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

Qin Rufeng straightened his clothes with a displeased expression. Then he sheathed his sword and questioned, "Just who are you?"

The giant bird calmly said, "I do not wish to answer questions about food."

Qin Rufeng pondered his current situation...

Food? Was it the leftovers she couldn't finish that she took away?

Qin Rufeng looked up and saw a full moon in the sky. It was already night.

It shouldn't be like this...

There are hardly any people left in the Crimson Moon Prison now. After the giant bird ate Jiang Chun's nascent soul, it came straight for me; she probably wasn't full.

Judging from her brutal eating habits... she probably didn't bring it back to eat slowly.

Qin Rufeng looked at his body. The arrows that had pierced his heart had probably not hit any vital organs, and the wounds were now completely healed.

Did this giant bird heal itself?

Since that's the case... Qin Rufeng boldly speculated that the bird at least didn't want to eat him for the time being.

This place is high above, and the walls and stalagmites of the Crimson Moon Prison are no longer visible. It appears to be the top of the stalagmite, the nest of the Cataclysmic Giant Bird.

Did this giant bird bring itself to its nest for reasons other than food?

Qin Rufeng decided to change her approach. She softened her tone and asked, "What do you want?"

The giant bird was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I ask you, was it you who played the zither last night?"

Qin Rufeng replied, "Yes."

The giant bird nodded. "Play the zither for me again. If it pleases me, I will let you die painlessly before I eat you."

Chapter 114 What is that bell for?

Qin Rufeng understood. She wanted to hear the zither… perhaps she still had a glimmer of hope.

Since that's the case, then we absolutely cannot let her hear it.

Although trying to take down a stronger opponent with such an absolute disadvantage is suicidal, this suicidal act is still necessary.

Since death is inevitable anyway, it's better to put yourself in a life-or-death situation. If you act like you're completely subservient to her just to survive, you're just selling yourself cheaply.

Such a ruthless and bloodthirsty beast, if easily submitted to her, would only be treated as a cheap plaything. She could easily toy with it and then dispose of it.

But we can't be too domineering...

So Qin Rufeng said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I'm afraid I cannot comply."

The giant bird seemed extremely surprised. In her view, she had already done a great favor by asking for this food, and yet the bird was ungrateful?!

Before the giant bird could react, Qin Rufeng said, "If you are willing to listen to a sad and desolate piece, I can play it, but I really can't play other pieces."

The giant bird asked, "Why?"

“Your state of mind doesn’t match,” Qin Rufeng said calmly. “The sound of the zither music requires the piece to match your state of mind.”

"I was inexplicably arrested and imprisoned in this Crimson Moon Prison. These past few days have been filled with fear and anxiety, like walking on thin ice. Seeing my fellow prisoners die miserably one by one has only increased my despair. How can I possibly have any peace of mind?"

“Nonsense!” the giant bird said. “You played many pieces last night. Some were gentle and soothing, some were tranquil and peaceful, and some were full of murderous intent. You played each one very well.”

"Now you're telling me you're not in the mood to play? Aren't you just making fun of me?"

"Aren't you afraid of death?" The giant bird stared coldly at Qin Rufeng. "Yes, you are indeed not afraid. Otherwise, how dare you use the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix in front of me?"

"But what if I make you wish you were dead, or torture you to death?"

"For example...we'll skin you alive but not let you die, so you'll live on, covered in blood and flesh."

"Or how about we eat your limbs and turn you into a human pig?"

It would be a lie for Qin Rufeng to say she wasn't guilty or afraid. But she knew that being guilty or afraid was useless; in this situation, she had no choice but to stand firm.

She remained composed and said, "Last night I still had a glimmer of hope, a chance to survive. But what about now?"

"My sisters, who shared my hardships and faced life and death with me, must have already perished in your mouth, and I myself have become food for you to slaughter. How can you expect me to act the same way as yesterday?"

When Qin Rufeng uttered the phrase "at your mercy," the giant bird seemed slightly smug. It seemed that being a little softer was the right thing to do; it was best not to provoke this guy.

Qin Rufeng's words were reasonable and well-founded, and the giant bird seemed to believe them. Then she slowly said, "Your servant is not dead. She is only at the Qi Refining stage, and she is not worthy of my attention. Moreover, she is too thin and small to even fill my teeth."

"When I left, I saw her hide in the cell, so she must have survived."

