First Part of Trial

Shuri seem to not know how to react to the answer. Then again, it might be because of how blunt Ryker is.

"Well, that is... informative," she manage to say with a blushing red face, unable to look at him in the eyes.

'At least she knew what I meant,' the silver-eyed man sighed in relief. He did not want to explain the concept of intercourse to Shuri if he can help it.

"Let's contin-" before Ryker could finish his words, the ground shake once more, this time near Shuri.

The sudden shaking cause her to lose balance and about to have a face-to-face meeting with the ground when she felt big strong arm wrapping around her waist.

She did not need to look behind her to knew it was Ryker. After all, there is only two person here, including herself.

"That should be the first trial," Ryker exclaimed, eying the thing that just come out of the ground.

Similar to the pillar that came out of near the barrier, it shine for a brief moment before words come out of it.

[ First Trial: Trial of Strength. Used any method to endure the onslaught of attack from the surrounding area. ]

"This is concerning. Shuri, do you practice any Body Refining Art and Technique or knew any defensive Technique?"

Seeing how the white-haired girl looked so sheepish, Ryker assumed the answer is no.

'Looks like I need to protect her then,' taking her hand, Ryker pulled Shuri with him, the white-haired girl stumbled slightly but was able to keep her balance.

As they entered the first trial, countless blade come from the surrounding, all heading towards him.

Putting himself between the blade and the young mistress of the Hal Family, Ryker's body turned stony before his body glow in metallic light, absorbing the attack with ease.

Though, he could feel he was doing it wrongly for some reason. Meanwhile, Shuri keep herself hidden, not wanting to pull anyone into danger

Well, more than they are already in.

As times went on, the feeling of him being wrong intensify, making him think his approach is wrong.

'This is trial meant for those who comprehend or trying the Law of Metal. So, I can only use the Law of Metal against the blade, or so it seem,' he thought before taking down his strongest defence, though his body still maintained the his Iron Body for assurance.

"What are you doing, Ryker?!" Shuri asked in horror at the sight of the man taking down his defense.

She watched as he grabbed his sword and unleash a ray of Metal qi towards the blades, blocking it.

"Used any Technique of Metal attributes. It's the way to finish this part of the trial," he said.

Shuri listened to Ryker and did as he said, a two daggers in her hands as she slashed at the incoming attack.

"Metal Claw," she exclaimed, throwing in several powerful attacks, colliding with the trial's metal blade.

The trial's metal blade broke and something flew towards her. A part of her wanted to dodge it but she refrained from doing so, believing it to be useful later on.

As the small light particle touch her forehead, she could sense her cultivation rising slightly. Other than that, her understanding of the Law of Metal improved as well.

Emboldened by her succees, not to mention the rewards she receive, the white-haired woman was about to continue when Ryker warned her.

"Save your energy. Don't do more than is needed. The other trial should be more difficult," nodding, she decide to just block or attack the blades coming towards her.

As the number of metal blades stopped rises, Shuri could feel that not only her comprehension of the Law of Metal rise, but her mastery of her Techniques getting better as well, not to mention the fact her cultivation steadily rising too.

She could feel she slowly reaching the 3rd Stage of Genesis Condensing at this rate. Ryker seem to realize this as well as he stopped blocking most of the attack heading her way, allowing her to slowly raise her cultivation realm at the expense of her qi.

However, she did not complain as hardship and obstacles are the whetting stones of any cultivators. In no time, she reach the limit of the 2nd Stage.

As she wonder if she should hold it, a powerful erupted besides her, surrounding her and protecting her from the blades.

"Focus on your breakthrough. I will stop the blades," Ryker said, his qi blocking the attack with ease.

She looked at him in awe before focusing on the most important task, namely her breakthrough. As she absorbed the wordly energy around her, Ryker threw some Genesis Crystals, helping her breakthrough.

She gave him a smile before continue her attempt, slowly breaking the walls of the 2nd Stage and advancing to the 3rd Stage.

The white-haired woman opened her eyes, her body brimming with power. Seeing this, Ryker stopped blocking the attack as the young mistress of Hal Family began to block the attack.

Ryker keep a close watch on her as Shuri slowly consolidate her cultivation through training, the trial being a good way for her to stabilize her foundation.

When her cultivation stabilized, Ryker called out to her, "Let's finish this trial!" Shuri did not answer verbally though the subtle nod is more than enough.

With that, the duo slowly walked through the trial, hoping it will end soon less they will likely die here.

-x-

Thankfully for the two of them, the blade stopped appearing once they reach a certain point. When it happened, Shuri plopped herself on the ground, groaning as she did so.

"That is so hard. I don't think I can go for another trial soon," she commented. Ryker had to agree.

He could sense Shuri's qi reserve had dwindled during the trial, barely reach a quarter of her reserve. Besides the fact the two of them are at different major realm, he also possess an abnormally large qi reserve, allowing him to hold on longer than anyone in the same cultivation realm.

Unfortunately for them, the trial did not throw them any bones.

"The next trial will continue in 10 minutes," a stone pillar appear and disappear, which is lucky for it as Shuri would no doubt try to destroy it.

"What?!" she exclaimed before taking out several pills from her storage ring, all of which are Qi Replenishing Pills, trying to restore as much qi as possible.

As for Ryker, he absorb the worldy energy, filling his reserve just as quickly if not faster than Shuri.