Published: February 25, 2025
"There's no need for formalities..."
Before Tan Yun could finish speaking, Shen Subing interrupted with a wave of her hand, "Alright, no need to say polite words. Haven't you been in seclusion? Where do you want to go now? To participate in the Ten Veins Grand Competition?"
Tan Yun replied honestly, "Reporting to the chief, I indeed wish to participate in the core disciples' competition of the Ten Veins."
"Chief..."
"No need to say more, you are not allowed to go!" Shen Subing's tone was resolute, "You are only at the third level of the sacred soul realm, how can I stand by and watch you go to your death?"
"This girl is actually worried about me!" Tan Yun felt secretly pleased in his heart while maintaining a respectful demeanor, and firmly said, "Chief, even though I am only at the third level of the sacred soul realm, I am confident in my ability to fight against strong opponents at the great perfection of the sacred soul realm."
"Chief, I urgently need to obtain a fire seed to cultivate, so I sincerely request you to allow me to participate in the Ten Veins Grand Competition."
Upon hearing this, Shen Subing's expression changed in shock, "What did you say? You have the ability to challenge those at the great perfection of the sacred soul realm?"
"Yes," Tan Yun nodded seriously, bowing slightly, "Please allow me to go."
"Uh..." Shen Subing hesitated, "The sovereign has ordered that we of the Meritorious Lineage cannot participate. If you do this, the sovereign will surely be angry."
"Chief, I guarantee with my life that the sovereign will not be angry." Tan Yun said confidently, "By then, I will even give you and the sovereign a surprise."
"What surprise?" Shen Subing asked with curiosity, "To compete for the first among the core disciples of the Ten Veins?"
Tan Yun did not respond or deny it. In fact, the surprise he was referring to was definitely not as simple as just being first!
"Alright, I can agree to let you go," Shen Subing said decisively, "But you must promise me to act within your limits and not to risk your life."
"I will obey," Tan Yun replied respectfully.
"Mm." Shen Subing glanced at the time; the sun was already setting, "The core disciples' competition of the Ten Veins will be held at the summit of Huangfu Ancient Mountain."
"This place is a million miles from Huangfu Sacred Mountain, and the competition will begin at noon tomorrow. Let’s go, I will explain the competition rules to you on the way."
Then, Shen Subing and Tan Yun soared into the sky like a Golden Boy and Jade Girl, heading towards the exit of the Meritorious Sacred Realm...
As night fell.
When Tan Yun and Shen Subing appeared in the air above the exit of the Meritorious Sacred Realm, Tan Yun was taken aback to see Tuoba Yingying, Mu Mengyi, and Zhong Wu Shiyao standing in mid-air, looking at him with ambiguous smiles.
"Ahem." Tan Yun awkwardly wrinkled his nose and chuckled, "Mengyi, Shiyao, I was just worried about you, so I didn’t tell you."
"Hmph, Shiyao, don’t pay attention to him," Mu Mengyi feigned anger.
Zhong Wu Shiyao was similarly unamused.
Tan Yun flew in front of the two girls, a voice slipping into their ears, "Hehehe, I told you that once I brought medicine to Jade Whisper, I would come back to bully you."
"If you are still angry, I might choose a good time and scenery, and then..."
Before Tan Yun could finish speaking, both girls' delicate faces instantly flushed red, and they said in unison, "We’re not angry!"
"That's more like it!" Tan Yun laughed.
Mu Mengyi turned around and looked at Tan Yun seriously, "You must promise me and Shiyao that if there are any dangerous situations like this in the future, you must tell us. Otherwise, we will really be angry."
"Okay, I promise you," Tan Yun earnestly said, and only then did Mu Mengyi and Zhong Wu Shiyao feel reassured.
After that, Shen Subing, Tan Yun, and the five of them flew out of the Meritorious Sacred Realm, heading overnight to Huangfu Ancient Mountain...
On the way there, Tan Yun learned the rules of the core disciples' grand competition from Shen Subing.