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

"It's your older sister who makes you slightly annoyed. It's your master who can do whatever she wants. Is it because of your sister's 'zero% 栮龄V(II's dead skirt (let's chat?)'"

"Of course, this is your own choice. You definitely wouldn't allow anyone else to cross that line."

“But what I mean is, your vigilance is like that of a house cat. And those who walk outside are cunning foxes and fierce wolves! You are still far from being one.”

"I..." Ru Feng wanted to say that he was a little insensitive because of the time travel and transformation, but he couldn't say such a thing.

Yun Yishui sighed and looked at her with concern, saying, "My dear sister Rufeng... you know I don't have a single disciple, but if I had even half a disciple... that would be you."

“I’m not trying to take advantage of you by acting as your master, but I feel there are many things that Liu Bailian wouldn’t have thought of, and she wouldn’t have taught you. She’s definitely a good master, but even a good master has things she can’t take care of. So, I’m here to fill in the gaps.”

"Let's get back to the topic of the dueling arena." Yun Yishui finally steered the conversation back on track. "If Ling Meng Liu Ling 23 IVVIII (4) you appropriately slow down your pace, that would exceed some people's expectations but not by too much."

"They'll think that, just as I expected, Qin Rufeng won't go far. But she's also surprisingly capable, not just Liu Bailian's little bitch."

Qin Rufeng: "Could you use a different word?"

Yun Yishui: "Little female cat."

Qin Rufeng: "You don't act like an older sister at all!"

Yun Yishui disagreed and continued, "In that case, your image in other people's eyes will improve positively, instead of the opposite of what you intended."

"Remember this: while slapping someone in the face might change their assessment of your abilities, it will never increase their goodwill towards you."

"Even if they become all smiles, it's still sycophancy and a smile hiding a knife."

"If you feel that you don't need other people's favor or help, or connections and reputation, then imagine what would have happened if you hadn't met Liu Bailian."

Chapter 72's low-key approach is rather strange.

Qin Rufeng understood that Liu Bailian was his biggest "cheat code".

Yun Yishui continued, "Moreover, everything I said... that is, the premise for me to stop you in the arena in time, is based on the premise that you can overpower all the geniuses and talents of the Four Saints, Five Halls and Seven Peaks."

"Do you really think you can do it, my sister?" Yun Yishui raised her voice, her expression extremely serious. "Those people are all at least in the late Foundation Establishment stage, some have already stepped into the half-step Golden Core stage. Do you really think you can win?"

"I'm telling you in advance, you can't use magic items in the arena. Flowing Light Instant Water, even your storage magic items can't be used."

"Even if you only draw a sword, you must take it out beforehand. You cannot open your storage magic item during the duel."

How confident are you under these rules?

This question plunged Qin Rufeng into silence once again. Anyone can make grand pronouncements, but how could she dare to claim any confidence when she didn't even know her opponent's abilities?

That's right! Individual presentations. Qin Rufeng suddenly realized the significance of this project. They could gather intelligence on their opponents during the individual presentations.

Although the participants will hold back, they certainly can't hold back too much when they want to show their skills to the seniors of the sect.

I understand! The reason why the individual skill demonstration is held before the arena competition, and why there's a night in between, is to give the participants enough time to devise strategies.

Therefore, how to perform during the individual presentation segment is also a carefully considered strategy...

Seeing that Qin Rufeng seemed to be deep in thought, Yun Yishui nodded with satisfaction, "It seems you have already understood half of my intention. I believe you can figure out the other half as well."

"Another reason I just mentioned is that your reputation and public image won't change overnight."

"What if you encounter a master, and that person happens to dislike you? Or perhaps they simply don't want to lose to you because of your bad reputation and are willing to fight you to the death... what do you think would happen?"

"The higher the level of the arena battle, the greater the probability of encountering a master."

"Liu Bailian went to great lengths to cure all your ailments and gave you a spirit pearl to help you build your foundation. You must cherish it."

"Listen to your sister, this isn't the time for you to make a name for yourself. It's not too late to gather your strength before soaring to the sky. I have faith in you."

After Yun Yishui's earnest advice, Qin Rufeng had already developed his own plan.

In the afternoon, the individual showcase began. The sect's prodigies displayed their unique abilities, including thunderclouds and lightning, flying sand and stones, divination techniques, the ability to conjure soldiers from grass and trees, the command of spirit beasts, elixirs and talismans, and so on... A variety of techniques emerged one after another, which broadened everyone's horizons.

