Chapter 49 - 21: Excellent Rating: Success

Chapter 49: Chapter 21: Excellent Rating: Success

"I did it!"

The moment his Dantian opened and the Spirit Core was formed, even with Jiang Xuan’s Heart Nature, he felt the urge to cry. The immense weight that had been pressing on his shoulders for days was suddenly lifted.

He exhaled a long, turbid breath.

For the first time, Jiang Xuan had a moment to spare to look at the fellow students cultivating beside him and take in the mountain scenery of the training grounds.

As he looked around, he saw that most of the students in the back rows were either quietly recovering their strength or silently meditating. Very few of them actually looked anxious or worried about their gains and losses.

A moment’s thought was all it took for him to understand. Most of the scholars from the Lower Classes with mediocre Spirit Root Talent were self-aware enough to know they had no chance of receiving an "Excellent" or "Fine" rating. With no extravagant hopes, they naturally wouldn’t feel the disappointment of failure.

These students, who cultivated diligently in silence, made up the vast majority of the class. However, there were also some more resourceful individuals who gathered around the Noble Family’s Descendants in the front rows, hoping to serve them in exchange for a few Cultivation resources.

There was no right or wrong in such a choice. In fact, by attaching themselves to these families, their future paths might end up being broader and longer than those of the ordinary students who simply buried their heads in hard Cultivation.

’Unfortunately, the values I developed in my past life make it impossible for me to do the same. But that’s fine—I don’t need to!’

The Lower Dantian Primordial Sea, three inches below his navel, was slowly expanding and contracting in resonance with his Breathing and the acupoints all over his body. This newly formed Primordial Sea was like a root anchoring itself in his Divine Soul, giving him an unprecedented sense of stability and peace.

And it brought him more than just comfort for his Heart Spirit; it brought him true power that transcended the mundane.

He exhaled...

With each breath, his acupoints drew in Spiritual Qi to nourish the Primordial Sea. As long as this Primordial Sea did not run dry, he could maintain abundant vitality and stamina. Moreover, with a single thought, he could activate the Power of the Primordial Sea, causing his Flesh Body’s strength to surge instantly.

This tangible power, held firmly in his grasp, bolstered Jiang Xuan’s confidence and gave rise to a new self-assurance.

Now, as he looked up again toward the front of the training grounds at the lavishly dressed Noble Family’s Descendants surrounded by admirers, the gloom in Jiang Xuan’s eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a faint, composed smile.

’Now, I can finally say that I’m standing on the same starting line as you.’

’No, that’s not right. At least seventy percent of you haven’t even opened thirty-six acupoints. As things stand, the vast majority of you are already beneath me!’

BZZZZ—

Just as Jiang Xuan was brimming with high spirits, the Sword of the Spirit deep within his Sea of Consciousness suddenly let out a clear, crisp chime, like the buzzing of a cicada’s wings.

After the chime, the sword light that Jiang Xuan had been tempering with his Power of Heart Soul grew even more brilliant and solid, its sharp aura intensifying.

At the same time, the game panel’s notification sound chimed clearly in Jiang Xuan’s ears:

[You have swept away the dust in your Heart, making your Heart Soul a little brighter. Your Soul Spirit Power has been slightly enhanced. Your Sword of the Spirit has become more condensed.]

[Sword of the Spirit EXP +339]

[Clear Heart Swordsman Class EXP +402]

[Your Clear Heart Swordsman Level has increased. Level: 2/5 (11/6000)]

[Your Sword of the Spirit has been promoted. Current Rank: Second Realm: Proficient (17/3000)]

"...I didn’t expect this kind of reward."

His boost in confidence had actually triggered an advancement for both his Clear Heart Swordsman class and his Sword of the Spirit. This was completely unexpected for Jiang Xuan. But on second thought, it seemed perfectly reasonable.

’In the Cultivation Realm, Sword Cultivators have always been the ones who value Sword Heart and Sword Intent the most. The way of the Sword Cultivator is about being free and unrestrained, sharp and decisive, understanding one’s true Heart and nature, and being unfettered... A true Sword Cultivator would never be a gloomy, timid person, let alone one whose mind is full of petty schemes.’

’The world’s impression of Sword Cultivators has never been wrong. Only a sincere Heart, one that fears neither Heaven nor Earth and dares to draw its sword against the strong, can nurture a Sword Cultivator who is truly unrivaled... So that’s how it is. If I want to progress quickly on the path of a Clear Heart Swordsman, I must always be in harmony with this Sword Heart?’

Thinking this, the corners of Jiang Xuan’s mouth lifted slightly. "That... suits me just fine."

...

Pondering the future path of a Clear Heart Swordsman took some of Jiang Xuan’s time.

But soon, he no longer had the mind to dwell on it.

After taking a few more deep breaths to confirm that his Lower Dantian Primordial Sea was stable, Jiang Xuan immediately stood up and walked toward the instructor, Song Zhou, who was seated at the front of the training grounds.

It wasn’t yet time for Cultivation. Because of their earlier exchange, Dong Hao had been paying close attention to Jiang Xuan. When he saw Jiang Xuan stand up and walk straight to the front, Dong Hao’s heart skipped a beat as a thought exploded in his mind.

’Could it be... he succeeded?!’

At this thought, Dong Hao could no longer remain seated. He shot to his feet and strode forward to meet him, his excitement impossible to hide.

"Brother Jiang, y-you succeeded?"

"Yes."

Jiang Xuan’s reply was calm, but that single word made Dong Hao’s joy impossible to contain.

"Great! Great! Great!"

He burst into hearty, unrestrained laughter, drawing the attention of many people around them. But he didn’t care in the slightest, focused only on praising Jiang Xuan. "I knew it! Brother Jiang, I knew you were no ordinary person!"

His excited words drew even more attention.

Seeing that it was Dong Hao speaking, and that he was fawning over Jiang Xuan, who came from the Lower Classes, many of the Noble Family’s Descendants showed looks of contempt and disdain. Some even subconsciously distanced themselves from Dong Hao.

"How shameful."

"A merchant is a merchant, after all. Not a shred of a Noble Family’s bearing."

"Let’s stay away from Dong Hao from now on. Being seen with someone like him will just lower our status."

Dong Hao clearly heard the surrounding whispers and saw the strange looks, but he didn’t care in the least.