Hearing the announcement and rewards, all the youths present were thrilled beyond words.
Just a Mortal grade technique is enough to rile them up, but now the voice mentioned they can even obtain a transcended-grade technique.
What is the transcended-grade technique? It's a technique that transcends the limits of mortals, considered as treasures and legacy of many powerful families.
If they get their hands on such precious technique, there's a likelihood that they can break past the limits of mortals and transcend this world.
2000 some humans youths who survived the previous trial didn't waste their time any longer and hurried to the pillars with a frenetic expression.
Gin and Luna didn't hasten like others since there are more than enough pillars for everyone.
"It's not an ordinary ruin," Gin commented. Everything about this ruin is a mystery like forcibly teleporting others, unusual trails, illusionary magical beasts with high strength, and so on.
"Yes," Luna agreed. Unlike Gin, She knows a lot and heard about different types of ruins and their dangers.
"Luna, Gin...What are you guys waiting here for, let's go and test ourselves." Shaun found his way towards them and spoke.
"Wait...I want to speak to you guys." Gin suddenly spoke.
"What is it?" Shaun and Luna asked.
"I only trust you two on these...I hope you won't let anything happen to my friends and fellow students." Gin spoke in a hesitant tone, feeling troubled.
"Worry not, as soon as we exit the ruin I will explain to my sister about your predicament and ask her to help," Luna responded in a softer tone, discerning Gin's difficulty.
"Gin, are you doubting my words?" Shaun gravely asked, offended, as he thought Gin didn't believe in his words.
"No, I just wanted to remind." Gin smiled bitterly and waved his hand.
"I understand your dilemma but don't forget there's Human Union overseeing these powers from acting as they please. They aren't just for show, they won't let other powers affect the lives of common peoples."
"Even so, I will make sure your friends are protected. But I can't stop if the experts from the Silver Dragon domain want to kill you. It's a grudge between you two, after all; others can't intervene." Shaun spoke and patted Gin's shoulder.
"Your worries are excessive," Shaun spoke, "Just relax."
Gin nodded as he understood the logic. He wasn't worried about the silver dragon domain targeting him, because if it's just him he has plenty of ways to escape.
For example, if he performs well in the trials and acquires the transcended-grade technique, he can gift it to the human union and ask them for protection.
If it comes to worst, he will just reveal that he's a soul Master as he knows soul masters are wanted by many powerful families and they will go through a great extent to protect one.
"Come on, let's check the trials." Luna called, "Even Feal, Dia and Tish has already joined the trial, I can't wait anymore!"
"Let's go." Gin said. Soon, the three of them chose a pillar for themselves.
The pillar was silver-white with exquisite design, while mysterious inscription symbols mapped the entire surface, and it also had a small area at the middle with a smooth surface, for placing one's palm.
As soon as Gin placed his hand, he felt a slight tug on his soul, and in the next second, his consciousness arrived in an arena-like place except there are no spectators.
In front of him stood a black-masked man who exuded a powerful presence and murderous intent. From the aura, Gin perceived his opponent has discovered 9 hidden seals.
The masked man stood 6.5 feet tall, clothed in black leather outfits. Even his hands are covered in black gloves, so nothing could be distinguished about him; his appearance, expression, skin color... nothing.
Not just Gin, every human youth faced the same opponent. Shortly after, the trial commenced and their opponents charged forth.
Even though the masked opponent seemed powerful to others, Gin effortlessly defeated him by two punches.
Only then he noticed, in this space, his strength remained the same as outside. As if everything about him is simulated to this space.
Overjoyed, he faced his next opponent who was the same masked man but his strength has risen to the next level; as that of someone who discovered 10 hidden seals.
Two punches, his opponent was once again defeated by him. Next, the masked man's strength rose to 11 hidden seals.
Fighting an opponent who discovered 11 hidden seals, Gin found it a little challenging and he was forced to use his skill – Fist of Destruction.
Next came the true challenge, the masked man broke past the Physique Enrichment stage and entered the Seal opening stage with 1 hidden seal opened.
Gin was a little nervous as this was his first time facing a genuine Seal Opening stage practitioner and that too, one who broke through after discovering 11 hidden seals.
Just the aura emanating from the masked man intimidated him a little, as everything about the masked man changed.
Unlike before, the masked man's entire body was overflowing with energy, even his mere presence evolved into a higher-level one.
Just as the masked man waved his hand, a small flame ignited in his palms. Gin's face grew solemn as he knows his current opponent is a terrifying one.
The masked man attacked, not by charging at him but by hurling the blazing flame towards Gin.
"What?" Gin was astonished by the attack. The flame was small but it was flying towards his head like a fired missile, burning with ferocity.
Not having much time to evade, Gin quickly dodged the attack by tilting his head, the flame ball brushed past his cheek, scorching it a little.
It was a small flame but destructive. Blocking it head-on won't injure him heavily, but it will definitely char his skin.
If he wants to defeat the opponent, he shouldn't let another attack hit him. Even though the previous flame ball was fast, it was evadable if he uses his perception well.
The masked man and Gin clashed. His opponent was strong, fast, and possess excellent combat skills like the flame ball with strength somewhat around 60,000Kg.
Facing such an overpowering opponent, he can't do much. The only advantage Gin had over his opponent is his strong physique.
There's also his Fistforce, but to deal with his current opponent he has to use his entire Fistforce. But if he uses it, he will exhaust himself and can't face his next opponent.
Noting the time, it's been only 4 minutes since he arrived at this space. "Did I overdo it?
'Sigh, I should have wasted some time when my opponent was weaker instead of defeating them quick.'
Not providing enough time for Gin to mull over, the masked man attacked him again. Anticipating the attack, he easily dodged and charged at the opponent.
He directly used Fistforce and crushed his opponent's face, ending the battle. Feeling exhausted and drained of stamina, Gin heaved a little.
But what he expected didn't happen, his opponent didn't respawn like before. Instead, a middle-aged with handsome appearance materialized before him, dressed in a traditional martial robe with grey top and silver pants.
His face was wooden as if he didn't even know how to express himself. What to say? Gin felt the middle-aged man lacked a soul.
His appearance didn't scare Gin as he didn't feel any kind of maliciousness from the man. To Gin, he seemed the same as the AI being designed to manage the Ranker Division.
"Congratulations, you are the first one to pass the trial and most qualified of all to receive Master Windspear's inheritance. Are you willing to accept the inheritance?" The middle-aged man stated.
Surprisingly, his voice is the same one that everyone heard before. "Who are you?" Gin asked the obvious question.
"I am sorry. I can't answer your question if you don't accept the inheritance." The middle-aged figure gave a blunt response.
"Are you forcing me to accept the Inheritance?"
"No, I am saying you're not qualified enough to request an answer from me. If you accept the Inheritance, your status will be improved, otherwise, it won't. Simple!" The middle man gave a candid reply.
"I can't even inquire what type of Inheritance I am going to accept?" Gin probed.
"You can," The middle-aged man's answer surprised Gin. "Then, tell me about it."
"Master Windspear took pride in two of the techniques he created himself— WindSpear Arts and Absolute-Wind Technique.
Windspear Arts is a spear technique while Absolute-Wind is a movement technique. You can only choose one."
After pondering for a few seconds, Gin decided to accept the inheritance as he won't lose anything for accepting it.
"I accept the inheritance and choose the 'Absolute-wind' technique. Now you can answer my questions right?" Gin asked.
"Yes, but it can wait." The middle-aged man suddenly snapped his fingers and then, both of them disappeared and appeared in a different place that looked like a huge hall.