I, who was turned into a woman by the Jade Maiden Master, want to rebel against the Heavenly Gang.

On the high platform, Liu Bailian and Ji Xuelan were both stunned.

Sweat beaded on Liu Bailian's forehead; this scene was completely unexpected.

Ji Xuelan frowned and said loudly, "Why did you teach this to her? If you don't want it, give it to me! Don't kill her!"

"I...I didn't." Liu Bailian was starting to panic.

Below the platform, the remains of the bamboo puppet, blasted away, had already burned to ashes in mid-air. The embers, however, were as white as snow, and drifted down one after another.

The blue flames on the ground and in the woods quickly died down. The flames seemed unable to spread, but everything that was burned turned to dust. Wood failed to burn into charcoal, turning completely to ash. The ground was covered in a layer of frost.

Regardless, at least we won...

However, before they could even rejoice, the sensations of being engulfed in flames and chilled to the bone struck simultaneously. The two forcibly fused spiritual energies could no longer be sustained.

Qin Rufeng felt as if a thousand swords were piercing his body, and then he was being roasted on a fire, his body feeling as if it were being torn apart.

Looking down, he saw that his body was engulfed in blue flames. His clothes were on fire. A searing, excruciating pain shot through him, and Qin Rufeng couldn't help but scream and howl.

"Eeya~~~~~"

Liu Bailian disregarded everything and leaped from the high platform to Rufeng's side, pulling her into his arms and striking her Baihui acupoint on the top of her head.

At the same time, she said in a rare softened tone, "Senior sister, please help me."

Ji Xuelan also came down from the high platform to Qin Rufeng's side, placing one palm on Qin Rufeng's chest and injecting fire spiritual energy.

A moment later, Ru Feng, his clothes completely burned off and his body emitting white smoke, collapsed into Liu Bailian's arms. He seemed to be alive...

Ji Xuelan, who was standing to the side, also breathed a sigh of relief, and then said with a smile, "For her sake, you actually dared to call me senior sister? You owe me a huge favor now, don't try to deny it when you have to pay it back later."

Liu Bailian didn't speak... She held Qin Rufeng, her feet resting on the ice lotus as she slowly rose into the air. Her movements were very slow and gentle, as if she were afraid of breaking it with the slightest force.

When Qin Rufeng woke up again, she found Liu Bailian guarding her side. This scene seemed somewhat familiar.

With a concerned expression, Liu Bailian grabbed Qin Rufeng's arm and took her pulse.

A moment later, she nodded slightly, relieved. Then her expression changed immediately, and she said coldly, "Are you out of your mind?!"

Qin Rufeng was completely bewildered and didn't quite understand what had happened.

P.S.: There will be another chapter later today or early tomorrow morning.

Thank you all for your support, and I'd also like to ask for your votes and donations!

barley

Chapter 21 Apprenticeship

Liu Bailian then asked, "How did you generate the cold flame?"

Cold flame?

Qin Rufeng thought to herself, "So that one is called Leng Yan? No wonder she felt different." Then she truthfully told Liu Bailian her thoughts, but concealed the part about the Living Herb Pill strengthening the wood spirit root.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bailian sternly rebuked, "You are not allowed to use it again! Otherwise, don't blame me for punishing you according to the sect rules!"

Oh? Is it that serious?

Seeing Qin Rufeng's innocent expression, Ji Xuelan couldn't help but complain, "It's your fault, why are you scaring him?"

Liu Bailian's face immediately turned red, and she angrily said to Ji Xuelan, "Shut up!"

Ji Xuelan did not provoke Liu Bailian again, but turned to Qin Rufeng and said with a smile, "Don't be afraid, my junior sister is worried that you are in danger."

"Based on what you just said, you were able to unleash the Cold Flame because your junior sister gave you two Fire Spirit Pills, which provided enough firepower. Combined with the Ice Soul given to you before, the two were able to unleash the Cold Flame."

Two Fire Spirit Pills… Qin Rufeng actually only ate one. However, this inadvertently covered up the fact that the Living Herb Pill had strengthened his Wood Spirit Root and enabled him to generate fire.

Ji Xuelan continued, "With your intelligence, it shouldn't be hard for you to understand that with your current cultivation level, you can't even bring yourself to die without the help of these two and relying solely on your pseudo-spiritual roots of water and fire."

"But with the help of these two, you actually managed to comprehend the Cold Flame. You are indeed clever."

Ji Xuelan sighed, "However, your cultivation level is too low, and you used a move that exceeded your body's capacity. It's like trying to wrap fire in paper; you'll burn yourself to a crisp."

Qin Rufeng didn't recognize the woman in front of her. But since she called Liu Bailian "Junior Sister," then she must be her senior sister.

She quickly bowed and then glanced back at Liu Bailian.

This time, Liu Bailian gave her plenty of face and introduced her earnestly: "This is my senior sister. Ji Xuelan, the Vermilion Bird Saintess of the Jade Maiden Sect who guards the south. You should call her Saintess."

