The Supreme Being Against Heaven

When Zhuge Yu’s mocking gaze was revealed, Tantai Xuanzong, Shen Suping, and Tang Xinying all felt a cold chill run down their spines without realizing it.

Zhuge Yu raised a faint smile before speaking in a calm, icy tone:

“I hereby announce the results of the alchemy assessment for the Huangfu Shengzong. Out of 50 disciples, only Tan Yun, Song Hong, and Luo Fan answered correctly, earning a total of 60 points. The remaining 47 disciples all answered incorrectly and have collectively lost 940 points.”

“Previously, Huangfu Shengzong had 1770 points. Adding the 60 points gives a total of 1830 points. However, after deducting 940 points, the final score is only 890 points!”

Upon hearing the announcement, Tan Yun, Luo Fan, Song Hong, and the other 47 disciples all lowered their heads in heavy silence. Some of the female disciples even had tears welling up in their eyes.

“Senior Brother Tan… we’re sorry. All the points you worked so hard for were destroyed by us…”

“Senior Brother Tan, we’re sorry… sorry to the sect master, and sorry to the elders…”

The 47 disciples looked at Tan Yun with deep guilt in their hearts.

Tan Yun merely shook his head slightly before speaking in a calm voice.

“Don’t be upset. Losing and winning are normal. We just need to take it back later.”

Tantai Xuanzong let out a long breath. Although he tried to comfort them, a hint of disappointment still lingered in his eyes.

Among the Eternal Immortal Sect’s disciples, 44 had answered correctly, while only 3 from his side got the correct answers.

Even though he did not want to admit it, Tantai Xuanzong had to accept the undeniable truth—the alchemy ability of the inner disciples of Huangfu Shengzong was far inferior to that of the Eternal Immortal Sect.

They were simply not on the same level at all.

And this was a reality that could not be changed in a short time.

At the same time, Ru Yan Wuji looked at his own sect’s total score, which had risen to 1740 points. Then he glanced at Huangfu Shengzong, which had fallen from 1770 points down to 890 points, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face that he could not fully conceal.

“Heh heh heh…” he chuckled softly, then used his spiritual sense to inspect the answers of all 50 disciples from the Sacred Spirit Palace.

Soon after, he withdrew his divine sense and announced in a solemn voice:

“The 50 disciples of the Sacred Spirit Palace: 47 answered correctly, earning 940 points. 3 answered incorrectly, losing 60 points.”

“Previously, they had 570 points. Adding 940 points brings it to 1510 points. After deducting 60 points, the final total is 1450 points!”

“I hereby announce—Eternal Immortal Sect ranks first temporarily with 1740 points!”

“Sacred Spirit Palace ranks second with 1450 points!”

“As for Huangfu Shengzong, with only 890 points, it ranks last!”

As soon as the announcement ended, Tantai Xuanzong clenched his fists tightly. Suppressed frustration and anger surged through his entire body.

Ru Yan Wuji turned to him and said in a tone that seemed almost deliberately provoking:

“Sect Master Tantai, your alchemy disciples are truly disappointing. Being angry is meaningless.”

“Such a pity… In ancient times, the ancestors of Huangfu Shengzong once led the sect to champion the Four Arts Competition for 13,000 consecutive years without a single defeat.”

Tantai Xuanzong was about to explode in rage, but at that moment, Ru Yan Wuji continued loudly:

“Next, we will begin the second round of the alchemy competition.”

“Each of the three ancient sects will send only 1 alchemy disciple to participate in the ranking challenge.”

“The test is divided into 3 categories.”

As his voice fell, Ru Yan Wuji’s spatial ring flashed. A sacred medicinal wall, towering 33 zhang high, suddenly appeared on the elevated platform with majestic force.

Countless medicinal boxes were embedded within the wall. Each box was sealed tightly, making it impossible to see what was inside.

Ru Yan Wuji looked at the sacred wall and announced in a resonant voice:

“This wall contains a total of 12 rows.”

