Classification

As Huming left with his final words, John entered the testing Hall which contained so many different people that he couldn't determine which species certain of them were. Amongst the unknown, the most noticeable person, which was alone in his kind, was a tall being with a metallic sheen as skin, overlooking everyone from at least two heads. However, what got John's attention was the fiery veins that traveled the body of the grey man. It reminded him of his drawing that he drew at each month to carefully examine his body with his Qi and represent the pathways.

This habit all started when General brought the orphans who were well-trained in some raid against the bandits in the region. The squad only attacked small camps as to avoid any complications involving the kids and avoid unnecessary danger. During these raids, they would allow some bandits to duel with the kids to train them. To motivate the survivors from the camp, they would give them the opportunity to serve as a slave to the city for twenty years if they were to defeat their opponent. Needless to say, this rarely happened as the orphans they groomed were their future lifeblood.

John, after defeating three full-grown adults in a row, losing to the fourth as they exhausted him, he joined in the 'treasure hunt'. The main goal was to find all the caches hidden around the camp by the various bandits. No rocks could be left unturned as each bandit would often secretly hide a part of the plunder during their heist. Of course, if the leader ever judged that his part was too small, he would kill some random subordinates to cull their greed to a minimum. In this 'treasure hunt', he found some miscellaneous objects under planks, in the 'secret' section of some furniture, in some tree hollows surrounding the camp, but the real treasure was when he decided to bring the taxidermied bear. When John lifted the decoration, he heard some shuffle inside of it. Curious, he put it back on the ground and pass his hands on all the bear's fur as he felt a little suture just under the neck.

Taking his knife, he cut the sewing while making sure that he didn't overextend his knife to not damage the content inside the bear. Opening the new-found entrance, he retrieved a runic sword, many talismans and a series of books. Most were generic cultivation techniques which the white tigers already had too many, they would probably sell those after studying them a bit. However, one of these books picked John's interest as it was especially dedicated to the anatomy and body tempering. When he brought the items he found, he asked to keep this book which General Li accepted as the runic sword was way more valuable in his eyes after he examined the book rapidly.

The young boy didn't waste any time as he carefully browsed the content depicting morbid illustrations of many species with the diagrams which represented the inwards of multiple beasts and intelligent humanoids. The most vital information he retrieved from his study was the one important note at the very start warning that each individual, even twins, were different fundamentally and knowing his body was paramount to improve oneself.

From this moment on, he would draw over the months a diagram of his body to notice his progress. Doing so helped him determine which region of his body he didn't have adequate control and he researched through the martial arts provided by the white tigers that targeted these specific sections so he could ensure complete control on his entire being.

His drawings looked like the vein pattern on the grey man even though it was more detailed.

'Tch! What don't you throw away these annoying futile clothes!'

Disturbed by his line of thought, he quickly diverted to another subject before spiraling down even more. The man in question, accustomed to such gaze, didn't bother in the start but it remained persistent until he couldn't endure anymore and turn his head over to see the young man diverting his earlier stare with a slight blush. A small shudder traveled across his body and he quickly looked to the second ceremony starting in a few moments while lowering his sleeves.

"Sorry for the waiting, the damn thing needed quick fix again... Anyway, call me the Counselor or Jack, I'll assist you in your first year at our academy. Here is the damn thing, it'll test your current aptitude to determine if you should join the body, mind. If you are wondering why there isn't the spirit side here, we test it as this later as this talent doesn't seem to appear with people under twenty years old. Don't worry if you have one section overwhelm the others, everyone present is influenced by their environment. For example, if you received training in a military squad or the equivalent, you'll demonstrate more ability for the body, if your parents are scholars or adept in formation, you'll most likely lean more towards the mind. After a year in school, we'll have taught you enough to stimulate every potential inside you and the second examination will be more accurate. Also, e-"

"Jack... stop the rambling."

"Alright, alright, let's start with Gunyr Fallenmoon."

Jack then asked the elf to put his hand on the sphere as he manipulated a little formation, which John couldn't see. A hologram then appeared over the sphere displaying the elf's information.

[Body: Third Stage - Innate talent: Great.

Mind: Sixth Stage - Innate talent: Peerless."

Cultivation talent: low-tier peerless talent - Foundation: Great.]

"Oh man, what a good way to start."

Jack then took a jade which he put in the center of the formation. The jade then started to rotate and shine briefly before he took it back and gave it to the elf.

"Everyone, I won't repeat each time, keep this jade with you as it contains the information necessary to your future instructors so they can help you to the maximum of their abilities. Gunyr, you can join the guides over there."

Jack pointed out the personals in question and then continued the ceremony.

"John Ironfist."

Jack prepared the jade in advance while John came on stage and put his hand on the sphere covered in runes.

[Body: Third Stage - Innate talent: Great.

Mind: Second Stage - Innate talent: Medium.

Cultivation talent: middle-tier Superb talent - Foundation: Superb.]

"Great job boy, even though you are less advanced then the others, your foundation is irreproachable."

John thanked the man for his compliment and joined the guides for further instructions. He was then directed towards the same group as the grey man who cursed under his breath. The instructor, a jacked man much like Li, waited until the end of the assignments to address all the young cultivators in front of him.

"STAND UP!"

A part of the group immediately straightened their backs looking and the bear-like man who smiled while the rest followed suit soon after.

"Well, we now know who received some training there, my muscle brain warriors. Let's start to know each other and what better way than a tournament? Form pairs of two and get ready! Engrave who you are in your comrades! There is only one thing you need to know - Top rank, top rewards!"

Those who knew each other quickly formed their group while the others examined their potential partners and recalled which one of them got a better evaluation in their cultivation realm.

By 'fate', John and the grey man got matched each other.