Noble's Garden

 "Noble's Garden?" one of the rogue cultivators who were able to enter the hidden realm asked, hoping to get some answer from.. anyone really.

 However, besides Hylla, the others from the powerful families seem to not know the place. Seeing how they all looked at her, their face asking for an explanation, she lightly coughed before telling them about the Noble's Garden.

 "Noble's Garden is a special part of the hidden realm that is said to contain treasures capable of assisting one at the Genesis Sea to ascend to the Spirit Grade realm. However, there had never been any sign of it ever appearing during the openings of the hidden realm.

 The only reason I knew of it is that the Duke told me of some of the aspects that the King had told him and the previous Duke, with the addition that the aspect will only appear once in a while, with no way to determine their appearance.

 Though, I do have a speculation as to why the Noble's Garden appeared," she said. When the others looked at her expectantly, she didn't open her mouth and seemed content to keep that piece of knowledge to herself.

 "So, can we enter the place now?" one of the heirs asked, seemingly ready to sprint into the place. The only reason he didn't do it is because of fear of retaliation and traps that might be hidden near the place.

 "We cannot enter yet," Hylla said while pointing upward. They looked at where she pointed at saw a small stream of light, dim as it is, seemingly feeding into the dome.

 "That is the Noble's Light, something created by a genuine Spirit Noble. Even the Duke likely died if he touched it without any protection. For people like us, we will be dead in a minute. Not to mention-" she seemed to trail off, not wanting to reveal a certain detail.

 The young master of the Mortola Family lost his patience, "Not to mention what?!" she yelled at Hylla, who looked coldly at him.

 "If you are being rude, then why should I divulge this information?" she replied, not afraid even after sensing a powerful aura emerging from the young man.

 He was about to suppress the servant girl when a powerful aura emerged from Hylla, contending with the young master's aura with ease. Seeing how he couldn't even surprise a mere servant caused him to be in shock, his mouth wide open while his face was red from embarrassment. 

 The servant didn't seem to care about the man and instead looked at Ryker before going close to him. She leaned closely to him and whispered into his ear, "The secret of entering the Noble's Garden is by gathering some pearls. 

 The pearls have special properties to shield and absorb the light... though the whereabouts of the pearl are unknown, likely scattered all across the hidden realm. I was able to grab one. As for the young captain, he was also able to get one.

 As for you, I'm not sure if you get any but if you don't, then I will give you mine," she pulled out a rainbow-coloured pearl, seemingly able to stop and devour the light in its vicinity.

 "You mean, this?" he took out the same pearl he found when he was taking some herbs that grow underwater.

 "Yes, it seems like three from our group can enter. Though, whether they also found the pearl or not will determine whether they can get the opportunity to enter the garden," she said, before scanning the crowd.

 She calmly took out the pearl before putting it back into her storage ring. The action seemed to spur the others into taking action.

 "Ah thank you that this father found the pearl!"

 "Why?! Why did I throw it when I found the pearl!"

 "Hahaha! Your luck must be bad if you threw it when you find the thing to enter the place!"

 "At least I find it, unlike you!"

 "At least I didn't throw it like you did!" 

 The crowd began to fight with each other, trying to grab any pearls as if they were not able to protect the pearl, then they didn't have any business trying to claim the treasure as their own.

 Some even began searching all over the place once more, trying to find the pearl before they could enter the place. Some that have the pearl even enter the garden, at least tried to.

 When they enter, the light seems to burn their body while at the same time causing cracks to appear on their pearls. When they get out, the pearl is destroyed, ending their hope of entering the garden.

 Ryker, Hylla, and the rest of the forces sent by the Duke calmly watched over the situation. While fighting between each other is not ideal, then again, it was to be expected as no one would want to lose the chance to strike it rich.

 As the light seemed to dim all over the hidden realm, Ryker and the young captain set up a camp, where they began to prepare to rest for the night. With the exception of the trio that will enter the place, the other guards will sleep in rotation preventing any opportunist to try and claim the pearl while they are sleeping.

 Wanting to wake up early, Ryker crawled into his tent before closing his eyes, slowly drifting into slumber.

-x-

 When morning came, Ryker was the one to wake up the first, while the guards that remained awake was the one that stayed awake for the night. He greeted the leader of the second night shift, one who possessed strength similar to both Hylla and the young captain.

 He then began to eat some of the spiritual fruits that he had found inside the hidden realm, finding no reason to not eat the fruits. The others seemed to have similar thoughts as they also ate fruits for breakfast.

 When the other two woke up, they were treated to the sight of the entire group eating fruits for breakfast. Shaking their head slightly, they also eat the fruits on the plate, while watching the light above the some, waiting for the dome to disappear. 

 It takes another two hours before the dome finally disappears. Not wasting any time, the rest who were able to grab the pearls dashed into the Noble's Garden, wanting to be the first to claim the treasures inside.

 Naturally, the three also entered the place, ready to fight for the treasure. As they passed through the place where the dome once was, they seemed to be transported to another space, as the area covered by the dome was not too big but the place they were currently at was almost as big as the entirety of the hidden realm.

 When no other person entered, a large figure appeared. While he didn't know him, both Hylla and the young captain knew the man.

 "The previous King?!"