The Angel Ye Zixu from the Central Celestial Dynasty presented the Potential Stone, which shimmered with a transparent hue.

“This object is the Stone of Potential, a unique spiritual artifact of our Central Celestial Dynasty, born from the spiritual essence of Heaven and Earth, coalesced from the quintessence of the Four Symbols. It is a spiritual artifact held by our Central Celestial Dynasty, akin to a relic of the Heavenly Court. This is a Seventh-Rank Potential Stone. Upon channeling one's vital energy into it, it will emit colors ranging from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, to purple, depending on individual potential. Red signifies the lowest potential, with subsequent colors indicating higher aptitude, purple being the absolute peak.”, “Naturally, within our Central Celestial Dynasty, we also possess Eighth-Rank and Ninth-Rank Potential Stones. The Eighth-Rank Stone displays all seven colors simultaneously, while the Ninth-Rank manifests the Color of Heaven itself. However, an Eighth-Rank Stone, where all seven colors manifest at once, is only achievable by the absolute zenith of geniuses within our Central Celestial Dynasty. As for the Ninth-Rank’s Color of Heaven, that is a hue exclusive only to the Seven Sons of Destiny, and it is utterly impossible to appear in these minor locales,” the Central Celestial Dynasty Angel Ye Zixu stated plainly, not out of boastfulness, but simply relaying facts.

The sheer might of the Central Celestial Dynasty instilled in him an absolute psychological advantage when facing any nation other than his own.

The Seventh-Rank Potential Stone was more than sufficient for this setting.

Ye Zixu spoke with an air of casual authority, yet imbued with undeniable majesty: “Simply place your hand upon this Stone of Potential and channel your vital energy into it.” The first to step forward was Yu Qingzhou, the second of the Seven Sages of Wudang from the Wudang Immortal Sect. This Yu Qingzhou had hair and beard completely white, giving him the appearance of a kindly elder.

Yu Qingzhou placed his hand upon the Stone of Potential and channeled the pure Yang vital energy of Wudang. Immediately, a blue radiance flashed forth, dazzling the eye. An angelic assistant beside Ye Zixu swiftly inscribed the four characters: “Fifth-Rank Potential.” Yu Qingzhou, himself a renowned genius in his prime, achieving Fifth-Rank potential was considered quite respectable.

Yu Qingzhou smiled faintly upon seeing Fifth-Rank Potential. He had long known of the existence of the Potential Stone through his Senior Brother, Song Qingqiao, an artifact that could measure one’s innate potential. The Central Celestial Dynasty’s eternal, unbroken reign was, in no small part, attributable to the presence of this very Stone of Potential.

One must never underestimate such a seemingly simple artifact as the Potential Stone.

In the Central Celestial Dynasty, any individual exhibiting Sixth-Rank potential or higher is invariably gathered up by the major sects, with virtually no exceptions.

Those showing Fourth or Fifth-Rank potential can also be enrolled by the minor sects, with few falling through the cracks.

Under such a rigorous system, every genius is granted sufficient opportunity for development. How could the Central Celestial Dynasty not flourish, remaining eternally supreme, anchoring the very center of the mortal realm and establishing a terrestrial Heavenly Court?

Returning to the present, when Senior Brother Song Qingqiao was tested and revealed Sixth-Rank potential, Yu Qingzhou had long desired to try for himself. Unfortunately, this Potential Stone was exclusive to the Central Celestial Dynasty, unavailable elsewhere. Having this rare opportunity now, seeing his result as Fifth-Rank, he noted his potential lagged one tier behind his Senior Brother, which seemed appropriate enough, considering his Senior Brother had already attained the realm of Grandmaster, far surpassing him.

Next up was Yu Qingdai, the seventh of the Wudang Sages. Yu Qingdai presented as a middle-aged man with a short, dark beard. Upon inputting his vital energy, a green radiance immediately flashed out. The angelic assistant next to Ye Zixu immediately wrote down the four characters: “Fifth-Rank Potential.”

The Wudang Sages followed one by one, all registering in the Fourth or Fifth-Rank range—no significant disparity. Every one of them was a figure who had reached the Great Dao Realm; each was born a genius and now commanded the hegemony of the Jin State. Their potential naturally could not be poor; those with truly weak potential could never ascend to the Great Dao Realm.

If these were ordinary core disciples testing, one would expect a tidal wave of Second or Third-Rank potential readings, and for ordinary outer disciples, even First-Rank potential would likely be the common result.

The Wudang Immortal Sect finished their measurements, and the next group waiting was from the Kunlun Immortal Sect. The Kunlun contingent stepped forward naturally. They invoked their treasures, their display exhibiting a more imposing aura than Wudang’s, yet the results were largely similar: most read Fourth or Fifth-Rank potential. However, there was one anomaly among the Great Dao Realm cultivators of Kunlun: one registered as Third-Rank potential, emitting a yellow glow.

It was indeed rare for someone with only Third-Rank potential to reach the Great Dao Realm.

Once Kunlun concluded, it was the turn of the Qingcheng and Nanhai Immortal Sects. These two sects produced no surprises; results were clustered around Fourth and Fifth-Rank potential, manifesting mostly in green and blue glows, with no exceptions.

They were all once geniuses and current regional overlords; naturally, their capabilities were comparable.

