"No one knows. Human union hid her information and location from others so that she won't face another Fiend attack."
"Undoubtedly, she's an expert that human union can't afford to lose. According to rumors, she stays in the Blue orchid academy." Shaun replied.
A 'Snort' sounded from behind them. Without a doubt, it's a familiar voice of the girl who asked Gin's name just now.
When Gin looked back, she saw a young girl around 15 years of age. She had a haughty expression on her face, which is cute and little childish.
No doubt, she's a lovely girl. She wore an ocean-blue jacket over her expensive combat clothes, which can even defend against some Seal Opening practitioners attack.
From a single glance, he could tell this girl discovered 10 hidden seals in her body. Just a little push, she would reach the Seal opening stage.
From her haughty look, Gin could tell she's waiting for him to ask for forgiveness. It's possible that she heard Shaun recounting her sister's fame and fierceness to him.
"Brother Shaun, what's her name?" Gin asked.
"Luna Moon" Shaun replied.
What Luna and Shaun didn't expect was, after asking for her name and taking a good look at her, Gin turned and start to climb the steps without paying her any heed.
Luna couldn't believe, she was once again been ignored by that fellow and that too after hearing her sister's background.
As for Shaun, he thought Gin came to his senses after hearing Luna's sister fierceness and strength. He's wrong, there's no way this fellow named Gin would do that.
Observing Luna's angry faces, heaving chest, and clenched fist, Shaun knows their relationship worsened, beyond repair.
After his body adjusted to the heavy pressure on the 202nd step, Gin mounted his 203rd step and soon 'bone-cracking' sound rang from his body.
He waited patiently for his body to adapt to the new pressure and noticed Shaun was able to keep pace with him to the 203rd step, which truly astonished Gin.
"Ahh, I can't endure any more!" A youth who's at the 201st step cried and collapsed to the ground. From his attire, everyone he could tell he's a person from Sacred Union Institute.
A gentle force came and carried him to the small pathway in the side, while others watched the youth in pity as he lost his chance to ascend the mountain.
The youth raised to his feet, sensing the pressure has disappeared and noticed he was in the small pathway in the side.
'Ahhh!'
Suddenly, the youth once again cried. "Hahaha, I can go up!"
He ran forward in the small pathway without any care, since there's no pressure he reached the peak in no time.
"What? Drift-u, you bastard! How did you do that?" Two of his friends also entered the small pathway and they too were able to reach the peak without any problems.
The sudden change in the situation caught everyone by surprise, as no one wants to face the pressure if they can easily reach the top.
But, soon everyone found out only peoples who reached the 200th step and above can use the pathway in the side to reach the top while those below 200th step can't.
Even so, this discovery excited everyone and boosted the spirit. Many who were struggling near the 200th step climbed the steps with gritted teeth and resolution.
Soon, many reached the peak using the shortcut and disappeared from everyone's view.
But, some geniuses who were already above the 200th step didn't use the pathway but tried their best to climb using the steps, bearing the pressure.
Gin too doesn't want to use the shortcut to reach the peak. He soon scaled the 204th step, which increased the pressure on him more.
The blood in his body circulated faster, his face becomes beet red. The muscles and bones in his body were under tremendous pressure; a little more force—his skin would crack, bones may break and his muscles would tear.
Gin hurried circulated his breathing technique, relaxing his physique. He knows his physique has reached its limit and there's no point in forcing it further.
Physique tempering is not a one day process, he needs to take it slow. 'I shouldn't be too obsessed with reaching the peak since there's a shortcut, I should take it.'
'Maybe, it's the real test! Keeping aside one's pride and arrogance as a genius and use the shortcut. For many geniuses, their pride and arrogance are engraved in their bones.'
"It's tough for them to keep it aside and use the shortcut. I too thought so like it's beneath me to use the shortcut.' But now, he understood.
As Gin was thinking of using the shortcut, he suddenly sensed a murderous intent aimed at him.
