C12 Different Treatment!

Lin Yun was unaware of the significance behind the term "Xi Warlord." All he knew was that Xi Ziyu's generosity far exceeded his expectations. With a casual flick of his wrist, Xi Ziyu had spent six thousand taels of silver to purchase his thirty Water Cloud Pills.

Subtracting the psychic force he had expended, Lin Yun found himself with a net gain of 5,000 points.

"Host, you have reached 10,000 points! The system will now upgrade automatically!"

"System upgrade successful!"

"Authority unlocked: Access to Pillheart Hall's Grade Three pills!"

"Upgrade reward: Nemesis of All Poisons!"

"Host, your soul's strength has increased, and your maximum psychic force is now 50."

A familiar cascade of system notifications rang out, invigorating Lin Yun as his system upgraded yet again, bringing fresh changes to his attribute panel.

Host: Lin Yun

Title: Grade Two Spirit Alchemist

Psychic Force: 9.7

Refinable Pills: Green Spirit Pill, Marrow Cleansing Pill, Bone Forging Pill, Essence Cultivating Pill, Divine Power Pill, Water Cloud Pill

Upgrade Rewards: Demonic Heavenly Profound Scripture, Nemesis of All Poisons

Points: 10,030

Authority: Pillheart Hall (including Fiery Solar Pill, Essence Returning Pill, and more)

"System, what exactly is the Nemesis of All Poisons?" Lin Yun pondered before inquiring.

Promptly, a clear line of text materialized before him: "The Nemesis of All Poisons allows you to use varying amounts of points to purge any toxin from your body or someone else's."

With this ability, Lin Yun could neutralize any fierce poison in the world, provided he had enough points. He hadn't anticipated that the system's upgrade rewards would grow increasingly wondrous.

"Waiter, please ensure my horse is well cared for." Upon settling into the Wind and Cloud Inn, Lin Yun entrusted his steed to the waiter, tipping him twenty silver taels for his service. The waiter's face lit up with a grateful smile, promising to look after the horse attentively.

"By the way, do you know what the Xi Warlord is?" Lin Yun, on his way upstairs, couldn't resist asking.

"You're not familiar with the Xi Warlord?" The waiter was taken aback.

"Enough chit-chat, just explain." Lin Yun's patience waned at the sight of the waiter's bewildered expression, as if he were gazing at an extraterrestrial. It was clear that Lin Yun's prior knowledge had been woefully inadequate.

With the waiter's elucidation, Lin Yun finally grasped the formidable nature of the Xi Warlord.

In the Great Qin Dynasty, the emperor's power reigned supreme, yet beneath it lay ten colossal forces, each guarding a swath of the empire's territory. These were the renowned ten warlord families, with the Xi Warlord among them, its vast influence staggering to comprehend.

Indeed, it was no overstatement to say that, aside from the emperor, these ten warlord families were the most daunting powers in the Great Qin Dynasty. Even nobles and marquises would defer to them.

The Mystic Moon Sect, in comparison, was merely a minor, second-tier sect. Against the colossal Xi Warlord, it was as if it could be crushed effortlessly.

"I never imagined I'd encounter such a formidable figure on my first journey."

With this newfound understanding, Lin Yun quietly marveled at his own good fortune.

Yet, regardless of Xi Ziyu's formidable strength and background, it bore little relevance to Lin Yun. He was well aware that to survive in this world, he must ultimately rely on his own abilities.

After all, playing the sycophant to others was never his style.

Having earned 6,000 points from Xi Ziyu, Lin Yun had unlocked the privilege to craft Grade Three pills. In essence, he was now a bona fide Grade Three Spirit Alchemist.

Consequently, his standing within the Spirit Medicine Alliance had risen, marking a particularly auspicious turn for him.

It was early, and Lin Yun guessed that the Spirit Medicine Alliance's doors were still closed. Having traveled through the night, he decided to take a moment to rest in the opulence of the upper room.

Unbeknownst to him, since the moment he had ridden away from the Mystic Moon Sect, someone had been stealthily tailing him.

"He's incredibly lucky, even encountering someone from the Xi Warlord," mused the shadowy figure tracking him.

Elsewhere, within the austere main hall of the Mystic Moon Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, the intricate pattern of crossed swords on the wall loomed ominously. The hall's disciples were visibly tense, beads of sweat tracing their foreheads.

The grim expression of Elder Qingfeng, seated at the head, cast a suffocating pall over the room, so much so that the disciples scarcely dared to breathe.

Three Law Enforcement Hall disciples with useless arms knelt on the floor, beside them a headless corpse wrapped in white.

"Lin Yun has truly crossed the line!" Elder Qingfeng said with a cold laugh.

In a sudden outburst, he released a powerful surge of energy from his sleeve, shattering the nearby furniture. The disciples fell deathly silent, barely breathing.

"Master, Lin Yun is merely a son-in-law; why let him rile you?" quipped a young disciple, his laugh cutting through the tension.

Tall and lean, with a white jade sword slung across his back, he exuded a sharp, sword-like presence.

