Chapter 50: Lei Yin’s Infamy and Meilin’s Defense

A gentle breeze swept through, carrying a chill.

The hall was utterly silent, not a single sound.

Only a moment later did a tremendous uproar explode forth.

“Damn it! Such a genius truly has been ruined by those stinking apothecaries from the Apothecary Guild!”

“If this child had come to the Temple of Magic for testing sooner, she would have become a Great Mage long ago! Though, even now, it’s not too late.”

“Speaking of which! What in the world is a core apothecary of an Apothecary branch guild? How could they compare to the noble disdain of us mages?”

The moment these words left their mouth, someone immediately shot them a look as if they were an idiot.

“Hush! Keep your voice down. A core Great Apothecary of the Apothecary Guild holds a status equivalent to a High-Tier Mage of the Temple of Magic. Such a figure is not someone mere underlings like you and I can idly discuss.”

“Wait? She said Lei Yin? I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before?” Someone had pinpointed the crucial detail.

“Lei Yin! Is that the apothecary Lei Yin who refined fake medicine some time ago, almost crippling a Great Knight?!”

“Yes, yes, yes! That’s the Lei Yin! I remember now! He’s the core apothecary of the North City Apothecary branch guild!”

“Heavens! If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about him! He’s that commoner apothecary, Lei Yin, who previously won the favor of Duke Winston’s daughter!”

“Duke Winston’s daughter? Could it be Her Royal Highness Princess Secevi?! Damn it! That man isn’t dead yet?”

The crowd erupted into a chaotic clamor, each person sharing what they knew, vehemently condemning Lu Yuan. In an instant, it was as if Lei Yin’s infamous name reverberated throughout the Temple of Magic once more.

“Brother…” Dailu glanced at Lu Yuan with a wry smile. “So you’re really that famous?”

“More than famous, he’s practically infamous!” Ruolin added, her voice sharp.

In response, Lu Yuan merely uttered a faint ‘Mm.’ He offered no further words.

“Do you want to go hide?” Ruolin asked, a hint of worry in her voice. She feared that once people realized Lei Yin was present, a few might rush forward and stab him repeatedly.

However, before Lu Yuan could reply, Little Meilin’s voice rang out from the stage once more, resolute and beyond doubt.

“My uncle never refined fake medicine! And he’s certainly not a poison apothecary! He’s the best person in this world! Everything is just false accusations from others!”

Amidst the boisterous crowd, the young girl’s clear, delicate voice stood out remarkably.

Those who had formed opinions about Meilin fell silent, their words dying in their throats.

Just who exactly was this Lei Yin? To think he could inspire such a young girl to speak out so indignantly, facing the immense pressure of everyone present.

Many had only heard Lei Yin’s notorious name, never having actually seen the man himself.

“Might Apothecary Lei Yin be present? Could he step forward for a moment?” someone called out loudly.

Ruolin looked at Lu Yuan. “I really think you need to hide. By the looks of these people, they’d happily tear you limb from limb…”

“Are they?” Lu Yuan felt no strong reaction.

At that moment, the examiner on stage suddenly recalled their primary duty. They lifted their notebook for a glance, a peculiar expression crossing their face, before announcing loudly: “Next up for testing, Lei Yin!”

“Now, this is truly going to be a spectacle…” Ruolin let out a wry chuckle.

The scene instantly ignited, like dry tinder meeting a raging fire.

“This Lei Yin, he’s a core Great Apothecary of the Apothecary Guild, isn’t he? He’s actually here to participate in a magic aptitude test for beginners? Are you serious?”

“How old is he? Coming to take a test alongside children? Does he think being an apothecary has no future, and now he wants to learn magic?”

“Heh, does he truly believe that being a mage is like being an apothecary, something just anyone can become if they wish?”

The crowd buzzed with chatter.

Regardless of what kind of person Lei Yin truly was, he had certainly become the center of attention in the Temple of Magic today.

Lu Yuan said nothing to Ruolin or Dailu. Instead, he simply smiled at Little Meilin, who stood by the testing crystal pillar ahead, and then calmly stepped forward.

Those nearby noticed Lu Yuan’s movement, and one by one, they cleared a path for him.

“This is Lei Yin? He looks quite ordinary.”

“His age, he must be over twenty, right? A Great Apothecary in his twenties? He’s actually so young.”

“Hmph! Regardless of whether he has a talent for magic, it’s a pity he’s an apothecary. Starting to learn magic in his twenties is simply too old. After all, ordinary people who haven’t begun cultivation by this age already have significantly less vitality than before. His future is concerning.” Someone delivered a definitive judgment.

The crowd turned their gaze to Lei Yin; some were curious, some sneered, and others harbored ill will.

However, Lu Yuan paid no mind to any of it. He remained oblivious to the crowd’s emotions, then silently walked over to Little Meilin’s side.

“Uncle!” Little Meilin scurried forward, leaping into Lu Yuan’s embrace, her arms circling his waist, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

Lu Yuan raised a hand and gently ruffled Little Meilin’s hair.

“Well done.” It was the same praise he had offered when Little Meilin had passed her Apothecary Apprentice examination.