64: Chapter 64 A Need

Although he knew Jiang Miaoyi's words were ninety-nine percent intended as motivation,

To make Chu Feng focus on his cultivation,

After Chu Feng came to his senses, his gaze still couldn't help but linger on Jiang Miaoyi for a few more moments.

The curves of her figure beneath the silver-white dress were simply a masterpiece of nature.

Though the rounded arcs of her chest were not as towering as those of Master Luoli, they were perfectly supple and shapely.

Combined with her tall and upright stature, it created a unique charm.

It possessed both the softness of a woman and the heroic spirit of a Combat Cultivator.

If such a near-perfect body...

Images involuntarily surfaced in Chu Feng's mind.

"The physical bodies of us Cultivators are merely external shells; beauties are but skeletons, fleeting in an instant."

Jiang Miaoyi's voice rang out in the meditation room, as cool as a spring, pulling Chu Feng back from his fantasies. "Only the Dao Heart is the foundation, the only vessel to the Great Dao of Longevity."

"If you can truly steady your Dao Heart, forsaking small desires to seek the Great Dao, then even letting you..."

Her voice was calm, yet every word was crystal clear.

Chu Feng, who was in the midst of his romantic fantasies, suddenly shuddered and snapped back to reality.

Although the image in his mind was extremely tempting, and although Jiang Miaoyi's grace was captivating...

Daily Dual Cultivation was his true fundamental Dao!

"I appreciate Revered Master Miaoyi's kind intentions. Cultivation is important, but intimacy is also vital—I want both the fish and the bear's paw. This is my Dao, and it will not change."

Jiang Miaoyi was quite surprised.

She had proposed that condition to motivate him using the 'method' Chu Feng liked most.

In her view, this 'Passionate' True Disciple's obsession with beauty had almost become a fixation.

Using beauty as bait should have been enough to make him temporarily focus and give his all to climb the ranking.

Yet Chu Feng's choice was unexpected.

He refused, and he refused so decisively.

Jiang Miaoyi's heroic eyes carefully scrutinized Chu Feng, as if trying to see something in his face.

After a long while, she gently shook her head: "Since you love the way of intimacy so much and regard it as the foundation of your cultivation, then let it be..."

Before she could finish,

Chu Feng suddenly changed his tone, a bright smile appearing on his face: "Revered Master Miaoyi, if I can make it onto the hidden dragon ranking, I wonder if the condition from just now—still stands?"

Jiang Miaoyi: "..."

She was momentarily speechless, a rare look of astonishment appearing on her heroic face.

This person was truly... should she call him greedy, or should she call him straightforward?

After a good while, Jiang Miaoyi took a deep breath, her tone returning to its cool state: "Chu Feng, you need to be clear—I am your dao protector. My duty is to protect your path of cultivation and help you deal with crises. I am not your Dao Companion, much less a candidate on your Dual Cultivation list."

She stood up, her silver-white dress fluttering without any wind. Although the aura of her Golden Core Great Perfection was not fully released, the temperature in the meditation room seemed to drop by several degrees.

"I proposed that condition hoping you would temporarily focus, concentrate on the Dao of Talismans, and charge up the ranking. Not so you would chase me as a reward."

As her voice fell, the entire meditation room seemed to be enveloped in an invisible chill.

Chu Feng shuddered, "Please forgive me, Revered Master Miaoyi! I was reckless and spoke without thinking. I beg for your forgiveness, Revered Master!"

After saying that, he didn't dare stay any longer and backed away toward the door of the meditation room, cursing himself in his heart: He was truly blinded by beauty. How could he lust after a Golden Core Great Perfection powerhouse like Jiang Miaoyi?

Although there was closeness between a dao protector and a True Disciple, the gap in status was right there. Those words just now were practically asking for death...

However, just as he retreated to the door and his hand touched the frame—

A faint voice transmission suddenly rang in his ear, entering his Sea of Consciousness directly:

"If you can truly break into the top three of the hidden dragon ranking... what was said before still stands."

Chu Feng's body stiffened, and he snapped his head up.

He saw that Jiang Miaoyi had already sat back down on the prayer mat, her eyes slightly closed as if nothing had happened.

But the corners of her lips seemed to twitch very slightly. Was that... helplessness? Or something else?

Then, an almost imperceptible sigh drifted through the meditation room:

"Chu Feng, remember what I said. The Physical Body is just an exterior; beauties eventually become skeletons. I hope you can realize this soon and not lead your own Dao path astray."

Chu Feng's eyes instantly lit up, like a lamp being lit in the dark night.

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and then gently pushed the door open to exit.

The moment the meditation room door closed, Jiang Miaoyi opened her eyes, looked at the closed door, and shook her head after a long time.

This 'Passionate' Talisman Revered Master truly loved this path and was already beyond saving.

But... if he could truly break into the top three of the hidden dragon ranking, what would that mean?

It would mean that Chu Feng's talent in the Dao of Talismans far exceeded her previous estimates.

It would mean he was qualified to become a seed that Duobao Pavilion would truly focus on nurturing.

It would mean—perhaps he really was worth her making a heavy investment.

As for that "condition"...

Jiang Miaoyi closed her eyes again and entered a deep meditative state.

The Physical Body was indeed just an exterior.

If Chu Feng could truly show enough value, what if she let him...?

...

Meanwhile, in the Central Continent, at the Duobao Sect.

Fubao Peak, Main Hall.

The Master of Fubao Peak sat cross-legged upon a cloud bed, surrounded by the flowing phantoms of ten thousand Talismans, each one containing profound Dao rhymes.

He looked down at the Personal Disciple bowing below him, a gentle smile on his face.

"Disciple, the true disciple jade tokens have been updated. The Trial Space will officially open tomorrow."

The man below had sharp features and eyes as resolute as iron; he was none other than Tang Aotian, the newly recruited Closed-door Disciple of Fubao Peak.

His expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, but a glint flashed in his eyes: "This Disciple is ready."

The Master of Fubao Peak nodded with satisfaction: "Currently, among the True Disciples within fifty years of entry, fewer than fifty have comprehended the second volume of the [Heavenly Talisman Scripture]."

"And since you have already successfully drawn the first Beast Spirit Talisman of the second volume, you will surely make it into the top fifty, or even challenge the top forty."

He paused, his tone full of expectation: "With your speed of comprehension regarding the scripture, I believe that in just a few years, you will be able to surpass other technical geniuses and reach the top of the hidden dragon ranking!"

"When that time comes, the Sect's resources will tilt toward you, and I will also strive to secure more opportunities for you."

Tang Aotian's expression was respectful: "This Disciple thanks Revered Master for his cultivation!"

"Furthermore."

The Master of Fubao Peak waved his sleeve, and a streak of light flew toward Tang Aotian. "I have already applied for three months of comprehension qualification in the 'Heavenly Talisman Pool' for you."

"The pool contains the condensed comprehension imprints of past sages of the Dao of Talismans. Cultivating there, your progress will be several times faster than usual. Make sure to seize this opportunity."

Tang Aotian caught the streak of light; it was a green token, warm to the touch and faintly emitting mysterious fluctuations.

He was excited inside but remained composed on the outside: "This Disciple will not fail Revered Master's high expectations!"

The Master of Fubao Peak nodded, his expression turning serious: "However, my Disciple, the hidden dragon ranking holds no difficulty for you; that is only the beginning."

"My true expectation for you is the ascending dragon ranking—that is the goal you should be aiming for."