Mateo spent some more time in close door cultivation under the master's orders and direct guidance, finally breaking through to the Golden Core Stage after their discussion. A year and some months had passed, and it was now time to participate in the nationwide expedition of the Autumn Domain. Not only did his cultivation improve, but the Now and Never Tree grew as well. The island on which it was planted expanded to 150 kilometers (km). "This time around, the journey to the Autumn Domain should be of greater benefits with so many fellows participating. Perhaps your influence can start there", the master said before vanishing.
Arriving at the academy, Mateo is met with a myriad of reactions. From the Kanry Academy students, he was met with admiration and deep respect. Representatives from the Imperial Clan showed respect, but only to recognize his status as the Young Master of a now noble clan. Only a select few from the Imperial Clan know of his Imperial Guardian title. Over the last year, many praises were sung in his name, bringing envy and displeasure to others from across the continent. While the June Empire owns the entire continent, they conditionally preserved the sovereignty of the 100 other established kingdoms.
The Deans of 279 academies assembled, along with the masters of 75 High Sects. Sat above them, are the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Imperil Clan, all Golden Core Masters. A voice bellowed, "Dean Ion is here!" With great reverence, everyone greeted, "Meeting the Great Scholar!" Entering into the Autumn Hall, his feet did not touch the ground. Every step he took, were met with intensely compact air molecules to form perfect lily pad like structures, only visible by means of his spiritual power. He was dressed in green, red and brown robes, exuding the magnificence of autumn. However, when he reached the podium, he did not get behind it nor did he show any sign of beginning the event.
Instead, he slightly bowed and made an announcement that shocked everyone. "Welcome His Majesty Deir New, Emperor of June." All fell to their knees, erupting in honorifics for The Majesty. A golden path appeared, as His Majesty materialized from the feet up. Dean Ion and His Majesty has mastered the art of molecular acceleration, deceleration and compacting, with His Majesty being of slightly higher mastery in the field. While Dean Ion has spectacular control of external molecules, His Majesty has control of both external and his own internal molecular make up without doing damage to his DNA and cultivation. It is rumored that they may have had the same teacher.
As His Majesty walked towards the stage, all the students felt movement in their cultivation sea. Their sea of qi seemed to be getting nourishment from His Majesty. Mateo's scroll commented, "Spirit of Enlightenment. His Majesty will breakthrough soon and will be colossal." For reasons no one has explained, anyone just before or just after a breakthrough, exudes an enlightening aura dubbed the Spirit of Enlightenment, which acts like a supplement to the cultivation of those around. Some are even capable of expanding that aura to willing nourish others. Just then, Mateo felt an observing gaze fell upon, as if peering straight to his soul.
As he looked up, his eyes met those of the emperor, who was smiling very warmly at him. Finally arriving at the stage, he gave his blessings to be at ease, giving Dean Ion the signal to continue. The center aisle of the hall became a river, signaling the activation of the Autumn Passage. Unlike the main portal, the Autumn Passage allows for large groups of people to enter the domain all at once. This time however, the domain was a little different. The spiritual power was denser, and each academy, sect and faction had their own protected territory. Just as before, Mateo, Sani and Felix stuck together, reforming the trio. What's new, is that they have expanded their partnership.
During his year in closed door cultivation, Mateo's parents connected with Bran and Winan, not wanting to have them suffer for the actions of their elders. The master had informed Mateo of few things happening outside and that was one of them. Bran took a moment to apologize profusely, making clear that he did know the truth. Mateo waved it off and said kindly, "just don't bully others. After all, you are using my cultivation base." Because they have chosen to be five, they wore the group wrist bands to share responsibility and resources. One month is allotted for this journey, with a set number of tasks. The only rule is, NO KILLING.
Back in the main realm, Dean Ion and His Majesty spoke privately with the leaders of the Imperial Clan. His Majesty expressed, "the Valdy Imperial Order has gained quite a bit of power over the years and is preparing for a second war with us. Their recent provocation was an attempt to bait us into declaring war. It seems we should have taken the chance to completely wash them from this world during the last war." Mila Kang, Matriarch of the Kang Family remarked, "they intend to take advantage of Your Majesty's incoming ascension. Even from the furthest reaches of our star system, your enlightenment can be felt.
-It seems they have forgotten their last losses and is underestimating our power. Not only is Your Majesty's power enough to be feared, but with the Great Scholar, what can they have to rival that? Fools." However, Dean Ion responded with words of caution, "those who have lost and lived, can tell tales and possibly do better. Though we are great, we cannot be complacent. Before us, there were many great powers. It then became our time to dominate. The future might see someone else at the top and it may not be the one we want. Let us not forget that there are some whom even we have considered equals. Above is always a sky."
The emperor continued, "upon the completion of this Autumn Gathering, all who return with spiritual artifacts are to enroll and serve in the Imperial Army or the Imperial Guard. My Imperial Guardian is among them, and he has a special role to play. Between us here and now, I will announce that a new Sage has been enlightened on Imorti. Most importantly, she is a June citizen. While she is now at Celestial Body Stage, she need not leave the realm like others will have to. As you know, Sages holds of freedom of movement across the six realms. This will prove useful to us. I do not know who this person is but, she has sent me a message to expect her at the end of this gathering."
They all congratulated His Majesty on such luck during his reign as the enlightenment of a Sage is difficult and rare in any era. There is no way to prepare for the trials, as nothing can be shared with a non-Sage. "I have instructed the generals to mobilize our warships to head to the Central Continent. We will send one hundred thousand soldiers to a base in the Loose Plains. They will investigate and intercept everything and everyone coming from the east. Our allies there will lend support if necessary", His Majesty explained. "Is that where the students will train?", Ion asked. "Yes", His Majesty responded. He added, "a meteor crashed there some months ago, so that is also a reason."
Dean Ion also knew about the meteor and found it strange that His Majesty made no move towards it back then. Now that he is thinking about it again, Mateo was still in close door cultivation at the time. "It seems His Majesty is preparing a lot for his Imperial Guardian", Ion said telepathically to the emperor who smiles and asked the others to leave. With just the two of them in the room, Dean Ion exposed, "you are the mysterious master of Mateo." His Majesty laughed and asked, "when did you figure it out?" "Bank", Ion responded. "An unknown loose cultivator with a connection to Bank and the many refugees it gives home to. How could I not know my junior's work?"
He added, "that dragon egg was last in the possession of our teacher. He too was a Dragon Lord. Also, Mateo having the Death Omen at that age simply had to be the doing of the Master in Red. Anyway, I am happy that you have finally found a student." They both shared a laugh and His Majesty remarked, "he is the one Master spoke of. The one who will free this world and usher in the Supreme Age."
They both raised a cup of tea to each other took a sip and exhaled in relief. Dean Ion then joked, "so you have decided to become a master like ours. He too was this mysterious figure, still is this mysterious figure to us." "I am emperor among many other aliases. I have always admired the mysteriousness of our teacher and wanted to emulate that. I am also passing on that practice to Mateo. I can prove to be very useful. Things are about to get very chaotic in the coming years and he would need those many hats if he is to be successful.