Chapter 69: The Metaphysics Master is an Internet Celebrity 8

On the thirty-fifth floor, after asking for directions, she found the so-called Master Yun’s office. To her surprise, inside sat a handsome young man. Hearing her enter, he lifted his head, his indifferent gaze settling on Mu Yin.

“Hello, I’m looking for Master Yun,” she said.

“Come in. Sit,” the man replied, his voice clear and cool. Mu Yin entered, took a seat opposite him, and pulled out the Ghost Talisman.

“I’d like to investigate whether there’s anyone—or anything—controlling this little ghost,” she stated her request.

“Alright.” The man took the talisman and pressed a switch; instantly, the windows closed. Though the office was midway up the building and sunlight still streamed in, the atmosphere shifted. With a subtle movement of his fingers, the ghost sealed within the talisman was released.

“Speak,” he commanded, eyes fixed on the spirit. The little ghost immediately sank to its knees.

“Mercy, sir! I was only threatened by another ghost. I didn’t want to do this, but if I refused, he’d devour me!” The ghost babbled a string of excuses, leaving Mu Yin speechless. If it was so timid, she could’ve handled it herself—why bother coming here?

“Who threatened you?” Mu Yin asked.

“It was Hong Bo, the one executed recently,” the ghost glanced at Master Yun before replying.

“As expected,” Mu Yin was not surprised.

“Executed? What happened? Those put to death shouldn’t have the opportunity to linger and wreak havoc among the living,” Master Yun’s brows furrowed in inquiry.

Places of execution are typically safeguarded by special arrays to swiftly guide departed souls to the underworld, making escape nearly impossible. How had a soul condemned by execution managed to cause trouble?

“I’m not sure,” Mu Yin replied, feeling slightly uneasy. Master Yun seemed to notice but said nothing, tapping his fingers against the table.

“I understand. Where is Hong Bo now?” Master Yun turned to the ghost.

“He’s at the cemetery outside the city. The yin energy there is dense, and many ghosts gather. He defeated the previous leader and now rules over them,” the ghost answered.

“Why wasn’t this reported?” Given the existence of a metaphysical department, there should be oversight regarding cemeteries where ghosts congregate. He’d never heard that the leader of that particular cemetery had changed.

“Anyone who tried to report was eaten by Hong Bo. We have no choice but to obey him. This time, he sent me to deal with the Liu family, but I was too afraid—so I only left a lot of yin energy there and didn’t dare do anything else,” the little ghost cowered as it spoke.

“I see.” Master Yun stood up, re-sealing the ghost into the talisman, seemingly preparing to visit the cemetery himself.

“Wait, I’m coming too,” Mu Yin quickly rose.

“No,” Master Yun refused without hesitation.

“Why not?” Mu Yin glared at him. She couldn’t let Hong Bo escape—she had a feeling this perverse entity might soon become her nemesis.

“You’re not a certified master. You cannot go,” he said bluntly.

“You—fine, I won’t go. But I must warn you, Hong Bo isn’t ordinary. He seems to have gained something that made him particularly powerful.” Mu Yin was resigned to the circumstances of this world, but still offered a warning.

“I understand.” Master Yun agreed, though clearly unconcerned. Mu Yin noticed but didn’t press further; a hard lesson would make him remember. After some thought, she handed him a Purification Talisman.

“Take this. If you can’t beat him, use it.” Without waiting for protests, she shoved it in his pocket and left.

Back home, the other two hadn’t returned yet, so she continued studying the knowledge required for her metaphysical certification. Thankfully, the online metaphysical forums provided guidance. Two days later, the arrogant Master Yun arrived. Opening the door and seeing him, Mu Yin was momentarily stunned.

“What brings you here, Master Yun?” she invited him inside and asked.

“How much do you know about Hong Bo?” Master Yun got straight to the point.

“Not much. He’s a depraved criminal—he charms women and then lures them home to torture and kill them,” Mu Yin frowned in disgust.

“Did he have some kind of special encounter? Otherwise, a newly formed ghost shouldn’t be so powerful. And your Purification Talisman was unusually strong,” Master Yun explained why he’d come.

Mu Yin paused, uncertain if she should reveal everything. After some thought, she compressed a trace of the primal energy she hadn’t fully absorbed into a bead. It wasn’t large, but energy could be condensed to any size.

“This is something I obtained by accident. When he nearly killed me, it acknowledged me as its owner. I discovered it contained immense energy, so when I touched him, I channeled it into him, overwhelming his body and causing him to lose consciousness. That’s how I escaped. But clearly, after his death, he absorbed this energy,” Mu Yin explained, altering the facts slightly.

Master Yun examined the bead, sensing its vast energy. He returned it to her without any sign of coveting it, and nodded. “It seems that must be the case.”

“What’s Hong Bo’s current situation?” Mu Yin found herself admiring this seemingly aloof master; at least his discipline and principles were commendable. She put the bead away and asked.

“He escaped,” Master Yun replied, though he didn’t seem discouraged. “I sensed his abilities were unusual. Ordinary ghost kings can’t handle him, and some are even devoured by him. That’s why I came to ask you.”

“I see.” Mu Yin nodded. “Looks like Hong Bo needs to be dealt with soon, or who knows what trouble he’ll cause.”

Biting her lip, Mu Yin considered aloud, “I might have a way to lure him, but if even you can’t subdue him, who else can help?” She had researched this man’s background—he was only thirty-five, and already at the peak of Qi Refining, soon to enter the Realm of Spirit Transformation. If even he was helpless, who could be called upon?

After cultivating, she could now gauge the world’s hierarchy. The highest level was Integration, equivalent to Nascent Soul, while Master Yun was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, about to form a Core. The ghost king was roughly at the Core Formation stage. Yet Hong Bo could devour ghost kings—truly a fiend empowered by a trace of primal energy.

“The Purification Talisman you gave me wounded him,” Master Yun said.

“You mean I should go?” Mu Yin pointed to herself. “I can act, but since I haven’t passed the certification, all I’ve learned are basic techniques and talismans—nothing advanced. Even if I can harm him, I probably can’t eradicate him completely.”