The Supreme Being Against Heaven

Murong Daozhe looked at Gongsun Ruoxi before speaking indifferently:

“That’s enough. You’ve already wasted too much time searching for this person. From now on, focus on closed-door cultivation and strive to become a low-level master artifact refiner.”

“In less than 2 years, the artifact refining competition of the 3 ancient sects will begin. I have high expectations for you.”

“Yes, Master.” Gongsun Ruoxi replied, then asked,

“Master, how is Junior Sister Zhongwu’s artifact refining progressing?”

Upon hearing this—

A genuine smile finally appeared on Murong Daozhe’s usually cold face.

“Siyao is extremely intelligent and highly perceptive. I have already sent her into the Space-Time Tower for cultivation.”

“Soon, I will personally guide her further. I believe that when she emerges from seclusion, both her strength and her artifact refining skills will improve tremendously.”

“In the future… she will surely not be inferior to you.”

The next day — Noon, Huangfu Fang City, Punishment Hall

Lu Wu and Qiu Yongming sat facing each other.

Qiu Yongming asked with anticipation in his eyes:

“Brother Lu, what do you think about my proposal just now?”

Lu Wu nodded firmly.

“Of course. Tan Yun is someone we both want dead. I will make sure he dies as soon as possible.”

“After he dies, Elder Qiu, don’t forget your promise.”

“Of course,” Qiu Yongming said resolutely.
“After Tan Yun is dead, I will give you a minimum-grade Honorable Lightning-Attribute Flying Sword!”

1 day later

After Lu Wu returned to Mount Ludao Immortal Mountain,
he saw Jiang Xia waiting outside the cave with a grave expression.

“Elder 12, something major has happened!” Jiang Xia quickly reported.

“What is it?” Lu Wu frowned.

Jiang Xia hurriedly said:

“There is news from Steward Feng of the Soul Lamp Hall—
half a month ago, Duan Zhen’s life lamp was still normal.”

“But yesterday, when he checked again… he found that Duan Zhen’s life lamp had already gone out!”

“What!? Duan Zhen is dead!?”

Lu Wu’s expression instantly turned serious.

“Come inside and explain everything in detail!”

The two entered the cave—

Lu Wu frowned deeply.

“Tan Yun killed Ye Ling, my direct disciple, so I ordered Duan Zhen to kill him.”

“With Duan Zhen’s 1st-level Soul Refining Realm strength, there’s no way he could have died at Tan Yun’s hands… so how did he die?”

Jiang Xia hesitated slightly before speaking cautiously:

“Elder 12… Shen Qingfeng treats Tan Yun like his own son.”

“Is it possible that he discovered some clues… and personally killed Duan Zhen?”

Lu Wu’s brows furrowed even tighter.

“If Shen Qingfeng really killed him, that man would definitely report it to the Sect Master.”

“And if the Sect Master knew… she would certainly suspect me.”

“But if that were the case—why would the Sect Master let me leave Changling Immortal Mountain?”

“What exactly is she planning… I truly cannot figure it out!”

Lu Wu shook his head, dispelling his chaotic thoughts, then looked at Jiang Xia and sighed.

“Originally, I intended for you to kill Tan Yun this time.”

“But it seems… Duan Zhen’s death has already put the other side on guard.”

“Jiang Xia, do you have any good ideas to eliminate Tan Yun?”

Jiang Xia pondered for a moment before replying:

“Elder 12, since Tan Yun was able to kill Ye Ling, his strength on the Alchemy Line Ranking should be at most no higher than rank 150.”

“In that case… why don’t we have your disciples take action?”

“I’ve heard that your chief disciple Ouyang Qian and 2nd disciple Gaoyang Wushuang will exit the Highest-Grade Mustard Seed Pagoda in another 18 days.”

“If they take action to kill Tan Yun… it would be as easy as turning over one’s hand!”

Hearing this, Lu Wu fell silent for a moment before nodding.

“Xiao Qian is ranked 45 on the Alchemy Line Ranking, while Wushuang is ranked 36. Both are top-tier figures on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.”

