The Qi Vortex in his Sea of Consciousness resonated with his Spiritual Sense Fluctuations. Chu Lingguang saw that each fluctuation was a rhombus-shaped fragment. He had gained the ability to control these fragments, assembling them into a complete, circular screen of light that firmly enveloped him.

He could even form a Rhombus Escape Armor to shield the spot between his eyebrows.

He now had the ability to give his Spiritual Sense defensive and Attack Power. However, the strength of his Spiritual Power was inextricably linked to the power converted from his Dantian Qi Vortex.

So, even though he had enabled his Spiritual Sense to form a defense, Chu Lingguang was not yet in a hurry to go to the back mountain and chop down the Dragon Claw Tree.

’This will be my last attempt. Failure is not an option!’

He had to cut down a Dragon Claw Branch, but more importantly, he had to ensure his own safety. Therefore, in the training that followed, Chu Lingguang focused all his attention on improving his Spiritual Defense.

He seemed to forget all about becoming the top candidate. Only one thought remained in his mind: ’I must make my Spiritual Defense even stronger.’

He memorized Yun Hong’s notes until he knew them by heart. With the help of the Zhenyuan Technique, his Dantian Qi Vortex began strengthening on its own. Under his control, streams of power flowed into his Spiritual Network, causing the resulting Spiritual Sense Fluctuations to increase in frequency and expand in range.

Eventually, even the rhombus-shaped fragments became increasingly clear in his perception.

’The diffusion range of the fluctuations represents the area my Spiritual Sense can cover. Right now, my primary goal isn’t to cover a larger area, but to give my Spiritual Sense stronger defensive power. Can I shrink the range, reinforce the Rhombus Escape Armor, and make my defenses skyrocket?’

’Teacher Yun Hong’s notes say this method is viable.’

’They all release fluctuations. The Dragon Claw Tree’s can form a Consciousness Attack, while the stone tablet’s create pressure. If I stand before the tablet and use my own Spiritual Sense Fluctuations to resist it, could I not only lessen the pressure on me but also strengthen my Spiritual Sense through the confrontation? At the very least, I should be able to form a more perfect Spiritual Defense.’

Chu Lingguang muttered to himself.

He left the Learning Palace.

Chu Lingguang returned to the back mountain, stopping at the hundred-meter mark.

Countering the stone tablet’s fluctuations with his own Spiritual Sense was no small matter. Chu Lingguang had to proceed one step at a time. He worried that if he got too close, his Spiritual Sense would be instantly crushed.

At the hundred-meter mark, the pressure was merely double the norm, something Chu Lingguang had long since adapted to.

He released his Spiritual Sense.

HUMMM!

An invisible fluctuation spread out from his body in all directions. Chu Lingguang sensed that Xia Tianzhong and the other two, along with Zhao Rushuang, had appeared behind him.

Everything around him became clearer and more distinct than ever before. The slightest movements—even the trembling of a mosquito’s wings—became vividly clear as long as they were within his range of perception.

His awareness could now perceive the slightest detail, making everything As Clear as Daylight.

’So this is the fluctuation the stone tablet releases?’

Through his Spiritual Perception, Chu Lingguang saw that the fluctuations released by the stone tablet were composed of incredibly heavy fragments. When these fragments landed on a person, they created the pressure everyone felt.

The closer one got, the clearer and denser the fragments of the fluctuation became.

Beyond one hundred meters, the fragments faded completely, which was why no pressure could be felt outside that radius.

Under the cover of his Spiritual Sense,

Chu Lingguang also saw that when the pressure released from the tablet fell upon the soil and blades of grass, it seemed to pass straight through them.

But when it landed on people, it was like a series of invisible Palm Seals pressing down on their bodies.

It seemed that all sentient beings could clearly feel the pressure, while ordinary plants were completely unaffected.

HUMMM!

Chu Lingguang released a Spiritual Sense Fluctuation with an even greater frequency.

He let the rhombus-shaped fragments form a screen of light before him, then carefully observed the entire process of his Spiritual Sense Fluctuations colliding with those from the tablet.

The instant his Spiritual Sense formed a defense, Chu Lingguang felt his body lighten, as if more than half the pressure had been neutralized.

But only a moment later, the pressure returned.

The fragments of his projected Spiritual Sense Fluctuation had been instantly crushed by the Wave Power released from the stone tablet.

Fortunately, the tablet’s fluctuations didn’t attack his Sea of Consciousness. After his own Spiritual Sense Fluctuation collapsed, he could simply release another. As long as he had enough power, he could continue indefinitely.

He was here to strengthen his Spiritual Defense through confrontation.

This was to prevent his Spiritual Defense from being instantly crushed when he confronted the Dragon Claw Tree. Otherwise, if the tree’s Consciousness Attack managed to enter his Sea of Consciousness and shatter the Qi Vortex within, he could truly be turned into an imbecile, or even lose his life.

"What’s he up to today?"

Xia Tianzhong and the others walked over. Seeing Chu Lingguang standing at the hundred-meter mark with his eyes closed in meditation, they couldn’t figure out his intentions.

"Don’t mind him," Long Xin said. "He can do his own training, and we’ll do ours."

"Well said," Xu Kanghui nodded.

Xia Tianzhong said no more. The two of them walked toward the stone tablet, eventually stopping at the seventy-meter mark.

"Chu Lingguang, I’m going in too," Zhao Rushuang said softly.

"Okay," Chu Lingguang nodded slightly.

A moment later, Chu Lingguang took a step forward. The fluctuations he perceived from the tablet became even clearer and more intense. His own Spiritual Sense Fluctuation was still shattered on contact.

But Chu Lingguang wasn’t the least bit discouraged. He only hoped that amidst the repeated collapse of his Spiritual Sense Fluctuations, he could find the key to forging an even stronger Spiritual Defense.