To think, he would be blessed with such opportunity. With the exception of the Law of Fire and Lore of Sword, he had been able to further his mastery on the other Path with some opportunity.
His mastery of Law of Death comes from the fallen expert in the path while his mastery of Law of Water can only be achieved from the rewards given to him by the Hal Family, the Deep Lake Lotus.
Now, he was about to get another opportunity to expand his mastery of the Law of Metal. He circulated both Celestial Energy Art and Acute Metal Scripture, one to purify and enhance the energy around him while the other one to refine and absorb the metal energy.
As he circulated the two art, he could feel his mastery of the Law of Metal began to rise. This results in him getting nearer to the ore. Realizing one of the competitors had already gotten a head start, one of them tried to get closer.
Instead, he was sent flying, suffering some external injury from rushing to the barrier. Watching as one of them was sent flying, the others couldn't help but feel helpless. After all, they had already come this far. Tot think someone else would be able to get something you had been trying to get you on while you can only watch? The feeling is absolutely painful.
They decided to look away, not wanting to see the young man getting closer and closer to the center.
-x-
Ryker continued to comprehend the Law of Metal as he got closer to the mysterious ore. While he couldn't understand what he would get, he knew instinctively the ore would be something good. Whether the smithy of the capital could work it out is a different question.
When he got close enough, he could feel his understanding of Law of Metal would reach the Elementary Understanding. However, he decided to hold himself back, not wanting to get held back by trying to reach level one mastery at such a dangerous place.
When his hand touched the ore, he felt an overwhelming pain on his hand. He look at it, seeing a mark being formed in that hand. He tried to pull away, not knowing what it would do but not wanting to endanger himself if he could help it.
However, the ore seemed to have a mind of its own as it didn't allow the hand grabbing it to release it. As his hand remained in contact with the ore, he could feel his mastery of Law of Metal improving once again.
Realizing he couldn't do anything about such a thing, he took advantage of the misfortune as he focused on mastering the Law of Metal. As his mastery of Law of Metal reached near the peak, he willed himself as he could feel his Law of Metal reaching the Elementary Understanding.
He raises his hand, taking a closer look at the mark. While he didn't know the effect of the mark, he knew it would be something good. Before he could ponder on its uses, he could feel something shaking underneath him.
The others seemed to realize something as well as they tried to escape. One of the men is at the Genesis Core after all. Unfortunately for the man, they couldn't fly away as there was a powerful restriction preventing them from flying.
With a loud crack, the floor gives away, making all of them fall into the inside of the mountain.
-x-
Ryker opened his eyes. To his surprise, he had remained unscathed. A quick look around showed he was somehow alive while others were injured but able to maintain their survival. With one not being so lucky. The place he fell was filled with spike, impaling him.
He wondered what would happen next when a cavern showed itself. Inside the cavern was near priceless treasure. There were even Grade 8 Genesis Herb. Unsurprisingly, there are barriers blocking the other path.
As for Ryker, he was able to enter the place easily, as if there was nothing blocking his path. While the other is about to curse Ryker, another path opens and shows another path to another room that is also filled with treasure.
They quickly rushed towards the room, ready to claim their prize. Ryker ignored them for now as he focused on grabbing all the treasures. He let out a triumphant smile as he was the one to get the most advantage out of the entire ordeal.
-x-
When Ryker touched the ore, another beam of light could be seen. They quickly realized the implication, every group that didn't have a member inside the first trial area had rushed towards the other location, hoping to get the prize.
As for those that had people inside, they remained near the place, along with some groups hoping to rob the winner. As they waited, they spotted the first person to exit. It didn't take long for them to realize it was Ryker.
Before his group could act, the Tol Family made their move as the Genesis Core experts all headed toward the young man. Ryker merely glared at them before swinging his blade. Scoffing at the attack, the Tol Family expert didn't even attempt to protect himself. A mistake that would cost him his life.
When the sword slash got close, the expert's eyes panicked as he could sense a terrifying power coming from the attack. Because he didn't put up a defense earlier, he could only try to cover himself with his qi while using some defensive technique, hoping it would be enough.
Unfortunately for him, it was not enough as the attack easily cut through his defense. In the end, his incredible reflexes were the ones to save his life as he was able to bend himself, losing an arm in the process.
The expert clutched the stump with gritted teeth. In the end, it was better to lose an arm rather than lose his life. He looked at Ryker with hatred before his eyes went wide as he could feel another group coming after them.
"What is the meaning of this?!" the elder of Maza Family roared, moving towards Ryker as he looked at the Tol Family expert with rage.
Realizing the danger he was in, he didn't bother trying to explain himself, instead focusing on escaping from the expert. To his surprise, they didn't seem to be chasing after him. The group had surrounded Ryker, clearly trying to protect him.
While this would mean he wouldn't have the chance to get whatever the young man had, it still gave him a chance to escape. He sends a message to his family members, the entire Tol Family escapes in a matter of seconds.