After the mountain-opening period, one could choose to graduate and travel and cultivate on their own, or enter the academy's advanced class to continue their studies.
With the strength of the great circle of Ascension, he probably entered the new student class just for a transition. The things that could really be learned were basically nothing other than the cultivation of the spiritual sense.
Of course, the Academy didn't allow students to register for the advanced class directly. Other than following the prescribed order, one would have to rely on special recommendations. However, the zone leader didn't have the ability to do so, unless it was the higher-ups of the Academy or someone from the mystic division Sea region's Alliance of Academies who came forward.
