“… Did you really only look at nine of the paintings?”

To be honest, when Qin Ruqing heard this light and airy question, her heart seemed to stop for a moment, and her blood felt like it was flowing backward.

Her heart was tumultuous, but Qin Ruqing was confident she had controlled all her bodily reactions perfectly.

She had already suspected that it was unusual for this show-off to call her out in the middle of the night, so how could she not be prepared?

With her level of cultivation, she could control her body down to the finest detail.

Qin Ruqing was certain that even her pupils hadn’t dilated.

Fifth Lingyu wouldn’t be able to discern anything from the changes in her expression.

Qin Ruqing even deliberately leaned closer to make it easier for Fifth Lingyu to observe her expression.

“Why is the director asking this? Could it be that someone has solved the last three paintings of the twelve? Is it you, Director?” Her tone softened deliberately at the end, rising slightly, like a little hook.

She didn’t just use her voice to lure him but also deliberately used the corner of her eye to entice him.

Fifth Lingyu suddenly leaned back, turned his head, and looked out at the sea.

The waves crashed against the rocks, and Qin Ruqing smirked inwardly.

How dare he test you, Auntie… She knew the impact of her features magnified, and at such close distance, a fierce glance could dazzle his eyes!

Fifth Lingyu’s voice turned cold, “Of course it’s not me.”

Qin Ruqing nodded, “Hey, I knew it. The director’s Hungry Ghost Path rating is Profound level! But I’m curious, what did you do to get a Profound level rating?”

Fifth Lingyu turned his head back and finally looked at Qin Ruqing again, “Do you want to know?”

Qin Ruqing: “Mm-hmm.”

He curled his lips into a sharp arc.

It was a malicious smile.

“I killed all the residents of the sinful city who entered the Judgment in the desolate city.”

“Facing eternal judgment, being pursued by hungry ghosts, watching their loved ones die one after another, their fate as fragile as a candle in the wind, isn’t it painful? To save them, I killed them.”

“Once dead, they no longer have to face judgment or bear the sins of their ancestors. Isn’t that great!”

Fifth Lingyu deliberately observed Qin Ruqing’s expression, hoping to see shock on her face.

He wasn’t even afraid; as long as there was a moment of surprise or bewilderment, he would find pleasure in it.

Unfortunately, Qin Ruqing didn’t react as Fifth Lingyu expected.

Her eyes were wide open, not in shock, but in excitement, sparkling more brightly than the morning star.

She even slapped her thigh and cheerfully said, “Bullfrog! Director, you truly live up to your reputation!”

Fifth Lingyu was taken aback and didn’t get the pleasure of tormenting her.

Instead, he felt a blockage.

Just before his brows and eyes turned completely cold, Qin Ruqing made a gesture to calm him down.

“Wow, wow, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. I’ve complimented you, and if you’re still upset, your mind isn’t broad enough. We, entertainers, find joy in everything, and if we can’t amuse someone, it’s not worth it!”

“Entertainer? Who told you I’m an entertainer?” He snorted, showing a disdainful expression.

Qin Ruqing: “I said so myself!”

Fifth Lingyu looked at Qin Ruqing with a mocking expression, as if saying “You think you understand me so well.”

Despite the mockery, the anger that had arisen earlier seemed to vanish into thin air.

Indeed, Qin Ruqing was skilled at both igniting and extinguishing flames.

Feeling that Fifth Lingyu couldn’t be bothered to interact with her, Qin Ruqing felt that the stone she was sitting on was now stable.

She looked out towards the horizon, only able to see the coastline and not the towering Mount Penglai.

Feeling bored, Qin Ruqing rested her chin on her hand and said, “Director, didn’t you say that the Feng family is supposed to be living in Penglai? Why do I only feel like it’s only your Fifth family here?”

Fifth Lingyu glanced at her and replied tersely, “It’s because your eyesight can only see the Fifth family.”

In other words, he was mocking her lack of ability.

Qin Ruqing responded cheerfully, “Yes, yes, yes, you’re right!”

After listening to the sea breeze for a while, Qin Ruqing leisurely said, “Director, since my Hungry Ghost Path doesn’t have a rating, token, or reward, what about the human path I have to go through later? Without the previous token, I can’t enter!”

“Then don’t go.” Fifth Lingyu replied succinctly.

Qin Ruqing sighed, “Then I’ve lost a lot… Suddenly, it feels like staying with the Fifth family isn’t so interesting anymore.”

Fifth Lingyu suddenly turned his head slowly, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, “You want to leave?”

Qin Ruqing glared at him, “What kind of look is that? I can’t even think about leaving if staying here isn’t beneficial? Do you think your Fifth family is such a great catch? Besides, I’m just saying it…”

Fifth Lingyu stood up and looked down at her from above, casually saying, “If you want to leave, just go. Even tonight is fine. Since you’ve already gained so many benefits in the previous two prisons, the Fifth family hasn’t treated you badly.”

Qin Ruqing immediately stood up as well.

Just as a cat’s claws must be at the top, Qin Ruqing didn’t allow anyone, especially Fifth Lingyu, to look at her from that angle.

She lifted her chin and rolled her eyes, “I’m not leaving. Penglai is full of treasures. Just the bronze bell given by the previous young clan leader, I estimate it’s a part of a divine artifact… There are still four years to reap the rewards, why should I be in such a hurry to leave!”

She deliberately only mentioned the bronze bell given by the young clan leader.