However, among the figures from the mid-tier Immortal Sects, some unexpected readings appeared. Take Gongyang Ci, the Sect Master of the mid-tier Qingyao Immortal Sect, whose test only emitted an orange light, signifying a Second-Rank potential. For someone of Second-Rank potential to reach the Great Dao Realm was no mean feat. Yet, upon closer inspection, it became clear that Gongyang Ci’s ascent was deeply tied to his sect’s specialization. The Qingyao Immortal Sect was not renowned for combat prowess; they specialized in elixirs—Qingyao, Qingyao—a sect that largely relied on alchemical aids to reach its current standing.

Such an individual, with lackluster inherent potential, and hailing from a lineage steeped in alchemy, likely possessed limited combat skill.

The assembled Great Dao Realm cultivators began assessing internally. In terms of actual combat strength, those likely to be at the bottom of the current gathering would be Gongyang Ci of the Qingyao Immortal Sect, and Lu Yuan, who had only recently attained the Great Dao Realm. Lu Yuan, being newly ascended, lacked familiarity with Great Dao Realm combat methodologies and had no deep foundation in that realm; he likely wouldn’t be particularly strong. These two, it was surmised, were not formidable contenders this time, and their probability of early elimination was quite high.

Among the independent rogue cultivators (Sanxiu), another singular talent was discovered.

Fang Sanwen, known scornfully as ‘The Hundred Families Reject,’ was a distinct oddity in the Jin State's cultivation world. Rumor had it that when he sought apprenticeship in his youth, no immortal sect would accept him, earning him his infamous moniker. Later, he stumbled upon a fortuitous encounter, obtaining an ancient treasure, which allowed him to completely reverse his fortunes.

This 'Hundred Families Reject' Fang Sanwen also possessed Second-Rank potential. However, his ability to reach the Great Dao Realm with such an inherent limitation was not solely due to the legacy treasure. Fang Sanwen possessed an incredibly formidable willpower. While a normal person might practice diligently for six hours a day, Fang Sanwen consistently cultivated for ten hours out of the twelve available hours in a day, leaving only two for sleep, eating, and rest—earning him the title of the most diligent cultivator in the Jin State.

Reaching the Great Dao Realm with only Second-Rank potential was certainly no easy journey.

Finally, it was time for Mount Hua, the premier Immortal Sect of Jin State, whose arrival was the climax.

The first to step up was the Venerable Yuanyang, the Master of the Eastern Peak, already possessing an established, magnificent aura as he strode onto the platform. He placed his hand on the Stone of Potential and channeled his energy. A blue light emanated from the stone. Venerable Yuanyang looked somewhat disappointed—Fifth-Rank potential? He had held aspirations that if he tested as Sixth-Rank, his prestige would increase, and upon solidifying his strength, he might even contest for the position of Mount Hua’s Sect Master after Chu Duan’s departure. As the Eastern Peak Master, he had long coveted the succession.

The Venerables Lieyang, Huifeng, Zixia, and Yuzhen followed, testing themselves with the Stone of Potential. With the exception of Venerable Yuzhen, who measured Fourth-Rank, the other three all registered Fifth-Rank potential, prompting a cheer from the crowd—Mount Hua Immortal Sect truly housed numerous masters.

At last, it was time for the final person.

Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan was generally viewed with skepticism, being only at the first heaven of the Great Dao Realm—still quite green. Yet, his renown was immense, and all eyes turned toward him.

Lu Yuan felt a slight tension, knowing his turn had finally arrived. He took a deep breath, reminding himself there was no need to be nervous, as he had already declared he shouldn't care too much about these things.

Lu Yuan approached, placing his hand on the Stone of Potential and injecting his vital energy.

This... a purple radiance.

Seventh-Rank!

Impossible! Seventh-Rank! Almost everyone present rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Among all these assembled masters of the Great Dao Realm, men who were once geniuses and now regional hegemons, almost all were merely Fourth or Fifth-Rank potential. Not a single one had reached Sixth-Rank, which was already considered extraordinary.

And now, Lu Yuan was Seventh-Rank potential!

Seventh-Rank potential! Seventh-Rank! A full seven ranks!

Chu Duan and Song Qingqiao exchanged a glance. Both had undergone this very assessment in the Central Celestial Dynasty in the past, and both had registered Sixth-Rank potential. To see Lu Yuan achieve Seventh-Rank astounded even these two Grandmasters. If they, having reached the Grandmaster stage, were here, did this mean Lu Yuan held the potential to challenge the Chaos Cave Realm in the future?

The Chaos Cave Realm—a place where one forms their own miniature world, a separate domain, far surpassing the Great Dao Realm’s method of merely drawing upon the power of heaven and earth.

And Ye Zixu, the Angel from the Central Celestial Dynasty, who had hitherto appeared indifferent, his eyes slightly narrowed, now involuntarily opened them in surprise. As a distinguished Angel of the Central Celestial Dynasty, he held little regard for mere Fourth or Fifth-Rank potentials; the Central Celestial Dynasty possessed countless individuals of such caliber. For a Supreme Immortal Sect to produce someone of Seventh-Rank potential was unheard of; such individuals usually only emerged from Giant Immortal Sects, skipping the intermediate tier of Large Immortal Sects entirely.

Furthermore, Ye Zixu observed the intensity of the purple light generated by Lu Yuan’s infusion, which represented something specific.

Something that even Ye Zixu himself found difficult to comprehend.