“Each row contains 360 medicinal boxes, and each box holds a different type of pill!”

“The 1st to 4th rows consist of elixirs refined by alchemists.”

“The 1st row contains low-grade spirit elixirs, the 2nd row mid-grade, the 3rd row high-grade, and the 4th row supreme-grade spirit elixirs.”

“The 5th to 8th rows are treasure elixirs: the 5th row is low-grade, 6th mid-grade, 7th high-grade, and 8th supreme-grade.”

“As for the 9th row, it contains semi-supreme elixirs of low-grade; the 10th row is mid-grade; the 11th row high-grade; and the 12th row is supreme-grade.”

After Ru Yan Wuji finished his explanation, he continued in a cold, sharp voice:

“I now announce the rules of this challenge.”

“If one can correctly identify the name of the elixir, its properties, and all the medicinal ingredients used in its refinement, one will receive 50 points for low-grade elixirs.”

“If completed at the mid-grade spirit elixir level, 100 points will be awarded.”

“For high-grade, 150 points.”

“For supreme-grade, 200 points.”

“If a treasure elixir is successfully analyzed: low-grade grants 300 points, mid-grade 500 points, high-grade 800 points, and supreme-grade 1200 points!”

“As for semi-supreme elixirs… for over 35,000 years, no alchemy disciple in the Nascent Soul realm from any of the three sects has ever dared to attempt them. There is no need for me to elaborate.”

Likewise, failure to complete a challenge results in points being deducted according to the same tier.

“If the accumulated score is insufficient, it will go directly into negative points.”

Ru Yan Wuji turned to look at Zhuge Yu and Tantai Xuanzong before speaking:

“You may now send your disciples to attempt the challenge.”

“Understood.” Zhuge Yu nodded with a serious expression, then said to Yin Shuiling:

“Shuiling, do not lose.”

Yin Shuiling straightened her posture, her expression resolute.

“Yes, Master!”

Tantai Xuanzong looked at Tan Yun and said:

“I hope you can surprise me even more this time. Do not disappoint me.”

Tan Yun cupped his fists respectfully.

“I will do my utmost.”

At that moment, Ru Yan Wuji turned to Du Ling and said calmly:

“I trust your ability.”

This statement was a direct acknowledgment of Du Ling’s alchemy talent.

Du Ling’s eyes turned resolute as he immediately replied:

“I will not disappoint you!”

Ru Yan Wuji nodded in satisfaction before continuing:

“According to the order, Yin Shuiling of the Sacred Spirit Palace will be the first challenger.”

“Next will be Du Ling from my sect, and last will be Tan Yun from Huangfu Shengzong.”

“I hereby declare—the second round of the alchemy competition among the three sects begins!”

As his voice fell, Yin Shuiling raised her head to gaze at the towering sacred medicinal wall. After taking a deep breath, she spoke clearly:

“I challenge the high-grade treasure elixir… worth 800 points!”

Those words instantly shook the entire arena.

Not only Tantai Xuanzong and Ru Yan Wuji, even Zhuge Yu showed a trace of surprise.

Because it was well known—

To identify a high-grade treasure elixir required at least a high-level alchemy master, or even a “grandmaster-level alchemist” or higher.

Normally, only alchemy sages could accurately determine the name, properties, and full ingredient composition of such an elixir just from its appearance.

Zhuge Yu could not help but ask:

“You… are not a high-level alchemy grandmaster?”

Yin Shuiling replied calmly, yet with overwhelming confidence:

“Reporting to the Palace Master, I am indeed a high-level alchemy grandmaster. However, I believe I can accomplish what even ordinary grandmasters cannot.”

Upon hearing this, Du Ling tensed visibly.

He assessed himself honestly and realized—

At most, he could only attempt mid-grade treasure elixirs.

In everyone’s eyes, Yin Shuiling had already become a rare alchemy genius seen only once in a thousand years.

At just 30 years old, she had already reached the level of a high-level alchemy grandmaster.

--Translated by likesnovel--