The sect leader and all the senior fairies nodded in agreement and praised it highly...

"Truly, every generation produces outstanding talents."

"These younger generations are all exceptionally talented, intelligent, and diligent."

"Young in age, yet their cultivation is quite high. Excellent, a blessing for the sect."

"Hehe, she's quite good-looking and has a great figure."

When it was finally Qin Rufeng's turn to appear, all the senior members of the sects widened their eyes in unison...

"Who is this?"

"What's going on here?"

"Lord Liu, is this your disciple? What is she trying to do?"

Liu Bailian did not answer, but looked at her good apprentice on the stage with a happy expression.

Not only the elders, but everyone else watching was also very surprised.

Although only sixteen people participated in the Qingyun Gathering, there were many onlookers. Numerous inner disciples from the Four Saints, Five Halls, and Seven Peaks were present, all discussing Qin Rufeng's performance.

Qin Rufeng, carrying a pipa and holding a zither, walked slowly onto the stage without using any special techniques.

A moment later, she opened the storage space...

While it's possible to use magical artifacts in individual practice, it's generally uncommon. This is because relying on magical artifacts would be seen as a sign of unrealistic skill.

Qin Rufeng opening her storage space didn't surprise anyone. After all, in many people's eyes, she was just the Holy Maiden's pet; what other abilities could she possibly have besides taking out the magical artifacts given to her by her master?

Qin Rufeng brought out a stone table... and then brought out a stone bench.

The crowd was puzzled, but Qin Rufeng calmly placed her three-foot-long zither on the stone table and began to play and sing. When she was in high spirits, she even got up and danced while playing the zither in reverse.

Everyone present was stunned... yet, fearing they would appear foolish, no one dared to speak.

People generally believe that it's impossible for someone to go up and sing for money at an event like the Qingyun Gathering. There must be some deeper meaning or profound skill involved; making random comments would likely lead to being proven wrong.

Ordinary onlookers dared not speak, but the senior members of the various sects were not fooled. Although they were also dumbfounded, they were mainly surprised.

Finally, they couldn't help but start discussing it...

"Lord Liu, your disciple is truly a talent."

"Hmph, they certainly have guts."

"Is this the first time since the founding of the Qingyun Society?"

“Playing the zither and performing for money in front of the sect leader and the seniors of the Four Saints, Five Halls and Seven Peaks is unprecedented.”

Liu Bailian remained silent, her gaze fixed on Qin Rufeng. Her expression showed no embarrassment, as if to say, "Good disciple, you've made me proud."

Yun Yishui, standing to the side, frowned and muttered under his breath, "I told you to keep a low profile, but I didn't tell you to be this low-profile. What do you think the Jade Maiden Sect is?"

However, Qin Rufeng's performance wasn't entirely met with skepticism. Dongfang Zhi, an elder of the Juenian Peak among the Seven Peaks, praised Qin Rufeng's skills highly.

Sect Master Shen Yuchen smiled and said to Liu Bailian, "Liu'er, your disciple is quite good."

Liu Bailian was overjoyed and her face lit up with happiness. "Thank you for your praise, Master."

Shen Yuchen continued, "Just remember to have her return my stone bench and table after her performance. It should be in the pavilion behind the side hall, where I usually enjoy tea."

Before Liu Bailian could answer, she heard a "slap"... Turning around, she saw Yun Yishui slapping her forehead, her brows furrowed in a frown.

Seeing that Shen Yuchen was also looking at her, Yun Yishui quickly said, "Sect Master, please don't worry. This disciple promises to make her put the things back where they belong."

At this moment, Dongfang Zhi said to Liu Bailian, "Sister Liu, I admire your disciple very much. May I go over and ask her something later?"

Liu Bailian's lack of objection was an indication of agreement, but she looked at Sect Master Shen Yuchen.

The sect leader nodded and said with a smile, "Go ahead. This child is indeed quite interesting."

By this time, Qin Rufeng's "talent" had been fully displayed. The onlookers, even until the very end, hadn't discerned any hidden meaning.

However, Qin Rufeng's graceful dance moves, unparalleled musical talent, and heavenly voice have earned her considerable praise.

Of course, some people finally "realized"...

"WTF?"

"So it's just playing the piano and singing?"

"I really couldn't see anything mysterious about it. There was neither spiritual energy nor any strange formations. It was really just playing and singing."

"As expected, she is completely incompetent."

"Afraid of making a fool of yourself by performing magic, you actually resorted to playing musical instruments and singing and dancing?"

