Intentional Matchmaking

Before departing, Shi Yu went to look for the kid, Ji Yu.

When she found him, his eyes were glinting with slyness as he wove through the bustling crowd with catlike stealth, casually passing by a young master from an influential clan.

Shi Yu watched clearly from a distance. She saw his wrist flick as he performed a hand seal, causing a peculiar aura to emanate from his body. Instantly, the handsome, nimble youth faded into utter obscurity. Then, using some unknown trick, he directly extracted a storage bag hidden within the young noble's sleeve.

Having stolen the item, Ji Yu leisurely strolled away, his expression calm and unbothered, while the young master remained entirely unaware.

Only after putting some distance between them did Ji Yu pick up his pace, a look of excitement breaking across his face. However, as he raised his head, he saw Shi Yu standing nearby, looking at him with a faint smile.

Realizing that all his actions had just been seen, Ji Yu cleared his throat and shuffled over hesitantly. “What are you doing here?”

Saying this, as if afraid Shi Yu might misunderstand, he pulled her into a quiet, deserted alley and held up the newly stolen storage bag to explain, “That guy just now isn't a good person. A few days ago, an old man accidentally bumped into him, and he ordered his subordinates to break the old man's leg. Things like that aren't a first for him.”

“I stole his things planning to pawn them for money to give to that old man.” With that, Ji Yu sneaked a glance at Shi Yu's expression.

Shi Yu didn't say much, simply holding out her hand. “Give me the storage bag.”

Ji Yu was reluctant, but he obeyed, grumbling as he handed the item over.

The storage bag was stamped with the spiritual sense mark of that young noble, but since Shi Yu's cultivation surpassed his, she swept her spiritual sense over it and easily erased the mark.

Scanning the contents inside, Shi Yu pulled out a sword and raised an eyebrow. The sword was decent—a Tier-2 artifact, which happened to be the most valuable item in the storage bag.

She glanced sideways at the boy. “You're quite bold. Aren't you afraid they'll track you down?”

Artifacts belonging to young masters from such noble families usually bore hidden tracking marks, and this artifact sword naturally had one as well.

Ji Yu replied, “I know what can be kept and what can't. Unmarked goods like spiritual materials I keep, but these marked artifacts I usually just toss into a ditch somewhere.”

A hint of reluctance and distress crossed his face, but he had no other choice.

Shi Yu possessed exceptional insight in the Dao of Artifact Refining, so she easily spotted where the hidden mark was located on the artifact sword. Under Ji Yu's astonished gaze, she casually wiped it away, stuffed the sword back into the storage bag, and tossed the whole thing into his arms.

Ji Yu frantically caught it, beaming as he flattered her, “Sister, you're amazing!”

His eyes darted around slyly, and he sidled up to Shi Yu like a brown-noser. “That trick just now, could you teach me, Sister? I... I can exchange my thievery technique with you, how about it?”

Shi Yu ignored him and briefly explained the matter regarding Changxu Village turning into a Nightmare secret realm.

That was Ji Yu's home, and since it had turned into something like that, he deserved to know.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yu's eyes reddened.

The village where he grew up had now become a secret realm. Changxu Village was no more in this world.

However, he was sharp-minded, and after a fleeting moment of sorrow, he composed himself. “Thank you for telling me, Sister.”

Shi Yu then asked if he had a place to stay now.

Ji Yu nonchalantly replied, “I just roll out my bedding on the ground; I can sleep anywhere.”

Shi Yu said, “I've opened a shop. If you're willing, you can go help out there. I won't short you on pay.”

As it happened, business at the shop was picking up, and Mo Tong was often too busy to manage alone.

At this, Ji Yu's eyes lit up, and after asking for the shop's location, he eagerly agreed.

After meeting with Ji Yu, Shi Yu turned and walked toward the Yun Clan estate.

...

When she arrived, someone from the Yun Clan was waiting for her at the entrance. Seeing her approach from afar, he immediately stepped forward to greet her. “Miss Shi!”

The man appeared to be in his twenties, dressed in a luxurious spirit robe, bearing a calm and composed demeanor with a hint of flamboyant confidence. He gave Shi Yu a subtle bow, a touch of fervor in his eyes. “Miss Shi, I am Yun Feng, waiting here specifically for you.”

