This situation is quite helpless.
After downgrading and breaking through, they won't be stronger than those Transcendents who willingly gave up earlier just because they've cultivated for a few more years... A strong foundation leads to great power, and this principle is fully attested at the fourth order.
The Spirit Sea will continue to expand.
Those who advanced to the fourth order long ago possess a vast Spirit Sea and the complete power of a "Domain." Some geniuses among them have already pioneered a new path, developing a second ability of their Domain, achieving another leap in strength.
Even the weakest among them, having stayed at the fourth order for a long time, and after expanding their Spirit Sea to the limit, display strength far beyond those stuck at the third order, pursuing perfection but failing.
To pursue perfection, once successful, will yield rich returns.
But failure...
