66: Chapter 66 Fighting to the Death

"It's not just about giving it your all; you must risk your life."

"The Sect's upper echelons are currently focused on this ranking; every Peak Revered Master is watching."

"Anyone who can reach the top of the ranking, especially the top ten or top three, will definitely catch the attention of the Peak Revered Masters!"

Jiang Miaoyi was stunned for a moment: "Senior Brother, it's just the first ranking. Why would it attract so much attention? Even if Heaven-Grade resources are precious, it shouldn't be enough for Peak Revered Master-level powerhouses to..."

"I don't know."

Luo Feng interrupted, "But this is definite news I heard from Revered Master."

"The Sect's emphasis on this trial far exceeds any previous True Disciple assessment."

"Maybe the Sect wants to see the initial results of the 'reforms,' or maybe... there's a deeper purpose."

He paused, his tone growing heavier: "In short, you must tell True Disciple Chu not to hold back. Don't hide his abilities; use every skill he has."

"This is an Opportunity, a massive one! If he can make a splash, his future will be completely different."

Ending the transmission, Jiang Miaoyi held the jade token and remained silent for a long time.

She stood and walked to the window, looking toward Chu Feng's meditation chamber. After a moment's hesitation, she pushed the door and went out.

Outside Chu Feng's meditation chamber, she could feel the stable spiritual energy fluctuations; Chu Feng was Cultivating.

Jiang Miaoyi waited for about half an incense stick's time until the fluctuations slowed, then knocked gently.

"Come in," Chu Feng's voice came.

Pushing the door open, she saw Chu Feng had just finished a round of Qi circulation.

"Immortal Master Miaoyi? Is something the matter?" Chu Feng asked.

Jiang Miaoyi nodded, her expression serious: "I just received news. The Sect's upper echelons are placing extraordinary importance on this ranking; every Peak Revered Master is watching."

Chu Feng's eyes lit up: "The Peak Revered Masters are watching?"

"Yes."

Jiang Miaoyi looked directly at him, "So, in tomorrow's trial, you don't need to hold back or hide your abilities."

"Whatever means you have, use them. If you can break into the top rankings, especially the top ten or even top three of the hidden dragon ranking, you will enter the sight of the Sect's highest level."

"You should understand what that means."

Chu Feng took a deep breath and nodded heavily: "I understand."

"Also."

Jiang Miaoyi turned to the door. Before stepping out, with her back to Chu Feng, she said softly, "Don't forget our agreement. Top three of the hidden dragon ranking—I keep my word."

With that, she left, her silver-white dress tracing an elegant arc in the corridor.

Chu Feng watched her departing figure. After a long time, the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a smile.

He sat down cross-legged again and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow.

Trial Space.

hidden dragon ranking.

And—Jiang Miaoyi's agreement.

"Just you wait," Chu Feng murmured in his heart.

This night, many were destined to be sleepless.

For example, Chu Feng and his Dao Companions.

...

The next day.

8:00 PM.

The night was deep.

This should have been an ordinary night.

In Nanyun City, the market lights were still lit. Cultivators in small groups were either haggling at stalls or talking loudly in wine shops.

In the teahouse, the storyteller reached an exciting part, spitting as he spoke: "And so, that Sword Immortal came from the west, taking a head from a thousand miles away..."

Deep in the alleys, poor Loose Cultivators sat cross-legged, breathing in the thin Spiritual Qi, sweat beads on their foreheads, all for that imperceptible bit of progress.

In the alchemy room, the furnace fire blazed. A middle-aged alchemist focused intently on the cauldron, hand seals changing, the air filled with a complex scent of medicinal fragrance and scorching.

Behind the talisman shop counter, an old talisman Revered Master, by the light of a fluorite lamp, tremblingly lifted a Talisman Brush to draw lines on a blank talisman paper. The spiritual light at the tip flickered, clearly near the end of his power.

On the pleasure boats, the sound of music drifted. Cultivators spent gold to drink and find joy, trying to temporarily forget the hardships and uncertainty of the cultivation path in the tender land.

They didn't know—couldn't know—that on this seemingly ordinary night, the Duobao Sect, a top power spanning the Five Continents of the Desolate Realm, was facing an unprecedented reform.

All True Disciples, regardless of where they were or what they were doing, were now focusing their minds, waiting for 9:00 PM to arrive.

The Sect's upper echelons, Peak Revered Masters, and even some Grand Elders who had been in seclusion for years, all sent out a wisp of Divine Sense to monitor the true disciple jade tokens.

This was a major move by the Duobao Pavilion unseen for thousands of years, the beginning of the future layout.

And these Loose Cultivators struggling at the bottom, running around for a few pieces of silver and small Opportunities, were destined to have no connection to this wave.

Their world was like a chasm away from this high-and-mighty behemoth.

...

In the small courtyard.

Jiang Miaoyi stood quietly by the window, her silver-white dress fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

She didn't light a lamp, letting the cold moonlight fall on her shoulders, outlining a tall and lonely silhouette.

Her gaze crossed the courtyard, landing on the direction of Chu Feng's meditation chamber.

In Jiang Miaoyi's eyes, a complex and difficult-to-understand light flickered.

Logic told her that with Chu Feng's current level of skill, wanting to break into the hidden dragon ranking was basically impossible.

The hidden dragon ranking was for True Disciples within fifty years.

Among them were many Geniuses who had studied the second volume of the scriptures.

No matter how high Chu Feng's talent was, the huge disadvantage in time couldn't be completely made up for by Comprehension Ability alone.

Furthermore, the trial content was unknown, combat experience was lacking, resource support was insufficient... various shortcomings stood before him like chasms.

But—

For some reason, there was always a faint expectation in the depths of Jiang Miaoyi's heart.

This expectation came mysteriously and without reason.

Perhaps she was infected by Chu Feng's almost blind confidence?

Perhaps it was the depth that occasionally flashed in those eyes, inconsistent with his age, that made her feel this youth was extraordinary?

Or perhaps, it was just the duty of a dao protector that made her instinctively hope the person she guarded could create a miracle?

"Chu Feng."

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice so low only she could hear, "What you lack is just time."

If there were enough time, if there were full support from Sect resources, if there were famous teachers giving guidance day and night...

With his Comprehension Ability and that drive, the top of the hidden dragon ranking, or even the ascending dragon ranking, might not be out of reach.

Unfortunately, there are no "ifs."

The reality is, the trial begins tomorrow, and it's too late for everything.

Jiang Miaoyi sighed softly, the moonlight casting a faint shadow on her long eyelashes.

"I can't help you with much."

She whispered to herself, "I am not proficient in the Dao of Talismans, combat experience cannot be rushed, and I cannot give you resource permissions... I can only use the method you like to give you a nudge."

Thinking of that "agreement," a very faint bitter smile appeared at the corners of Jiang Miaoyi's lips.

When did she also learn such tactics?

But if it could really make him push a bit harder and move up one more rank, even if he only reached the end of the hidden dragon ranking, it would be worth it.

As for the agreement itself—

Jiang Miaoyi shook her head, suppressing her stray thoughts.

The Physical Body is but a shell, beauty but bones; if he really could reach the top three, what's the harm in giving it to him?

But... is it possible?

She looked at the night sky; the stars were silent.