"You've set yourself on fire, but the flames you've set are cold. My freezing air may save you from being burned alive, but it will also chill you to death."

"Fortunately, my senior sister was there and used her True Qi of Li Huo to counteract the fire. The two of us worked together to balance the water and fire spiritual energies in your body and saved you."

Good heavens, it was actually two of the Four Sages, the Northern Black Tortoise and the Southern Vermilion Bird, who worked together to save my life.

Qin Rufeng quickly turned around to bow to Liu Bailian to express his gratitude, and then turned back to thank Ji Xuelan.

Ji Xuelan said with a wry smile, "Oh dear, look how sensible she is! She knows exactly what's close to and what's distant. It seems like it will be difficult for me to seduce her."

In just a few words, Qin Rufeng could tell that this Vermilion Bird Saintess's personality was completely different from Liu Bailian's. She was dressed in bright, luxurious, and elegant clothes, but she was not at all pretentious.

Given Liu Bailian's eccentric personality, the fact that he could enter Cuixing Pavilion and banter with her indicates that their relationship is definitely not ordinary.

For some reason, Qin Rufeng felt that things would be easier with Ji Xuelan present. Therefore, he should strike while the iron was hot and get down to business.

So she immediately asked Liu Bailian, "Fairy, I wonder if I have passed the test? May I become your disciple?"

"No!" Liu Bailian rejected the idea decisively. "If my senior sister and I hadn't been here by chance, you'd be dead by now. What's the point of talking about passing the test?"

Qin Rufeng received a sharp slap on the neck, but she knew Liu Bailian was a bit arrogant. So she continued, "But this disciple did indeed defeat that puppet. Wasn't that for the test?"

"What's the use of passing the assessment if the person is gone?" Liu Bailian still looked apprehensive as she spoke.

At this moment, Ji Xuelan, who was standing to the side, said with a smile, "But she did pass the test. That move, Cold Flame, could burn even a few more puppets to ashes."

"Although she is of average talent, she is very smart. And you can tell she has been studying hard."

"If you don't want this little beauty, you can give her to me. I'll take her as my disciple."

Liu Bailian's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He glared at Ji Xuelan and said, "She's already mine."

Qin Rufeng thought to herself, "Isn't this a poor choice of words? People will misunderstand. With this kind of effort, you might as well just let me pass."

"What does it matter?" Ji Xuelan laughed. "We're sisters, what's wrong with my disciple serving as your maid?"

Liu Bailian frowned deeply and pulled Qin Rufeng directly in front of her, as if afraid of being snatched away. But she didn't say anything.

At this moment, Ji Xuelan kept winking at Qin Rufeng. She first raised her eyebrows at Rufeng and then her gaze drifted towards Liu Bailian.

Qin Rufeng understood her meaning. He quickly and earnestly said to Ji Xuelan, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. But this disciple... has already decided to take Fairy Liu as my master, and has no other intentions!"

"If the fairy does not accept disciples, then the disciple will keep his promise and willingly acknowledge the fairy as his master."

Qin Rufeng immediately regretted her words. She worried that she had overacted, and what if Liu Bailian took advantage of the situation?

She glanced furtively at Liu Bailian. Liu Bailian's expression remained as cold as ever, but her brows had relaxed, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.

However, Liu Bailian still managed to keep a straight face and didn't smile. Instead, he said with a helpless expression, "Since you are so devoted to the Dao, then... I will reluctantly... accept you as my disciple."

"Ah!" Qin Rufeng's joy was palpable. But she did not act frivolously or rashly; instead, she knelt and bowed respectfully, "Master, please accept my bow!"

"Get up." Liu Bailian half-closed her eyes and slightly raised her hand, appearing solemn and dignified.

"Now that you have joined my sect, you are a direct disciple of the Jade Maiden Sect's inner circle. You must abide by the sect rules, diligently cultivate, respect your elders, and treat your fellow disciples kindly. Violating the sect rules will be punished, and if you do anything to dishonor the sect, I will never forgive you."

Qin Rufeng: "Disciple will respectfully follow Master's teachings."

Ji Xuelan, who was standing to the side, also said with a smile, "Oh dear, Jiehu is my apprentice."

Liu Bailian maintained his dignified demeanor as a master and had no time to pay attention to her...

"Never mind, never mind, congratulations to Junior Sister on taking on such a talented disciple. And congratulations to the little beauty on finding such a good teacher."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Qin Rufeng thanked Ji Xuelan respectfully.

She thought to herself, "That was such a brilliant assist. The Vermilion Bird Saintess is someone I can get along with."

Liu Bailian continued to say to Rufeng, "You have joined my sect as a disciple, but you are still a maid. According to the sect rules, you may take my surname."

"Take her surname?" Qin Rufeng thought to herself, "I'm not marrying you, why would I change my surname?"

Willow? Willow like the wind... that would be fine too?

Liu Bailian continued, "You don't need to worry too much. This is just the old system of the sect. You can still use your own surname."

