Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity

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Ye Junlin’s lips twitched a few times. “What’s with that face? Think my feet stink?”

Hong Qianye felt a bit awkward. “N-no!”

Then, he begrudgingly started washing Ye Junlin’s feet, a strong sense of absurdity washing over him.

Who would’ve thought that the Fire Cult Leader, who once fought his way out against the siege of various forces in the Central Region, would now be submissively massaging someone’s feet?

What a disgrace!!

Ye Junlin squinted his eyes, a look of contentment on his face.

This was the Infinite Taoist Water from his system sign-in rewards. Since he had so much of it, he figured he’d just use it to soak his feet. Not gonna lie, with his cheap disciple’s technique, it felt pretty nice.

“The water’s a bit cold. Heat it up,” he said.

“Oh.”

Hong Qianye replied, a bit disgruntled.

He released heat from his hands into the water, and the Infinite Taoist Water in the wooden basin immediately became scalding hot.

“Ah~”

“So good…”

Ye Junlin’s pores opened up, leaning back in extreme comfort, letting out a moan.

Hearing this weird sound, Hong Qianye felt embarrassed for him, rolling his eyes and secretly cursing, “Why don’t you just enjoy your life to the fullest?!”

At that moment, a petite figure in a fancy dress ran eagerly to the door.

Zhao Ling’er was excited because, under Ye Junlin’s guidance lately, she had finally begun to feel the flow of true energy within her, taking her first step into the Qi Refining Stage.

Her naive and carefree personality made her want to share this news with the Celestial Being of the Xuantian Sect, hoping for some praise.

Suddenly.

Zhao Ling’er’s steps halted.

Her beautiful eyes were full of disbelief, her petite cherry lips forming an O shape.

Oh my! What’s going on here?!

From Zhao Ling’er’s perspective, Hong Qianye’s profile was quite eye-catching as he knelt before Ye Junlin, his head lowered, working hard.

And Ye Junlin, on the other hand, looked completely at ease.

This scene was hard to misinterpret!

Zhao Ling’er instantly thought of something, her lovely face turning as red as fire. She never expected this master-disciple duo to have this kind of relationship behind closed doors!

“So embarrassing…”

Covering her face, she fled like the wind. This scene left a huge impact on her young mind.

She’d probably remember it vividly even after many years.

“Why’s Ling’er running?” Ye Junlin felt quite perplexed.

With his cultivation level, he naturally noticed Zhao Ling’er, but he was too immersed in the service of the cult leader to care much.

At that moment, Ye Junlin lowered his head, studying the features of his big disciple.

Her skin was flawless, her slender brows gentle, her beautiful Danfeng Eyes striking, a high nose, and bright red lips, all coming together in a way that made her face extraordinarily stunning, her forehead adorned with a crimson flame mark that added even more charm.

Can you believe this is a guy?!

Ye Junlin sighed, “Little Hong, why are you packing heat? I feel kind of sorry for you.”

Hong Qianye was furious. A man could be killed but not humiliated! Here he was, washing your feet without complaint, and you want me to cut my junk off?!

However, given the other party’s power, he just had to swallow his anger, silently kneeling to massage the young man’s feet, muttering to himself, “You little brat, if I pulled it out, it would scare you to death!”

Half an hour later.

Ye Junlin felt the communication ring in his pocket vibrating.

“Hm? A message from the Sect Leader.”

He took out the ring, and Xu Yonian’s excited yet anxious voice came through, “Ye Shizhi, hurry back to the sect to discuss countermeasures. There’s big news in the Arid Province lately; an ancient secret realm is about to open! If Xuantian Sect can reap benefits from it, we’ll climb to the top!”

“Ancient secret realm?” Ye Junlin was a bit surprised.

Hong Qianye was even more shocked.

Even he didn’t dare to underestimate this ancient secret realm; it was a treasure trove capable of nurturing many cultivation resources, enough to change the fate of any struggling cultivator, helping them leap into the realm of immortality!

To put it plainly, it should be called an Immortal’s Secret Realm!

If he could seize some good opportunities there, combined with the terrifying powers of the Three Thousand Flame Sutra, his cultivation level would definitely skyrocket!

“Who would’ve thought this barren Arid Province would have such a good place? This is a boon for the cultivators here,” Ye Junlin lamented.

Hong Qianye sneered inwardly, relying on his seasoned experience, he figured this kind of news about a secret realm would be impossible to keep quiet.

Every power in the Eastern Domain would definitely come to grab a piece of the pie. How would the impoverished Arid Province stand against the influx of powerful outsiders? The local cultivators would simply be left staring in shock.

In this world, power ruled supreme.

Wolves travel thousands of miles to eat meat, while dogs? They only deserve to follow behind and eat scraps!

[Ding, new sign-in task released. The host will gain a pleasant surprise when signing in at the Luotian Secret Realm!]

A system notification rang in Ye Junlin’s mind.

“Hm? What will this one be?”

[Ding, hehehe, can’t tell you!]

“Such a tease.”

Ye Junlin pursed his lips.

Since there was a sign-in task, he might as well check out the Luotian Secret Realm along the way, hoping to score some interesting rewards.

Soon, once he finished soaking his feet, Ye Junlin called Zhao Ling’er and prepared to leave the Wei Kingdom.

“Say goodbye to your father; you might not come back for a while.”

In the Imperial Palace, Ye Junlin gently spoke to the little girl.

Zhao Ling’er looked at her father, now graying and somewhat feeble, and her heart ached fiercely.

She remembered her childhood, riding on her father’s shoulders; back then, he didn’t look nearly as old.

“Father, I’ll stay and accompany you!” Zhao Ling’er said, her voice trembling.

“Nonsense!”

The Wei Emperor was livid, his face reddening. “I’m not dying just yet! And you joining the Xuantian Sect? That’s a big deal; many envy what you’re getting! You need to cherish this opportunity and not waste your future.”

“Oh,” Since he said that, Zhao Ling’er could only nod.

The Wei Emperor then cupped his hands toward Ye Junlin and earnestly said, “Celestial Being, I will remember your teachings, being a good emperor for the people. I hope you’ll take care of my daughter.”

Ye Junlin waved his hand, “Everyone has their fate. Her joining the Xuantian Sect won’t cause her any hardship; how far she goes depends on her.”

“Your words are wise.”

Thus, Zhao Ling’er stepped onto the cloud mist conjured by Ye Junlin, slowly rising as she wiped away her tears, waving goodbye, “Father, I’ll come back when I can!”

The Wei Emperor smiled with relief, then his expression turned serious as he led his officials to kneel, shouting, “We bid farewell to the Celestial Being!”

“Farewell, Celestial Being!!!”

The shouting echoed like rolling waves, resounding throughout the Imperial Palace.

As the Wei Kingdom receded further away, Zhao Ling’er dried her tears, cautiously observing the master-disciple pair.

Especially when she glanced at Hong Qianye, her breathtaking beauty and aloof demeanor left Zhao Ling’er in awe.

“Sister Hong is so pretty, just not very talkative.”

Suddenly, she recalled the scene she had stumbled upon, and her face flushed red as she hurriedly bowed her head.

Hong Qianye sensed the girl’s unusual reaction, a hint of confusion flickering in her eyes, but she couldn’t be bothered to ask.

So strange…