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

Fortunately, Yan Qingping came a few times, saying that her master was too busy to come. Luckily she came, otherwise Qin Rufeng would have really thought he had been forgotten in this cage.

During this time, she continued to practice diligently. She even combined the Water Moon Three Immortal Swords taught by Yan Qingping with the snake and cat forms from the Jade Tree Golden Snake to create her own swordsmanship. However, she still gained very little in terms of spiritual energy cultivation.

A few days later, Liu Bailian finally returned.

Qin Rufeng was overjoyed, but she sensed that something seemed to be wrong with her master, so she quickly asked.

Liu Bailian sighed and said, "The Qingyun Gathering will be held in a few days."

Qin Rufeng asked, "What is the Qingyun Society?"

Liu Bailian said, "It's a competition organized by Qingyun Pavilion for the new generation of disciples of the sect. It's similar to the sect's grand examination."

Qin Rufeng asked, puzzled, "Hasn't the test for the Mangshan Secret Realm been completed?"

“That’s a real-world test,” Liu Bailian said. “Although it’s at a higher level, we can only send a limited number of people because all the major sects in the Southern Ring will be involved.”

"This Qingyun Gathering is different. The Qingyun Gathering is a true internal examination of the Jade Maiden Sect. The Four Saints, Five Halls, and Seven Peaks will all send their young talents to participate."

Qin Rufeng asked, "So I have to participate too?"

“Yes.” Liu Bailian’s face was full of worry. “I originally said you were still being punished, but Qingyun Pavilion insisted on adding your name to the list.”

"Later, the sect leader actually ordered your sentence to be ended early. You'll be able to leave in three months."

Chapter 68 Time is tight and the task is heavy

Qin Rufeng said with a wry smile, "We still have to wait another three months."

"Don't take this lightly," Liu Bailian said seriously. "The Qingyun Tournament has two parts. One is a demonstration of individual abilities, and the other is the arena competition."

"Despite the protection of the Flowing Cloud Realm level spells, accidents that occur at the Qingyun Gathering over the years are not uncommon."

Qin Rufeng smiled and said, "Master, are you worried about me?"

Liu Bailian shook her head and said, "You have no idea how bad your reputation is."

"My reputation is bad? Who have I offended?" Qin Rufeng thought to himself, "Is it because my reputation is bad? Isn't it because your bad reputation has dragged me down with you?"

In novels, the protagonists are always targeted because they inexplicably offend the villains. I haven't offended anyone, yet my reputation is already ruined... Whose responsibility is that?

"Let's not talk about that now," Liu Bailian said, changing the subject. "If we really get to the dueling arena, your cultivation level is too low, and you'll definitely be in danger. You might even lose your life."

"So now you only have one path to take, and you must complete the foundation building within three months."

Qin Rufeng said with a troubled expression, "But how should I establish my foundation? I feel completely hopeless. The spiritual energy I have accumulated in my body is not as much as it was in the Mangshan Secret Realm."

She pointed to several jars piled to the side and said, "All my spiritual energy has been condensed into jade dew. What can I do?"

Liu Bailian took Qin Rufeng's hand, felt her pulse, and gently pressed it against her forehead. After a moment, he said, "Very good, your Five Elements Spirit Core has been refined. You are now fully capable of Foundation Establishment."

"But how do we do it?" Qin Rufeng asked, his eyes filled with confusion. "I feel like we're still far from there..."

Liu Bailian: "Then do you know what's missing?"

Qin Rufeng thought for a moment and said, "Spiritual energy?"

“That’s right,” Liu Bailian said. “Your method of cultivation, which is like trying to fill a basket with water, won’t work. You must find a way to limit the loss of your spiritual energy.”

Qin Rufeng immediately looked at Liu Bailian and asked, "Master, do you have a solution?"

Liu Bailian frowned slightly and remained silent...

Qin Rufeng said urgently, "Master, please say something."

Liu Bailian sighed, "Well, there is a way, but you'll have to suffer a lot."

Qin Rufeng laughed upon hearing this, "Hahaha, what's a little suffering? How much hardship and suffering did I endure during my cultivation?"

"I fought desperately against Lu Yu of the Fire Cloud Palace in the Mangshan Secret Realm. My soul was almost scattered. I endured the excruciating pain that felt like my body was being torn apart."

"Master, please come up with any solutions you have right away! I've had enough of this!"

"I love cultivating! I love the sense of accomplishment from accumulating spiritual energy, the sense of achievement from improving my cultivation level, and the feeling of becoming stronger every moment!"

"But now... it's all for nothing. If this continues, I'll go crazy! Master, save me!"

Liu Bailian looked at her pitiful disciple with a heavy heart, "Rufeng, are you really willing? To endure all kinds of suffering and hardship?"

Qin Rufeng answered decisively, "I do!"

Liu Bailian: "Would you be willing to endure this forever?"

Qin Rufeng: "I'm willing! I'd rather die than not cultivate!"

