"I feel like my physique hit the limit and at the same time, overflowing with vitality and strength." Gin described how he feels.
"I also felt the same thing. It's also the reason why none were able to discover their 13th hidden seal to date because there's no room of improvement after discovering the 12th hidden seal.
I too tried every possible way but couldn't find an inkling of how to discover the next one." Reyna expressed. "Don't waste your time too much on trying to discover it."
"I understand, but I won't give up without trying." Gin spoke with a hint of determination.
He knew he's trying to achieve something that many failed to date; at least as far as he knows. But, he's isn't the type of person to shy away from a challenge.
Failing to awaken his spirit seal impacted him deeply, that abandoned feeling and powerlessness he experienced had been strongly etched in his mind.
On that day he swore to reach the peak of the martial way and he hasn't forgotten it.
"Your soul also advanced to the white-soul stage, it's time for you to learn how to utilize it properly," Reyna spoke. "The best place for that is the Eternal Flame domain."
Gin nodded his head. Alchemy Association is the best place for soul masters to learn about soul skills and alchemy-based professions.
Only people certified by the Association are considered as authentic soul masters and Alchemy practitioners.
The mention of the Eternal Flame domain reminded him of Yirene's promise. It's been three months, but there's no word from her yet.
Well...she will definitely call him when she plans her visit.
--
Gin then traveled towards the inner region of the Extreme snow region where the Silver-heart flower is spotted.
Reyna followed him but she strictly stated that she won't lend a hand unless it's a Seal Destruction level magical beast.
After two hours of travel, he reached the coordinates given by Reyna. On the way, he encountered some magical beasts but they are just low-level ones.
Possibly, the battle between that two peak mortal ranked beasts frightened the intelligent ones.
But, Gin was frustrated a little as he failed to find the silver-heart flower around the vicinity. 'No doubt, the person who spotted the flower didn't provide with the accurate information.'
He could tell why the coordinates are wrong. Extreme snow region has bad weather, the visibility is low and filled with magical beasts.
So, the adventures in this line of work mostly overlook the direction and some key details. They are not in the mistake, because many do it while passing as a hobby.
It's how adventurers work; they search for unknowns.
If they find things which are new to them like herbs, rare materials, magical beasts they report it to the Human Union or ranker division.
Then, the Human union searches about that particular item in the database and see if they have any matching details. If not, they will just store the information for future references.
It was how they got the information about the Silver-heart flower.
Silver-heart flower grows on tree trunks or tree roots and a place that holds rich energy.
They are rank-2 herbs by birth and can't survive without rich essence energy. Even so, he can't go around searching every tree he spot that would take forever.
"Miss Reyna, the person who spotted the flower did he leave any other information?"
"A ranker reported about this herb about six months ago when he and his team of rankers came here for a mission.
He said he found the herb in the tree trunk; heart-shaped, silver in color with vermilion lines, reaching 10-15 centimeters in height.
But before he could take a closer look, his team was assaulted by bird-type magical beast and they were forced to flee the area." Reyna told him everything she knows.
"Did they described the magical beast that attacked them?"
"Yes. It's a blue-beaked Condor."
"That's it!" Gin exclaimed.
"What?" Reyna was confused. She didn't find anything helpful in the details provided, 'Is it because I don't have excessive knowledge about the herbs?'
Fairy Zera relaxing on her left shoulder giggled. "You should have listened to my advice and memorized all those books that I told to read when you were younger.
If you have, you don't have to appear ignorant in front of others. Hehehe."
Of course, Reyna naturally ignored Zera's chatter, as usual.
"Now I knew why the Silver heart flower grew in such a place it's because of the condors; the feces excreted from them."
"Feces?" Reyna frowned. 'What is he talking about?'
"Yes, we just need to find the tallest tree within our proximity, then we will surely locate our herb." Gin explained.
Reyna closed her eyes for a second and spoke, "there's one, two kilometers to your west."
"Good!" Gin then sprinted towards the direction and found a tall tree while most of its branches were covered in snow. He couldn't see the top as it was hidden by the mist clouds.
What made him jump in excitement is the flowers growing atop one of the branches, if not for the glowing red tracings none would notice it.
Not just one, there were three such flowers. With that, he can finally concoct a Wild heart potion without any worries.
But, he didn't rush to pluck the flower. If the condors were really living up in the tree, they would attack him as soon as he approaches the tree.
He quickly scanned the surroundings and tried to peer into the mist clouds but couldn't discover their presence.
He can't make a move without ascertaining their number and strength. Since their wastes can birth rank-2 herb, their strength would naturally be high.
He's confident of his plans if the condors' strength is around level 4 or level 5. But if they had already formed their 6th Elemental core, he can only ask Reyna's help.
Of course, if she wasn't here he has to figure everything on his own.
Gin then the went off and came back with a magical beast— Spotless Hare—that formed three elemental cores.
He killed the hare by simply snapping its head and tossed it towards the tall tree and waited patiently. As for Reyna, she watched everything from the sidelines.
After what seemed like 15 minutes, a huge bird with enormous white wings descended and held the hare between its razor-sharp nails.
The enormous bird nudged the motionless hare with its blue head, confirming whether its truly dead or not. Heeding no response, it grasped the prey with its mouth.
With a leap, it soared into the sky while its shadow disappeared behind the misty clouds.
These types of condors are no predators, they only hunt dead animals but dangerous and territorial. If someone trespasses their home, they react violently.
Gin's face grimaced. The condor is strong it has already formed its 6th Elemental core and its strength rivals peak seal opening stage practitioners.
With his current strength approaching that tall tree is just a death wish. Having no choice, he asked for Reyna's help.
She helped him by releasing her peak Seal Destruction stage aura and scaring the hell out of every living being within a few kilometer surroundings.
The condors aren't any exception, as Gin clearly heard sounds of wing flappings and frightening cries from up above. They fled their home.
Having no hindrance, he picked the flowers and stored it in his magical space. Completing the task he came for, Gin left the place happily with Reyna.
They didn't use the flying shuttle as Gin wants to test his new strength. Discovering the 12th hidden seal, improved his strength to a whole new degree.
With his current strength, he can fight some weak practitioners who 'opened' their 5 hidden seals if he gives his all.
Feeling the strength coursing through his body, Gin smiled. He's now one step closer to reaching the pinnacle of the martial way.