This was Zhao Feng, Elder Qingfeng's prized disciple, unlike the inconsequential Ding Xu. Zhao Feng's talent was exceptional; he had crossed into the Essence Building Realm by the tender age of twenty.

"I'm not bothered by a mere son-in-law. It's Qin Yutong who infuriates me. Were it not for her support of Lin Yun, I'd have dispatched him long ago!" Elder Qingfeng's voice was heavy with resentment.

Qin Yutong's cultivation now exceeded his own, and although her influence within the Mystic Moon Sect was currently limited, she remained beyond his reach.

In short, as long as Great Elder Shi Xuan remained in seclusion, Elder Qingfeng would have to bide his time.

"Master, if we can't touch Qin Yutong, surely we can still strike at Lin Yun?"

Zhao Feng's sneer was cold. "I've heard that Lin Yun, that coward, fled the Mystic Moon Sect under cover of darkness. With the outside world being so perilous, wouldn't any mishap befalling him be just the natural order of things?"

At these words, Elder Qingfeng regarded Zhao Feng with approval, stroking his beard and smiling. "Feng, I entrust this task to you. Ensure our involvement remains undetected."

"Rest assured, I have a friend well-versed in the art of assassination. With the right price, there's no one they can't eliminate," Zhao Feng replied with a smirk.

"We'll start by giving Qin Yutong a fright."

Elder Qingfeng spoke with a detached calm, "Once Great Elder Shi Xuan ends his retreat, the leadership of the Mystic Moon Sect will shift. Our Law Enforcement Hall will ascend to become the preeminent hall within the sect."

"I offer you my early congratulations, Master."

Guided by the shop assistant, Lin Yun swiftly located the Northern Prefecture Pass branch of the Spirit Medicine Alliance. Despite being merely a branch, the Alliance's presence was undeniably grand.

The tiles gracing the entrance were crafted from the finest blue and white porcelain, and the signboard etched with "Spirit Medicine Alliance" was forged from pure gold, exuding an air of opulence. Even the stone lions at the gate clutched pearls of inestimable value in their mouths.

For a moment, Lin Yun found the splendor almost blinding. It was as if he had stumbled upon a tycoon's mansion.

But he soon came to terms with it. If he, a mere Grade Three Spirit Alchemist, had more banknotes than he could spend, the Spirit Medicine Alliance, a hub for alchemists of all ranks, would naturally be a bastion of luxury.

"This is the Spirit Medicine Alliance. Entry is restricted to unauthorized individuals."

The guard, a middle-aged man with a nondescript appearance, possessed a cultivation level that was alarmingly high. While Lin Yun couldn't discern his exact level, he was certain the man was at least above the Essence Building Stage, his aura far surpassing that of Jiang Mang, who was also at that stage.

"I've come to undergo certification as a Spirit Alchemist," Lin Yun stated, bowing respectfully.

"You think you're qualified to seek certification here?" The guard's initial surprise quickly gave way to a sneer. To him, Lin Yun's youthful appearance and tattered clothing did not fit the image of a distinguished Spirit Alchemist.

As the gatekeeper, he had encountered countless Spirit Alchemists, all of whom were dressed in finery. Lin Yun's appearance was a first for him, prompting an involuntary sneer of contempt.

"I assure you, I am here for the certification. Please, allow me entry."

Lin Yun's brow furrowed at the guard's arrogant gaze, which was far from welcoming. Nevertheless, he needed to complete the certification and decided to swallow his pride for the moment.

"The Spirit Medicine Alliance does not entertain troublemakers. I suggest you leave before I lose my patience," Wang Hu, the guard, said dismissively, waving his hand.

"Do you truly believe I'm here to cause trouble?" Lin Yun's expression grew stern. He had been nothing but courteous, yet Wang Hu's demeanor was offensive, stirring a surge of anger within him. Lin Yun was not known for his patience.

"Brother Wang." At that moment, a well-dressed young man with a jade pendant at his waist approached the gate and greeted Wang Hu warmly. He seemed to be about Lin Yun's age, but Wang Hu's respect for him was immediate and profound. "Young Master Meng, you're quite early today!"

"My master sent me to study pill refining bright and early," Young Master Meng replied with a smile. After exchanging pleasantries, he strode into the Spirit Medicine Alliance. Before entering, he caught sight of Lin Yun's humble attire and made no effort to mask his disdain.

"Why is he allowed inside?" Lin Yun asked coldly, his expression darkening.

Wang Hu's treatment of Meng Tao was in stark contrast to his dismissive attitude toward Lin Yun, clearly indicative of his disdain.

"Meng Tao is Master Dai's direct disciple. He's already refining Grade Two pill patterns at his young age, a true prodigy among Spirit Alchemists! You can't compare to him," Wang Hu retorted with a cold laugh.

"Really?" Lin Yun's eyes grew colder upon hearing the words.

It appeared that the distasteful practice of unequal treatment was an inevitable occurrence, no matter the world.