Qin Ruqing had her hand on the bell, feeling its rough texture, and wondered how many punches it could withstand.

It certainly wouldn’t break from brute force alone.

Maybe using a powerful technique…

When Lu Wei’s voice caught Tang Zifeng’s attention, he finally noticed the patterns on the giant bell and exclaimed in surprise, “It’s lotus flowers!”

Not just a few, but the entire surface of the bell was covered in lotus patterns.

With the bell’s enormous size, the lotus designs gave it a majestic yet enchanting appearance.

Turning to Tang Zifeng, he praised, “Tang Zifeng, you have a great eye. This bell looks fantastic.”

Tang Zifeng smiled slightly and then appropriately put away the bell. “It’s not good to talk while standing here. Let’s find a place to sit and chat.”

Qin Ruqing, still admiring the bell, felt it was time to move on and reluctantly looked away from Tang Zifeng.

Tang Zifeng nodded and raised his chin silently.

Qi Rong suggested, “How about we go to Huicui Lou for tea and a show? Elder Song San would also like to see you.” He looked at Qin Ruqing for confirmation.

Qin Ruqing, holding her third sister’s arm, said, “He’s probably looking forward to the fairy jade slip I promised him.”

“Heh, you’re so perceptive, little sister.”

---

At the tea house by the window, Qin Ruqing’s voice came from a private box overlooking the stage below. “So, the new star at Huicui Lou is our Qi Rong?”

She toyed with a white jade tea cup, her expression playful.

Lu Wei added with a smirk, “Qi Rong has quite a reputation. When I arrived in the Eastern Region, I heard girls chattering, praising Qi Rong’s good looks and exceptional figure among male cultivators…”

It was Elder Song San’s strategy to focus the spotlight on Qi Rong’s physique rather than his face or persona.

He even had some jade slips showing Qi Rong’s well-defined arms, which made young girls blush and sneak glances.

Qin Ruqing chuckled, impressed by Elder Song San’s marketing skills.

His ideas were truly unique in this world!

Qi Rong’s face turned as red as a tomato.

Tang Zifeng, however, looked serious as he reviewed the jade slip Lu Wei had brought over.

It didn’t contain much else except a close-up of Qi Rong’s arm.

The clear muscle lines and subtle veins were visible.

To Tang Zifeng, it was just an arm, but to young girls, it was evidently more.

Qin Ruqing and Lu Wei leaned in together, whispering and giggling.

Tang Zifeng, seriously, rolled up his sleeve and looked at his own arm, then extended his hand to Qi Rong, saying, “Let’s arm wrestle.”

Qi Rong, blushing, responded, “Huh?”

When close relationships are well-established, even years apart don’t feel awkward.

After opening up the conversation with Qirong, they finally got to the main topic.

Qin Ruqing raised her hand and set up three layers of barriers (something she was used to doing in the Fifth Family) and said loudly, “Everyone, I’ve found something great in the Fourth Prison of the Fifth Family!”

Everyone’s attention turned to her. Qin Ruqing added, “It’s related to the rules.”

She briefly described her experience in the Hungry Ghost Realm, focusing on the twelve murals and the mysterious powerful being.

Lu Wei, sensitive and kind-hearted, frowned, concerned about the suffering of the residents of Sin City.

She wanted to say something but realized that discussing the residents was a dead end, so she stayed silent.

Qi Rong was very interested in the mysterious being, rubbing his arms nervously. “An ancient being sleeping in the murals… how has he survived until now?”

He felt a mix of awe and excitement, eager to have an encounter with such a powerful entity.

Tang Zifeng’s expression was serious as he looked at Qin Ruqing with a unique perspective. “With the mysterious powerful being appearing and giving you two heavenly-level tokens, has the Fifth Family caused you any trouble?”

Qin Ruqing chuckled, “I definitely didn’t tell them about it. I managed to trick my way through.”

Thinking about what Qin Ruqing had said before about being “watched by dogs,” Tang Zifeng asked seriously, “Is the dog still watching you?”

Qin Ruqing was surprised when Tang Zifeng used the word “dog,” and then she laughed loudly.

She realized that Tang Zifeng had a kind of deadpan humor.

She shook her head and said, “The dog has eyes, but I can’t control whether it watches me. If it goes too far, I’ll just scratch it hard!”

Tang Zifeng responded with a nod.

Qin Ruqing then shared her understanding of the rules.

Everyone seemed calm because they were already familiar with the rules.

Lu Wei spoke first, “Remember when I accidentally touched the Rule during the Hundred Clans Conference? Now, I can control it quite skillfully. It’s a wondrous state that helps in crafting advanced pills and improves their quality.”