"They survived?" Qin Rufeng keenly realized the meaning behind this statement.

The giant bird nodded and said, "Yes, this utterly stupid game should end tomorrow."

"When the killing stops, those who survive will survive, including you."

"I had a good meal this time. Those fools who cultivated the Nascent Soul stage were especially delicious. So... it's not necessary to eat you so quickly. Therefore, you can be considered to have survived... I said."

"Are you in a better mood now? Can you play now?"

"I'm feeling better," Qin Rufeng nodded and said, "but how do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Insolence!" The giant bird raised its voice, making Qin Rufeng's eardrums ache. "Why would I need to deceive an ant like you?"

Qin Rufeng bowed and said, "I am Liu Ruyan, a rogue cultivator from the Southern Ring..."

"Shut up," the giant bird interrupted Ru Feng. "I'll give you a chance to speak again. I don't care what tricks you play, but if you're going to introduce yourself, do it properly."

"Don't worry about being overheard. This is no longer part of the Crimson Moon Prison. I won't let you escape, but I can guarantee that your words will only reach my ears, and those guys won't hear them."

Qin Rufeng thought for a moment and said, "I am Liu Ruyan from the Jade Maiden Sect of the Southern Ring. May I ask your honorable name, senior?"

The giant bird remained silent for a moment, then transformed into human form. She spoke with haughtiness yet earnestness, "I am the Phoenix Clan's Colorful Phoenix, named Feng Hua!"

"Liu Ruyan, do you still dare to doubt me now?"

A colorful phoenix? A phoenix-like bird? That's a divine beast! It must have quite a background.

Qin Rufeng sized up this mature woman named Feng Hua... or rather, this phoenix.

Her eyebrows were parted in eight colors, and her black hair was styled in a bun. Adorned on her head were colorful feather ornaments, a phoenix crown, and golden earrings. Her bright eyes were like the ripples of autumn water, and also as deep as a vast ocean.

Her skin was as white as snow and as delicate as jade, seemingly fragile enough to break at a touch. Her nose was high and straight, her lips moist and luscious. Her features were sharply defined, her appearance breathtakingly beautiful.

She was truly a woman of unparalleled beauty, living up to her name. Her appearance was comparable to that of Qin Rufeng.

She was tall and long-legged, with a graceful figure. Her large, magnificent breasts... were the most imposing of any woman Qin Rufeng had ever seen. They surpassed Gan Ming, and proportionally even exceeded those of the White Tiger Saintess, Yang Jiuzhen.

She was draped in a colorful feathered shawl. The strapless design revealed her bare shoulders and cleavage.

Her entire demeanor exuded elegance and nobility. She was simply breathtaking.

Qin Rufeng thought to himself, "Now I can play a song. Just one song, to keep her hanging on..."

But to keep her hooked, I need to come up with something even more amazing than last night, not only playing an instrument but also singing.

It seems I'll have to use my time-traveling skills to play and sing songs from Earth.

So Qin Rufeng summoned the snake mushroom to transform into a stool and a zither stand, and began to play the zither and sing...

"The green mountains unite, the rivers play their melodies; I know the joy of the green mountains and the rivers."

"I play the zither for others, but no one knows my joy."

"Magnificent and towering, yet the visitor suddenly laughs at me;"

“Every thought that is uttered will be heard and received by all who come.”

"Only the bright moon remains to recall the past; warm wine is served to kindred spirits."

"How many people in this world truly understand me?"

"The three-foot-long zither is shattered to pieces, as if its strings have broken and a heart is broken with sorrow;"

"Alone and alone, amidst the vast天地 (heaven and earth)..."

Qin Rufeng's singing and playing were superb. Feng Hua listened with utter rapt attention, completely captivated.

Qin Rufeng's original plan was to outwit her, but somehow he found himself tearing up as he played.

She had remained unmoved even when faced with overwhelming pressure before. Now, tears streamed down her face, and her voice choked with emotion, unable to continue singing…

Because… she thought of her master. She imagined herself and her master drinking wine, singing songs, playing the zither, and admiring the moon in the Emerald Star Pavilion—how carefree and joyful that would be.

Now that I've fallen to this state, my master must be worried sick. The thought that those days may never return suddenly released all the pent-up grievances and immense pressure I had been holding in.

Feng Hua shook her head and sighed, "You played the zither not for me, but because you were forced to."

"But if you think I don't understand music, that would be far too arrogant."

