C10 He Was Not an Ordinary Person!

"Uncle Shadow, has he truly become a Spirit Alchemist?" Qin Yutong inquired, her eyes wide with incredulity.

On the Kyushu Continent, it was common knowledge that the path to becoming a Spirit Alchemist was fraught with difficulty. Without innate talent and the guidance of a skilled teacher, the prospect of achieving such a status was nearly impossible. Lin Yun was merely a scholar from a humble mountain village; the odds of him being that fortunate seemed slim.

"Lin Yun spent the day peddling his wares at the pill room entrance, attracting numerous disciples who purchased his pills. Unless he crafted all those pills himself, someone with his modest background couldn't possibly have access to such a quantity," Shadow said, shaking his head. He then produced a small bottle from his cloak and handed it to Qin Yutong, murmuring, "Miss, I suspect the Young Master may be more enigmatic than we've anticipated."

Upon opening the bottle, Qin Yutong was greeted by a fresh herbal scent. She tipped the Marrow Cleansing Pill into her palm, noting its perfectly round, grayish-brown form.

"Did he really make this?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe as she observed the distinct pill pattern at the heart of the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

Pills were categorized into nine grades, each with its unique pill pattern. A Grade Nine pill could exhibit up to nine patterns, but a Marrow Cleansing Pill, being only Grade One, was limited to a single pattern. Yet, most Marrow Cleansing Pills found in the market were inferior, lacking any pattern at all.

It was well-known that a pill's efficacy was greatly enhanced by the presence of a pill pattern. The pill Shadow presented was undoubtedly a top-grade Marrow Cleansing Pill. Even Master Bao, a Grade Five Spirit Alchemist from the Mystic Moon Sect, faced a fifty percent chance of producing a patternless, inferior Marrow Cleansing Pill.

"Miss, it appears all the Marrow Cleansing Pills the Young Master sold were patterned," Shadow added after a brief pause.

Qin Yutong was at a loss for words. Lin Yun had effortlessly achieved what even Master Bao, a Grade Five Spirit Alchemist, could not.

Could this world be any more astonishing?

Suddenly, Shadow's brow furrowed; he sensed something amiss and vanished into the shadows.

A gaunt figure swooped down into the courtyard like a hawk, materializing before Qin Yutong. Clad in a green robe adorned with the Law Enforcement Hall's emblem, his grim visage was dominated by a hawkish nose that instilled fear in those who beheld him.

This was none other than Elder Qingfeng of the Law Enforcement Hall.

"Elder Qingfeng, why seek me out at this late hour?" Qin Yutong asked, her calm voice carrying an undercurrent of challenge.

"Sect Master, are you truly unaware of the reason for my visit?" Elder Qingfeng's tone was dark as the depths of the ocean. "Sect Master, do you intend to shield a criminal and brazenly defy the Mystic Moon Sect's rules?"

Hearing this, Qin Yutong's demeanor grew icy. "Elder Qingfeng, speak plainly. There's no need for oblique insinuations."

"Sect Master, your husband inexplicably murdered the pill room's manager and then took the life of my nominal disciple, Ding Xu. Moreover, he's maimed three disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall! With such heinous acts committed, are you truly oblivious, Sect Master?"

Elder Qingfeng let out a derisive laugh and said, "Sect Master, I urge you to prioritize the greater good and surrender Lin Yun. It's time the Mystic Moon Sect returned to its former state of fairness."

Hearing this, Qin Yutong bristled with anger. It was exactly because of people like Elder Qingfeng and his ilk that the Mystic Moon Sect was in turmoil. And now he had the audacity to reproach her.

Suppressing the fury within, Qin Yutong responded with measured calm, "Elder Qingfeng, I suggest you return for now. Rest assured, I will address Lin Yun's transgressions appropriately."

"What are you implying, Sect Master?"

Elder Qingfeng's threat was palpable. "Sect Master, are you contemplating a violation of our sect's rules? If so, I will have no choice but to bring this matter before the Great Elder!"

It was common knowledge within the Mystic Moon Sect that the true power did not lie with Sect Master Qin Yutong, but with the Great Elder, Shi Xuan, the most senior member of the sect. Rumors had long circulated that Shi Xuan had been eyeing the position of Sect Master for years. Had the previous Sect Master not kept him in check, Shi Xuan might have already claimed the title.

Now, with the old Sect Master deceased and Qin Yutong newly appointed, she lacked the means to keep Shi Xuan at bay. Meanwhile, several elders within the Mystic Moon Sect, fully cognizant of this delicate balance of power, were covertly rallying behind Shi Xuan. Elder Qingfeng was among the most prominent of these figures.

It was Shi Xuan's backing that emboldened Elder Qingfeng to confront Sect Master Qin Yutong with such brazenness.

"Don't you dare threaten me, Elder Qingfeng!"

