63: Chapter 63 The Advice of the Wondrous Lady in Feathers
Nanyun Second Ring East Street, Courtyard No. 23.
Chu Feng opened his eyes in the quiet room, the light from the true disciple jade token in his hand slowly fading.
He recalled his conversation with Tang Yanrou just now, and a smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of his mouth.
A moment later, he stood up and walked toward the quiet room where Jiang Miaoyi was.
Before knocking, Chu Feng straightened his robes.
"Come in."
A cold voice drifted out from the room.
Chu Feng pushed the door open and entered.
Jiang Miaoyi was sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, her eyes slightly closed. Her silver-white dress spread out like flowing water, making her posture look as upright as a pine tree.
"Immortal Master Miaoyi," Chu Feng said, cupping his fists.
Jiang Miaoyi opened her eyes, which were as clear as a cold pool, and her gaze fell upon Chu Feng. "The true disciple jade token has been updated? Sit down and tell me, what are the new changes?"
Chu Feng sat down on the opposite prayer mat and recounted the changes to the true disciple jade token in detail.
This included the establishment of the ascending dragon ranking and hidden dragon ranking, various treasure and resource rewards, and the trial assessment space that was about to open.
Even though Jiang Miaoyi was mentally prepared, her heroic and spirited face still couldn't hide her shock after hearing these specific details.
Her brows furrowed slightly, clearly processing this information rapidly.
However, Jiang Miaoyi was experienced and knowledgeable after all, and she quickly regained her composure.
She pondered for a moment before speaking, "Heaven-Grade treasures and resources... In the Duobao Sect, such resources are incredibly precious. Usually, only those with the status and authority of a Heaven-Grade True Disciple or a Peak Revered Master are qualified to exchange for them."
"Now the Sect is actually opening them up for competition among all True Disciples; this is a massive undertaking."
She looked up at Chu Feng, her gaze sharp. "This means two things: first, the Sect values True Disciples far more than before."
"Second, the upcoming competition will be exceptionally brutal. Treasures stir the heart; for these resources, those who have been hiding their strength or in secluded cultivation will likely all come out."
Chu Feng nodded. "You think so too, Immortal Master? I looked at the reward list, and it is indeed enticing. However..."
He gave a bitter laugh. "The ascending dragon ranking is open to all True Disciples, including many Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters at Golden Core Perfection or even the Nascent Soul Stage. With my meager cultivation, I'm afraid I won't even get close."
"Having self-awareness is a good thing."
Jiang Miaoyi's expression became unusually solemn, her brows knitting together as if she were weighing something. "However, with your talent in the Dao of Talismans, there is hope for the hidden dragon ranking."
"The Sect dividing the rankings into Ascending Dragon and Hidden Dragon clearly takes cultivation gaps into account. The hidden dragon ranking is most likely for True Disciples at the Foundation Establishment and Early Stage Golden Core."
She paused and continued, "Therefore, in the coming period, you must set aside at least three shichen every day specifically to improve your mastery of the Beast Spirit Talisman."
"Combat in the Dao of Talismans is different from crafting; it requires instantaneous activation and precise control, all of which need extensive practice."
Chu Feng listened intently, calculating in his mind.
The Beast Spirit Talisman is the core Talisman of the Heavenly Talisman Scripture. It can condense Talisman Beasts to assist in battle, possessing great power but complex control.
He had only possessed this Legacy for a short time and indeed needed to catch up.
"It's a pity True Monarch Haori returned to the Sect."
Jiang Miaoyi sighed softly. "Otherwise, with his personal guidance and your Comprehension Ability in the Dao of Talismans, you would surely be able to use it as easily as your own limbs in a short time. The True Monarch's attainments in the Heavenly Talisman Scripture are extremely high."
Chu Feng smiled nonchalantly. "Immortal Master Miaoyi, although True Monarch Haori has left, I haven't finished studying the Jade Slips he left behind. They contain many insights on the use of the Beast Spirit Talisman..."
"That's not the same."
