Elementary Understanding. Before the ritual, his parents had told him to not focus on mastering any Path, saying time is the essence. Though they did told him it is for the ritual, as mastering any Paths would increase his combat strength by a whole new level.
While they don't let him learn any of the Path, they do told him the different classification. Paths are divided into two, Law and Lore. The former is for any Paths that govern the world, such Elemental Path and the Universal Path.
As for the latter, it is where everything that is not considered a Law is place. Paths of different professions, along with weapons Path and some of the more unusual one liken the Path of Illusion is considered as Lore.
However, whether they are Law and Lore did not make any difference. Aside from the Lore of different professions, mastering any of it would make one stronger and more adept in using the said Path.
Aside from the different type of Path, his parents also told him the different classification. There are three main level in Path's Mastery, with each part having three other level, akin to a minor realm and major realm.
His parents had only told him about the first major realm, which is the Understanding realm. The first level of it is Elementary Understanding, his current Master level in the Law of Earth. Then, there is the Lesser Understanding, followed by Greater Understanding.
As for the remaining realm, his parents did not told him about them, though he guess there should be a good reason. For now, he would not care about the realm that would take years for him to achieve. Currently, he should focus on the different Paths he need to master.
Though, that one was also given by his parents. After all, the entire collection of Cultivation Art inside his storage ring is chosen by them.
When he asked, a day before the ritual of their reasoning, they merely looked at him and told him, "It's the strongest one in our collection, and the one that belonged to our closest friends," he did not asked them anything after that.
"At least I know what I should do," he muttered to himself. He should follow their advise for now. His parents should have their reasons in having him practiced more than 40 Cultivation Arts at the same time. Though, only time will tell.
"Let's head back. They should be waiting for me," he muttered before he used the Shadow Traversing Step to reach Alten City in record time.
However, as he ran towards Alten City, he did not notice a shadow moving, behind the shadow, the corpses of several beasts strewn all over.
-x-
It took him a whole day to reach Alten City. While slightly slower, it still better than the supposed week long travel, or the 5 days travel. As he reach the city, he quickly show his badge and was allowed to head inside.
After giving the paws of the Rock Bears, to the shock of the receptionist, he bead towards the inn. However, when he get close, he could feel something wrong.
Using the Shadow Traversing Step, he get as close as possible to his room. To his slight shock, there are group of people surrounding the inn.
Warily, he head towards his room. The shock was soon replaced by anger as both of his women are tied, pieces of clothing gagging their mouth.
"My, what great beauties," a man with a long nose said, his fingers on Era's cheek. "Don't worry, your lover would be greeted warmly," he took out a crossbow. A glance told Ryker it is a high Grade 2 Genesis Weapon.
"Hhmmm, hhmmm," despite being gagged, Ina continue to struggle, though she could not win, as everyone of the people inside are either intermediate or late-Stage Genesis Formation experts.
"You really need to learn your lesson," a loud slap was heard, as a handprint formed on Ina's cheek. To her credit, she did not cry though tears did form in her eyes.
"You want another one you whore!" the man yelled as he raised his hand. Ina closed her eyes, though the awaited slap did not come.
She opened her eyes to see a man with black and white hair gagging the long-nosed man, while the rest of the people inside was beheaded, their heads strewn all over the place.
Tears emerged from her eyes as she wanted to yell. Ryker turned towards her before cutting the gag and bound holding her. Both women quickly jumped on him, crying their hearts out.
While they might put up a tough front, they still terrified. After all, it would take a few seconds before they were raped by the intruders.
"When did this happen?" Ryker asked in a calm voice, though it is frigid. Ina could tell he is angry but hold himself back, just enough to learn of what happen.
"This morning, they suddenly entered the room and then we find ourself tied up," Era told him, her hold on him remained strong. Ryker let her. After all, the two no doubt traumatised by what happened.
"We are going to get out of here," he said with a tone of finality. None of the argue. After all, they both did not want to stay here any longer.
"But first, we have to bring this trash with us," he grabbed the long-nosed man, glaring at him.
"I have some questions for him, as well as some deserving punishment," his voice could freeze a whole nation.
-x-
"Where are they? How long do we have to keep this up?" one of the guard complained.
"Until the big boss said so. Don't worry, with this many people, even if the man is strong, he would still be killed," another guard said, with many others agreeing with him.
"Really, then what about those that I have killed," a voice was heard behind them. The group turned, to see the one their boss want to kill.
"Haah, coming for your death," one of the guards said, his cultivation realm revealed to be at the peak of Genesis Formation.
"No, yours," the man took out a storage ring before the content was thrown in their direction. To their horror, all of it were heads of their men located at the other location.
"Waahh?" all of them trembled at the sight. Especially as the head of one of the strongest members, a 2nd Stage Genesis Condensing expert, was also in the collection.
The man throw a punch. What seem like a weak punch feel like a powerful attack. In seconds, the remaining guards were blasted into oblivion, as the man soon disappeared.