Nyra's House,
When Ji Yun entered the hall, he saw both Yu Mengxi and Elder Nyra are getting ready by wearing noble and elegant clothes, with light make-up and perfect accessories. Even though he was wondering where they are going, he didn't ask them. Yu Mengxi and Nyra also noticed Ji Yun's arrival.
"Junior brother Ji Yun looks like you were busy, you haven't even visited Master Nyra for past 10 days". Yu Mengxi was clearly angry because her master treated him nicely and gave her precious notes but he didn't come and pay respects to Master Nyra. Ji Yun can clearly see where her anger was coming from, so he smilingly replied,
"Senior Sister Mengxi, I was fully engrossed in the senior Nyra's notes so I couldn't come and visit. Senior's notes improved my knowledge and understanding about the path of Array's. I need to solidify my theory knowledge about array even further, after that I am planning on facing the Array Student examination".
"Its good that you have a calm mind, passing the Array student examination is easy but if you didn't have solid theory knowledge about the arrays your future path will be restricted. Once you are prepared, tell me, I will lead you to the Array Association for your test", Elder Nyra told to Ji Yun.
"Elder Nyra, what is the purpose of this examination?".
"Examination is only held for your certification and identity. With your certification you can join Academy of different paths, there you will be eligible to enjoy a different kind of resources for your future practice of Array. Likewise, every step you improve, your resources will improve, that is the purpose of this test and also to keep track of how many Array masters are on the continent. The same applies to every path".
"Oh, Elder Nyra but what advantage Path Association and academy gain from this? they won't simply give free resources to everyone, right?". Ji Yun asked the important question, he also knows no one is a saint in the world to give free resources.
"You are sharp, they won't give free resources. There are various condition revolving around Path's Association if you are an Array student you can enjoy free resources, but you should reach Array master within the 4 years; otherwise, your qualification as Array student will be revoked and your privileges will be cut.
Once you are an Array Master, you have to produce either Formation flag or talisman every year according to your resources. Say, for example, if you get ten set of resources, you have to produce at least 5 Formation flag or talisman".
"Elder Nyra, I have some question regarding cultivation but seeing you guys are leaving somewhere and I too planned on visiting and watching the entrance examinations for new students, I will come back after some time". Ji Yun told to both of them.
"What a coincidence, We are also going to the entrance exam site for new students, You can join us. On the way, you can ask me about the questions you have regarding cultivation". Nyra replied.
Soon the three of them left the house, but what happened next was out of Ji Yun's expectation. When Elder Nyra came out of the house, she called the name 'White' two times, within 10 seconds a large shadow came towards their location. It was a flying bird at first Ji Yun couldn't describe its appearance but when it came near them he was completely dumbstruck by the appearance of the creature.
It was a white colored crane, size of at least 10 meters with long neck and leg capable of carrying at least 6-7 people in its back. He can even see a little crown in its head to display it might, the pressure which gave Ji Yun is that of a human looking at an ant. When elder Nyra went near it and rubbed its feather near the neck, it gave a long cry like its enjoying the touch, white crane bowed its head slightly and nudged elder Nyra by showing it affection.
With the wing as a medium, Elder Nyra easily climbed on its back and told to both of them, "Both of you, climb up".
Yu Mengxi easily climbed and gone near Nyra, but Ji Yun couldn't move his feet because this is his first time seeing the large creature. How am I supposed the climb its back, he looked at Nyra, "Elder Nyra, why don't you guys go by yourself, my feet are little numb, I think it needs some stretching. I will come by walking".
When both of them heard his word, they couldn't help to laugh. Elder Nyra looked at Ji Yun and said, "Ji Yun, don't be afraid. It won't do anything, come up".
Ji Yun mustering his courage, walked near the White crane while praying in his mind, 'Whitey don't do anything I will buy you a lot off delicacies later'. When he stepped on the crane's wing, it titled his head and looked at Ji Yun, Ji Yun couldn't help to have a tinge of fear, he was sure just its breath alone will take his life. Elder Nyra slowly stroked its back, like saying it to calm down.
Seeing his opportunity came, Ji Yun hurriedly climbed and gone near Nyra, only then he sighed with relief. Yu Mengxi watching this couldn't help to laugh out loud, seeing her laugh Ji Yun mouth couldn't help to twitch.
Elder Nyra, slightly patted the crane's back, then the crane jumped towards the sky. Within single leap it reached 10m distance, just the initial force is enough to knock both Ji Yun and Mengxi, but a kind of gentle force came from Elder Nyra and surrounded both of them from the wind force.
Within 3 minutes they reached the examination location for new students, Ji Yun can hear the loud noises coming from the surroundings. There are many people in the examination area with age ranging from 13 to 18.
When the surrounding people saw the White Crane, they were awe inspired by its size and the pressure it brought.
