A Fleeting Glimpse

Shi Yu had no idea that after she entered the Enlightenment Mirror, while sharing the illusionary realm, the illusionary effect of the Scarlet Glass Flower had worn off, exposing her true appearance to Yun Feng and the others.

When she had first used the Scarlet Glass Flower to disguise her appearance, this body was merely fifteen years old. Even before her features had fully matured, her fame as the Ninth Princess of Zhao Kingdom had already spread far and wide throughout the mortal realm.

Now, nearly two years later, Shi Yu had grown taller, and her face was like an immortal flower in bloom, adding an even more captivating allure to her beauty.

When the Scarlet Glass Flower's illusion faded, her true appearance struck the youths of the Yun Clan as an ethereal beauty unlike anything they had ever witnessed.

Regrettably, before they could take more than a few glimpses, Shi Yu had become enveloped by the white clouds of those celestial mountains, turning the surface of the Enlightenment Mirror into a blanket of fog where nothing could be discerned.

The Yun Clan elders who arrived later, as well as President Song and President Liang Guan, were completely oblivious to this occurrence.

Now that Shi Yu had emerged from the Enlightenment Mirror, she still possessed that same plain, delicate appearance as before, leaving them unable to help but wonder whether the breathtaking girl they had caught a fleeting glimpse of in the mirror was truly Shi Yu at all.

Or was that merely an illusion conjured by the mirror to deceive them?

Feeling the lingering gazes inspecting her both openly and covertly, Shi Yu turned her head and happened to catch Yun Feng staring straight at her.

Caught red-handed, Yun Feng hurriedly looked away in panic.

Shi Yu asked, “Is there something strange about me?”

Noticing her neutral gaze, Yun Feng let out a forced laugh. “No, not at all.”

Inwardly, he thought to himself, That incomparably stunning woman was probably just an illusion created by the Enlightenment Mirror...

Originally, following his family's instructions, he was supposed to draw close to Shi Yu and win her favor—and if he could win her heart, that would be ideal.

Yun Feng had initially felt that although Shi Yu was somewhat plain-looking compared to his other female companions, she possessed a quiet charm. Moreover, given her talent, if he could win her heart and become Dao companions with her, it wouldn't be a bad deal at all.

However, after catching that fleeting glimpse of the breathtaking woman in the Enlightenment Mirror, Yun Feng was utterly distracted. His mind was consumed entirely by that figure, so when he looked at Shi Yu's current face, he found it completely dull and tasteless. In an instant, his previous eagerness vanished into thin air.

Spared from his polite pleasantries, Shi Yu was more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Following the light, the group walked toward the exit of the secret realm. This time, no complications arose, and they emerged smoothly.

Shi Yu glanced back at the secret realm. The sense of instability had grown increasingly pronounced, with a deep, chaotic aura emanating from the entrance. “It seems this secret realm won't hold out much longer.”

A Yun Clan elder chimed in, “What a pity. That Enlightenment Mirror shares the same origin as the secret realm and serves as its core foundation. It cannot be brought out, or else it would have been a fine treasure.”

President Song retrieved a cloud boat and said to him, “Thank you for taking care of our Little Yu'er. The association still has many affairs to handle, so we shall take our leave now.”

The elder waved his hand. “Not at all, not at all. Safe travels, everyone.”

Shi Yu bade farewell to Yun Ran. “Once I repair the red silk, I'll come find you again.”

Yun Ran acknowledged her words. Seeing her board the cloud boat, she clutched her handkerchief indecisively for a moment before lightly waving goodbye.

...

Aboard the cloud boat.

Now that they were among their own, everyone spoke much more relaxedly.

The elders began by giving Shi Yu a thorough scolding. Knowing they had sat outside the Enlightenment Mirror waiting for her for months, each more anxious than the last, Shi Yu could only listen obediently.

“Fortunately, Little Yu'er turned a misfortune into a blessing.” Master Ji glanced at her and clicked his tongue in wonder. “Reaching the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm at under seventeen years old... This old man is seeing such a thing for the very first time.”

At this rate, her advancement into the Foundation Establishment Realm was practically set in stone, and reaching the Golden Core Realm in the future was by no means impossible.

President Song performed a hand seal to steer the cloud boat, pulling a portion of his mind away as he said, “In another month, we'll need to set off for the Alchemy Exchange Conference.”

Shi Yu nodded, indicating her understanding.

The Alchemy Exchange Conference was to be held in Hengze Prefecture, the central prefectural city of Changyuan Prefecture, which was still two months away according to the schedule.