As expected, Fifth Lingyu’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.

He coldly said, “Your courage is growing bolder.”

Qin Ruqing put her hands on her hips, looking ahead, and said cheerfully, “It’s because the director has become more tolerant and indulgent. People do tend to become spoiled when favored!”

The cheerful remark, even with the term “spoiled by favor,” carried a slightly different flavor.

But Fifth Lingyu detected the probing and sarcasm in her words.

He gazed at Qin Ruqing with deep and complex eyes.

Qin Ruqing seemed completely unaware.

Eventually, he didn’t say anything more.

Perhaps annoyed by Qin Ruqing, Fifth Lingyu left her behind and walked away.

Qin Ruqing sat on the empty seaside boulder and clicked her tongue.

She wasn’t afraid of slipping away like this.

Her mind was calm.

It wasn’t her first time at Mount Penglai; she knew how to get in without a guide.

The bronze bell hanging from her waist was her token to enter Penglai.

Qin Ruqing returned to her waterfall courtyard and went to sleep comfortably, with no further discussion.

The next morning, she woke up with a remarkably clear mind.

A sigh suddenly came from the bamboo bed wrapped in a faint mist of spiritual energy.

Ah, originally I wanted to leave, but yesterday was just a test.

The results weren’t very good, and with that Fifth Lingyu monitoring me, the best thing for Qin Ruqing to do is to stay in Penglai for another two or three years.

Once the Void Realm is about to open, she can leave then, making her actions completely flawless.

For a cultivator, two or three years is nothing.

A long retreat will do.

Qin Ruqing was simply feeling frustrated, but if it really doesn’t work out, staying here isn’t a problem.

After all, Qin Ruqing could always find a way to be comfortable wherever she was.

She reached for the jade slip and saw that yesterday she had sent a message saying she might be leaving soon.

Today, she sent:

Miracle Qingqing (Nanling City’s Number One Female Immortal): Departure postponed. Family, let’s meet again in three years [tears]

Little Cow Tang: Something happened?

Tang Zifeng was the first to appear.

It was hard not to suspect that he had some special access to this communication tool, allowing him to be alerted to Qin Ruqing’s messages so quickly.

Otherwise, how could he have responded so fast?

Miracle Qingqing: There’s someone keeping an eye on me. Anyway, we’ve gained a lot this time. It’s not clear on the jade slip; we’ll talk about it when we meet.

Tang Zifeng quickly figured out that the “dog” was referring to.

He drafted a message to ask something but hesitated and deleted it.

Qin Ruqing had already indicated that there wasn’t much to say on the topic, so asking would be pointless.

Instead, he decided to bring up something else she might be interested in.

Xiao Tang: I followed your suggestion from last time. The design is . I’ll show it to you when we meet.

Qi Rong also chimed in. The kid had finally emerged from the big pot.

Prideful Qirong: Wait, Brother Tang, you’re really making your magical artifact into a big clock shape?

Some time ago, Tang Zifeng had mentioned that he planned to refine his personal artifact and had asked for opinions on its design, mainly the shape.

Qin Ruqing had just come out of the Hungry Ghost Realm and replied, “How about making it a big clock? It can both attack and defend. When attacking, it can cover the enemy, with some offensive measures inside; when defending, it can cover yourself. While I’m inside, no one can harm me… Such a versatile artifact is perfect for a refining master like Xiao Tang.”

At the time, Qirong had expressed some disagreement, feeling that although a clock-shaped artifact was versatile, it might not be very elegant.

“But isn’t the design a bit inappropriate… Sending a clock as a gift,” Qi Rong said.

Miracle Qingqing: Of course, it’s for sending a clock. A violent refining master, how fitting for Xiao Tang’s temperament!

Prideful Qi Rong hesitated, “…Really?”

Brother Tang’s demeanor was so reserved and mysterious, not violent at all.

Tang Zifeng didn’t express whether he liked or disliked the suggestion, but it seemed he had quietly completed the design—Qin Ruqing had only been out of the Hungry Ghost Realm for a few days.

Hearing this, Qin Ruqing was pleased and clapped her hands, “I knew Tang Zifeng had an eye for things. Don’t worry, a clock-shaped artifact is perfect. You can use it to deal with anyone you don’t like! So cool!”

Xiao Tang: “Hmm.”

Looking at the design of the artifact, the details aside, the clock’s exterior was decorated with a small inscription: “Engrave lotus patterns. Cover the entire surface.”

Tang Zifeng smiled with satisfaction.

Lu Wei also appeared.

Xiangri(Sunny) Weiwei: “On the third floor of the Nine-Tier Tower.”

Miracle Qingqing: “Sister Niu! I can’t go to the Four Realms for some reasons, but don’t worry, everything is fine [encrypted]. I might plan a long retreat next. By the time I come out, the Void Realm should be about to open.”

Qin Ruqing didn’t mention the most critical parts, and the others immediately realized that it was likely related to important matters in the Four Realms, and even in their private messages, Qin Ruqing wouldn’t discuss it to avoid any accidents.

Seeing her cautiousness, they tacitly decided not to ask further.

As Qin Ruqing put away the jade slip, she sat up from the bed, her eyes clear and determined.

She had initially wanted to leave, but since she was being watched, she gave up on that plan.

Instead, she decided to use the remaining time for a long retreat.

There were too many things from the Four Realms that she needed to process.

Qin Ruqing decided that the next goal was:

A long retreat of at least three years!

Study the rules and the field of all things!