The Supreme Being Against Heaven

--Translated by likesnovel--

Tantai Xuanzhong clutched his chest as though enduring intense pain. His face was pale as paper, while cold sweat continuously dripped down his forehead.

After a long moment, he finally nodded weakly.

“Alright… Father will do as you say.”

“In half a month, the alchemy competition of the Immortal Sect’s Pill Cultivation lineage will begin. Elders and disciples from all branches will gather to watch.”

“You should go as well with the disciples of the Holy Soul lineage.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“You can also take that opportunity to see what Tan Yun looks like.”

“When the time comes, Father will personally introduce the two of you.”

Seeing her father in such a state, Tantai Xian’er could no longer bear to refuse. Tears glistened in her eyes as she nodded softly.

“I’ll listen to you, Father.”

“But… your daughter has one request.”

“Speak,” Tantai Xuanzhong replied gently.

Tantai Xian’er lowered her head slightly before speaking in a quiet voice,

“When I meet him… I want to do so as a man.”

“I want to personally see what kind of person Tan Yun truly is.”

“Alright.” Tantai Xuanzhong agreed without hesitation. “No problem.”

After reminding her once more not to forget about the alchemy competition in the Danmai Secret Realm half a month later, he finally left the immortal valley.

Whoosh!

The moment Tantai Xuanzhong soared into the sea of clouds above the valley, the deathly pale expression on his face instantly disappeared.

His complexion returned to normal, and the weak aura around him vanished completely.

Clearly, everything from earlier had merely been an act.

Looking into the endless clouds, Tantai Xuanzhong sighed deeply to himself, his eyes filled with hope.

“The hearts of parents… are truly selfless.”

At the same time…

Within the Danmai Secret Realm, inside a magnificent palace hall, the atmosphere was incomparably gloomy.

Bang!

Fourth Elder Lu Yi slammed his palm onto the jade armrest of his chair, instantly shattering it into pieces. Rage burned fiercely within his eyes.

“This damned Tan Yun has caused me to lose all face!”

“He absolutely cannot be allowed to live!”

Across from him sat Han Yong, a deacon of the Discipline Hall. A sinister smile slowly spread across his face.

“Senior Brother, calm your anger.”

“Killing Tan Yun is nothing more than a trivial matter.”

He narrowed his eyes coldly.

“Leave it to me.”

“However…”

“Tan Yun is currently favored by the Sect Master. If we act against him now, it’ll be too easy for others to suspect you.”

Han Yong sneered.

“But after the alchemy competition ends, I’ll naturally find a legitimate reason to execute him publicly.”

“Good!”

Lu Yi nodded heavily in satisfaction.

Suddenly, his white brows furrowed slightly.

“By the way, have you discovered why Pang Tong and the other 38 disciples committed suicide on the Time-Space Dojo?”

Han Yong first shook his head before slowly nodding.

“Senior Brother, before their deaths, all of them repeatedly mentioned that Mu Mengji was Tan Yun’s woman.”

“So I suspect their deaths are somehow related to Tan Yun as well.”

A murderous intent flashed through Lu Yi’s eyes.

“Hmph. Once Tan Yun is executed, I’ll naturally investigate the matter thoroughly afterward.”

…

As night descended, news of Tan Yun slaughtering 89 opponents by himself had already spread throughout the entire Pill Cultivation lineage of the Immortal Sect.

Among the more than 200,000 disciples, those below the 9th Level of the Soul Refining Realm practically worshipped Tan Yun like a god.

But the elite disciples at the 9th Level merely sneered disdainfully.

In their eyes, if they personally fought Tan Yun, they could easily kill him.

As for the more than 20,000 disciples at the Great Perfection of the Soul Refining Realm, they simply laughed when they heard lower-level disciples praising Tan Yun so fanatically.

To them, Tan Yun was merely an interesting junior with some talent—nothing more.

Time flowed by swiftly like an arrow.

In the blink of an eye, 14 days had passed.

As dusk approached, the entire Danmai Secret Realm gradually became lively with anticipation, because tomorrow morning during the Chen Hour—between 7 and 9 AM—the grand alchemy competition would officially begin!

Meanwhile…

Meritorious Immortal Valley, Valley No. 8.

Within the picturesque immortal valley, Tan Yun—whose injuries had already fully recovered—was currently accompanying 2 beautiful women on a walk.

With his left arm supporting Xue Ziyan and his right arm supporting Mu Mengji, he slowly guided them through the valley paths.

Although the 2 women had already awakened 3 days ago, their complexions were still pale from their injuries. Walking around a little was good for restoring circulation and loosening their stiff bodies.

After waking up, the 2 women had already learned from Tan Yun that he had personally avenged Song Hong and the other 135 slain disciples.

But when Tan Yun later asked why they had recklessly involved themselves in the riot, their answer immediately enraged him.

It turned out that Song Hong had been a close friend of both women.

