Chapter 51: The Cruelty of Tier-2 Ruin.
Outside the ruin, thousands of people had already gathered. Loud chatter echoed in the air.
The previous forest had turned into a small village. Tents of various sizes scattered everywhere.
However, the most conspicuous ones were the Mystic Path Academy, the Frostwind Academy, the Gong aristocrat clan, and the Jun aristocrat clan.
Each force had a Master Martial Artist standing guard. But the Jun clan showed why they were the uncrowned kings of the region.
Their two Master Martial Artists stood confident on a small hill overseeing everything.
For hundreds of meters around the Jun clan’s location, there was no other force.
Everyone avoided them as if they were a plague. Without releasing any aura, everyone could feel an overwhelming force when they looked in the direction of the Juns.
Opposite their location, the Gong clan looked at the Jun clan with undisguised hatred.
’Your reign won’t last long. You just wait...’ The Gong clan Master Martial Artist thought and clicked his tongue.
As for the two academies, they did not feel any pressure from the Jun clan.
Both academies were neutral with both the descendants of the Jun clan and Gong clan studying with them.
Apart from the undisputed power of the Soaring Cloud Region, the smaller forces gathered in twos and threes, discussing in hushed voices.
"What do you think is happening? No one has managed to come out?" A man said, his face etched with worry.
"How would I know? But I don’t think this is a good thing."
"Should we send some men to find out what is going on?" Another person asked.
"I don’t think that’s a good idea."
"I think we should wait for those powerful forces to react before we start panicking."
"Agreed. Let’s wait for them. I don’t think they can be quiet when their men are inside the ruin."
Indeed, many people had begun to worry about those inside the ruin.
This was no secret realm that people could not come out of. Exploring a ruin was quite simple, and the risk could be mitigated if careful.
Especially, if a ruin was too dangerous, people could leave at any time.
This was the reason why many top forces owned a ruin or two. They could send their students or descendants into the ruins to train or mine resources.
Therefore, it was common knowledge that after a few hours of exploration, many would come to explain what was going on.
Some ruins might be barren while some might require more force to explore.
But now, no one had come out to give such a report.
At the Jun side, a woman in her late twenties approached the two Master Martial Artists.
"Elders, I think something is wrong inside the ruin." She reported respectfully.
One of the elders looked at her and responded. "Remember, this is a Tier-2 Ruin. This is normal."
The woman was confused for a moment before a look of realization appeared on her face.
"I understand." She replied and gave a deep bow.
Looking at her retreating back, one of them commented. "How many do you think will return?"
The second master did not respond immediately. The difference between a Tier-1 and Tier-2 Ruin was too great. Likewise was the danger.
Although there had never been a Tier-2 Ruin in the Soaring Cloud Region, other regions had witnessed a Tier-2 Ruin.
Even some of their men had gone to explore it. From what they learned, it was extremely dangerous.
A Tier-2 Ruin was the size of a town if not bigger with many unseen dangers.
The first danger was the Ruin Beasts.
Thus, they did not dare hope for all their descendants to come out. Some would need to be sacrificed for the greater good.
"I hope half of them will come out." He finally managed to reply.
"I hope so..."
If any other force were to learn of their short discussion, they would be stunned.
The two Jun clan Master Martial Artists were already prepared for half of their force to return.
Then, what about the weaker forces?
None would return.
This was the grim reality of exploring a Tier-2 Ruin and above.
Yet, most of them were still hoping that this ruin would change their lives.
Perhaps, their lives would change but it might not be the way they least expected.
....
Inside the ruin, the sound of battle had never ceased for once. It was cold and brutal.
Every minute, a soul was lost either to the terrifying Ruin Beasts or to fellow humans.
Hiding behind a broken wall, Elder Shen was trembling, fear gnawed at her soul like a vice.
She watched the horrifying battle in the distance in dread.
’I shouldn’t have come!’
’I shouldn’t!’ She cried in her heart.
She gripped the edge of her robe, trying to find solace in it.
Ahhh! Ahhhh!
A couple of feet from her, one of the Association Array Masters was hit by an attack.
He was cleaved into two, blood gushing out of his chest, falling to the ground never to rise again.
As for those responding to it, they were locked in a life-and-death battle.
"Surrender now and we won’t make life difficult for you." A voice shouted.
"In your dreams." Another voice responded.
Many would not understand why they were going all out, risking their lives.
This was all for a cultivation manual.
Unlike any other manual, this manual could allow anyone to break through to the Master Realm.
Many First Rated Martial Artists had been stuck in that realm for many years with no idea of how to progress to the next realm.
Cultivation techniques that could be cultivated to the Master Realm were deeply controlled by the majors.
And now, they had found such a technique, how could they allow it to fall into the hands of another group?
One after another, people fell never to rise again.
Elder Shen was covered with the blood of the fallen and was trembling. She wanted to run for her dear life but was scared.
She had seen those that tried to escape but were all killed.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. At first, it was faint but slowly it increased.
In the distance, Elder Shen saw a Tier-1 Ruin Beast rushing in their direction.
"I need to run..." She shouted and without hesitation, she dashed in the opposite direction.
As for those fighting, they could die for all she cared.
She only entered the ruin to find an array formation diagram and a way to become a Grade-2 Array Master, not to die.
*****