Truth of Secret Realm

 They met up with Ina and Mashia at the point where they slit up.

 "This place is-" "Too small. Yeah, we notice," Ryker cut Mashia off, knowing what she was about to warn him about.

 She furrowed her brows at him before waving it of, for now.

 "So, should we go back? This place could be deadlier than it seem. After all, your father is injured here," Mashia pointed out, while glancing at the entrance as if fearing it will suddenly disappear.

 "I don't think the injuries are caused by the realm," Ryker said out loud, getting the others to look at him.

 "Your father receive a visitor because they somehow knew he enter a spatial area. But how did they knew in the first place? I think the bandits under the group also found the spatial area but was killed to the last, but not before leaving a message.

 So, when the people behind them learned of this, they try to force your father to work with them. After that failed, they buy of the man," he said.

 "Make sense," Mashia pointed out. "Secret Realm danger is usually in the surrounding. There will be no traps unless if it is cause by an accident. And as for as I could see, there is nothing dangerous around here, so, they likely met up with bandits like Ryker said,"

 "Hhmm, so, it is safe for all of us?" Ina asked, her concern for their safety understandable though can be a bit overwhelming.

 "Yes," Ryker assured her, earning a nod of approval from the brunette. They then turned towards Era, who nodded as well.

-x-

 With all of them agree to explore the Secret Realm, they move deeper into the area. As Ryker suspected, they did not find any danger, though they did find some treasures.

 "Looks like the owner comprehend the Law of Metal, though for some reason the treasures spawn here, is, lackluster would be the best word," Mashia exclaimed as she take one of the little stones. 

 Ryker could see it emitted Metal energy, but as the dragon girl said, it is not one of high quality. It can still be used to make decent weapon but the fact it come from a Secret Realm did not make sense as it is only a Grade 4 Materials.

 "Maybe, but it will still be a good thing for us," Ryker said as he began to gather the resources. The rest looked at each other and shrug before joining him in getting all the materials they could.

-x-

 For 2 hours straight, they had been collecting all the materials non-stop, due to it being useful in the future, either to be used or to be sold.

 As they walked, gathering the materials while at it, they find themselves in front of a large tower.

 "Get back," Ryker ordered before he took the first step to the tower. Immediately, he feel strong Metal energy crashing towards him.

 However, he was undeterred. Using the Indomitable Metal Scripture, Ryker began to refine the wave of metal energy, absorbing and refining it, while taking the time to comprehend the Law of Metal.

 The three women watched as the gold-colored energy was pulled towards Ryker.

 "What kind of monster is he?" Mashia said out loud. When the other looked at her in disguise, hurt and shock, she rephrase her words.

 "Do you have any idea how hard it is to comprehend the different Paths. Very few people manage to comprehend 1 while at the Genesis Grand Realm, yet he manage 9, and he still halfway in the Grand Realm.

 Not to mention, the ability to absorb the different energy," she paused. When the other looked towards her for an explanation, she sigh and said,

 "Different Cultivation Art have different attributes. Some only need to absorb energy though having certain type of energy will help way faster.

 Though, it does make absorbing different energy harder, or possibly leave more side effect. The different energy would cause the foundation of your cultivation to be impure. While absorbing all types of energy is done by cultivators, they will focus on refining the energy to not cause any impurities in their Inner Realm.

 So, for him to be able to absorb different types of energy yet be as strong as he is, should be impossible," hearing Mashia's explanation, the other two could understand why the dragon girl used the term monsters.

 All of the things he did is considered to be impossible by the standard of regular cultivation, yet Ryker keep doing it. Though, both Ina and Era have a guess to why he was able to absorb the energy without side effects.

 Taking a copy of the Celestial Energy Art, Ina handed it to the blue-haired dragon, who took it.

 After taking a single look, she gasped, something they both expected.

 "No wonder," she said, realization dawning in.

 "Both of you practice this as well?"

 "Yes, with but it just a contemplametry. We each practice another Cultivation Art as well," Mashia's eyes widened in shock before she began to realize it.

 "So, this Art is to refine the energy into something you can absorb while your main Art is the one you use to comprehend different Paths as well as rise your cultivation realm. 

 Well, whoever made this Art is a genius, because I don't think he create it. He's good but this Cultivation Art is on a different level than he could ever hope to make," Mashia exclaimed.

 "His parents the one that made the Art," Era answered.

 "They must be genius then because I don't think even the Adventure Guild have such Art," as they about to talk some more, the energy wave began to ebb, taking their attention as they looked at Ryker.

 The silver-eyed man looked at them, though he seem to gain some improvement from the wave.

 "Do you reach the Understanding level of Law of Metal?" Mashia asked. When she saw Ryker nodded, she almost let out a curse. At this rate, the dragon girl would have to give the mantle of the strongest person in the group to him.

 "I think we can enter now. It seem I have pass the test," hearing this, the rest followed after him.

 As they entered the tower, a ghostly figure appear in front of them. It turned and give a smile, or so they think.

 'This Secret Realm is created when I died. However, during the time of death, I manage to split my Inner Realm into several parts, creating multiple Secret Realms," both Mashia and Ryker exchanged look, their questions being answer by the remnant soul in front of them.