The moment they learned he had been murdered, they rushed to the Merit Medicine Garden without hesitation.

At the time, they had only intended to question Hou Ye—the person responsible for Song Hong’s death.

But before they could even say much…

Hou Ye directly attacked them.

“If you’re tired, then rest for a while.”

Tan Yun gently helped Xue Ziyan and Mu Mengji sit down on the soft grassy field before casually chatting with them.

At that moment, a woman’s voice suddenly came from outside Immortal Valley No. 8.

“Senior Brother Tan, my master asked me to inform you to come over.”

The voice belonged to Nangong Ruxue.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll head there immediately.”

After replying, Tan Yun left the immortal valley. By the time he stepped outside, Nangong Ruxue had already departed.

Without delay, he summoned his flying sword and soared toward the Valley of Merit.

Ever since rearranging the restrictions around Immortal Valley No. 8, Tan Yun had become much more at ease.

Now, even experts at the Great Perfection of the Divine Soul Realm would find it nearly impossible to forcibly break through the valley’s barrier.

Because of this, he had no worries about leaving Xue Ziyan and Mu Mengji alone inside.

1 hour later.

Tan Yun descended from the sky atop his flying sword and landed outside the Hall of Merit. After storing away his sword, he strode directly into the great hall.

Inside, Luo Fan was already waiting alongside a man and a woman.

After Luo Fan introduced them, Tan Yun learned that the man was named Yang Chong, while the woman was called Liu Yiyi.

Both were disciples at the 4th Level of the Soul Refining Realm and high-level alchemists as well.

The moment Yang Chong and Liu Yiyi saw Tan Yun, admiration filled their eyes without the slightest attempt to conceal it.

After all, 14 days ago, Tan Yun had single-handedly slaughtered 89 disciples under Lu Yi. The shocking incident had already spread throughout the entire Immortal Sect.

Moreover, the 2 had also learned from Luo Fan that during the Grand Alchemy Competition of the 3 Ancient Sects within the Eternal Immortal Sect, Tan Yun had already reached the level of a Saint-tier Grand Alchemist!

Naturally, their admiration toward him deepened even further.

Soon afterward, Luo Fan began explaining the details of tomorrow’s competition to Tan Yun.

The alchemy competition held once every 10 years within the Immortal Sect was an enormous event for the Pill Cultivation lineage.

Not only would the elders compete against one another in alchemy, but each elder would also send 4 disciples to compete against the genius alchemists under the other elders.

Only now did Tan Yun understand why Shen Subing had summoned the 4 of them today.

Clearly, she intended for them to represent her in tomorrow’s competition.

Clack… clack… clack…

At that moment, footsteps echoed from the staircase leading down from the second floor.

A moment later, Shen Subing slowly descended into the hall.

The instant Tan Yun saw her, his brows furrowed slightly.

Shen Subing’s complexion looked extremely pale and exhausted. Her beautiful eyes were bloodshot, and in just 14 short days, she seemed to have grown noticeably thinner.

Her entire body radiated fatigue, as though she had utterly drained herself during this period.

“Elder of Merit… are you alright?”

Tan Yun could not help but ask.

Looking at her exhausted appearance, a trace of pain unconsciously surfaced within his heart.

“Elder of Merit, what happened to you?”

Luo Fan, Yang Chong, and Liu Yiyi also asked respectfully.

“It’s nothing.”

Shen Subing forced a faint smile.

“I’ve simply spent too much time researching alchemy lately, so I’m a little tired.”

Although her tone sounded calm, the gloom hidden within her expression could not be concealed.

Ever since learning 14 days ago that the elders participating in tomorrow’s competition would need to refine at least a mid-grade Venerable Pill, Shen Subing had practically been living in torment.

Day and night, she continuously pushed her mental energy and physical limits to the extreme, repeatedly practicing the process of refining a mid-grade Venerable Pill.

Yet even now, despite exhausting herself to the brink of collapse, she still had absolutely no confidence in succeeding.

At the same time, Shen Subing still could not understand why her master had confidently declared 14 days ago that she would shock all the elders during this alchemy competition.

“Sigh…”

Shen Subing let out a weary sigh before looking toward Tan Yun and the others.

Then she forced a smile once more.

“This elder has already decided…”

“To withdraw from tomorrow’s alchemy competition among the elders.”

As she spoke, a bitter expression appeared on her face.

“This time… I’ve truly disgraced myself.”

“But as for the 4 of you…”

“Just do your best tomorrow. Don’t place too much pressure on yourselves.”

After speaking, Shen Subing waved her hand gently.

“Go now. Head to the Merit Herb Garden and collect the spiritual herbs you’ll need for tomorrow’s alchemy competition.”

The moment she turned around to leave, Tan Yun’s pupils suddenly contracted slightly.

He clearly saw a tear silently fall from the corner of Shen Subing’s eye before splashing onto the floor below.