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

I rolled out of bed and tried to stop the bell from ringing... It didn't seem that difficult. Why was it so hard to control last night?

Over the next few days, Qin Rufeng continued to control the bell and gradually became quite adept at it.

This cultivation method was indeed very effective; when she used the Flowing Ice Rain technique, the time it took to condense ice crystals was greatly reduced. She was also able to gather larger water droplets and control more ice crystals.

Besides training in spiritual energy manipulation, Qin Rufeng's "maid level" was also constantly improving, and her skills were becoming increasingly proficient. As a result, she had more free time.

Although he hadn't had systematic training during this period, Qin Rufeng felt that his cultivation level had improved considerably.

In fact, whether it's burning incense or drinking wine and tea, one can absorb spiritual energy and gain much. Bathing and warming the bed further immerse the body in spiritual liquids and herbs, which is very beneficial.

Not to mention the training with the bell, which skillfully honed the ability to control spiritual energy. Although being chained with the bell made me seem like a cat... it was all worth it because I gained experience and learned something.

With her cultivation level improved, she had more free time. Liu Bailian assigned Rufeng the task of patrolling the Xuanwu Land. At the same time, she unlocked all the functions of the jade bracelet for her.

Now, Ru Feng can actively control this magic weapon to fly through the air. However, this jade disc is obviously just a low-level magic weapon. Although it doesn't consume much spiritual energy, its flight speed is relatively slow, not nearly as good as the Fire Phoenix Seal.

The Fiery Phoenix Seal can not only fly, but its burning wings are made of genuine True Fire Qi. Anything it touches will turn to ash in an instant.

This is a gift from the Vermilion Bird Saintess; Qin Rufeng's own fire spiritual energy alone could not achieve this effect. The only drawback is that it consumes too much spiritual energy.

Qin Rufeng returned to the herb garden. Out of caution, she only took out her "little secrets" to conduct research in this place, far away from Cuixing Pavilion.

She took out the "ginseng mother" that she hadn't checked in a long time from her storage space...

After the Ginseng Mother devoured the Soul-Devouring Silkworm and produced seven fruits, she exhausted her soul power and could no longer produce fruits.

However, she still produced some seeds. Among them were the eggs of the Soul-Devouring Silkworm and the fruits of the Soul-Scattering Pill.

According to the "Chapter of Wood," the fruit of the Soul-Scattering Fruit must first be refined to become the Soul-Scattering Pill. No other auxiliary materials are needed, but spiritual energy or spirit stones must be infused into it.

There were still quite a few spirit stones left from what Liu Bailian had given them, and a considerable amount that they had also scavenged from Han Ying. Now they could use them for alchemy.

Qin Rufeng is now proficient in using the alchemy furnace. However, she lacks soul liquid and cannot refine high-level Soul Scattering Pills. Therefore, she only refined a few low-level ones, avoiding wasting any more resources.

The refining of snake mushrooms is even more complicated. It doesn't use a pill furnace, but rather the refinement of one's own spiritual energy.

First, a Soul-Devouring Silkworm egg must be implanted into the pore at the top of the snake mushroom.

Generally speaking, the best host for the Soul-Devouring Silkworm is a human. Other creatures with spirituality are also acceptable. While this snake mushroom also possesses some spirituality, it is ultimately just "grass."

Therefore, it is necessary to continuously input spiritual energy so that the Soul-Devouring Silkworm can sense intelligence and begin to hatch and grow.

Normally, the Soul-Devouring Silkworm would expel itself from its host's body after absorbing the host's spiritual energy and soul. However, the snake mushroom's spiritual energy was quickly depleted, and its soul power was completely nonexistent. As a result, the Soul-Devouring Silkworm could not mature.

Qin Rufeng, as the master, had to continuously infuse the snake mushroom with spiritual energy, making the Soul-Devouring Silkworm believe it was still in a parasitic state.

This will take a little time. Qin Rufeng will have to wait a while...