However, starting from Lingtai Prefecture meant crossing several prefectural cities along the long journey. Even traveling by cloud boat would take a considerable amount of time.

Master Ji added, “Besides, this exchange conference is a grand competition held once every decade, so its scale will be even grander. To avoid any unexpected complications, it's best to set out early.”

With that, President Song and Master Ji exchanged a look, worry filling their eyes.

President Song let out a sigh. “If Little Yu'er were participating in the next exchange conference, I believe no one could compete with her, and even that Yin Wenzhou would have to step aside. It's just...”

It was just that the current Shi Yu was still too young.

The seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm was indeed remarkable for her current age, but if she wanted to claim the top spot, she would need to be able to refine at least Tier-3 pills.

The divine sense and spiritual Qi required to refine a Tier-3 pill were generally impossible to sustain until one reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Although Shi Yu had the aid of a Heavenly Fire, which could significantly reduce the energy expended in refining spiritual plants, the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm was... still a bit too pushing it.

To the side, President Liang Guan said nonchalantly, “What's the rush? If it doesn't work out this time, wouldn't next time be the same?”

“What do you know?” President Song snapped testily. “If we wait until next time, the Yanyang Spiritual Realm might not even be there anymore.”

Master Ji's face was equally grave. “That Yanyang Xuancang Flame holds immense benefits for comprehending the Intent of Fire. Since Little Yu'er studies both the Dao of Alchemy and the Dao of Artifacts, which are intimately tied to fire, comprehending as much as possible is naturally for the best.”

“However, rumors say that Yin Wenzhou has taken advantage of the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association since his youth to stay in the spiritual realm for the maximum time every single occurrence. I fear that this time... he might gain the Heavenly Fire's recognition and subdue it.”

In other words, after this time, the Yanyang Spiritual Realm might no longer exist.

If Shi Yu wished to use the Heavenly Fire to comprehend the Intent of Fire in the future, she would no longer have the chance.

When Liang Guan heard that this might affect Shi Yu's development in the Dao of Artifacts, he grew somewhat anxious as well. “Then what should we do? Can't Little Yu'er refine high-grade pills? Is she truly no match for that person?”

President Song shook his head. “At the same grade, Little Yu'er's pill quality is naturally superior.”

“It's just that Yin Wenzhou is forty years old this year and at the early stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. He is already capable of refining Tier-3 pills.”

The gap in cultivation, as well as the disparity in their alchemy experience, was not something that could be bridged overnight.

Sitting at the stern of the boat, watching the mountains and lakes flow past below, Shi Yu listened to their conversation and looked up. “I will do my best. Now that I've reached the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm, refining a Tier-3 pill is not completely out of the question.”

President Song smiled with gratification, but after a long pause, he said, “I was being stubborn about this matter.”

As an alchemist himself, he naturally understood how difficult it was to advance from a Tier-2 alchemist to a Tier-3 alchemist.

Learning a new pill recipe required an alchemist to consume countless resources through repeated trial, error, and study—and even then, success wasn't guaranteed.

Asking her to refine a Tier-3 pill in such a short time was indeed demanding too much of her.

Of course, President Song did not know that let alone Tier-3 pills, even Tier-4 or Tier-5 pills were a piece of cake for the former Shi Yu.

Currently, the only difficulty was that her cultivation couldn't keep up, making it hard to sustain the expenditure required for alchemy.

President Song continued.

“Girl Yu, don't put so much pressure on yourself. After this ordeal with the Enlightenment Mirror, having worried ourselves sick for months, we only wish for your safety now.”

“Your talent is extraordinary. Even without the aid of the Yanyang Spiritual Realm, your future achievements will be by no means lesser. Do not act recklessly, lest something goes wrong and you harm yourself.”

Shi Yu felt a wave of warmth in her heart and gave an affirmative response.

However... she had the assistance of the Void Fissure Spiritual Flame, and the technique she cultivated, the 《Yin-Yang Fate-Tapping Record》, was exceptionally profound. After reaching the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm, her sense of it grew even deeper; the spiritual energy converted through this technique was endless, ceaselessly renewing, and immensely dense.

Her claim that it was worth a try was not mere bravado.

In short, I'll give it a try after I get back and practice, Shi Yu thought to herself.

...

The cloud boat flew for several hours before the main city's buildings gradually came into view.

President Song steered the cloud boat, delivering Shi Yu directly to her Chilie Cave Dwelling, and instructed, “Over the coming days, consolidate your cultivation well. Don't worry about anything else.”

Shi Yu nodded, bade farewell to the group, and returned to her cave dwelling.