City in the Secret Realm

  The rest of the group looked at him with respect and fear, something he expected when he showed his true strength. "What should we do for now?" one of them asked.

  "We going to explore the place. There is no need to care for the trial. Besides, even if we tried to, I don't think there is anyone who could clear the trial," he said, making the rest nod in understanding.

  He didn't even bother explaining that to pass the trial, one would need a great aptitude. While mastering the Law of Metal would make it easier, in the end, the trial tested his aptitude cultivation as he could feel when he absorbed the energy, the pressure was reduced and he could get closer.

  As for now, they should gather as many treasures as they could until the other trials were finished. After all, what they had grabbed had been merely at the edges of the secret realm. As for the more important treasures, then it was likely located at the center of the realm, or at the final location, where the final reward is at.

-x-

  The group had spent almost a week harvesting resources. While most of it was Grade 1 Genesis Herbs, in the end, there is plenty of it. There were also plenty of Grade 2 and Grade 3 Genesis Herbs, with the higher grade herbs being scarcer at the Grade 4.

  Overall, it was a rich harvest, one that would increase their fighting strength by the time the war began. 

-x-

  On the 7th day of their time inside the secret realm, Ryker felt a scorching feeling on his hand. He looked at it, quickly spotting the mark on his hand seemed to turn brighter. Realizing the sign, he called out to the others. 

  "The final location is open. Everyone, follow me!" he yelled, the other part of the groups gathered behind him before the strongest Genesis Core expert of their group carried him to the location he pointed.

-x-

  At other locations, every single person who had passed the trial could sense it, leading their group to head towards the final location.

-x-

  When Ryker's group arrived, they could see a huge city carved into a mountain. Like the first peak, and likely the other trial peaks, there is a barrier blocking anyone from entering. Besides them, and the other trial challenger victor groups, there were also other groups, one that wasn't able to get a chance to join in the final challenge but still wanted to join in the fun.

  Ryker didn't pay any attention to the people as he was more focused on his would-be rival. Though he had some guesses of three out of five other competitors. Sure enough, his guess was correct as he could see Horo, Guro, and Miyon arriving with their groups.

  Besides the three, he could spot two other trial challengers, both of which are unknown to him. He wondered about their background before deciding to focus on another matter. Namely, what they should do. 

  Suddenly, the scorching feeling returned, making all of them look at their hand. As they did so, they could feel something pushing them. Pushing their hands forward, the mark seemed to fly from their hand before entering the city.

  Before long, the mark entered one of the six spires inside the city, causing the spires to glow and shine over the barrier. The barrier then dropped down, seemingly letting anyone enter.

  Some of the group with no trial challenger tried to enter the city, hoping to score some loot when a powerful aura crushed them. Seeing how those who tried to get close died, the others stopped moving, hoping that it was similar to the trial.

  Unfortunately, they couldn't be more wrong. As some of them tried to walk towards the city, the pressure returned, turning those fools into bloody smears. They looked in despair, wondering if whatever treasures inside the city would just be out of reach.

  During that time, the spires sent a beam of light to each successful trial challenger. They could feel something entering their Inner Realm. However, they couldn't do anything except examine it as they were not strong enough to block, whatever the thing was.

  As the light began to dim, they could feel something inside them. They quickly pushed it out, to see several different marks similar to what had been imprinted on their hand before. Realizing something, Ryker throws those marks at several people, a mixture of Genesis Core and Genesis Foundation experts receiving the mark.

  The others did the same thing, choosing the best Genesis Foundation experts plus some of the weaker Genesis Core experts to give the mark. After doing so, they entered the city, followed by the experts who received the mark.

  Unlike the previous ones, they were able to enter easily. Seeing how some people were able to get the treasures inside while they could only watch, some of them wished to let out their frustrations on the remaining people. 

  It was a big mistake as every single one of the groups has several peak Genesis Core experts. Soon, many rogue cultivators were killed for their attempts while the target didn't suffer any losses.

  Realizing they couldn't even hope of touching those near the city, the remaining experts decided to focus on exploring. As for the groups with people inside, they decided to wait outside the city, less when they exited they would be targeted by the dogs outside.

-x-

  As he led the group inside, he could feel his cultivation being suppressed. He looked at the rest, their faces telling him they suffered from the same thing. While this would mean they were vulnerable to any attack, he did not believe the final challenge trying to kill them.

  If not, it could achieve such a thing in less troublesome ways, instead of putting numerous trials. In the end, he didn't know the purpose of the trial except to seek people with good aptitude. As they entered the city, they could see a wall on each side.

  "I think this wall separates the other groups, young master," one of the Genesis Core experts gave his opinion regarding the matter.

  "It seemed that way. As for the reason, who could tell? In the meantime, look for any treasure while I go up the trial challenge," he ordered them, the rest of the people he brought in nodding.

  With that, they go their separate way. Still, he could see some of the experts with him trying to climb a house using the misplaced bricks to grab a treasure chest on top of the house. He shook his head, letting the others grab the treasure while he focused on climbing the stairs to the next challenge.