"I am a kindred spirit... but I truly do not know you."

"Liu Ruyan, for whom do you play the zither?"

Qin Rufeng said, "Master."

Feng Hua smiled and said, "You are a good disciple. Never mind... I understand the state of mind you are talking about. I understand your current state of mind. That piece you just played was wonderful."

"I imagine you have many questions to ask... I am in a very good mood, and perhaps I can answer some of them."

“However, I have something to ask you first.” Feng Hua leaned closer, staring at Qin Rufeng’s chest, and asked curiously, “What’s with those talisman bells? Do you have Gu worms inside you?”

Chapter 115 Being Targeted Again

This question instantly ruined Qin Rufeng's mood.

However, it was a good thing that things were disrupted; it pulled Ru Feng out of her longing for her master and allowed her to think calmly again.

Qin Rufeng, clutching her chest, blushed and slightly annoyed as she looked at the bird-man Fenghua and said, "I was indeed infected with the Jade Dew Gu by the Blood Shadow Sect. It was my master who used this talisman to prevent my spiritual energy from leaking out."

"This is for saving lives, not for any other strange purpose. Your pecking and biting is really rude."

"Well, I think it's quite interesting, and I'd like to wear a pair too," Feng Hua said with a smile.

Qin Ru had no answer to those words.

"Jade Dew Gu? I do know about it." Feng Hua looked Qin Rufeng up and down and said, "Your body and the extremely yin spiritual energy are indeed natural materials for Gu cauldrons and furnaces. They are also very good for refining living weapons and puppets, and they are delicious as sacrifices."

As she spoke, a greedy glint appeared in her eyes, which sent a chill down Qin Rufeng's spine, causing him to take a few steps back.

Feng Hua continued, "It's a pity that the Jade Dew Gu was sealed away. Your master certainly has some tricks up his sleeve."

"She must have cherished you like a precious treasure. But she never expected to lose you... Who knows how badly you'll be treated if you fall into someone else's hands."

Feng Hua looked at Qin Rufeng, her mouth practically watering.

Ru Feng felt that if they continued talking about this topic, she might just swallow herself whole. So she quickly changed the subject, saying, "Let's not talk about this now. You said I could ask questions, right?"

Feng Hua nodded. "Yes."

Qin Rufeng asked, "Then I want to know what exactly happened."

"That's too general a question, and it's too tiring to explain," Feng Hua said, shaking her head. "Ask me something specific, and if I'm in a good mood, I'll answer it."

Qin Rufeng thought for a moment and then asked, "First of all, where is this place?"

"The western ring of the Flowing Cloud Realm," Feng Hua said, "the territory of Blood Cloud Valley."

Qin Rufeng then asked, "So what exactly is this Crimson Moon Heavenly Prison?"

"It's just a game," Feng Hua said disdainfully. "Some idle people from the major sects in Cangyun City enjoy watching you pawns fight each other and struggle for survival in the Crimson Moon Prison."

Qin Rufeng then asked, "What kind of place is Cangyun City? Did those sects capture rogue cultivators from the Southern Ring just for this purpose?"

Feng Hua seemed a little impatient. "This question is too complicated. You'll know many things soon enough, there's no need to ask."

"However, the Crimson Moon Sect is different from other sects; they do have a reason for capturing you."

"The Heavenly Prison is a kind of selection process. The Crimson Moon Church gets the materials they want."

"Those who achieve some success in cultivating the Nascent Soul stage will be absorbed into their new followers. Many more will become Crimson Moon Blood Slaves and Crimson Moon Blood Puppets. This is to add more claws to the Crimson Moon Cult."

"As for the other survivors... they will remain in Cangyun City as slaves, at the discretion of the various sects."

“Those that no one wants will be sent to the slave market. The spirit stones from the sale will be divided among several sects.”

Qin Rufeng was shocked. He never expected that the law of the jungle would be so blatant in this world.

Isn't this just the slave trade? Well, if you use this analogy, it all makes perfect sense now.

Qin Rufeng continued to ask, "Then... are you a member of the Crimson Moon Demonic Sect, senior?"

"Of course not," Feng Hua said disdainfully. "The reason I was the one guarding the courtyard this time was entirely due to that stupid woman's own decision."

"I was initially unwilling to pay attention to it, but after thinking about it, since there are a lot of sacrifices involved, it's a good thing after all, so I'll reluctantly agree."