As Elder Qingfeng pressed on, Qin Yutong struggled to contain her rising ire. She retorted icily, "Lin Yun nearly lost his life previously. I'm certain you're more aware of the reasons behind that than I am. He's merely a harmless scholar to you. I trust you won't overstep your bounds! Or else, not even the Great Elder will be able to shield you!"

With the echo of her words, a stunning luminescence materialized. Above Qin Yutong's head, a pale blue Dao Platform shimmered into existence, akin to a luminous moon. The glow was as awe-inspiring as the light of the sun and moon combined.

"Spiritual Altar Stage!" Elder Qingfeng gasped in astonishment.

He had never anticipated Qin Yutong's prodigious aptitude for cultivation. In less than six months, she had ascended to the Spiritual Altar Stage. Jealousy seethed within him; despite years of diligent practice, he had not managed to achieve such a breakthrough.

Yet here was Qin Yutong, not even twenty, who had attained the Spiritual Altar Stage with seemingly effortless speed.

The notion was preposterous!

"Elder, if there's nothing further, I'd prefer not to be disturbed," Qin Yutong stated coolly.

"Sect Master, please rest. I shall take my leave," Elder Qingfeng conceded.

With a bow of his head, Elder Qingfeng turned and departed.

Internally, he sneered with contempt, "What does it matter if you've reached the Spiritual Altar Stage? The fate of the Mystic Moon Sect is sealed. Once Elder Shi assumes command, will you maintain your defiance?"

After Elder Qingfeng's exit, Uncle Shadow reemerged, his visage flickering with a hint of deadly intent. He queried, "Shall I eliminate him for you?"

"He's merely a pawn. What would killing him accomplish?" Qin Yutong said, shaking her head.

"Miss, Shi Hao's influence within the Mystic Moon Sect is on the rise, and now even Qingfeng dares to contradict you. If you continue to do nothing, the repercussions could be dire," Uncle Shadow said with a sigh.

"Uncle Shadow, you needn't concern yourself with these matters," Qin Yutong replied after a pause. "However, I do have another task for you. Please ensure Lin Yun's safety and prevent him from facing danger once more. He's not involved in this, and there's no reason to drag him into it."

Uncle Shadow instinctively wanted to object. His priority was Qin Yutong's safety, especially now that she was at risk. But seeing the determination in her eyes, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.

He thought to himself that Qin Yutong was far too compassionate.

Just then, a noise came from outside the courtyard. Uncle Shadow's face turned steely, and he moved to the gate with the speed of a shadow. When he returned, he was holding a slight figure.

His face took on a curious expression as he regarded the young girl in his grasp. "Why is Lin Yun's servant here?" he wondered.

"Sect Master, the Young Master sent me to you. He said I should serve you for a few days," Meng said, fearfully glancing at the formidable Uncle Shadow. Her small arms were tightly wrapped around herself as she spoke softly. Her eyes, wide with awe, took in the celestial beauty of Qin Yutong, and she couldn't shake a deep sense of inferiority.

"Young Master sent you?" Qin Yutong asked, taken aback, exchanging a glance with Uncle Shadow. "Where is Lin Yun?"

"I don't know, Young Master has left," Meng replied honestly, pulling out a hefty stack of banknotes. "He also said these are for my lodging, meals, and protection fees. Please accept this money, and don't look down on me."

Qin Yutong's expression froze as she looked at the thousands of taels in Meng's hands. What was Lin Yun up to?

"He's both clever and sly," Shadow remarked with a light laugh. "Miss, he wants you to look after this young girl."

It dawned on Qin Yutong that Lin Yun must have been concerned about the Law Enforcement Hall seeking retribution against Meng after his departure from the Mystic Moon Sect. Lin Yun had sent Meng to her as a precaution, entrusting Qin Yutong with the girl's safety.

And these banknotes were Lin Yun's way of compensation.

"Lin Yun gave me banknotes," Qin Yutong mused, a touch of disappointment in her gaze as she held the thick stack. Lin Yun's gesture was a clear sign he didn't want to be indebted to her. Suddenly, she felt it might be necessary to reassess her understanding of Lin Yun—after all, he was her husband.

"Lin Yun is quite the character," Shadow said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. His seasoned eyes betrayed a glimmer of respect for Lin Yun. Speaking softly, he added, "Miss, I retract any negative opinions I had of Lin Yun. He may not be the incompetent man I thought he was. However, Qingfeng and his cohorts are likely not going to leave him be. I'll set out at once to catch up with him and ensure his safety from the shadows."

In an instant, the shadow vanished without a trace.

Left behind in the attic were only Qin Yutong, with her complex expression, and a bewildered Meng. Qin Yutong gazed into the profound depths of the night sky and whispered to herself in a voice only she could hear, "Lin Yun, just who are you, really?"