C394 Shade Pill!

"Qin, shouldn't you offer your thanks?" Ning Ji, noticing Qin Yun's bewildered state, quickly nudged him.

Ning Ji held a deep respect for Yu Yuan's prowess in alchemy. His return to Asvetaesi and his stay in Thylethlume were motivated by his high regard for Yu Yuan's alchemical abilities.

Yu Yuan lived up to his expectations, providing a pill that enabled him to shatter his cultivation limits and advance to Veil Breaking.

Knowing that Qin Yun had recently pledged allegiance, Ning Ji had made a deliberate effort to foster a good relationship with him.

Yet, he had been reticent about Yu Yuan's exceptional alchemy skills.

To Ning Ji, Yu Yuan's mastery of alchemy was a closely guarded secret.

He would only discuss it freely with Qin Yun if Yu Yuan fully trusted him and chose to share this knowledge—like in this moment.

"Oh, thank you, Young Master," Qin Yun said, still somewhat dazed. He glanced at the three pills in his hand, resembling red dates, and hesitated before speaking sheepishly, "Young Master, I must admit, I'm not well-versed in pill refinement. I can't quite identify these pills. Could you please instruct me on how to consume and refine them, and explain their specific benefits?"

"Have you ever heard of the Shade Pill?" Yu Yuan inquired.

Qin Yun shook his head gently.

"That's understandable," Yu Yuan said with a smile. "You don't need to concern yourself with the Shade Pill's rank. All you need to know is that it has a singular purpose: to aid in the recovery of your Lunar Spirit. Think of it as a unique type of Soul Pill. The method of consumption is straightforward; it's not ingested, but rather refined directly by your Lunar Spirit."

"Soul, Soul Pill? A Soul Pill that benefits the Lunar Spirit?" Qin Yun was visibly shaken, his body quivering slightly as he struggled to grasp the reality of what he held.

"Soul Pill!" Ning Ji exhaled deeply, trying to steady his racing heart. His eyes sparkled with renewed vitality, as if he had tapped into a wellspring of energy. "Young Master! Can you truly craft Soul Pills?"

Without waiting for Yu Yuan's response, he continued, "From what I understand, the process of refining Soul Pills is incredibly demanding! Moreover, each Soul Pill is of no insignificant grade!"

The Soul Pill, a rare concoction capable of influencing the Lunar Spirit, Solar Spirit, and the primordial spirit, was a boon to those in the Lunar Spirit realm and beyond. Crafting such a pill was notoriously difficult, with a high likelihood of failure. Rumors suggested that special vessels and furnaces were required for the process, with soul spirits serving as the necessary fuel.

Yu Yuan, for starters, was quite young. Secondly, it was unlikely he had access to a furnace capable of producing Soul Pills. And thirdly, where could he have possibly obtained a soul spirit to infuse into the Soul Pill?

"Is it truly a Soul Pill? How can that be?" Qin Yun exclaimed in disbelief.

With a reassuring smile, Yu Yuan replied, "Simply release your Lunar Spirit and bind a Shade Pill to it. Absorb its medicinal properties and integrate them into your Lunar Spirit. You'll see the results for yourself once you try."

"Alright!"

Without hesitation, Qin Yun, in the presence of Ning Ji and Yu Yuan, summoned his scholar-shaped Lunar Spirit from the mud pellet acupoint between his eyebrows.

Upon its emergence, three Dawn Arrows naturally materialized at the back of his head, serving as guardians for the Lunar Spirit. The scholar-shaped Lunar Spirit, enveloped in an emerald glow, bore an exact resemblance to Qin Yun, and was visible to the naked eye rather than being a mere intangible apparition.

Visible cracks marred the Lunar Spirit, glowing with faint white light, reminiscent of a beautifully crafted porcelain that had been shattered and subsequently mended. Despite the flawless repairs, upon closer inspection, the cracks remained evident.

Qin Yun's Lunar Spirit had sustained injuries in the Moonfall Sanctuary and had been further wounded by a surprise attack from the Binders of Shadows. Such deep wounds were not easily healed.

Injuries to the soul were far more challenging to mend than torn meridians or broken bones.

"Give it a try," Yu Yuan said, smiling encouragingly.

Ning Ji observed as Qin Yun's Lunar Spirit, having emerged from the mud pellet acupoint, glanced at the three Shade Pills, and in that moment, he seemed to radiate light. Both his physical form and his Lunar Spirit were glowing with excitement.

While the Lunar Spirit remained within, Qin Yun had noticed nothing unusual about the Shade Pills. But now, separated from his body and viewing the pills through his ethereal soul form, he discovered they were entirely different.

The three Shade Pills emitted a crimson radiance in the eyes of the Lunar Spirit, which took the form of an aged scholar. Scarlet wisps of smoke swirled within the pill, clearly indicating its ability to enhance the soul.

With a sudden "whoosh," Qin Yun's Lunar Spirit shrank to the size of a tiny seed and settled upon a Shade Pill.

Minuscule to the point of resembling a fly on a date, the greatly reduced Qin Yun absorbed the nourishment of the date, relishing the taste with gusto.

In this manner, his Lunar Spirit refined the Shade Pill, mending the wounds of his soul.

His real body, glowing from within the palm, stowed the remaining two Shade Pills away, leaving just one for his Lunar Spirit to assimilate.

With a clench of his hand, both the Shade Pill and his Lunar Spirit were enveloped within.

After a deep bow to Yu Yuan, Qin Yun's real body straightened up, his face alight with sincere admiration. "I was blind to the marvels of the Shade Pill and questioned the Young Master's thoughtful intentions," he confessed.