Glancing at the direction, Gin noticed a youth with silver dragon imprint on his chest glaring at him with unconcealed killing intent.
Seeing the youth is from Silver Dragon domain, Gin smirked and asked Shaun, "Brother Shaun, what's his name?"
Shaun also noticed the hostility directed at Gin, he replied: "Garyx Bluehorn—a genius from Bluehorn family of Silver Dragon domain."
"Bluehorn family?"
"Yes. Bluehorn family is powerful, their power and authority is just below the Silverwing family – who's the true rulers of the Silver dragon domain," Shaun replied.
"Mn. Brother Shaun, I am going to use the pathway at the sides, are you coming?" Gin asked.
Hearing Gin's words, Shaun was surprised. "Sure, I too thought we shouldn't waste our time climbing the steps under pressure when there's a shortcut presented before us."
Gin and Shaun walked towards the pathway at the side. Watching Gin leave, Garyx's eyes narrowed.
At first, Garyx didn't mind when Perceptor Zhyho mentioned Protector Jaux ordered him to kill this person.
But now, after witnessing Gin's little commotion and his ability to climb till the 204th step raised his vigilance. He's no fool, he could tell Gin is strong.
If he wanted to kill Gin, he can only use his Bluehorn family's trump card. But, he needs to make sure it's a certain kill.
He was told by Zhyho that he's a threat to the family and he has to do whatever it takes to finish him off inside the ruin.
After pondering for a moment, Garyx followed the Gin and Shaun duo. After Garyx, Luna too followed the footsteps of Gin and Shaun.
Apart from the leading five or six geniuses, others decided to use the pathway to ascend the mountain.
--
Gin and Shaun reached the peak using the pathway but they can't see what's truly at the peak as it was shrouded by haze.
'Maybe there really is a reward up there but it's only for someone truly climbs the mountain using his strength.' Gin thought.
Soon, Gin and Shaun descended the mountain to reach the next level. Only when descending they understood the meaning, 'Ascend the mountain with heaviness, descend with lightness'
The suppressive energy hidden within him erupted, increasing his speed to the next level. Not just Gin, many felt the change that happened to their physique.
Shortly after, Gin and Shaun reached the bottom. At the foot of the mountain, they were welcomed by a huge monument that informed what's their next trial will be.
Reading the ancient text, all of them are excited because now everyone was sure it's an Inheritance ruin left by a human expert.
"Haha, it's really an Inheritance type ruin! We have hit the jackpot." The youth named Drift laughed.
The ruins are classified into different types; Inheritance ruin, Death Ruin, and Fool's ruin.
Inheritance ruin, as the name implies it will contain the inheritance of the person who created this ruin and also various rewards for everyone who participates in a trial.
Of the three ruins, Inheritance ruin is less dangerous than the other two ruins and at the same time with good rewards.
Death Ruin or Tombs – It's the most dangerous type of ruin as it was left behind by experts at the death door.
Fool's ruin – It's a rare type of ruin as it was prank left by some experts. Till now, humans have only found single ruin in this type. The danger level is based on the mentality of the expert who left behind the ruin.
Only inheritance type ruins and Fool's ruin will have trials, so no doubt everyone's excited. Just thinking about obtaining valuable breathing techniques, high-quality weapons, precious medicinal pills, made their blood boil.
Gin and Shaun quickly read the ancient text inscribed on the monument, and soon got a clear idea about their next level.
~ Welcome to the 'Windspear' Inheritance ground.
~The first trial of the inheritance ground is Token hunting. In front of you is the Beast garden filled with magical beasts of three cores, defeat them and obtain the token in their bodies.
~You need to cross the 'beast garden' to qualify for the next trial. The number of tokens you obtain determines your reward.
Rules: 1. A team can't have more than four members.
2. You can also defeat other members and obtain their tokens.
Gin and Shaun looked at each other and nodded. Instead of venturing alone in an unknown site, it's best to form a team.
Since both of them are familiar with each other, they naturally feel relaxed with one another watching their back.