Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity

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“Celestial Court is invincible! Celestial Court is undefeated!”

“Those wretches from the Nine Nether Realm dared to provoke us recklessly! They’re about to be wiped out by the Celestial Court!”

“In this battle, victory is assured!”

When word spread that the Celestial Court was launching a counterattack, all realms were in uproar, with countless beings eagerly anticipating the historic moment when the Celestial Army would charge into and conquer the Nine Nether Realm!

After all, the status of the Celestial Court is well-known; logically, there’s no opponent in the universe that can balance its power.

In this situation, with the Nine Nether Realm’s strength plummeting, how could they be brave enough to challenge the flourishing Celestial Court? It was like asking for death!

Almost everyone believed that the Nine Nether could not withstand the irresistible momentum of the Celestial Court, and soon, the entire Nine Nether Realm would collapse and become part of the Celestial Court!

Kunlun Realm.

On the towering green mountains stood a large, ancient Taoist temple.

The three big characters “Tianji Gate” were etched on a stone tablet next to the temple entrance, radiating with spirit as if announcing to the world.

A group of disciples were bustling about.

One tall and slender man, with a bun hairstyle and wearing a simple Taoist robe, stood on the steps, thoughtfully pinching his mustache.

After years of hard work, he had finally established something of his own!

Recalling the hardships and twists he faced in the beginning, he couldn’t help but feel an urge to shed tears.

If Ye Junlin saw him now, he might vaguely remember this man from the Immortal Realm, the divination master Tianjizi!

Since moving to the Kunlun Realm, Tianjizi had been making a name for himself, offering fortune-telling everywhere. He was quite accurate, which earned him a good reputation. From a street vendor to a guest of the powerful, he successfully made a name for himself and amassed wealth.

When the time was right, he chose a prime location to establish Tianji Gate. Soon, distinguished guests flocked to have their fortunes read, and over time, he gathered disciples and expanded significantly.

“Master, master! I heard from outside that the Celestial Court has declared war on the Nine Nether! Everyone’s saying this time victory is certain!” A little girl with a rosy face ran over excitedly.

She wore a Taoist robe, her skin fair, with bright and pure eyes, bursting with spiritual energy.

“Whether we win or lose, can’t you calculate that? Didn’t I teach you anything?” Tianjizi pinched her chubby cheek, somewhat grumpily.

This was his newly accepted female disciple from last year. She was exceptionally clever and had a particularly strong fate—Tianjizi’s favorite and most promising apprentice.

In this line of work, being accurate in predictions is one thing, but what’s crucial is having a strong fate!

If one’s fate isn’t strong enough, they could suffer a backlash and die quickly!

That’s also why Tianji Gate had fallen back then; most of that lineage had perished, leaving only Tianjizi to venture out alone.

Thus, Tianjizi was quite satisfied with this girl and intended to train her as his successor!

“Ah, everyone outside says the Celestial Court will win, why bother to calculate?” The little girl stepped back, pouting, “Also, you pinched me too hard!”

Tianjizi shook his head, “Even the most flawless plans can have flaws. Don’t talk so definitively; we should still calculate.”

“Master just loves to be mysterious. I still think the Celestial Court will definitely win!” The little girl waved her tiny fists in excitement, saying, “When that happens, those bad guys from the Nine Nether are doomed!”

Tianjizi couldn’t help but smile wryly at her optimism. Outside, everyone believed the Celestial Court would win, stemming from trust in its power.

Even he, deep down, thought the Celestial Court would win; he was just teaching his disciple a lesson.

Due to his professionalism, Tianjizi decided to calculate the outcome of this battle.

Thinking it would be a sure win, his expression gradually froze, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

He murmured, “How is that possible? How could this be?”

Tianjizi, fearing he made a mistake, repeatedly calculated dozens of times until, overwhelmed, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his hair turning slightly gray, his face aging significantly, and his internal energy severely depleted.

“Master!!!”

The little girl was frightened and rushed to support the swaying Tianjizi, her face filled with panic and worry.