He was the third son of the Yun Clan's main line, possessed outstanding talent, and already had a cultivation of the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Rumor had it that he was being groomed as the next Yun Clan patriarch.

Shi Yu gave him a slight nod. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Yun Feng's gaze toward her held a trace of probing curiosity and fervor, but Shi Yu lowered her eyelids, having no intention of exchanging pleasantries with him.

Because of his extraordinary status and talent, Yun Feng had many female companions by his side, each delicate, sweet, and charming. Thus, he was slightly dissatisfied with her cold demeanor.

Leading her inside, Yun Feng couldn't help but glance sideways at her face, thinking to himself, 'Although Miss Shi's appearance is somewhat plain compared to my cousins, she has such talent in alchemy... I should listen to my father and get closer to her.'

As the two reached the Yun Clan martial field, they saw a cloud boat hovering in the air while a group of Yun Clan disciples boarded it in turn.

Seeing Shi Yu arrive, several Yun Clan elders personally stepped forward to exchange greetings. Finally, looking at Yun Feng, one chuckled and said, “Miss Shi, this is your first time entering that secret realm, so there are likely many things to watch out for. Feng'er has been inside three times already, so let him guide you. That way, if any danger arises, our Yun Clan won't have trouble explaining things to the Alchemist Association.”

After saying this, they went on to praise Yun Feng's strength, urging her not to stray from his side.

Yun Feng chimed in as well, saying, “Miss Shi, do not fear once we enter the secret realm. Leave everything to me.”

Shi Yu finally caught the drift. These old elders of the Yun Clan harbored the intention to play matchmaker between the two of them.

It was no surprise they felt this way. In truth, many prominent clans in the main city currently harbored similar thoughts.

The alchemical talent Shi Yu demonstrated was truly coveted. If they could tie her to their side, elevating their family's standing would likely be an easy task, so they naturally wished to curry favor with her early on.

Furthermore, a girl of her age was at the prime of youthful romance.

If a young disciple from the clan could win her favor, wouldn't that be perfect? Even those middle-aged cultivators with youth-preserving techniques couldn't help harboring such thoughts; after all, cultivation transcended time, so age was hardly a crucial matter.

Unfortunately, Shi Yu kept a low profile and spent most of her time cultivating in her cave dwelling, leaving others with no opportunity to approach her. Since she intended to go to the secret realm this time, how could the Yun Clan pass up this chance?

Yun Feng was full of confidence, feeling that capturing a young girl's heart was a walk in the park.

Shi Yu glanced up at the cloud boat. Several good-looking young women were shooting continuous glances in their direction—some gritting their teeth, others looking dejected with tears brimming on their eyelashes. They were likely all fond of Yun Feng.

“...” Shi Yu shifted her feet, subtly taking a few steps away from Yun Feng. “Everyone, isn't it getting late?”

Reminded by her words, everyone let out a few laughs and prepared to depart for the Changxu Village secret realm.

“This is my personal cloud boat.” Yun Feng boarded the cloud boat and turned around. “Miss Shi—”

Just as he was about to extend his hand to help her up, he noticed that Shi Yu wasn't looking his way at all. Instead, she silently retrieved another cloud boat of her own.

The cloud boat, “Moon-Embracing,” expanded in the wind, quickly swelling to fifteen feet long.

Moon-Embracing stood suspended in midair, its hull spacious and magnificent, appearing as though sculpted from condensed white clouds. Intricate carved patterns adorned it, weaving together like intermingled clouds and mist, while the drapes on both sides hung like ethereal fog—unreasonably beautiful.

Under everyone's gaze, Shi Yu lightly tapped her toes and boarded Moon-Embracing.

With over a dozen Yun Clan disciples packed onto one cloud boat, it felt somewhat crowded. In contrast, Shi Yu, sitting cross-legged alone in her cloud boat, looked exceptionally comfortable.

Everyone suddenly gained a clear realization of an alchemist's sheer wealth. Even for an established family like the Yun Clan, cloud boats of such quality were few and far between.

Yun Feng cleared his throat, feeling a bit awkward as he glanced down at his distinctly inferior cloud boat. “Let's go.”