“Having them kill Tan Yun… is indeed an excellent plan!”

After saying this, he continued in a cold tone:

“Good. I’ll leave this matter to you. Once they come out of seclusion, find the right opportunity—with a proper excuse… and eliminate Tan Yun!”

Jiang Xia let out a cold laugh.

“This subordinate understands. Just wait for news of Tan Yun’s death!”

Time passed quickly — Half a month later, Frozen Immortal Mountain

Inside the tightly sealed Bingqing Palace—

A voice filled with disappointment echoed again and again:

“Wen De… I’ve failed again!”

“I’m truly foolish. Master’s pill formula is recorded in such detail… yet I still cannot perfectly integrate the medicinal properties!”

Shen Wende quickly comforted her:

“Miss, this is not your fault. You have only recently advanced to a low-level Honorable Alchemist. It is only natural that you cannot yet successfully refine a Honorable-grade Soul-Returning Elixir.”

Shen Subing bit her lip lightly.

“I know… but if I still fail to refine it within 4 months—that old man Zhou Wuyun will surely seize the opportunity to pressure me and ruin my reputation!”

“Miss… then what should we do?”

“Wen De, someone is coming… put away the cauldron first.”

At the same time—

The teleportation array atop the mountain, which connected to Huangfu Fang City, suddenly lit up.
Space rippled like water—

An old man over 80 years old stepped out with a smile.

He was—

Tantai Zhongde, chief auctioneer and appraiser of Huangfu Shengxing!

“Is Miss Shen here?” Tantai Zhongde said with a pleasant smile, clearly in a good mood.

The palace doors slowly opened—

Shen Subing stepped out with a gentle smile, though a trace of doubt lingered in her eyes.

“Elder De, what brings you here?”

Tantai Zhongde stroked his beard and chuckled.

“What? Am I not allowed to come for a stroll?”

“You jest. Please, come inside.”

After inviting him into Bingqing Palace and offering him a seat—

Tantai Zhongde glanced at Shen Wende.

“6th Elder, I have something to discuss privately with Chief Shen.”

Shen Wende smiled and stepped outside to wait.

Suddenly—

Tantai Zhongde waved his right arm.

The space within the entire hall trembled slightly as a sound-isolation barrier instantly formed.

Shen Subing smiled faintly.

“Elder De, what matter requires such secrecy?”

Tantai Zhongde smiled.

“Miss Shen, I have 2 matters to discuss with you today.”

“First—congratulations on finding a good master.”

The moment she heard this—

Shen Subing’s expression changed instantly. She spoke with excitement:

“Elder De, no one should know about my apprenticeship. Since you know, then you must also know how to find my master, right?”

Tantai Zhongde paused briefly, then laughed.

“Miss Shen, the 2nd matter I wish to speak of… is precisely how to find your master.”

“How can I find him!?”

Shen Subing grew even more excited.

She longed deeply to meet her master—

If her master personally refined the Soul-Returning Elixir… there would be no mistakes!

Tantai Zhongde said in surprise:

“Why are you so emotional about your master? This is unlike your usual self.”

Shen Subing spoke honestly, her eyes shining:

“Elder De, I have an urgent matter that requires my master’s help. Please tell me—how can I find him?”

“Alright, alright.” Tantai Zhongde nodded and spoke truthfully.

“Your master and I will be cooperating on certain matters for a long time.”

“Before we parted, he said—if you wish to find him, raise a flag on the peak of Changling Immortal Mountain.”

“When he sees the flag… he will go to Huangfu Shengxing to meet me.”

“I came here today to tell you this.”

At this point, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

“But I also want to ask you… what is your master’s background?”

Upon hearing the method to find her master—

Shen Subing was overjoyed, as if given a new life!

She smiled brightly and answered honestly:

“Elder De, to be frank… my master is a mysterious figure—appearing without a trace and disappearing without a shadow.”

“Even I myself… do not know his background at all.”

--Translated by likesnovel--