Qi Rong also nodded, “Under Elder Song San’s guidance, I’ve reached the threshold of the Power Realm and can use it in attacks.”

Tang Zifeng didn’t mention his own mastery of the rules but listened to Qin Ruqing’s account.

After a moment of thought, he began to analyze her situation seriously:

“Your approach to understanding the rules seems different from ours. We’ve only mastered one or a few types, but you seem to have grasped many.”

Tang Zifeng had initially understood the rules during the Hundred Clans Conference, which helped him craft semi-divine artifacts.

Now, after visiting 108 tombs, his understanding of the rules was even deeper, making him one of the best, aside from Qin Ruqing.

But Tang Zifeng didn’t boast about his own abilities.

He remained humble.

Qin Ruqing considered this and said, “You’re right… It seems I started with the power of rules. I didn’t think it was unusual, but comparing with you all, it does seem different.

However, it doesn’t feel burdensome to me now, so I’ll continue with this method. If it doesn’t work out later, I can adjust.”

She then suddenly smiled, looking at everyone, and pointed out a fact: “I just realized we’re no longer novices… Ha, that’s wonderful!”

Seeing her own growth was exciting, but seeing everyone else’s progress made her even happier.

After about an hour, Elder Song San, who had likely guessed they had finished catching up, knocked and entered.

Elder Song San was here for Qin Ruqing… well, for the fairy jade slip.

Her fans across the four regions had been waiting for new material, and Song San saw them as ripe for the picking!

Qin Ruqing was prepared for the jade slip request, and since the Song family had been so supportive of Qi Rong, she was ready to return the favor.

Recording a jade slip was a small matter.

After agreeing, Qin Ruqing asked about the Void Realm.

The Void Realm were a big deal for all top families at the moment.

When the topic came up, Song San’s expression turned serious.

He blinked and, in consideration of the fairy jade slip, gave a few more important reminders:

“Do you know why we value the Void Realm quota so much?”

Qin Ruqing replied, “Because of the inheritance?”

From the Fifth Family’s attitude, it was clear that inheritance was a top priority.

Song San shook his head and sighed, “Inheritance is quite common. True, high-level inheritance is rare, but if we just wait for inheritance to fall from the sky, the human world would be doomed.”

“For us, the greatest significance of entering the Void Realm is to obtain fragments of rules, that is, the power of rules!” Third Elder Song emphasized this point by stressing his tone.

“Understand that apart from sudden enlightenment or specializing to an extremely high degree in a certain field, rules and their power are incredibly elusive and hard to obtain.”

“The Void Realm is probably the only place in the world where you can directly gain the power of rules without needing to understand them directly.”

When Elder Song said this, Qin Ruqing and the others exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat mysterious.

Qin Ruqing even shifted her position slightly.

It turns out that gaining the power of rules is so difficult.

Coincidentally, she had just obtained the power of rules for a whole city recently.

She thought to herself, “How restrained… haha!”

Elder Song continued without noticing their reactions, “The Void Realm is ancient, even older than recorded history, and it holds many secrets.

Even if we only explore it, it’s very worthwhile.

Besides, it’s not just a competition with people; the Beast Realm also has passages to the Void Realm, selecting the top talents from their world.

This is about the resources and honor of our entire human world…”

After introducing the Void Realm, Elder Song added one last point:

“The Void Realm is located in the far north of the continent.

After enduring three hundred sixty-five thunder tribulations, the sky will make a gap, which is the entrance to the Void Realm.

We need to reach the Void Realm within half a month, traversing ancient forests full of dangers.

This year, the Song family has already agreed to travel with the Ming family.”

He paused and looked at the leader, Qin Ruqing, “If you’re willing, you can join our team.”

Qin Ruqing clenched and then relaxed her fists.

The concepts of rule power, inheritance, and competing with the top elites of the Beast Realm already painted a broader picture in her mind from Elder Song’s simple description.

She lifted her gaze without hesitation and said, “I am honored by Elder Song’s invitation—of course, I am willing!”

As she spoke, Qin Ruqing had already mapped out a clear route in her mind:

Follow Song Ming and the others to the Ruins, and perhaps use the Fifth House’s influence there.

Gather as many rule fragments as possible in the Ruins.

Show up the talents of the Beast and Human Realms, and complete the facade task.

Go to the Immortal Tomb, use the map made from four heavenly tokens to explore and seek inheritance.

Find a way to resolve the Spirit Contract issue and be cautious of the Fifth Feather.

The Fang family might also cause trouble… resolve this hidden threat after leaving the Ruins.

Each plan was clear and detailed, instinctively laid out in Qin Ruqing’s mind. Her blood raced with excitement over these plans.

Her ambition needed a larger world to contain it.

Qin Ruqing was already boiling with excitement and eager to set off immediately!