Instantly, the people in the surroundings began to discuss with each other about the crane. Then the three of them got down from the White cranes back, then it swiftly left. Ji Yun heard a loud noise coming from afar, then a figure appeared before them.
"Haha, What a rare occasion. Nyra, it's really rare to see you appear outside, are you also here to watch the examination. I also heard about your breakthrough, congratulations". Said a man who appeared before them.
"Thank You, Second Elder. I came to watch the examination, my disciple also wanted to watch the exam". Elder Nyra politely replied. Then the second elder looked at Mengxi and laughingly said,
"Child Mengxi, I haven't seen you around for a long time, I hope you are doing well". When he looked at Ji Yun, a curiosity appeared in his eyes,
"Nyra, I haven't seen this kid around, is he your new disciple?".
"No, he is Mengxi's friend and a good kid, He also joined our academy by my recommendation. I heard this time there are many students participating in this year examination". Nyra asked.
"Yes, usually there will be 20,000 – 30,000 kids will attend the examination, this time its 56,000 plus kids. But you know our rules, only 3000 are allowed to enter per year. OK, you can watch it from the elder's area". The second elder replied and left, he didn't even glance at Ji Yun, its understandable since he is the 2nd elder in the academy.
In Elders area, there are only 5-6 elders present, because they won't waste their time by coming and watching the newbies examination. Ji Yun also heard most of the elders select disciples by watching their performance in the yearly competition.
"Ji Yun, you wanted to know something regarding the cultivation, right. What is it?".
"Elder Nyra, I reached the peak of mortal ream stage 1, but I don't know whether my foundation is strong or not?", Ji Yun asked the question which was bothering him for a while.
"Actually its simple, once your chakra density reaches a certain level you can break through, but many people want to further solidify their foundation by increasing their physical level. So, once you reach a certain level you will feel your next level, once you get that feeling you can break through any time".
"In the Mortal realm, foundation means your physical body. If your physical level reaches a certain stage, you can break through without any worries until mortal realm stage 4. Because your elemental chakra can't withstand if your body is too weak, but after mortal realm stage 4, your physical body begins to absorb your elemental chakra by itself to further strengthen it. If you want to increase your cultivation after Mortal realm stage 4, you need to understand and comprehend your elemental nature". Elder Nyra patiently explained to Ji Yun.
Ji Yun now fully began to understand about the cultivation, since his physical body is already powerful he can break through any time he wants if he has sufficient chakra density.
"Ji Yun, there are many otherworldly things in this world, if you want to know about all that, you should have sufficient strength. You shouldn't only simply concentrate on chakra cultivation, you have to understand various paths, you have to learn about weapons because without weapons your strength will be greatly reduced. Like this, there are many different things in the world". Nyra explained to Ji Yun.
"I Understand, Elder Nyra". Ji Yun thoughtfully replied, at the time entrance examination also started.
'Welcome to every student who decided to attend the 'Golden Academy of talents' entrance examination. I hope everyone passes the examination and join here but we only have entry 3000 allocations for this year. Our motto is simple, we won't allow only geniuses to join the academy, everyone has the right to study and develop themselves in the world, but do everyone here have the sufficient determination and willpower, to study in our academy. The answer is in your hands.
"The first round examination will be testing your identity, age, physical strength, chakra root, and their elemental affinity.
Rule 1: Your Age should not exceed 18.
Rule 2: Your physical strength should be above 500kg.
Rule 3: Your chakra root's elemental affinity should be at least above common grade.
At the end of the process, we will check your understanding and comprehension level with a little test, everyone who passes it is eligible for next round".
"START THE EXAMINATION", Second elder explained rules to the new student and left towards his seat.
After his voice, 50 senior students came from the sides wearing uniform-like clothing with 'helpers' badge pinned to their chest. Everyone could deduce these students will be responsible for conducting the examination.
Soon, 50 some tables are neatly arranged in the ground, with two crystals placed in the top of the table. Under the instructions of senior students, all students neatly formed a line before every table. Soon the examination started, by checking everyone's age, identity, and their elemental affinities.
Here, who are all checked their table checking, come test your physical strength and hurry to last exam'. One of the senior students yelled at the crowd. Everyone who finished hurried to the last exam of the first round by forming a line.
Even Ji Yun didn't know what this last process of the first round was, he can only curiously look. But Yu Mengxi know about this process, seeing the curious look in Ji Yun's face, she took the initiate herself and explained to Ji Yun.
Junior brother Ji Yun, the last process is about testing one's understanding and their thinking capabilities, there will be an image puzzle and one will be given 10 secs to observe, they need to answer the puzzle and give an explanation, if their answer and explanation is satisfactory they will be eligible to next round. Hearing Yu Mengxi words, Ji Yun was astonished because it was like aptitude test in the earth.
After the first round ended more than half of the people are eliminated, now there are only 25,000 something people are in the second round. But Ji Yun was curious about the second round and how are going to select 3000 students from 25,000.