Now 1026, Mateo made it to the pseudo–Golden Core Stage. Now aged 16, he can now take the test to become a student at the Kanry Academy. Like he said, the master returned and meets Mateo. He gives him a box and instructed him to keep it locked until he reached the Gold Core Stage at the 3rd level and not a moment before. He then sealed the box in his innate void, beyond the reach of others. He also gave him an egg and 12 green spirit stones. He instructed, "on the night of every full moon, place one spirit stone near the egg, under the moonlight." Lastly, he implants a grey crystal in his cultivation sea, with instructions to keep it a secret until he reaches the Transcendent Stage.
After all the gifts were received, he sends Mateo off, not allowing anyone to follow him. The master says, "you two will have your hands full with the expanding clan duties. You must protect Bank and soon you shall have Kanry." He then gave them an Emerald Token to be used for emergencies only. Additionally, he organized for three Golden Core Masters to join The Son Clan as elders under Kane to train The Son Disciples. He then says, "the hope of your family and the world is on the shoulders of your little boy. Raise your clan to give a steady support system. That is your task. You have three powerful masters, use them wisely. When you become Golden Core Masters, they will be free from my order to serve you. This is my parting gift. Goodbye."
The Kanry Academy, though sharing a name with the city, is actually a regional school. Its student body is sourced from the 5 cities that surrounds it. They are Kanry, Fo Rest, Wang, Jarita and Haru. For 200 years, the five cities have had strong alliance, competing through the academy for top spot. As of 1021, Fo Rest has held the top spot, thanks to Young Master Bran Tavin, Golden Core Level 2, peak stage. As such, they get three times the number of resources from the empire and the one and only seat their region has in the Imperial Court. While it is simply a symbolic appointment, it does give the appointee some influence.
It would take Mateo 3 days to get to the academy and so, he takes the test with 12th batch of applicants. There are three stages to the test. Stage one is the power test. Your power will determine your rank and thus how much guaranteed resources is to be given. The second stage is psionic aptitude. This not only measure psychic strength if any, by also quickness in learning and adapting. Stage three is combat skills. A series of one on one and grouped matches are held to test the raw talents of the students. After which, each division chooses their disciples. Though nervous, Mateo was also excited at the same time.
While in the power test line, he meets Sani Hans. They introduced themselves and discovered that they were both from Kanry. The Hans is a humble but noble family in Khao Town. They built their wealth and status on Horse Raising and Trading. Sani is the first member of the family to apply to the academy, while other members are loose cultivators. She wants to join the school to gain a stronger foundation to carry her family up to the second realm, now called Duri, after the twin clan leaders of the Duri Clan who dominated over 100 years ago, winning the 9th Realm War in 901. As the test master said "next", it was Sani's turn.
She approaches the Crimson Pillar and places her hand in the circle carved into it. After three seconds, the pillar glowed bright red, revealing 9/2. The test master announces, "soul power, 9 with a projection of 11. Pass." There were some applauses and some unimpressed groans amongst the other groups of people around. It seemed like the other cities did not respect those from Kanry. After all, not since the City Lord 80 years ago, did Kanry have a champion. Finally, Mateo's turn arrived, and Sani looked on intently. He placed his hand in the circle and watched as pillar did its thing. Those other applicants and registered students fell silent as the results were revealed.
The pillar glowed and revealed 14/14. The test master announced, "soul power, 14 with equivalent projection." Someone uttered from the crowd, "perfect soul." In the mortal stage of cultivation, there are 28 stages of soul power. The pillar detects your innate power and then examines how much power your soul can project at that stage. The first number is your true power and the second is your potential. When added to your true power, it tells the level of power you have access to. Mateo's results revealed that he is not only above the average for his age, but he also has the potential to utilize full soul power.
Sani could not believe what she saw, along with many others. The Crimson Pillar is an artifact made by a Transcendent Master, so it cannot be wrong. After the power test, both Sani and Mateo can be considered as the hope of Kanry and both became the leaders for the other students from their city. Passing the first test is enough to get into the academy, but the other two determines your influence and bragging rights. Passing all three can also give you a chance to become a direct disciple of a Chief Palace. So, despite his perfect soul power, Mateo still needs to perform well in the other two tests to make a name for himself and Kanry.
For the second test, they are brought to the foot of a mountain that they must climb and overcome attacks on their psyche. For each student, the attacks will vary, as well as the intensity. Additionally, the mountain was not just the test, but it is also the way to the arena for the final exam of combat. The instructions where simply to "follow the trail and you shall reach the end." Many of the students joked that Mateo should quit and be a regular disciple because of his soul power. His trial would be more severe than others, which could destroy his mind. One even said laughingly, "it looks like the so-called 'hope of Kanry' will end here?"
Even the master of the second test advised him to be a regular disciple, but Mateo would not want to disappoint the work and trust of the mysterious master. As they stepped onto the trail, they discovered that there is a formation. Holding hands or walking closely did not matter. Once on the trail, you walk alone, separated from your comrades. The test master remarked, "1,000 challengers? I fear 80% will not make it." His remarks were not far from truth. Within the first five minutes of the test, 300 students were spat out of the formation. As those other students said, Mateo's mental test was indeed tough.
He was faced with the images of his family's past. His stolen cultivation core and the brutal handling of his parents, all came to him. He not only saw them, but he felt all the pain of having your cultivation removed. It felt like one thousand nails being hammered into your skeleton all at once, in the most brash manner. The pain was so great, it spilled over into the formation and onto to others. Everyone still on the trail, felt the same pain fall upon them. While not to the same extent as Mateo, it might as well be, as they did not have same unique make up as he. As it progressed, 368 students gave in, leaving 332.
Mateo's mind released a psionic blast, not only freeing him from the mental storm, but it also shattered the formation, allowing the remaining 332 students to proceed to the final test. According to the elders of the academy, the shattering of the formation can be counted as overcoming the trial, validating the 332. Now, it was time for the combat test. The Riland Arena is one of legend, as it was the site of an ancient duel between loose cultivator Riland Coo and Kanry Academy Sword Elder, Ju-an Mil. Not only did Riland win the duel, but he also made a breakthrough, ascending to the Transcendent Stage. 4,000 years later, and the residue from his ascension was still as strong as the day he ascended.