In the days that followed, Qin Rufeng continued her cultivation as usual. Neither she nor her master, Liu Bailian, mentioned what had happened that night.

Both of them seemed dazed and somewhat drunk. Liu Bailian had only taught Qin Rufeng the method of manipulating spiritual energy...

In any case, the two had become even closer friends.

A few days later, Liu Bailian suddenly summoned Qin Rufeng.

Qin Rufeng noticed that her expression was not good and realized that something must have happened.

Chapter 27 Liu Bailian is unreliable

Liu Bailian frowned and asked in a low voice, "Ru Feng, how has your cultivation been these past few days?"

Qin Rufeng said, "This disciple cultivates day and night without slacking off."

Liu Bailian knew how Qin Rufeng had been cultivating during this time. She breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Three days later, you will participate in the sect's grand examination."

"Huh?" Although Ji Xuelan had reminded Qin Rufeng, she still didn't expect it to be so sudden.

Liu Bailian said helplessly, "You've only just entered the sect, and I originally wanted you not to go this time. But your name is on the Qingyun Pavilion's roster, and none of the other newcomers who recently joined the sect have been left out, so it's hard for you to stay out of it."

Although Qin Rufeng was apprehensive, she knew that the world of cultivation was not one to lie low and wait; what was meant to happen would happen. So she decisively said, "This disciple is willing to participate! This disciple will definitely perform well and will never dare to dishonor Master's reputation."

"No!" Liu Bailian shook her head decisively. "I don't need any fame. I just want you to come back alive."

Ru Feng trembled involuntarily. Seeing Liu Bailian's lowered eyebrows and eyes filled with fear and unease, as if she were truly afraid that she would never return.

While a warmth welled up within him, Qin Rufeng was also puzzled. Was it really that dangerous? Was Liu Bailian overreacting?

However, being cautious is definitely the right thing to do.

Qin Rufeng said earnestly, "This disciple will follow your teachings and will never act rashly. However... I wonder what the sect's grand examination will test? I'd like to be prepared."

Liu Bailian said, "The sect's tests for newcomers are all very practical and specific tasks."

"Last time it was a martial arts contest, this time it should be... tracking a secret realm."

Upon hearing this name, Qin Rufeng couldn't help but retort, "Is there anyone else who loves inventing?"

Liu Bailian: "What did you say?"

Qin Rufeng: "What I mean is... there are still some things I don't understand."

Liu Bailian explained, "There is a place in the lower realm called Mangshan."

"This place is located at the intersection of the Zhongping Realm and the Liuyun Realm. The spiritual energy density is chaotic, and the entropy energy is turbid. Therefore, secret realms often open here."

"The so-called secret realm is a place where spiritual energy gathers. Like a river bend or a mountain valley, it is easy for some rare and precious materials and spiritual objects to gather or be trapped. Exploring it may yield some great rewards."

"However, the secret realm is also a place where entropy energy gathers."

"Entropy?" Qin Rufeng knew the word, but he was unsure of its meaning in this cultivation world.

Seeing her confusion, Liu Bailian explained, "The Qi of Entropy is complicated. I can't explain it to you in detail right now."

"All you need to know is that at the beginning of time, pure air rose and impure air descended. Entropy is impure air."

“If spirit is positive, then entropy is negative; if spirit is yang, then entropy is yin. But the forces of yin and yang, positive and negative, can also rotate, without constant force, without constant state, without constant form.”

"For us now, entropy is harmful to our health. Places where entropy energy gathers often attract monsters or even evil cultivators that absorb entropy energy."

"Heretical cultivators?" Qin Rufeng asked. "Could it be that someone is absorbing entropy energy to cultivate? Are the demonic cultivators like those in the Blood Shadow Sect?"

Liu Bailian shook his head. "People call sects like the Blood Shadow Sect 'demonic cultivators' because they are too unscrupulous and disregard morality and ethics."

"But even demonic cultivators absorb spiritual energy. Only those who completely deviate from the norm and absorb entropy energy for cultivation are evil cultivators."