She couldn’t understand why her master, who seemed fine moments ago, would turn out this way.

“Gate Master!”

Nearby disciples heard the commotion and gathered around. When they saw Tianjizi’s pale face and aged appearance, they were understandably shocked.

Tianjizi, unfazed by his condition, seemed to have lost his soul, mumbling, “They’re all dead… they’re all dead…”

“Who? Who’s dead?” The crowd was confused.

Tianjizi’s heart trembled as he recalled scenes from the future where the Celestial Army was completely wiped out. Familiar powerful figures, including Empress Fuyao and Elder Changsheng, fell during the battle against the Nine Nether!

What caused this grim fate was a terrifyingly tall figure, his strength so fearsome that no one could match him!

Most bizarrely, he seemed to glimpse a blurry woman in white robes, sitting on a throne, commanding even that terrifying monster to obey her!

It was too tragic, really too tragic.

None who entered the Nine Nether Realm returned alive.

Tianjizi calculated the outcome repeatedly; it was always the same result!

“Quick, take me to the Celestial Court to see the Heavenly Emperor! It’s urgent…”

Celestial Court.

Good news was coming in fast, the situation looking superb!

Rumors flew about how the Celestial Army was decisively defeating the enemy, charging straight toward the Nine Nether Realm!

Many heavenly officials wore smiles, their spirits lifted, eagerly awaiting news of the Celestial Army capturing the Nine Nether.

By then, the entire universe would belong to the Celestial Court, achieving a true unification!

Such a heroic feat was enough to enter the annals of history, remembered and praised by countless beings!

Suddenly, outside the South Heavenly Gate, there was a commotion.

“Let me in! I need to see the Heavenly Emperor! I have something monumental to tell him!”

Tianjizi called out anxiously, “I beg you, please let me through!”

A dozen celestial soldiers blocked his way, glaring fiercely, shouting, “You don’t have the Heavenly Emperor’s permission! You have no right to see him! If everyone tried to see the Heavenly Emperor like you, what would happen?”

“Get lost, get lost! Don’t cause trouble here! If you don’t leave, don’t blame us for treating you as an intruder and eliminating you on the spot!”

Hearing this,

Tianjizi was so enraged he nearly spat blood, clutching his chest in pain.

“How can you be like this? My master is sincere!” The little girl cried in anger, not expecting such treatment after coming all this way.

Seeing the cute little girl, one celestial soldier softened, saying patiently, “Little girl, it’s not that we don’t want to let you in; it’s that we don’t have the power to do so. We’re just doing our job, please don’t make it hard for us!”

“Everyone, it’s urgent! Please let me in just this once!” Tianjizi pleaded desperately.

Noticing the celestial soldiers with stern faces remained unmoved, he realized there was no hope of getting in, he sighed to the heavens:

“Ah, fate and circumstances, I’ve done my best!”

Just as he was about to leave in disappointment, a surprising voice rang out from behind,

“Wait, I think I know you!”

Tianjizi spun around sharply to see a tall young man in silver armor wielding a sword, stepping out from the South Heavenly Gate.

The young man was strikingly handsome and had an imposing presence, his eyes sharp as if slicing through the air, carefully assessing Tianjizi, his face showing hints of recognition as if confirming his identity.

“I greet General Fenglei!”

All the celestial soldiers were startled and quickly bowed in respect.

“You are…” Tianjizi felt this person looked familiar, as if he had seen him long ago.

But he just couldn’t recall exactly who. After all, he had received countless distinguished guests over the millennia; it was normal that he wouldn’t remember immediately.

“Are you Tianjizi?” The young man asked to confirm.

“Yes, that’s me! No mistake!” Tianjizi quickly replied, even pulling out a token to prove his identity.

“It really is you!” The young man looked surprised at Tianjizi’s aging and weary appearance.

“May I ask who you are…?” Tianjizi inquired cautiously.

“Don’t you remember? I’m Han Xing!”