Unlike the other tests, many teachers from the academy were present for the combat test. Even some senior disciples were present. Mateo looked on at the many great talents of his generation, uncertain if he could measure up. Sani's duel was especially fascinating. She faced Felix Bask of Wang. Wang City can be considered the closest city to Kanry, not in distance but in relationships. They are each other's biggest trader partners and are both the oldest of the five cities, Kanry being older by ten years. Sani and Felix greeted each other cordially and proceeded to do battle. In terms of soul power, they are both 9/2 and both uses swords. It will come down to skill and techniques.
The Bask Clan has a unique sword art called ''Crow's Tears''. It is said that when this technique debuted, crows gathered from all corners of the world and cloaked the Bask Patriarch in a black liquid that became his weapon and armor. From all over his body, swords emerged to strike his enemy, with no end. Striking his body was like striking an iron block, doing little damage. During this duel, Felix displayed his mastery level of the sword art. Not to be outshone, Sani reveals a technique none has seen before. While the Hans were well known for having the superior horse breeds, their cultivation was unknown as they have all been loose cultivators from the start.
To combat the Extreme Yin Energy of Crow's Tears, Sani uses an Extreme Yang technique she called, "God Forging Flame". The flames were not red or orange, but bright blue. Completely surrounding her body and sword, the flame danced silently and elegantly as if performing for Emperor Song. However, as she took action and swung the sword, the flames sounded more like an angry dragon's roar, shaking the arena and the hearts of all present. The two fought as if dancing, their eyes not locked onto the other's moves, but into each other's eyes. Every clash rang out, causing ripples on the barrier around the battle platform, keeping the interest of the teachers.
After an hour, it became clear that the two were evenly matched, so 3rd Elder Gon ended the duel and announced it as a tie, each with a perfect score. Now, it was Mateo's turn. It was already known by teachers that he possessed perfect soul power, so his skill was going to be especially scrutinized. All from Kanry cheered, gaining them looks of both jealousy and disgust. His opponent was Winan Tavin, the younger brother of Bran Tavin. It seemed to Mateo that the universe was offering his enemies to him to vent his family's anger. However, he chose to optimistic and act as in response to whatever is to come his way.
To him, he only needs to worry about the Tavin Patriarch and the clan elders. Those are the ones who deserve his wrath. For now, this would be a friendly duel. Bowing respectfully, Winan addressed, "I am Winan Tavin from Fo Rest. Soul Power 10/3. Hope fellow is merciful." Feeling his sincerity, Mateo responds in kind, "Mateo Son from Kanry. I have not trained with a weapon. You might be the victor. We just need to do our best." The two bowed to each other and walked to opposite sides of the platform. While no one knew what to expect from Mateo, they all had an idea of what Second Young Master Winan might be capable of.
The two would exchange many blows before revealing their secret techniques nearly 30 minutes into the fight. What Winan used was not the Tavin Clan's "Suppressing Palm", but "Weight of The World". Suppressing Palm is at best an earth level skill, while Weight of The World is a Transcendent Class technique. He then says to Mateo, "this is my strongest move, if you cannot hold it, please avoid it!" Mateo gestures for him to bring it on, preparing his own surprise. The mysterious master left him many techniques that can hold its own against a Transcendent force, so he is confident. All the masters rose to their feet and readied themselves to step in if necessary.
Because this is a Transcendent skill, the sky became dark blue as the Will of The World scrutinized the scene. If there are Transcendent Masters in the Filius Realm, the world would suppress power to the equivalent Golden Core Stage, per the rules of the Ancestors. Reinforcing Wards were placed on the shield as a measure to prevent the onlookers being harmed. Despite those efforts, the pressure felt by a Transcendent skill, was overwhelming and near unavoidable once in use. Although Winan is still at the Foundation Establishment Phase 3, using such a skill allows him to reach beyond with his 10/3 soul power.
After the pressure dissipated, through the dust and smoke, there was a red light. The master of the Physical Cultivation Palace who was only one still sitting, jumped to his feet. He said in disbelief, "this is... This is the essence of War Body." Hearing those words, the seniors and elders of the palace turned to him and then back to the battle platform several times in shock. War Body is a physical cultivation trait that has not been seen since the 3rd Chaos Calamity of the Qunit-Tan Calendar. That's over 8,000 years since it's disappearance. Mateo then remarks, "it is now my turn, yes? Prepare yourself!"
The sky above went from dark blue, to now a blood red. That is a death omen. This move triggered the Necromancing Palace as well. War and Death supreme skills used in direct succession to each other is a method not seen since the first calendar, 11,000 years ago. Before Mateo could take action, all the masters and elders of all peaks pleaded with the Dean for a special judgment. Both Winan and Mateo has proven to be geniuses of the era and needs to be favored and nurtured carefully. The move Mateo was about to use, could've crippled, or even kill Winan. In the 200-year history of the academy, a special judgement has only ever happened once.
From the blood red clouds above, a silver palm descended, disrupting the cultivation of all below. From the central watch-over, Bran Tavin leapt on the battle platform, maxing out his golden core cultivation to suppress Mateo. The Suppressing Palm used with the full might of Golden Core power is akin to being suppressed by a Celestial Body master. With all his might, he tried to block the palm, but to no avail. Had it been someone else, it might have worked, but Bran's cultivation is not his own. One of the Laws of Cultivation dictates that, "one's own cultivation cannot be used against them." This is why those elders wanted to kill Mateo after stealing his base.
After facing utter defeat, Bran erected a shield in an attempt to protect himself and his little brother. Just then, a bell appeared in the sky. Each time it rang, it dissipated some of the red clouds, weaken the death omen. Materializing beside the bell, was a peak stage Golden Core Master. All the masters, elders and seniors present greeted, "Welcome, Dean Ion!" Winan admitted defeat, not giving a chance for the Dean to call a tie. He accepted that he was outclassed and held no right to challenge someone with a perfect soul power score. Bran on the other hand, could accept that a "lower disciple" could overpower him. After all, he is a peak Level 2 Golden Core Master.
The Dean then announced, "the star of the 200th Entrance Exam, is Mateo Son of Kanry! No contest!" Everyone bowed in acknowledgement and the other disciples of Kanry celebrated. Later that evening, all those who passed the three tests, settled in the inner dorms of the academy. Each was visited by seniors and elders from various palaces for recruitment. However, Sani, Felix, Mateo and Winan, were visited by the masters themselves. Even the Dean was present during their talks. The next day, a big announcement was made. One that summoned all students, elders and masters from the inner and outer palaces of the academy.
Also present, was an envoy from the Imperial Clan, a Golden Core Master. Something big was surely afoot. All, including the Imperial Envoy, bowed as the Dean made his entrance into the Autumn Hall. He stated, "this, the 200th academic year of the Kanry Academy, brings with it a special event. That is, the opening of the Autumn Domain created by Academy Founder, Emerald Sage, Boar Yang. All seniors are to enter the domain and train for a year and find a breakthrough, as well as the various techniques and weapons planted there by Sage Yang. This year however, there is to be a modification of admittance." He then called Sani, Felix, Mateo and Winan forward.
He continued, "this year, I will allow these four junior disciples to become Honorary Seniors and enter the Autumn Domain for experience. Their performance during the three tests gives them such a privilege. If they are successful in bringing back at least one earth level weapon, they will qualify along with successful seniors to become Core Disciples. Three days of preparation will be given and no more. Also happening for the first time, members of the Imperial Clan will also be entering the Autumn Domain. Please protect them if you can. Go now, prepare yourselves."