"What is more evil than a demon? Stay far away from evil practitioners. Don't ask why!"

Liu Bailian cut off Qin Rufeng's words, leaving Rufeng no choice but to listen obediently.

Liu Bailian continued, "The Mangshan Mountain in the lower realm is a place full of secret realms."

"However, Mangshan has an advantage, which is that it is located between the Liuyun Realm and the Zhongping Realm. Since entropy is turbid air, it mostly settles in the lower three realms. This means that the land of Mangshan is easy to gather spiritual energy, but not easy to gather entropy. Moreover, its density is relatively low."

"This place is rich in rare and precious materials, though not of high grade, but in large quantities. Moreover, high-level spirit beasts and spirit herbs occasionally appear here. It's quite a good place."

"For many years, Mangshan has been jointly controlled by several major sects in the southern ring of Liuyun Realm."

"What newcomers need to do is find the secret realm, enter it, and gain something. The sect will evaluate them based on their performance."

“If you are a promising talent, you will receive more resources or be accepted as a disciple by a senior member of the sect. But you are already my disciple, so this sect exam is just a formality.”

"But the problem is that the Jade Maiden Sect isn't the only one participating in the secret realm."

Liu Bailian frowned, his expression grave. "The various sects appear friendly on the surface, but they each harbor their own secrets and are secretly vying for power." A'shanling seemed to be investigating the "Three Temples."

"The fact that disciples from different sects are fighting each other in the secret realm can all be attributed to accidents that happened in the secret realm. Once they come out, they will not be investigated anymore. Maintain a facade of peace."

"The major sects have agreed that only disciples below the Foundation Establishment stage are allowed to enter the Mangshan Secret Realm. But your cultivation level is currently only at the late Qi Refining stage at most. That's why I don't want you to go."

Liu Bailian let out a long sigh. Her face was full of sorrow as she gazed into the distance, as if recalling some past events.

Qin Rufeng comforted him, "Master, don't worry. I cultivated desperately just to become your disciple. Now that I am, I cherish my life."

"This disciple will return to stay by Master's side and will never act rashly or recklessly."

A look of satisfaction appeared on Liu Bailian's face, and she nodded, saying, "That's very good."

"According to the rules, I can't go. So I've already arranged for someone to pick you up and take you to Mangshan."

"Remember, all the disciples of our sect, as well as many newcomers from other sects and their respective sect leaders, will be present. It will be crowded and chaotic, so you must keep a low profile and avoid doing anything that would disgrace the sect... and you must also be careful to stay safe."

Qin Rufeng said, "This disciple has remembered."

Three days later, when they were about to set off, Liu Bailian handed Rufeng a storage bag and said, "Go out from the south gate. There will be someone named Yun Yishui waiting for you there. Give this to her. According to seniority, she is your senior sister, so just listen to her in everything."

"Yes, thank you for your instructions, Master. I will take my leave now." Qin Rufeng then left the Xuanwu Land through the South Gate. Just as he stepped onto the long bridge, he saw a figure in the distance at the other end. It must be Senior Sister Yun Yishui.

Qin Rufeng didn't dare keep them waiting any longer, so he quickly went over.

The senior sister Yun was dressed in a green robe, with delicate features. Her black hair was tied up on top of her head, giving her an ethereal and otherworldly air.

However, she didn't seem very happy; her eyebrows were lowered as she glanced at Qin Rufeng sideways.

Just as Ru Feng was about to step forward and pay her respects, Yun Yishui spoke first, saying, "You are Liu Ruyan?"

This very first sentence wasn't very pleasant...

Ru Feng quickly bowed and said, "Disciple Qin Ru Feng greets Senior Sister Yun."

"Senior Sister?" Yun Yishui frowned immediately. "You're just a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator... barely late-stage. You dare call me Senior Sister?"

Qin Rufeng had not expected this scene, but still respectfully said, "This disciple was rash."

