Unlike the time he came here before for the Ranker exam, the entire place is jammed with peoples.
From what Dean Alfin said, the ruin was discovered near the inner regions of Northern wasteland; 20 some kilometers from the spot they landed.
Like him, many peoples were trotting towards the ruin location. Most of them were in groups, you won't find many sole travelers like Gin.
All of them were on the lookout for any possible danger and other human groups traveling alongside them.
As they were approaching the inner regions of the Northern wasteland, they encountered many magical beasts, strange insects and unknown dangers native to wastelands.
The grounds here were rugged with no pathways. Pointy cliffs, narrow ravines, steep walls – every step has to be carefully treaded. A slight mishap won't kill anyone, but a heavy injury is certain.
Gin quietly followed a 100-man group, while experts leading the group took care of the danger sprouted on their way.
After probing a few moving peoples, Gin acquired some useful information.
~After the human union's announcement, peoples from all the regions overheard about the ruin and so, many came.
The human union declared that they will open the ruin at 8 in the morning, and only Physique Enrichment stage practitioners are allowed inside.
According to some insider information, the ruin was discovered 4 months back by a topmost organization of silver mist region, later it was apprehended by Human union.
The organization kept it as a secret and choose to explore themself but the level of danger within the ruin exceeded their ability.
Knowing their strength is inadequate to explore the ruin, they tried to seek outside help, it was then Human union got wind of the news.
In fact, if an organization or any other power discover a ruin, they have the right to keep it themself, providing they have the strength.
If the same ruin is discovered by one of the powers of Eight domains, they won't let others in. At most, they would give some spots to the human union.
Unfortunately, the organization which discovered the ruin didn't have such influence and so, the ruin was apprehended by Human union.
---
After 15 minutes of travel, Gin safely reached the ruin location by following the 100-man group without any hindrance.
The area is a barren one, packed with peoples; at the least, the count reached 100,000. All of them were standing before a huge canyon with a narrow gorge, which was sealed by some kind of crystal material.
Without a doubt, it's the entrance of the ruin.
Gin noticed some groups which stood out from the rest; their demeanor, outfits, strength, and intimidating presence.
Without a doubt, they are peoples from the core regions. A particular, yet familiar group drew Gin's attention — peoples of Silver Dragon Domain.
There are around 150 peoples in the Silver Dragon domain group, while Zhyho and other youngsters were also present in the group but there's no sight of Rafe and Rodrix.
At the same moment, Zhyho's group also caught sight of Gin. As soon as they did, their eyes turned cold and murderous.
"Young lady, that kid Gin is here!" Zhyho reported to Beshrin, who was chatting with a head representative of the Silver dragon domain – Jaux.
Jaux was decked in old-fashioned martial-style attire which had silver dragon imprint on it. He stood six feet five inches tall, long hair, middle-aged appearance, and stocky build.
He has another identity aside from the head representative of the current expedition team; He's also a protector and distant but caring uncle of Beshrin.
Hearing Zhyho, Beshrin also spotted Gin.
"What is it?" Protector Jaux queried Zhyho.
Zhyho explained in short, not the part where he went to trouble Alfin, but about Gin and his strength. Hearing a completely different version of the story, Beshrin squinted but didn't comment anything.
"A student of Alfin who comprehended Fistforce in Physique Enrichment stage?" Jaux mumbled.
"Didn't you send someone to trouble his academy so that no students would study there?" Jaux asked, recalling something.
"Yes, but some talentless fellows go and try their luck; Like the kid Gin who has no spirit seal," Zhyho replied.
"Just let Garyx take care of him after he enters the ruin," Jaux replied seemingly unbothered while he didn't even spare a glance at Gin.
It's understandable as Gin wasn't even worth anything in his eyes. If it's not for Alfin being a traitor, Jaux wouldn't even bother with this kind of issue.
"If it's Garyx, I am also confident that he would take care of that fellow Gin." Beshrin nodded.
"I will notify Young master Garyx." Zhyho bowed and withdrew, while Beshrin and Jaux resumed their discussion.
--
Gin too noticed the peoples from the silver dragon domain are watching him but he didn't care. He knows this place is under watchful eyes of the human union, so he was confident no one would try to kill him openly.
Inside the ruin, that's a different story. Gin is confident about his strength in the Physique Enrichment stage.
He also noticed other groups from core regions from their clothing and symbols on it. Apart from Silver Dragon Domain, the groups from starlight Domain, Fiery Sun Domain, Northern Wind Domain, and Thunder Domain were also present.
Only the Phoenix valley and Eternal Flame Domain peoples are missing.
Besides them, the top three academies of the human continent — Rising Dragon academy, Sacred Union Institute, and Blue Orchid Academy — also sent their own share of students.
Unlike before, Gin knows very well about the power structure of the continent.
The Eight domains surrounding the 'Sacred Province' are Starlight Domain, Silver Dragon Domain, Fiery Sun Domain, Thunder Domain, Eternal Flame Domain, Northern Wind Domain, and Phoenix Valley.
The Phoenix valley is divided into two domains, the Dark Phoenix domain, and the Fire Phoenix domain. These are the Eight Domains of the human continent.
The strongest of the Eight Domains is Phoenix valley which is ruled by a single royal bloodline family. Due to their recent internal conflicts between the Dark Phoenix domain and the Fire Phoenix domain, no one knows their present strength.
If Phoenix valley is strongest then the 'Eternal Flame' domain is the most mysterious. Some say their strength doesn't differ much from the Phoenix valley.
Eternal Flame Domain is ruled by the Alchemy Association, who are masters of Alchemy. Powerful soul masters, Pill-makers, Array masters, and other alchemy related peoples, all hail from the Eternal Flame Domain.
Like the Northern Wind domain which is ruled by the Wolf family, the Silver Dragon Domain is ruled by a pure lineage family called Silverwing. They are true rulers of their domain and every power has to listen to their command.
Apart from these Eight Domains, the top academies of the human continent are also equally powerful. For example, Rising Dragon Academy which is equally as powerful as one or two Domains combined.
They are not strong because of the students studying in it, but because of the current Dean of the Rising Dragon Academy whose strength is just below the current president of Human union.
Next, Sacred Union Institute, which was jointly established by the human union and Eight domains. Youngsters from eight domains, powerful individuals groomed by the human union, and nouveau rich young masters all around the continent study here.
If Rising dragon academy is said to be a 'paradise of commoners' then Sacred union is considered as 'house for royals'.
Blue Orchid Academy, can't be said as an academy for women because men also study there. But, no one knows why most of the student's studies there are women. They are also equally strong.
Lastly, the Human Union. Nothing can be said about them as they are true rulers of the human continent.
The most powerful and authoritative figure of the human union is naturally the 'President' while the second strongest being the Vice President.
Apart from these two, the next in the line of power is called 'Sun Guardians' or just 'Suns', succeeding them are the Moon Guardians.
There are a total of twelve sun guardians in the human union while the first sun is the strongest and twelfth sun being the weakest.
It was said, each Sun of the human union is as strong as ruling masters of Eight domains. No one can question their strength apart from their president.
Even though some conflicts are happening between the powers of the human continent, it's child play compared to the true crisis looming over them — Fiends.
Maybe many of the youngsters don't know about the true fear of Fiends as there weren't many attacks, recently. If you ask the peoples who are living for more than 30 years, they all would recite the true terror of Fiends.
Even though there weren't many attacks for the past 15 years, all the powerhouses know the fiends are waiting for a perfect opportunity while quietly increasing their strength in the meantime.
If humans exposed any weakness or opening, then they are done for.