The Rise of the Black Plain

"Emperor Minos Stuart is a monster," George commented with a sincere look, reliving his defeat from days ago. "He beat me soundly. Even though he was at level 85 and I was at level 87, he outclassed me in every way.

He could have humiliated me in front of the woman I love... But he held back. He didn't even use his special abilities. He just used part of his mental pressure against me."

"Oh?" The level 97 advisor opened his mouth in surprise. 

Minos' talent was known throughout the continent. Few didn't know Emperor Stuart was a great talent, someone stronger than those of his own level.

But George himself was a prodigy. For him to be defeated by Minos when he was two levels above that northern ruler gave a whole new meaning to Emperor Stuart's powers.

Minos was stronger than those of his level, but most people in the world were not prodigies or geniuses. As such, few knew his position among the world's greatest talents.

In particular, since they did not know Minos' true level of talent, few understood exactly how strong he would be when he reached the peak of cultivation.

In other words, where would Minos stand if he were a level 99 Demigod?

All the Demigods at that level were prodigies, cultivators outside of the curve.

But when those experts close to Queen Sista heard that Minos could surpass even a prodigy like George, they realized the true potential of Emperor Stuart.

'If he can beat George, then he'd probably be the strongest on the continent if he were at level 98.' Willow thought to herself, aware that she was less talented than George but that the difference between her and Vico wasn't great. If Minos could defeat George while being two levels below her son, he could probably defeat Vico, one level below this man!

But George reminded the Demigods that his father-in-law wasn't so easy: "But if he had used his ability to steal my cultivation base, not only would he have temporarily lowered my level, he would also have become stronger.

Using such a skill, his cultivation should be similar to that of someone at level 89, but not a 'normal' person at that level, but someone with Golden-grade techniques, the highest level of talent, and the highest level of Physique quality.

To face him at the 9th stage, you have to be a genius in every way. Otherwise, only 10th-stage cultivators can compete with him." George finished his analysis of Emperor Stuart's potential and current power.

The advisor looked at the queen as she understood what was in the old man's mind.

"Minos Stuart is indeed very talented. What about his daughter? What do you think of her?" Willow asked before giving her verdict on the matter.

"Sarah is also a prodigy but can't compare to her father. With her current cultivation at level 73, she should be able to join the Continental Tournament." George said, proud of his girlfriend.

"She's cultivating as fast as her father." The level 97 man said.

"She must have the same techniques as him. So it's no surprise." Willow commented before making up her mind. "Well, I don't see a problem with you marrying Sarah Stuart.

However, we need to discuss how this is going to happen and also come to an agreement with the Black Plain Empire. We're not going to risk uniting just for the sake of a wedding. If we're going to unite, it has to be backed by deeper business." She said, already aware of Minos' deals on the Divine Continent.

As the ruler of a state that consumed more food than it produced, she placed a much higher value on making deals in the face of the continent's chaotic future than some of her colleagues in the Western Region.

Since George loved Sarah and Minos wanted this marriage so badly, she would do it if she could get a favorable deal for her state.

As for the situation of her allies in the war against the Spiritual Church, she intended to keep the marriage of the eldest sons of the Sista and Stuart families a secret.

As long as no one knew of their relationship, they should have no problem being associated with a supporter of an enemy of their region!

Listening to his mother, George sighed in relief while the Demigods there silently thought about the queen's decision and judged whether it would lead them to the best possible outcome.

'Sigh... The war will be over soon, for sure. After that, if we're still alive, we'll have to face the ice age.' One of these Demigods thought to himself, fully understanding the queen's decision to accept Minos' demand.

Besides, if Minos survived and grew stronger in the future, being linked to him by family ties could help Sista a lot!

"George, you and Sarah Stuart should try to produce an heir as soon as possible. That will unite the Sista and Stuart families during the ice age." The queen's advisor said as the group walked towards the interior of the royal palace.

George looked at the old man and understood that this person wanted to benefit from having a grandson of Minos in the Sista family.

With a grandson of Minos among them, the agricultural products of the Black Plain Empire would be available to them to maintain their state during the crisis!

"I'll try my best." He laughed. "I hope fate will help us a little."

...

Over the next few days, the Sista family would discuss George and Sarah's marriage, as well as the possible deals they could make with the Black Plain Empire for the sake of their future during the ice age.

Only the most important members of the family would have access to these discussions, while the family intended to keep everything that would happen regarding George's unexpected marriage a secret.

After the initial discussions and decisions, some representatives of the family had already been sent to the Black Plain Empire to negotiate with Minos some conditions necessary for the wedding to take place.

But since the Sista family itself was willing to pay for Minos' food and help him protect himself at the beginning of the ice age, there wasn't much to refuse.

Minos didn't want to make any new deals, as he had already made several on the Divine Continent. But for the sake of his daughter's future, the chances of him accepting a new deal were not small.

And so the next three months would pass with the two sides actively discussing business and organizing their two states' marriage!