberration has been seen? Could it be they’ve already left this world?”

Hong Qianye’s expression darkened.

If they could be found, she intended to eliminate them—this was an enormous threat!

After all, she was a fearsome overlord of the demonic path, having witnessed all manners of shameless tactics, but she had never encountered anything so bizarre.

A man inexplicably turned into a woman, relying on siphoning energy from men to grow in cultivation; the most terrifying part was possessing a Charm Technique that made countless men obey her. Every man would fall victim to her, and even she nearly lost her wits back then—just thinking about it now made her shudder…