"Actually, I am pleased that my spirit seal is damaged, otherwise, I wouldn't have known how fun training one's physique is!" Shaun expressed, while smile returned to his face.
"What about you?" Shaun asked as a fellow comrade who shares the same pain and sorrow.
"I didn't awake any spirit seal," Gin replied.
"I hope we both find a way to break through to the seal opening stage in the ruin," Shaun said.
Gin doesn't know the reason why all the Physique cultivators in the continent fail to break through to the seal opening stage.
But, his intuition tells him that it won't be a problem for him to reach the seal opening stage.
"You came alone?" Shaun asked while Gin replied, "Yes"
In fact, Gin called Hammer and Astro, hoping they would accompany him to explore the ruin; Hammer too wouldn't miss such an exciting venture.
But, Gin wasn't able to reach their communication bracelet. A few days back, he spoke with Hammer and came to know that the Skyfire academy is sending some of their best students to a half explored ruin located near the Infernal region.
He thought Hammer and Astro would have returned, but it looks like they were still inside the ruin since he can't reach them.
Gin and Shaun chatted while continuing their climb. As both of them were Physique cultivators, they didn't feel much pressure for the first few steps.
Everyone was relaxed and carefree as they climbed their way up. But, none knew that Fiends has already entered the ruins.
--
Unlike others, the peoples from the core regions were rushing the way up as if their life depended on it. Gin didn't understand their actions, so he asked Shaun.
"Brother Gin, if there's a trial then it means there's a reward. Naturally, there's competition among them who's going to get it first."
"You mean there will be a reward at the top?" Gin asked while Shaun nodded.
"Want to compete for the reward?" Shaun asked.
"No," Gin replied, "At least, not for now!"
"Why?" Shaun asked. He doesn't know why, but he feels if Gin compete no one would be his opponent.
"I want to use this pressure to temper my physique! You should also consider this, it's an opportunity that you won't get anywhere." Gin replied.
Hearing Gin's word, Shaun was shocked and also amazed at the same time. 'Yes, why didn't I think of that!'
"Your thought process is completely different from others but I like it!" Shaun gave thumps up.
As soon as Gin began to climb the mountain and faced this pressure, he knows it's a god-given chance. This pressure will be a good way to strengthen his bone and bone marrow.
If Gin makes good use of this pressure well, he may be able to strengthen his bone marrow and bones to another level.
It's just he needs much heavier pressure than what he was currently facing; He needs to climb a little higher for that.
Gin and Shaun effortlessly climbed the first 100 steps like the other geniuses, but they don't know the true pressure of the gravity mountain has just begun.
Gin noticed many struggled to climb their way up after reaching the 100th step, some were sweating, some were crawling, some even collapsed to the ground, unable to withstand the pressure.
He also noticed those who climbed their way up till 100 steps are mostly Physique Enrichment stage cultivators who have discovered 9 hidden seals or above.
What's astonishing is, those who are collapsed were automatically transferred to the small way located on either side of the steps. The downside is, you failed the trial and can't climb again.
Those who can't continue their climb can use that way but it means they quit the trial. It's like a rule set by the person who left this ruin.
As soon as Gin scaled his 101st step, a much heavier force assaulted him which is at least 10 times greater than the first 100 steps; Not just him, everyone felt it.
"It's the right amount of pressure!"
Knowing his chance has come, Gin stopped combating the pressure. As soon as he did that, he felt the force squash his muscles and some of the pressure traveled past his fleshy area and struck his bones.
He soon discovered, even though his muscles and bones are getting mashed, it's not the kind of force that contains destructive properties.
In fact, the only use of this force is to pressure one's physique to a breaking point. Gin knows he was right about this gravity mountain, it is a test but at the same time, an opportunity.
An opportunity to temper one's physique and surpass their limit. His claim isn't baseless, for example, why only Physique Enrichment stage practitioners are allowed inside the ruin?
And as soon as they enter the ruin, why they experience a trial that tests their Physique to a limit?
All this point to one thing, it's an opportunity given by the person who created this ruin, a way to enhance one's physique. But, it's up to oneself to make better use of it.
Since all the geniuses are in a hurry to pass the trial and obtain the reward, none realized this.
"I can feel it, and I found a way to enhance my physique to the next level. Thanks to you, Gin." Shaun excitedly spoke while Gin just smiled.
How could he not be? Shaun always thought that the 9th hidden Physique seal is a limit to the Physique cultivator.
Until now, he was searching for a way to break through to the seal opening realm, but right now he found a way to discover his 10th hidden physique seal.
Gin too feels he's going to discover his 8th hidden seal, soon. The bloated feeling he experienced these past few days also disappeared, as the bone marrows and bones in his body absorbed the excess essence energy.
Circulating his physique scripture, he absorbed the pure essence energy in the surrounding, which is even purer than the essence energy present in the elemental stones.
While others were trying their best to reach the top, Gin and Shaun are making the best use of the pressure to surpass their physique limit.
Enduring the pressure, both of them climbed their way up. Without them knowing they reached the 151st step while some geniuses neared the 200th step.
Only then they understood the true terror of the trial while the pressure they faced is indescribable.
'Flutter!'
Suddenly, everyone sensed a massive disturbance in the air as if everything in the surroundings were gathering in a particular direction.
"Who's is this crazy fellow? He was able to absorb this much pure essence energy while enduring the heavy pressure?" A genius from the Starlight domain commented.
"Absorb? Fool, he's swallowing it!!" A female genius from the same domain reprimanded.
"You are right"
"Isn't he the one Perceptor Zhyho wanted me to kill?" A young man commented.
He's none other than the genius Protector Jaux ordered Zhyho to take care of Gin—Garyx Bluehorn, who hails from one of the top families of the Silver Dragon domain.
"Gin, what's happening?" Shaun noticed the uproar was created by none other than the fellow beside him.
"I wanted to be out of the limelight, why did you pull me into this?" Shaun muttered, noticing many prying eyes were observing Gin and him.
"Is he trying to break through to the seal opening stage?"
"I don't think so," A knowledgable youth commented.
"Whatever, let's go. We need to move, otherwise, someone will seize the reward!" Many ignored the uproar and continue their climb as it was not their first time to witness something like this.
Even so, some well-known geniuses noted Gin's face as all of them felt a dangerous vibe from him.
Not knowing he's the reason for an uproar, Gin was immersed in the feeling of pure energy coursing through his body, with his eyes closed.
In truth, he's not the culprit who's crazily swallowing the essence energy but the symbol on his chest.
As soon as he circulated his physique, the symbol acted on his own and began to crazily swallow the pure essence energy present in the surroundings.
The process lasted for a few minutes before it stopped completely. The magical symbol on his chest didn't even lend a small portion of energy to Gin as it consumed everything.
Soon, the Magical symbol released tiny golden specks of dust that traveled through every part of his body and plastered itself on his bones while some even entered his bone marrows.