“That’s right.” Ji Xuelan chimed in, “When we sisters joined the sect leader’s sect, we were also given surnames.”

"After I completed my apprenticeship, the sect leader advised me to change back to my own surname, so that it would be easier for me to establish authority in front of my disciples."

"As for my junior sister, she was aloof and ignored the sect leader's objections from the start. The sect leader didn't hold it against her at all and still made her the Xuanwu Saintess, didn't he?"

Chapter 22 The Vermilion Bird Saintess

Liu Bailian glanced at Ji Xuelan again, implying that she was talking too much.

Ji Xuelan understood immediately and fell silent. Liu Bailian continued to say to Rufeng, "I will bestow upon you another Daoist name. You don't need to worry about this; it's just another form passed down from ancient times. From now on, I will still call you Rufeng."

After thinking for a moment, Liu Bailian said, "Your Daoist name doesn't need to be too complicated, just something similar to your name will do. How about... Ruyan?"

Huh? Ruyan? Liu Ruyan?

Damn... how am I supposed to memorize this name?

Never mind, it's just a formality anyway, no need to actually change my name. Liu Ruyan it is... I'll remain Qin Rufeng.

Liu Bailian then said, "Now that you have become my disciple, you will live in the Emerald Star Pavilion from now on. I will personally guide your cultivation, and you must fulfill your duties as a maid and serve your master well."

Liu Bailian remained expressionless as always, but Qin Rufeng sensed that something was amiss.

Oh well~ Even if something's off, she just smells a little orange. Do you think I'm afraid of her? It's not certain who's in control; I've cultivated the Jade Cauldron of Joyful Union Technique.

At this moment, Ji Xuelan said, "Now that everything has been said and the show has been over, I should take my leave."

Liu Bailian immediately said, "That's very good, then I won't keep you any longer, Senior Sister."

Ji Xuelan smiled mysteriously, her gaze drifting towards Qin Rufeng, "Then how about having your good apprentice see me off?"

"No!" Liu Bailian refused decisively at first, but she seemed to suddenly remember something and instantly changed her attitude, turning to look at Ru Feng, "Since that's the case, you can see my senior sister off for me. Just see her off at the mountain gate and that's enough. She will leave on her own."

Ji Xuelan smiled wryly and said, "Junior sister, don't worry, I won't kidnap your precious disciple."

Liu Bailian fell silent. Qin Rufeng then escorted Ji Xuelan away from Cuixing Pavilion.

After escorting her to the mountain gate, Ru Feng bowed and took her leave. Ji Xuelan, however, stopped her and said meaningfully, "Please accompany me a little further."

Qin Rufeng remembered Liu Bailian's instructions, but she also remembered Ji Xuelan's crucial assist to her at the critical moment.

The Vermilion Bird Saintess in front of him... clearly wouldn't kidnap him directly.

Also, Liu Bailian initially refused, but then suddenly seemed to remember something and agreed. There must have been a reason for that.

So Qin Rufeng followed...

Ji Xuelan had clearly anticipated that Rufeng would follow, and said with a smile, "Oh? How dare you come over? My junior sister only asked you to escort him to the mountain gate. Aren't you afraid she'll blame you?"

Qin Rufeng: "Immortal... Master also instructed me not to be impolite. Now that the Holy Venerable has given the order, how dare I disobey?"

"Furthermore, this disciple must thank the Holy One for...his assistance."

"Haha~ It's not really helping, I just went with the flow." Ji Xuelan stepped forward and whispered in Ru Feng's ear, "My junior sister... I'm sure you've experienced her temper quite well, so I won't say more."

She spoke very close, her intoxicating fragrance wafting towards us. Her large breasts brushed past Ru Feng, seemingly just barely touching.

Qin Rufeng quickly took half a step back.

Ji Xuelan continued, "I went to Cuixing Pavilion to find her because I had important business to discuss. But think about it, couldn't my junior sister have postponed her examination of you? But she still invited you here, just so I could see you."

"No... she obviously doesn't want me to see you, but she wants me to help you. She doesn't even act like she's asking for a favor. She just takes advantage of my good temper."

Qin Rufeng thought about it and realized that Ji Xuelan made sense. He had no idea that there was an exam that day; she arrived as soon as the jade bracelet lit up.

Liu Bailian could have chosen another day, but she still summoned herself while Ji Xuelan was present.

Ji Xuelan continued, "If you're willing to listen to me, then come with me."

Qin Rufeng followed cautiously. The two turned several corners along the mountain path when Ji Xuelan suddenly stopped and said, "This is fine. You can take off your clothes now."

Qin Rufeng: "Huh?"

Ji Xuelan: "Hurry up."

Qin Rufeng: "No."

"What, have you changed your mind?" Ji Xuelan's expression turned serious. "Although I am not your master, you must abide by the sect rules now that you have joined the Jade Maiden Sect."

"Now that your master is not present, you must obey my holy decree. Do you intend to disobey?"