"How did you pull it off?" he asked.
"It was nothing, I would have lost anyway if the battle went on for any longer. " Logan said, smiling wryly.
Jason was silent, he doubted Logan's words but he decided not to press on.
Sensing Jason's doubt Logan could only shake his head with a smile, and say in thought 'If I hadn't noticed Mark's tiredness, perhaps I wouldn't be standing here right now. Besides, that helper that Mark had was extremely terrifying.'
"Okay catch you later, my family wants me to come to spend some time training before going to the ancient ruin," Jason said as he turned back to go.
"Wait, what of Mark, how's he doing?" Logan asked, stopping Jason in his tracks.
"He's doing fine I guess, but it would have been nice if you guys talked things out when he gets back, you do know that he's still your roommate after all." Jason turned slowly answering Logan's question as he placed his hand on his chin as if thinking of something.
"Okay, I will do that," Logan said with an awkward smile as he too turned to enter his room.
Taking out the profound time stone, Logan entered into the time capsule hoping to fully integrate the profound mysteries of the 6th stage of the essence of vibration he had comprehended during his battle with Mark.
'The sixth stage essence of vibration truly is something, it would definitely be useful to me in exploring the ancient ruin. Now to perfect my mastery over the skill!'
As he was about to enter into his world of essence, he felt that prickling sensation once again as the wounds on his skin slowly started regenerating at a speed visible to the naked eye. He smiled as he saw this.
'Right about time.' he thought.
Entering into his world of essence, he sat in a lotus position as he saw the 'essence of vibration' jade slowly floating in the air. He saw the sixth stage of the essence of vibration [invisibility] which he had comprehended.
He continued to meditate on it and he soon felt it disappear but he could still feel its presence.
Realizing what the sixth stage of the essence of nature [invisibility] was about he decided to meditate on it as he entered into a state of enlightenment. Ignoring the flow of time Logan continued to increase his cultivation along with his comprehension of the jade slip.
...
A week had passed and it was finally time for Logan and the other disciples to embark on their journey.
Waking up to a new day, Logan stretched, but something was different about Logan's aura.
He had broken through to the tenth stage of the elementary realm.
"Wow dude, seems like you had a nice time cultivating, " Jason commented as he too just stepped out of his room, seeing Logan's improvement.
"You're not bad yourself," Logan commented, seeing that Jason too had a breakthrough into the eighth stage of the elementary realm.
"let's go, I'm really excited to explore my first ruin" Jason said jovially as he jigged around on their way to the place where all the other disciples were gathered.
"I'm excited too, but hey, the first elder had warned me to be careful at all times, so I'm giving you the same advice. And also don't trust anyone."
"Oh, Logan bro I trust no one that isn't up to my standards of handsomeness."
Logan nodded seeing that Jason was finally back to being his old self, he couldn't help but ask something he had just recalled now.
"Jason, during your match with Elizabeth, what were you trying to do?"
Jason was visibly shocked "You saw that?"
"Literally everyone saw that! You looked so obvious." Logan answered in a stern tone as he facepalmed himself.
Jason's face darkened as he picked up pace walking faster.
"Hey bro, wait for me! Don't worry I'll teach you how to do it like a man!"
"Really?" Jason asked as his eyes lit up, he slowly reduced his pace.
"Of course not! Hahahaha!"
….
Reaching the area where all the other students were, Logan saw different faces he hadn't seen before, and the aura they were giving off wasn't that of one in the elementary realm or the intermediate realm which he had felt from Mark or the dark lord.
They were obviously in a realm above that, they were in the Advanced realm.
Logan overheard the first elder, presumably giving them some useful tips in exploring the ruin.
"Now firstly, Ancient ruins are not only historical sites but also sacred places for some people. You should respect the local customs and traditions, and avoid touching, damaging, or stealing anything from the ruin. You should follow the signs and instructions of the guides diligently.
Ancient ruins are full of secrets and wonders, waiting to be discovered. You should keep an open mind and a keen eye, and try to learn as much as you can from the ruin. You may find clues, puzzles, or treasures that could help you in your cultivation. You may also encounter mysteries that could change your perspective on life.
"Disciples, I want you to fully follow your fellow seniors, do not go astray, and don't be led by greed, the rewards you get there could improve the rankings of our Azure faction above the other six factions, or bring about the destruction of our Azure faction." The first elder spoke in a firm tone laced with authority as he advised the disciples.
"There is a restriction on the ruin, only those of the early stage advanced realm and below can enter, so we elders and your fellow seniors above that realm won't be there to protect you, you'll have to protect yourselves"
"Look after each other and whatever treasures you find do well to alert your fellow seniors before you act, I wish you all luck, you may enter the ship let's go." the first elder said as he concluded his speech, gesturing for the students to follow him into something that looked like a spaceship.
Logan was surprised to see such a ship. It was large and was hovering in the air with no supporting wings, it looked magnificent.
Entering the ship, the interior was fully furnished and decorated, everyone boarded the shop as it took off.
On their way Logan felt a pair of eyes looking at him, he looked back and saw those pair of gazes belonged to Mark. He decided to go talk to him and resolve the issues.
"Hey Mark, sorry about previously, but I just had to win," Logan said as he approached Mark.
Logan had already received his reward during the one-week break, they included a new sword at the intermediate realm, some pills that would help improve the absorption of the essence of nature etc.
Mark looked at Logan deeply as if thinking of something before replying "It's Nothing, it was just a tournament, I'll still gain my victory back in the near future."
"You're welcome to fight anytime," Logan smiled friendly as he thought about how stubborn Mark was about fighting him.
…..