62: Chapter 62 Reunion with Junior Sister Tang

The ascending dragon ranking.

It involves facing all the True Disciples of the Duobao Sect.

Some are even "old monsters" who have cultivated for hundreds of years.

Their foundations and craftsmanship are unfathomable, with an endless array of tricks.

Never mind "Heaven-Grade" or "Earth-Grade" True Disciples.

Even the "older generation" among the "Yellow-Grade True Disciples."

Their accumulated cultivation and mastery are far beyond what a newcomer like Chu Feng can compare to.

Thinking about the ascending dragon ranking now is nothing but a pipe dream.

The hidden dragon ranking.

It is limited to new True Disciples within fifty years, so the hope seems greater.

But on second thought, the situation is equally unoptimistic.

He had only learned one volume of the [Heavenly Talisman Scripture].

In a "trial" that might involve direct combat or comprehensive power tests, he might not necessarily have an advantage.

Those geniuses from great families who were focused on from the moment they entered the Sect, or peers with special talents, have likely already pulled far ahead.

"Trial Assessment... what exactly will the content test?"

Chu Feng gently tapped his knuckles on the table, falling into deep thought.

"If it's still like the True Disciple assessment from before, I might still have a chance."

"But if this 'trial' is a real combat arena, Secret Realm survival, or hunting Yao Beasts—a mode that purely compares immediate combat power—then my situation will be quite passive."

Thinking of this...

Chu Feng's Divine Sense sank into the true disciple jade token once again.

With a slight thought, he activated the contact portion of the [Communication] function and sent a message to a familiar name.

Tang Yanrou—this Junior Sister had an extraordinary background, so perhaps she might know some early rumors about the Trial Assessment.

Not long after the message was sent, a reply came back.

After Chu Feng read it, Tang Yanrou's crisp voice, tinged with a hint of excitement, sounded in his ear:

"Senior Brother Chu, has your true disciple jade token finished updating?"

"Yes," Chu Feng replied.

"That's great!"

Tang Yanrou's response seemed very happy. "Senior Brother Chu, I just sent you a request for [Dao Exchange]. Please accept it."

"Then, if you push open the door for [Dao Exchange], you'll be able to see me. It's more convenient to talk this way."

Chu Feng followed her instructions, found the application sent by Tang Yanrou in the [Communication] area, and confirmed his acceptance.

Immediately, on the wall of the narrow room, a third door slowly took shape amidst a glow of spiritual light, with the word "Exchange" appearing on the door.

He pushed the door open and entered.

The space behind the door was like the phantom of an elegant and quiet tea room, filled with misty Spiritual Qi.

Chu Feng's gaze immediately fell upon the graceful figure standing opposite him.

It was indeed Tang Yanrou.

Meeting again, she seemed to have matured a bit.

"Haven't seen you for many days; Junior Sister Tang has become even more beautiful," Chu Feng said with a smile.

As he spoke, his eyes rested on Tang Yanrou's elegant and serene face.

Her fair skin had a faint pink glow, like fine mutton-fat jade stained by the dawn, so tender it looked as if it could be bruised by a touch.

Her almond eyes flickered with life, her eyelashes long and thick, trembling like butterfly wings when she blinked. Her gaze held both the charm of a young girl and the wisdom of a cultivator.

Being praised by Chu Feng like this, two patches of rosy blush immediately rose to Tang Yanrou's cheeks, like white jade dyed with rouge, adding a bit more loveliness.

She lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Thank you for the praise, Senior Brother Chu."

While speaking, she subconsciously straightened her posture, her back upright and her hands folded over her knees.

This movement caused her dress to naturally cling to her body, making her curves even more pronounced.

Truly a "Big D" figure indeed!

"Junior Sister Tang."

Chu Feng composed himself and got straight to the point. "The new changes to the true disciple jade token are truly significant."

"Do you know when this Trial Assessment space will open?"

Tang Yanrou said softly upon hearing this, "I'm not sure either. However, I heard Revered Master mention a few days ago that it seems to need a few more days of preparation. The specific date hasn't been set yet."

Chu Feng nodded and asked again, "Then does Junior Sister know the content of the Trial Assessment? If I can understand a thing or two in advance, I can better prepare."

Tang Yanrou shook her head. "I don't know the specific content either."