"The matter of the Shade Pill must not be discussed with anyone," Yu Yuan cautioned.

"I'm well aware of the stakes involved," Qin Yun affirmed with a firm nod. After a brief pause, he ventured, "Young Master, did you truly create these three Shade Pills?" His disbelief was palpable.

The notion was astonishing. How young was Yu Yuan?

Not even the most exceptional herbalist from the Sacred Hands or the Order of Healing in the Land of Quiescence could craft a Soul Pill at such a tender age!

"Don't concern yourself with the details. Just take them," Yu Yuan said with a reassuring smile. "The three Shade Pills should fully restore your wounded Lunar Spirit. Regrettably, I'm powerless to assist with the two Dawn Arrows that were destroyed."

"Once my Lunar Spirit is restored to its peak, and I possess the strength to break through to the Spirit Walk Stage at any moment, even the three Dawn Arrows will be sufficient for me to vanquish my foes!" Qin Yun's confidence surged. "After advancing to the Spirit Walk Stage, I'll forge new artifacts! I've shattered the fixation on the Dawn Arrow, and my cultivation and refinement within the Lunar Spirit Stage have reached their zenith!"

His demeanor suggested that as soon as he finished refining the Shade Pills, he planned to undertake the breakthrough into the Spirit Walk Stage.

The Soul Pill is incredibly complex to refine. Mr. Yu, what assistance did you have?" Ning Ji inquired, eager to understand which pill Yu Yuan had relied on and the origin of the soul.

"Soulforge Pool, Yan Qiling," Yu Yuan replied quietly.

"Soulforge Pool!" Qin Yun had a moment of realization. "The Soulforge Pool capable of refining soul spirits and amassing numerous souls to empower Yan Qiling!"

"I must ask you, Ning Ji, to deliver these Seed of Life pills and some others to the Yu family. Please hand them directly to my grandfather," Yu Yuan requested, handing over a cloth bag to Ning Ji. "And inform him that I'll be away for some time. I'll return to Thylethlume after a period."

"Understood," Ning Ji acknowledged with a nod.

"Young Master, where will you be heading? Allow me to accompany you!" Qin Yun offered eagerly.

"I need you here in Thylethlume to refine three Shade Pills and to safeguard the Yu family for a time," Yu Yuan explained earnestly. "I've made too many enemies. I cannot bear the thought of the Yu family suffering on my account. With the Yan family's support and your presence, I can leave with peace of mind."

Qin Yun gripped his hands tightly, feeling the Lunar Spirit within as he nodded in agreement to the task of refining the Shade Pill. "I understand."

Indeed, refining the Shade Pill would require time and should not be rushed.

Moreover, if Qin Yun could quickly refine three Shade Pills and bring his Lunar Spirit back to its peak, he could seize the momentum and surge into the Spirit Walk Realm using the items he had prepared in advance!

All these endeavors would take time.

He was not one to sweat the small stuff and knew that by staying near Thylethlume to help protect the Yu family, he would not disappoint Yu Yuan or those he valued.

...

Upon Yu Yuan's departure from Thylethlume and his arrival at the Forgotten Ruins, he immediately sensed Yu Zhu's pervasive presence.

There was no need to venture to the mid-lake island. Within the domain overseen by Yu Zhu, he could communicate effortlessly and directly.

Their exchange was unimpeded.

He conveyed his request to Yu Zhu and asked her to intercede on behalf of Lee Yupan when emissaries from Shadow's Keep arrived.

Additionally, Lee Yupan's Lunar Spirit should be treated with caution, and there's no need for excessive force.

Yu Zhu understood his intentions instantly and agreed in a flash—without a moment's hesitation.

"Whoosh!"

Yan Qiling's figure seemed to slice through the fabric of space, materializing silently.

"After I left, how was the situation at the Keep handled?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"With me supporting your grandfather, what problem can't be resolved?" Yan Qiling said with pride. "That Van Xuan was taken by Zhou Cangmin. If not for that, refining him could have given my Soul Power a slight boost."

"Why does Zhou Cangmin want Van Xuan?" Yu Yuan asked, taken aback.

"Zhou Cangmin and the Colddeath Sect seem to have struck some deal. Van Chaoguan isn't dead; he just stepped down as head of the Van family and went to the Land of Quiescence in secret," Yan Qiling explained, frowning. "The Colddeath Sect values him highly. Van Xuan being taken was also a gesture of respect to them, and naturally, Zhou Cangmin benefitted from their arrangement."

"The state preceptor sure plays a bold game," Yu Yuan remarked with a nod.

"You flatter me."

A man in white robes arrived with a carefree laugh, saying, "I've indeed brokered many deals, both overtly and covertly. Some are above board, while others are less savory, which I won't deny. Frankly, the deal with the Colddeath Sect has been quite profitable for the Ruby Hand."

"I haven't been speaking ill of you behind your back," Yu Yuan said, feeling awkward.

"No offense taken," Zhou Cangmin replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I had prepared several options for you, but now I suggest you head to the Embers Sea. A new meteor shower is due to fall there, and I believe it will be the most exciting place in the near future, as well as beneficial for your cultivation."

"The Embers Sea!" Yan Qiling exclaimed softly, nodding in agreement. "An excellent choice."

He paused, then added, "I had a place in mind for you as well, but with the impending meteor shower, the Embers Sea is the better option."

"What about Lin Mu?" Yu Yuan asked.

"Rest assured, he won't dare meddle with the Yu family again. You can head to the Embers Sea without concern," Zhou Cangmin assured him.

​