My Misfortune Crushed Instances-Chapter 186: Ascension?!

Zuo Qiutian looked up at the grey, foggy sky, rain droplets falling on his furrowed brow.

The person who once brewed tea and played the zither with him opened an umbrella and walked up from behind to shield him from the rain.

"Something happened at Peach Blossom Spring. Someone has broken the Three Yin Array I set up and sealed the remnant soul I left behind a year ago."

"Has the Peach Blossom Spirit awakened?"

"Perhaps."

Zuo Qiutian's expression was somewhat melancholy, completely different from when he faced his enemies before, "But I suspect it might be related to someone from beyond the heavens whom I once met."

"Why do you think so?"

"Back then, that person asked me about clues related to Community Thunder. I told him it was related to the Liangting royal family; perhaps he traced it to the Peach Blossom Spirit."

"Why did you tell him?"

Zuo Qiutian frowned, "At that time, I had to answer because it was part of an agreed-upon deal."

The person holding the umbrella said, "Sometimes you stick to too many principles. Zuo, fighting alone won't work; why not give up your methods and join us? Anyway, all roads lead to the same destination."

He had said this countless times before, but he always received refusals.

However, this time, he could feel that Zuo Qiutian's attitude was wavering.

He was against the whole world alone, hunted by righteous sects, having experienced many setbacks, perhaps feeling a bit exhausted.

"I'll try once more, for the last time."

Zuo Qiutian made up his mind, "If I can control Community Thunder, then there is still hope."

"What will you do? The Peach Blossom Spirit was fundamentally injured fighting the Flame Demon years ago. Even if it was okay back then, it's likely that after being tormented by your Three Yin Array, the Community Thunder within has already dissipated."

The person with the umbrella was not looking for excuses to dissuade but genuinely thought so.

Zuo Qiutian said, "No, I won't find her. The place where the Flame Demon perished may still have remnants of heavenly power. I have to try, personally go."

...

Li Rui did not expect that in the middle of the night when he attempted to advance, accompanying him were Guan Gui and Dong Sanchuan, the top three recognized supernovas, with two of them wanting to see the result firsthand.

Originally, Cheng Mingyue also wanted to come along, but seeing it was too late, she clamored for a beauty sleep, only to be mercilessly exposed by Nan Jiumei: you're just lazy.

The three prepared in the awakening room.

Earlier in the day there were people questioning why Li Rui was there, but now no one did.

Although they didn't know this younger fellow, Dong Sanchuan and Guan Gui's names were famous; having these two accompanying meant he couldn't be just anyone.

"Rain Masters and Fog Manipulators are the most common advancement professions."

As Dong Sanchuan helped fasten buttons, he said, "Moreover, there's a rare profession, the Wind Accelerator. I heard that the Polar Alliance seems to have had an extremely rare advancement related to the Ice Attribute Rain Summoner last year, but we didn't get any intelligence, so it's unclear for now."

"But don't you worry, the Rain Summoner profession is indeed somewhat lackluster between levels 10 and 30."

Here, he noticed Guan Gui's questioning gaze, "Okay, you are the Foggy Evil Ghost; you are not lackluster, but after level 30, its role is greater."

"Whether it is the Rain of Serenity or the Healing Mist, both can greatly assist in a localized battle or a large-scale war; maybe you can become a versatile Extraordinary."

Guan Gui said, "Pity there's no strong attack."

Being capable of both offense, defense, and healing is certainly versatile, but such a path naturally sacrifices specialization in one area. From an in-depth perspective, being more outstanding in a particular field allows one to go further.

Nonetheless, transitioning into a versatile role wouldn't be bad—just that Guan Gui's standards are too high.

Li Rui nodded, yet in his heart, he thought he could stir up something significant even in a five-star Secret Realm and couldn't predict what this advancement might hold.

After he lay down, he gave the two a determined look, then awaited the countdown to end, entering the Ascension Divine Hall.

...

Splash!

Once again, it's that harsh weather as during the job transition.

Li Rui stood in front of the majestic grand hall, feeling the raging wind swirling waves, water vapor constantly hitting his face, cold and icy.

Rumble!!

A startling thunderbolt dashed across the sky as if something was above the clouds, but he had already stepped into the grand hall and didn't notice.

"Let's not have any more unnamed tasks this time?"

Li Rui muttered inwardly, yet thinking that since battles are bound to occur during advancement, along with perhaps other trials, if it's only similar to unnamed tasks, it wouldn't be as hard.

Used to the routine, he walked up to the altar, crossed his legs in meditation, and according to what others have said, he would be transported to another place.

Perhaps it can't be called a place—more so time-space.

Some saw experiences of the past; some entered unknown Secret Realms. Some were under countless malicious gazes in endless voids.

These places might trigger battles or may be inner trials, but regardless, they must be cautiously navigated, as dying here might mean real death.

When Li Rui opened his eyes again, he saw a long street with various creatures bustling about.

But if not for these creatures being of diverse forms—some with three heads and six arms, some entirely black, others not human-shaped—he would have thought the place was Capital City of Liangting.

"But what exactly is this place?"

Walking amongst the crowd, he discovered that the other creatures seemingly couldn't notice him. They instinctively stepped aside when he approached but paid him no mind otherwise.

Li Rui could sense that these creatures were all very strong, quite formidable, though lacking malice.

Turning to take a look, he saw taverns and teahouses lining either side of the street, with brothels and theaters, all lively and bustling.

Walking along the street, after quite a distance, he finally saw ahead a massive archway reaching high into the sky. On the plaque were two symbols, their strokes complex and twisted. Logically, their meaning should have been obscure, yet he inexplicably understood it.

Thunder Division.

"....."

"Damn."

Li Rui couldn't help using a plant word to express his inner shock.

"Did I really ascend to the Upper Realm?! I didn't even gather the Five Thunders!"

He hurried forward, only to see under the plaque, stood twelve Divine Generals several feet tall, akin to the golden statues in temples, wielding celestial weapons, donning treasured armor, gazes fixed straight ahead.

Yet, they also couldn't notice Li Rui.

The stairs leading into the archway were extremely high and vast; Li Rui had to hop and jump to make his way inside smoothly.

Walking into the archway, he stepped onto the large jade brick road on the topmost layer, without hesitating, he continued deeper in.

In the great halls of Thunder City, each gate had its own plaque.

Jade Pivot Divine General's Mansion.

Throne Hall of the 36 Thunder Drum Warriors.

Nangong Fire Bell Attendants' Hall.

Directorate of Good and Evil, Filial Piety, and Loyalty.

....

Looking deep within from along the way, the deepest part of the main street was a towering palace over a hundred feet high.

Yuqing True King's Mansion.

[Note: The Thunder Division setup is also after magical alterations.]