The Supreme Being Against Heaven

Shen Qingfeng composed his expression, then cupped his hands and said solemnly,
“Please rest assured, Sect Master. This disciple will protect the Jade Revival Grass to the utmost!”

“Mm… Ya Wen.” Daoist Bingqing nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the 11 elders. “Aside from the Jade Revival Grass, we are still lacking another level 7 spirit herb—the Turtle-Breath Frost Orchid.”

“As well as a level 9 herb, the Yin Spirit Stone Lotus, and a 3,000-year-old Flame Spirit Herb.”

“These 3 herbs are extremely rare. Even though the Spirit Mountain’s herb garden has them, none have matured enough. Therefore, as Sect Master, I order all of you to spare no effort—within 1 year, you must find these 3 herbs!”

Her voice was icy, leaving no room for doubt.
“Remember, this matter concerns the life and death of Sect Master Tang. No matter what, they must be found!”

“Additionally, the matter of Sect Master Tang’s injuries must not be leaked. Anyone who dares to spread it without permission will be punished without mercy!”

Upon hearing this, all the elders responded in unison,
“We would not dare! Understood!”

“Mm.” Daoist Bingqing nodded in satisfaction, then frowned slightly. “Next, each of you will propose methods to find the Turtle-Breath Frost Orchid, Yin Spirit Stone Lotus, and the Flame Herb.”

“Understood, Sect Master!”

After the order was given, the 2nd Elder pondered for a moment before speaking:
“Reporting to Sect Master, in my opinion, there are 2 methods.”

“Method 1: Have the internal market of the sect and the 2 major auction houses issue a bounty notice, offering to purchase these 3 herbs at prices several times higher than usual, to mobilize the disciples to search for them.”

“Method 2: I will personally set out to search within various secret realms.”

“Additionally, if we are unable to gather all 3 herbs, or if some are missing… is there any substitute herb that can be used?”

After the 2nd Elder finished speaking, the remaining 10 elders also presented their suggestions one after another.

The discussion continued until noon before a final plan was reached from multiple approaches.

Daoist Bingqing waved her hand, dismissing the 11 elders, leaving only Shen Qingfeng behind.

The Qiankun Ring on her slender, jade-like finger flashed, and a herb pouch appeared in her soft, boneless hand.

Then, she took out a container from her storage ring. The container was emerald green, radiating a dense life force, and was about the size of a washbasin.

Next, she took out 5 stalks of Jade Revival Grass.

Each stalk was about 1 chi tall, with 3 branches and 3 leaves. The entire plant was emerald green, resembling a finely carved jade sculpture at first glance.

This herb was an essential ingredient for refining revival pills. Although not considered rare, 5 stalks of level 8 Jade Revival Grass, each 800 years old, were still extremely precious.

Daoist Bingqing carefully placed the 5 stalks into the container filled with life force, then handed it to Shen Qingfeng while reminding him once more:

“This matter concerns the life of Sect Master Tang. You must arrange for disciples to guard it 24 hours a day. If anything unusual occurs, report to me immediately.”

In short—no mistakes were allowed.

Shen Qingfeng received the container with both hands, his expression growing even more solemn.
“Miss, please rest assured. I understand.”

When no one else was present, Shen Qingfeng would often address Daoist Bingqing as “Miss.”

“If there is nothing else, you may leave,” Daoist Bingqing said flatly.

Shen Qingfeng hesitated slightly before speaking:
“Miss, regarding Tan Yun… I have something I wish to report.”

“Why mention trash like him?” Daoist Bingqing’s expression turned annoyed. “Just hearing his name reminds me of the mocking gazes of the other 8 core disciples!”

“Miss…” Shen Qingfeng had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted by Daoist Bingqing’s icy voice:
“Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear anything about him.”

Shen Qingfeng had watched Daoist Bingqing grow up since childhood, so he naturally knew how stubborn she was. Thus, he said nothing more. After bowing in farewell, he stepped onto his flying sword, carried the container, and headed back to Cangling Immortal Mountain…

After returning to Cangling Immortal Mountain, Shen Qingfeng summoned Zhou Run, an expert in cultivating spirit herbs, and asked:
“Do you recognize this herb?”

Zhou Run replied without hesitation,
“Reporting to Steward, this is Jade Revival Grass. Based on my assessment, it should be a level 8 spirit herb.”

“Mm, not bad, not bad.” Shen Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction. “In that case, tell me how to cultivate it.”

Zhou Run pondered briefly before answering:
“According to the Sacred Alchemy Scripture, Jade Revival Grass belongs to the water element and is the yin aspect of water. Therefore, when cultivating it, one must avoid yang energy. Additionally, it must be watered with morning dew and evening dew, once per day.”

Hearing this, Shen Qingfeng nodded repeatedly.
“Very good. Since you know the method, I will entrust it to your care. Remember—there must be absolutely no mistakes!”

“Understood, Steward.” Zhou Run received the container, then turned and headed toward the lush herb garden behind the mountain…

Meanwhile, at the summit of Lu Dao Peak, on the plaza before a cave dwelling—

Lu Wu, one of the 12 elders of the Alchemy lineage, paced back and forth. His expression was unpredictable, his brows alternately furrowing and relaxing, as if hesitating over something.

Should he act… or not?

“If I truly make a move, that old dog Shen Qingfeng will surely die. But there’s also a high chance it will lead back to me… and at that point, I may not survive either… No! I need a more foolproof plan!”

After a long silence, Lu Wu finally made up his mind.
“That old dog Shen Qingfeng humiliated me last night. He must die! As long as I act without leaving any trace, he will definitely die! Hahaha!”

After speaking, Lu Wu stepped out of the cave with a smile and stopped in front of Li Ziquan, who was kneeling on the peak.
“I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. Seize it well.”

Li Ziquan, whose face had been disfigured, burst into tears. He kowtowed and said,
“Thank you, Elder, for sparing my life!”

Lu Wu’s lips moved slightly, and a voice suddenly echoed in Li Ziquan’s mind:
“Within the Spirit Mountain herb garden, there are 5 stalks of level 8 Jade Revival Grass currently being cultivated. Find a way to destroy them. Remember—it must look like an accident. Do you understand?”

“I understand. I will carry it out immediately,” Li Ziquan replied respectfully, enduring the pain from his heavily bandaged limbs as he struggled to stand on one leg, preparing to summon his flying sword and head toward the herb garden.

“No need to rush. Now is not the time. Act in 5 days,” Lu Wu said in a low voice. “If you are discovered during the operation… do you know what to do?”

“I can make an excuse. I urgently needed herbs to refine pills, so I secretly entered the herb garden,” Li Ziquan answered respectfully.

“Wrong.” Lu Wu shook his head slightly, his tone cold.
“What you must do is not to find an excuse… but to ensure no one catches you.”

“If you are discovered, no matter what reason you give, you must not implicate me. If anyone attempts to inspect your soul or search your memories, you must take your own life first. Do you understand?”

“I understand!”

As Li Ziquan kowtowed in acknowledgment, Lu Wu, for caution’s sake, secretly split off a fragment of his own soul and implanted it into the other’s consciousness.

If Li Ziquan were captured, this soul fragment would immediately kill him to silence him!

…

Time passed quickly. 5 days later…

Over the past 5 days, Zhou Run had carefully tended the 5 stalks of Jade Revival Grass, and they had grown even more lush and vigorous…

Inside a quiet residence behind Cangling Immortal Mountain—

Suddenly, Shen Qingfeng exclaimed in shock:
“This… how is this possible?!”

--Translated by likesnovel--