Yun Yishui shook his head. "This is such a hassle! Liu Bailian doesn't do anything productive at all. He's really unreliable."

This guy... has terrible manners and looks down on people. And he actually called his master by his name?!

Qin Rufeng sized up the Senior Sister Yun in front of him and thought, "Is she going to lead me on my first sect mission? This Liu Bailian is really unreliable."

Chapter 28 has a strong sense of stealth.

Although he was displeased, he had to give her face since she was someone entrusted by his master. So Qin Rufeng said respectfully, "This disciple's cultivation is shallow, and I am sorry to have troubled you, Senior Sister."

To everyone's surprise, Yun Yishui remained unmoved, coldly saying, "I already told you not to call me Senior Sister. I am, after all, the head of Kan Shui Hall. Liu Bailian really doesn't take troublesome people seriously."

Qin Rufeng knew that Kanshui Hall was one of the five halls of the Jade Maiden Sect, and the hall master's status was second only to the Four Saints.

Liu Bailian is the Northern Black Tortoise Saintess, and is the superior of the Kan Shui Hall. However, Qin Rufeng also realized that the subordinate relationship between Yun Yishui and Liu Bailian was merely formal.

This is so unreliable. How can I expect her to protect me?

However, she is, after all, a leader of a faction. Not everyone is as unpretentious as Ji Xuelan.

It's understandable that a hall master would be a little upset if he were acting as a caretaker for someone only at the Qi Refining stage. So Qin Rufeng still bowed respectfully and said, "Hall Master Yun."

Yun Yishui continued to scrutinize Qin Rufeng and said, "Qin Rufeng... you are the wind, and I am the cloud. Wind and cloud... wind and cloud, is the wind in front of the cloud? I'm at a disadvantage."

"No way! I'll just call you Liu Ruyan. Who told Liu Bailian to bestow such a Daoist name upon you?"

Qin Rufeng: "No, why is your focus so bizarre?"

Yun Yishui: "Looking for trouble, is that it? Disrespecting elders and acting arrogantly because of favor, what kind of behavior is this?"

Qin Rufeng was about to lose his temper. He thought to himself, "Who's picking a fight here? What did my name do to you? Can't this go on?"

The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, and Qin Rufeng's patience was nearing its limit...

Yun Yishui's attitude was really going too far. He was clearly seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it.

But since we were already here, turning back wasn't an option. We didn't even know where Mangshan was, so we had to let her take us there.

Let's give Liu Bailian some face and appease this Hall Master Yun. If all else fails, we can always turn against him and explain it to our master.

Thinking of comforting her, Qin Rufeng suddenly remembered something. She quickly took out the storage bag given to her by Liu Bailian and handed it to Yun Yishui, saying, "By the way, this is what Master asked me to give to Hall Master Yun."

Yun Yishui took the storage bag and immediately opened it to look... Her eyes widened instantly, and her gaze became clear.

She couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Mid-grade spirit stones...and high-grade ones too? When did Liu Bailian become so generous?"

She looked up at Qin Rufeng and asked softly, "Junior Sister, how has the Holy Venerable been lately?"

Junior Sister? Holy Venerable? Qin Rufeng didn't react for a moment. Yun Yishui asked again before she realized that this was how she addressed herself and Liu Bailian?

This Yun Yishui... switched modes in a second?

Ru Feng looked at the head of Kan Shui Hall and found that she had become much more pretty.

Qin Rufeng said cautiously, "Master is doing well."

"Of course it won't be bad." Yun Yishui's face had cleared up after the storm, and his joy was evident. "With a beauty like my junior sister in his harem, Liu Bailian must be... no, the Holy Venerable must be very happy."

The storage bag contained spirit stones. He took the spirit stones and immediately changed his attitude; is this how a hall master should be so greedy for money?

Yun Yishui seemed to see through Ru Feng's thoughts and said with a smile, "Junior Sister, do you look down on me?"

Qin Rufeng hurriedly said, "What are you saying, Hall Master Yun? This disciple absolutely did not have such thoughts."