"Outrageous! How dare you be so disrespectful in front of the sect leader, elders, and fellow disciples?"

"What do you take the Jade Maiden Sect for? What do you take the Azure Cloud Society for?"

The crowd below the stage gradually became excited. Just then, Yun Yishui, accompanied by Elder Dongfang Zhi of Juenian Peak, suddenly appeared on the stage.

Chapter 73 The Eve of the Fierce Battle

The moment these two stepped onto the stage, the audience erupted in chaos...

"Look, even the Eastern Immortal Venerable can't stand it anymore."

"I reckon even the sect leader can't stand this person's clumsy performance."

"Punish her immediately."

"Yes, expel them from the sect! We can't tolerate it for even a moment longer."

"I beg the Immortal Venerable to punish Qin Rufeng!"

Qin Rufeng had initially ignored the "barking" from below, but the arrival of a Celestial Elder on stage still surprised her greatly. None of the previous participants had encountered this situation.

Not knowing the meaning behind this, she looked at Yun Yishui. Yun Yishui quickly introduced her, "This is Elder Dongfang Xianzun of Juenian Peak."

Qin Rufeng quickly bowed, "Qin Rufeng, disciple of Xuanwu, pays respects to the Eastern Immortal Venerable."

"No need for such formalities," Dongfang Zhi said with a smile and gentle tone. "Your performance just now was wonderful."

"Her dance moves were graceful, her voice like heavenly music, yet she was not weak. The melody, though melodious, seemed to contain the fierce sword energy of a thousand armies."

"May I ask what piece of music this is? I consider myself to have some knowledge of music, yet I've never heard it before?"

Qin Rufeng said respectfully, "Reporting to the Immortal Venerable, this piece is called 'Qin King's Battle Song'."

Ru Feng felt a sense of pride. Even the most musically gifted people in this world had never heard of the elegant and refined music of the Tang Dynasty.

"King Qin? Breaking the formation? Brilliant!" Dongfang Zhi nodded repeatedly, then left with a smile. Yun Yishui took the opportunity to tell Qin Rufeng to return the "props."

In this exchange, all that was asked was the name of the piece. The crowd below erupted in an uproar, wondering what the Eastern Immortal Venerable of Juenian Peak meant.

After a short while, someone finally found something to criticize Qin Rufeng for...

"King Qin?"

"How dare Qin Rufeng call herself a queen in front of everyone in the sect?"

"How dare you be so presumptuous in front of the sect leader and all the elders?"

"This is extremely disrespectful!"

"This child must not be kept."

"He's not just going to claim the title of king, he's going to break through enemy formations too. This is outrageous!"

"Heh, he truly lives up to his reputation as that person's disciple."

Qin Rufeng ignored the people's comments and put away the zither, returning the stone table and benches to their original places. However, as she walked through the corridor, she took a fancy to a painted vase.

If you "borrow" a stone table and bench, you just need to return it. Does that mean that if you borrow and return something easily, it's easy to borrow again?

"They won't let me use magic weapons. This can't be a magic weapon, can it?" Seeing that no one was around, Qin Rufeng opened his storage space and "borrowed" the vase as well...

Then she immediately returned to the rehearsal site to watch the other people's performances.

In the end, all sixteen people displayed their abilities. Some of them held back their strength, some deliberately created a diversion, some feigned weakness, and some were full of confidence and held nothing back.

Qin Rufeng only played the zither and sang, without revealing any of her skills...

Next came the draw for the arena duel, and Qin Rufeng drew Ruan Yan from the Giant Wood Hall as his opponent.

This fairy was dressed in white, with long, black hair, willow-leaf eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and a vermilion dot on her forehead. A long ribbon tied her hair up, and a pink and white flower was tucked diagonally into her hair.

Her temperament is fresh and elegant, yet subtly stunning. She also appears composed, without any ostentatious or aggressive air.

Ruan Yan possesses a superior-grade wood spiritual root and is at the late stage of the Earthly Foundation Establishment realm, while Qin Rufeng is only at the early stage of the Human Foundation Establishment realm. The difference in their cultivation levels is significant.

The Wood Spirit Root possesses the ability to conceal itself, a skill Qin Rufeng had already experienced in his battle against Tao Yuening. Meanwhile, Ruan Yan demonstrated her agile movements during her individual practice.

Unlike Qin Rufeng, whose movements were swift and agile, she barely moved, yet her figure appeared and disappeared on the stage, elusive and unpredictable. She seemed to be standing there, yet in the blink of an eye, only a few fallen leaves could be seen fluttering about.