Chapter 27

"Well, the top school in Mist City is referred to as the Holy Sword Institute. It is said that they only accept two new students every ten years and even the most powerful of clans in this region and some other regions around Bark Kingdom send their youths over to compete."

"If you were to be accepted into the Holy Sword Institute, your future would have endless possibilities because they are partly funded by our Bark Kingdom's Relic Church that as you know, is the strongest overall organization within Bark Kingdom. Even the Emperor would have to think carefully before choosing to offend them!" the guard told Timothy.

It was not uncommon for large and influential organizations to fund schools of their own. It was actually recommended because it guaranteed future employment to the students, but also allowed a nice flow of new strong future employees. However, the fact that the Relic Church was willing to fund the Holy Sword Institute, meant that those who graduated would have very comfortable positions even possibly in the political space.

As Timothy and his new sparring partner finished discussing things over Mist City, an older looking man began to walk towards them. Timothy recognized this older man, he was an elder of one of the top clans in Boulder Village and he was in the meeting when his family first arrived and was brought in to see the mayor.

"Arthur's kid, right? I couldn't help but notice that your movements although not very good, it seems that you might have learned a thing or two from a decent teacher." the elder asked Timothy as he sat down facing the two cultivators. "I am as you can tell, an Advanced stage cultivator and according to my own estimations, you might be able to take on some of the younger generation kids in my clan."

"I believe that I would have to ask your father, but one week from now, our Boulder Village was supposed to begin our village wide Martial Contest. Since you've grown up in Oak Township you probably aren't keen on tournaments, but for a village like ours, we enjoy having our youths face each other before sending them off whether to Mist City or to the outside world."

"I was wondering if you would be open to taking part? You do not need to worry since everyone within the village except for some guards will be there and there is zero tolerance for killing so taking part has almost no risk for your well being." the elder asked Timothy with a very neutral facial expression.

"Well elder, I was actually looking forward to heading over to Most City in a few days to look for the Holy Sword Institute and try to become one of their students. However, depending on how that goes, I am sure that I will have the time to take part in the tournament if I am rejected from entering the school." replied Timothy with a cheerful tone.

"The Holy Sword Institute?" the elder asked before contemplating something to himself. "They normally do not take many students and those that do get accepted are usually the most overbearing of their generation. However, from what I could tell by watching you two sparring, it seems that you have at least come across two techniques I have not seen before. Where you lack overall strength and background, they may make an exception but I fear it would be once you mastered both techniques." the elder told Timothy. The elder wanted Timothy to take part in the tournament so that his clan's youths would be able to network with him.

Just the sum from what the mayor had decided on with Timothy's father, it placed their family very close to the wealth of the larger clans within Boulder Village. Since the family had only four members including their hired guard, it would take several generations for them to compete with his clan or the others but after, they may be in a position of power to overshadow the rest. Since this was the case, everyone treated Timothy's family very well in order to rub shoulders with them.

If this elder knew that Timothy was on top of having such dominant techniques and a powerful master at his disposal on top of an ability that brought endless possibilities, the elder would have brought an entire lineup of direct descendant females of his clan to marry off to Timothy. However since he was in the dark about Timothy, the elder would more than likely curse the heavens in the future for blinding him to such a golden opportunity!

"Timothy, the Holy Sword Institute's public recruitment opportunity will be in four months from now. That would give you more time to grow properly, but you would also be able to enter into our village's tournament. I will take my leave for now, but just in case you decide to remain here and train, take this entry pass so on the day of the tournament, you will have no issues competing." finalizing his pitch for Timothy to not head to Mist City right away, the elder passed over the entry pass to Timothy before taking his leave.

Now with their spar out of the way, both Timothy and the guard decided to work on increasing the natural energy in their bodies so that they could advance into a higher cultivation level. Since making the move to Boulder Village, Timothy put no time into this type of training and he felt a longing to get back to it the moment he could find the time to.

By now, Timothy was Elementary level three as a body refinement cultivator and a Elementary level two energy refinement cultivator. Master Sei's teachings about sensing the nature energy around him proved to be very useful information for Timothy. Without being disturbed, Timothy day and night just sat in place channeling nature energy into his body and refining it to become his own.