Jiang Miaoyi shook her head and interrupted, "Jade Slips are dead, but people are alive. Many crucial points in cultivation are difficult to describe fully in writing; you need someone by your side to observe and correct you."
"Especially a skill like the Dao of Talismans, which emphasizes the combination of 'intent' and 'form'—a tiny error can lead to a massive discrepancy."
Chu Feng did not argue.
He knew Jiang Miaoyi was right. Although True Monarch Haori wasn't his formal Revered Master, the guidance from that period had benefited him greatly.
The True Monarch could often spot his subtle errors during practice at a glance and clear up his confusion with just a few words. Such an effect was indeed incomparable to Jade Slips.
Jiang Miaoyi looked at Chu Feng and continued her analysis, "You are a newly promoted True Disciple and haven't been to the Sect headquarters yet."
"This means many auxiliary cultivation resources, especially those special items that help in comprehending Talisman scriptures—such as 'Dao Enlightenment Tea,' 'Clear Spirit Incense,' 'Talisman Intent Stones,' and so on—are unavailable to you."
"Furthermore, you've been in contact with the Heavenly Talisman Scripture for a very short time, less than a year in total."
"Meanwhile, most competitors on the hidden dragon ranking have studied their Legacies for decades. By the time the trial assessment space opens, it will be difficult for you to catch up with their accumulation in a short period."
Her tone grew increasingly serious. "The most critical point is that the rankings settle rewards every half year. A step ahead now is a step ahead always."
"If you cannot make it onto the ranking in the Early Stage, once the rewards are distributed in six months, those on the list will use those resources to accelerate their cultivation, and the gap between you and them will only widen. Therefore—"
She spoke each word deliberately, "The ranking push in the first half-year is crucial. It determines whether you can keep up with the top tier."
A brief silence fell over the quiet room.
Chu Feng could feel the weight in Jiang Miaoyi's words; this dao protector was truly planning for his sake.
After a long while.
Chu Feng took a deep breath, a confident smile appearing on his face. "You're right, Immortal Master. The situation is indeed grim."
"But even without a Heaven Talisman Master's personal guidance, even with a lack of resources and limited time, I, Chu, still believe I can charge onto the hidden dragon ranking."
"Cultivation in the Dao of Talismans emphasizes Comprehension Ability, and if there's one thing I'm confident in, it's my Comprehension Ability."
This wasn't blind arrogance.
It was the confidence bestowed by the System.
"Confidence is a good thing."
Jiang Miaoyi nodded slightly, but then her tone shifted. "However, it must be supported by practical action. From now on, I suggest you... try to reduce your carnal pleasures. While Dual Cultivation is beneficial for cultivation, overindulgence will inevitably distract the mind."
As she spoke, her eyes fixed directly on Chu Feng, her voice heavy with earnest advice. "The trials are imminent; every bit of energy must be used where it counts. Neglect your Dao Companions for a while; they will understand."
Hearing this, a look of helplessness appeared on Chu Feng's face.
Charging up the rankings was certainly important, but Dual Cultivation with his Dao Companions was his very foundation!
This wasn't a simple matter of desire, but a genuine path of cultivation.
The sooner the System reached Level 5, the greater its utility would be for him.
Chu Feng knew very well which was more important.
He took a deep breath and cupped his hands. "I am grateful for Immortal Master Miaoyi's kind advice. However, I'm afraid this request is difficult to..."
"If you can do it,"
Jiang Miaoyi suddenly spoke, her voice calm and rippleless. "I can grant you one request."
Chu Feng was a bit dazed.
He never imagined that Jiang Miaoyi would say such a thing.
That was Jiang Miaoyi!
An Inner Sect Disciple of Duobao Peak at Golden Core Great Perfection.
A powerful combat cultivator who rarely met her match at the Golden Core level, destined to become a Nascent Soul powerhouse in the future.
Despite how he often couldn't help stealing a few glances at her, he knew very well in his heart—how could someone like her be someone he could covet?
Yet now, Jiang Miaoyi had actually taken the initiative to offer...