"Revered Master only said that this Trial Assessment is very different from previous ones. It's no longer a simple skill assessment or theoretical Q&A, but requires actual life-and-death combat."

"As for the details, I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the opening day to find out."

"Life-and-death combat?"

Chu Feng frowned slightly. "Inside the jade token, we are only Divine Sense bodies without magic power. How can we fight? Could it be that the jade token space has special rules?"

Tang Yanrou shook her head again, a flash of confusion also appearing in her eyes. "I've thought about this too, but Revered Master didn't elaborate. Perhaps the jade token has its own mysteries and can simulate a combat environment close to reality."

Seeing that he couldn't get any more information, Chu Feng stopped asking.

He smoothed his brow and smiled, "Since we'll know in a few days anyway, there's no need to be anxious right now."

"I just wonder what Junior Sister Tang thinks of the rankings?"

"I see that the hidden dragon ranking seems to be for True Disciples in the Foundation Establishment Stage and Golden Core Stage, while the ascending dragon ranking is for Earth-Grade True Disciples and above. The competition will likely be exceptionally fierce."

Tang Yanrou nodded in agreement. "Senior Brother Chu is right. Several of my Senior Brothers and sisters at Danbao Peak are also discussing this. It is said that the rankings this time are not only related to resource rewards but may also affect one's future status in the Sect. However—"

She changed the subject, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. "With Senior Brother Chu's talent in the Dao of Talismans, there should be great hope for you to charge up the hidden dragon ranking."

"Junior Sister flatters me!!"

The two of them went back and forth like this, chatting for about an hour.

They talked about everything from ranking rules to resource exchange, and from trial preparation to their respective recent cultivation progress.

The atmosphere within the exchange space was harmonious.

When they had chatted enough, Chu Feng stood up and cupped his hands. "Having this conversation with Junior Sister Tang today has been very fruitful. Since the trial is about to begin, I should head back and make some preparations."

Tang Yanrou also stood up and gave a graceful bow.

However, just as Chu Feng was about to leave, she suddenly spoke, her voice a bit softer than before: "Senior Brother Chu, please wait."

Chu Feng stopped and turned around.

He saw Tang Yanrou's fair little hands tightly clutching the corners of her skirt. A trace of nervousness flickered between her brows, and her lively eyes were now shimmering with a complex light, as if she were hesitating to speak.

"Is there anything else, Junior Sister Tang?" Chu Feng asked gently.

Tang Yanrou took a deep breath, seemingly gathering her courage, before saying softly, "With Senior Brother Chu's talent, it won't be difficult to make it onto the hidden dragon ranking."

"When that time comes, relying on the ranking rewards, you'll be able to continuously obtain contributions, and your path of cultivation will be even smoother... I wanted to ask, if that truly happens, would Senior Brother Chu still be willing to exchange cultivation insights with me like today?"

After asking this, her cheeks turned even redder, even her earlobes stained with a faint pink. Her gaze drifted, and she actually didn't dare to look Chu Feng in the eye.

Chu Feng was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood.

Tang Yanrou was worried that once he climbed the rankings and obtained resources, his horizons would broaden, and he would no longer be willing to associate with an "ordinary True Disciple" like her.

Such things were not uncommon in the cultivation world; some people would distance themselves from old acquaintances once they gained power.

Having realized this, Chu Feng felt amused. "Junior Sister Tang is overthinking it. Since we are True Disciples from the same batch, that is our fate."

"The path of cultivation is long; exchanging insights and sharing experiences is beneficial to both of us."

"No matter what the future holds, as long as Junior Sister Tang is willing, I am always welcome to an exchange."

Chu Feng added with a smile, "Now that the true disciple jade token's functions are even more powerful, Communication is much more convenient."

"If Junior Sister Tang encounters any problems, you can always ask me. Although I am not particularly talented, I have read a few books."

"Senior Brother Chu is too modest."

Tang Yanrou's tone became lighthearted, her eyes curving into crescents. "The same goes for you, Senior Brother. If there's anywhere Yanrou can be of use, I will certainly tell you everything I know."

"Although the paths of Alchemy and Talismans are different, the principles of cultivation are the same. Cross-referencing them might lead to unexpected gains."

The two smiled at each other and cupped their hands again.

"Well then, see you in the trial space."

"See you in the trial space."

As the words fell, the Divine Sense bodies of the two gradually faded away, leaving the Dao Exchange space.