Liu Bailian: "You will never go back on your word."

Qin Rufeng: "I will never go back on my word!"

...After saying this, Qin Rufeng finally realized that something was wrong.

I desperately want to get rid of this.

This is a dilemma. I transmigrated to this world to cultivate immortality, not to be a beast of burden!

Therefore, any hardship is better than not being able to cultivate! But... it seems we should also ask what kind of suffering or torment is causing Master such concern.

Qin Rufeng was about to speak when Liu Bailian said loudly, "Good! I am very pleased that you have such ambition. Even if you go back on your word now, I will not allow it!"

Qin Rufeng: "Ah, this..."

"Bang!" Liu Bailian took out a rectangular box and placed it on the table.

Qin Rufeng's attention was immediately drawn to it. She was now ready to take the plunge. Come on, let's see what this thing is all about.

Is it the agony of slow slicing, or the poison that pierces the intestines? I, Qin Rufeng, will never utter a sound.

Liu Bailian opened the box and took out a steel awl. The awl was straight and sharp, about the length of a palm and the thickness of a hairpin. It looked a bit like the senbon ninja tools from the Blue Star anime, except it had a wooden handle.

This thing... it looks a bit scary. But if that's all, it's nothing. Needling pressure points? Pricking fingers? I can tolerate that.

As long as it doesn't blind him, Qin Rufeng would gladly accept even if he only lost one eye.

However, there wasn't just one awl in the box...

Inside, there was also a pair of small bronze bells. Silk talismans hung from the bell pendants, and tassels with red auspicious knots dangled from below. Open rings hung from the bell knobs.

Besides the bell, there is a pair of golden pins. The stick is about the length of the little finger's joint and has a ball head at the top like a door nail.

There is a through hole on the rod slightly behind the ball head. The diameter of the through hole is just large enough to pass through the awl, and the bell ring should move freely inside.

The pin and bell talisman should be a set, there are two sets in total.

Qin Rufeng asked, puzzled, "What is this?"

Instead of answering directly, Liu Bailian asked in return, "Do you know what to do if a wooden bucket leaks?"

Qin Rufeng shook his head...

Liu Bailian: "Use wood to carve nails or plugs to block it up."

"Of course, blocking it won't work. Remember the spiritual energy manipulation I had you practice before? From now on, you must control both bells so they don't ring. Once your spiritual energy manipulation reaches this point, the talisman will take effect and suppress the lingering effects of the Gu worms in your body."

Qin Rufeng examined the pair of bell-shaped talismans carefully and asked, "Are these earrings?"

Liu Bailian nodded and said, "Yes. Did you wear jewelry when you were in the lower realm?"

Qin Rufeng shook her head. "I've never worn earrings before, and aren't these too big?"

"So you have to suffer." As she spoke, Liu Bailian used chains to bind Ru Feng's hands and hang him up again.

However, she took out a small ceramic lamp, infused it with spiritual energy, and lit a flame. While heating the flame with an awl, she said, "Bear with it. Even ordinary women can bear wearing jewelry. You should be able to bear it for the sake of your cultivation, right?"

Qin Rufeng already understood how to use the awl. He immediately shook his head vigorously, "No! This won't do. No! No!"

Liu Bailian: "You've gone back on your word? Weren't you just swearing you weren't afraid of anything?"

Qin Rufeng hurriedly said, "I was wrong, I'm scared, okay? Master, spare my life!"

Liu Bailian was a little annoyed. "You wretched child! How can you not even bear this little pain? Which rich young lady in the mortal realm doesn't wear gold and silver?"

"Your cultivation is dozens or even hundreds of times more arduous than this, yet you are not afraid of it. Why can't you endure this?"

Qin Rufeng was terrified and could only shake his head repeatedly, unable to utter a single word...

Chapter 69: Foundation Establishment Success

Liu Bailian said earnestly, "Ru Feng, I can protect you for a while, but I may not be able to protect you forever."

"The ways of Heaven are ever-changing. Today, the Jade Maiden Sect is a major sect in the southern ring of the Flowing Cloud Realm, and my master is the Xuanwu Saintess, second only to one person. But who can predict what will happen in the future?"

"On the path of cultivation and seeking the Dao, how many sects stronger than the Jade Maiden Sect have flourished for a time but ultimately vanished into nothingness? How many senior masters with cultivation deeper than mine have also perished and disappeared?"

"If one day I can no longer protect you, who will you rely on?"

"You can only rely on yourself! You must cultivate to become strong, otherwise with your physique, you will forever become someone else's plaything and tool."

Liu Bailian looked worried and lowered her head slightly, saying, "When I first met you, I only saw you as a beautiful canary. I just wanted to keep you by my side."

"But you have already become my disciple! Now you are my apprentice! I must think about your future!"

Liu Bailian raised her head and stared intently into Ru Feng's eyes. "If you are still unwilling, I will not force you."

