Sima Army had successfully established his Dantian Foundation. His Qi Vortex gained the ability to evolve on its own, marking his true entry into the Qi Sea Realm. His Sunrise Bloodline cultivation had borne fruit, evolving his bloodline to superior mid-grade and transforming his Dragon Elephant power into True Dragon Power. Just this morning, he had unlocked the fourth layer of his Dharma Aspect.

His power had, without anyone realizing it, reached Chu Lingguang’s level. In fact, thanks to his superior bloodline, he even showed signs of surpassing him.

Jin Huang had also established his Dantian Foundation and entered the Qi Sea Realm. Compared to Sima Army, the only difference was that he had not yet unlocked the fourth layer of his Dharma Aspect. His bloodline had also reached superior mid-grade, and his strength was rapidly approaching Chu Lingguang’s.

Next was Zhao Rushuang.

As a Commandery Princess, she had abundant resources and exceptional talent. After Chu Lingguang, she was the only female student to surpass A Class and achieve Heavenly Talent.

By now, she had not only successfully entered the Qi Sea Realm, but had also turned her Qi Vortex into a Small Vortex. Her bloodline had reached lower superior-grade, she had a four-layer Dharma Aspect, and she wielded True Dragon Power. The Qi Power flowing from her Dantian far surpassed that of Sima Army and Jin Huang. When her results were announced, she stunned everyone present. Even Yun Hong and Xu Zhongguo were completely astonished.

Next were Xia Tianzhong, Long Xin, Xu Kanghui, and Chu Lingguang.

Long Xin was at the Qi Sea Realm, with a Dantian Small Vortex, a four-layer Dharma Aspect, and True Dragon Power. His bloodline was also lower superior-grade. The true measure of his strength against Zhao Rushuang’s could only be determined through actual combat.

Xu Kanghui was also at the Qi Sea Realm, possessing a Dantian Small Vortex, a four-layer Dharma Aspect, True Dragon Power, and a lower superior-grade bloodline. His strength was on par with both Zhao Rushuang and Long Xin.

Xia Tianzhong was at the Qi Sea Realm, with a Dantian Large Vortex, a four-layer Dharma Aspect, and True Dragon Power. His bloodline was middle superior-grade, making his strength the greatest among all the students.

The three words "Dantian Large Vortex" took everyone’s breath away. Even Yun Hong wore a look of astonishment.

Although "Large Vortex" and "Small Vortex" differ by only one word, a massive gulf separated the two.

Only after a Qi Vortex becomes a Small Vortex, then a Large Vortex, and the Large Vortex evolves again can a Qi Sea be formed.

Once a Qi Sea is formed, it can store an immense amount of power. In battle, one’s Qi Power becomes inexhaustible, rendering them all but invincible.

And while a Large Vortex was not a Qi Sea...

It was already close. With just one more evolution, it could form a true Dantian Qi Sea.

No matter how small the capacity of that Qi Sea might be...

It was on a completely different level from a mere vortex.

Likewise, the difference between a Large Vortex and a Small Vortex was huge.

Xia Tianzhong’s strength had already reached the Mastery Level of the Qi Sea Realm. The next stage was Qi Sea Minor Achievement.

His superiority in strength over Zhao Rushuang and the others was self-evident.

A moment later, Chu Lingguang’s results were also announced.

Qi Sea Realm cultivation, Dantian Small Vortex, a four-layer Dharma Aspect, True Dragon Power, and a lower mid-grade bloodline—compared to most other students, these stats were still top-tier, even daunting.

But compared to Xia Tianzhong, Long Xin, and Xu Kanghui, there was a clear gap.

First, the difference in their Bloodline Levels was too great, which directly affected the strength of their True Dragon Power. A powerful enough bloodline could unleash extraordinary might from one’s True Dragon Power even without a Dharma Aspect.

What’s more, Chu Lingguang’s bloodline was only lower mid-grade, while Xia Tianzhong’s group of three—and even Zhao Rushuang—had all reached lower superior-grade. The difference was a full major rank.

This was especially true for Xia Tianzhong. With his Dantian Large Vortex, he was at the Mastery Level of the Qi Sea Realm and only a single step away from Qi Sea Minor Achievement. The gap between him and Chu Lingguang was even more pronounced.

Forming a Qi Vortex to build a Dantian Foundation was merely the Entry Level of the Qi Sea Realm. Advancing to a Small Vortex marked the Skilled Level. The Large Vortex was the Mastery Level, and only by evolving it into a Qi Sea could one truly reach Qi Sea Minor Achievement.

And now, Chu Lingguang’s Bloodline Level was not only lower than that of Xia Tianzhong’s group and Zhao Rushuang, but it was also weaker than Sima Army’s and Jin Huang’s.

The power within his Dantian was also far inferior to Xia Tianzhong’s.

Even among those with a Small Vortex, his strength was likely no match for Zhao Rushuang, Long Xin, or Xu Kanghui.

In the past twenty days, he had focused all his time and attention on improving his Spiritual Sense, which had caused him to be surpassed by the others.

In the end, Chu Lingguang lost access to the cultivation resources for Heavenly Talent and was demoted from Heavenly Rank to A Class.

This outcome left everyone sighing with dismay.

Even Yun Hong frowned, wondering if it had been a mistake to let Chu Lingguang shift his focus. Poisonous Snake and Xu Zhongguo could only shake their heads and sigh.

Although Chu Lingguang’s demotion from Heavenly to A-grade Talent didn’t remove him from the candidate shortlist, there were only ten days left. The gap between him and Xia Tianzhong’s group was so vast that it seemed impossible for him to stand out and become the final choice.

It wasn’t that Poisonous Snake and Xu Zhongguo had a problem with the top candidate being chosen from Xia Tianzhong’s group; rather, they deeply regretted seeing a promising talent like Chu Lingguang stray onto the wrong path.

However, despite being demoted from Heavenly Rank to A Class, Chu Lingguang felt no burden or sense of loss.

Only he himself knew how much he had changed during this time.

Whether his Dantian Qi Sea formed or not was irrelevant.

His Heart Guarding Skill was about to ascend to a new level.

Chu Lingguang knew that, regardless of success or failure, the moment he charged the Dragon Claw Tree again, he would have already overcome that shadow. His cultivation path would no longer be so easily plagued by a Heart Demon, and he would be able to go much further in the future.

And now, the time had come to face that shadow.

As soon as the assessment ended and the results were announced, Chu Lingguang picked up his Lightning Spear and headed for the rear mountain.

"Why is he heading to the rear mountain again?"