Hey all, I want to start lld. Based on everything I see is it mandatory to Grush for you extra stay and skill quests, will you be able to compete at all for fun or just get dunked?

Also if I have a character started leveling, do the ancient quests auto level you when you are being Grushed? So stop before like lvl 27 just in case? Thanks roast me if you have to to get my answers. Been a long time since I've been back.