"From now on, you will stay by my side and remain a canary. As long as I live, no one will be able to harm a single feather of yours!"

After saying this, Qin Rufeng finally calmed down...

Yes, she was absolutely unwilling to accept this.

Leaving aside the distant past, Han Ying of the Blood Shadow Sect is still alive. She hates me to the bone and her methods are extremely cruel and sadistic... My body is in this state all thanks to her.

Even if Han Ying is dead, the Blood Shadow Sect still exists. This cultivation world is full of demonic and evil cultivators. Whatever the true nature of those so-called righteous sects, the Mangshan Secret Realm has already shown us…

The prologue to "The Art of Living Vessel Refining" says it well: "Moreover, I have never heard of hypocritical and charitable people who do not kill their fellow practitioners or seize elixirs and magic treasures. What difference is there between them and those who are merely pretending to be benevolent and righteous?"

That's right! This world is a dog-eat-dog world, where only the fittest survive.

Therefore, I must cultivate myself and absolutely become stronger! I must overcome all difficulties and dangers!

It's just a pair of rings and a pair of bells, isn't it? There's a saying on Earth, "Get on the sedan chair and get your ears pierced right away," which describes acting hastily.

The Azure Cloud Gathering is just around the corner, and breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage is of utmost urgency. Perhaps it's better to seize this opportunity to get through this difficult process. Otherwise, I can't bring myself to make the decision.

The pain from the ear piercing isn't the problem; the problem is the shame.

But thinking about it carefully... it's not so unacceptable. Especially since it's Master who's doing it... Master should be able to handle it. Anyway, she's done everything.

Thinking this through, Qin Rufeng gritted his teeth and made up his mind, "Master, I've figured it out. Come on! I'm not afraid anymore."

Liu Bailian nodded. The awl in her hand was already red-hot... as if she knew Qin Rufeng would make this choice.

Above the clouds, from within the Golden Bell Tower, came heart-wrenching screams. Qin Rufeng felt only pain… a piercing pain, a burning pain, a tearing pain, a throbbing pain, a suffocating pain, a suffocating pain…

The ring on the bell button was originally open. After inserting it, Liu Bailian closed the ring and then welded it shut with the fire of the ceramic lamp, thus making it completely closed. Qin Rufeng would never be able to remove it again.

With these [talisman bells], Qin Rufeng's weakness of leaking water was finally compensated. However, her constitution remained that of a Gu cauldron brewing pot, meaning she could still consume pills at will.

Although this ability diminished after using the bell, her body remained far more resilient to vegetation than other cultivators. She could consume large quantities of elixirs and supplements to aid her cultivation. In a way, she gained a "cheat code" despite the misfortune.

Having stopped the leakage of spiritual energy, Qin Rufeng began his secluded cultivation...

Above the clouds, beneath the stars and moon; fairies bathe and burn incense, sipping wine in the breeze... When slightly tipsy, they can meditate and regulate their breathing, letting the night breeze be cool, unafraid of the cold at such a height.

A gentle breeze blows across Jade Mountain, and streams flow into deep ravines; in stillness, the peaks rise and fall, in motion, the spring breeze ripples; tassels flutter on flags, and the temple bells are muffled. The five elements circulate in the dantian, and spiritual energy is sublimated.

Suddenly, the aurora borealis blazed brighter, outshining the stars and moon... Qin Rufeng had finally succeeded in establishing his foundation!

Upon seeing that dazzling light, Liu Bailian and Yan Qingping, who had been waiting day and night at the Emerald Star Pavilion, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With some time still to go before the Qingyun Gathering, and having finished her sect affairs, Liu Bailian visited the Golden Bell Tower even more frequently, often staying overnight.

She taught Qin Rufeng the advanced cultivation technique "Step by Step Lotus," which is only available to those at the Foundation Establishment stage. The ultimate move of stepping on ice lotuses originated from this technique.

Besides martial arts techniques, Liu Bailian also taught Qin Rufeng music, singing and dancing, and etiquette.

Especially in terms of etiquette, Ru Feng, as someone born in a small place in the lower realm (a transmigrator), was far behind. Liu Bailian gave her rigorous training.

To regulate Ru Feng's demeanor, Liu Bailian gave her several pieces of jewelry.

Jade earrings, gemstone ornaments, gold hairpins... necklaces, silver snake bracelets, gold bangles on fair hands, and gold chains around jade feet.

These ornaments were all for training women's manners. The head should be upright, and the hairpins should not swing towards the face. Every gesture should be graceful, the jade bracelets should not touch, and the anklets should not make a sound.

These may seem like rules, but they are actually training Qin Rufeng to control spiritual energy.

She wasn't sitting like a puppet while wearing those ornaments. Instead, she was poised to dart and leap, treading on ice lotuses and wielding a long sword…

The movements must be graceful, and every piece of jewelry must be carefully controlled, especially the pair of charm bells.