The Rise of the Black Plain

In the blink of an eye, two years have passed since Minos' party left Dream Station.

The spacecraft bound for the Artificial Moon had already traveled more than half of the route, making several stops, landings, and embarkations. Meanwhile, Minos and his group remained steadfast, living between cultivating and enjoying the "peace" of the journey to Zocarro.

As dangerous as this part of the journey was, for a group that included several mid-level Sovereigns, Minos, with his ability to strengthen everyone and fight like a high-level Sovereign, few dangers could scare them.

For a group that had already experienced what this part of the journey could expose them to, the troubles of the past few months were not enough to disturb the peace of the group.

Amid it, the group obviously didn't grow stronger. With all of Minos' companions at high levels, it would take between 5 and 20 years of his companions' previous progress for them to make any further improvements.

Hollie and Lily had the best chance of advancing in the short term, but even they were far from advancing to the next level.

Nevertheless, cultivation was a daily thing that had to be repeated tirelessly, even if it took a while to produce results.

Therefore, if someone tried to contact the group today, they would find most of them cultivating in the cultivation area of the spaceship, while some of them stood guard.

It was good to be cautious about the problems that might arise on such a journey!

...

On the spaceship to Zocarro, Minos sat next to Vico and Callie while they ate in the passenger cafeteria.

Although the cuisine in the universe varied greatly in quality and taste, starships like this offered such a wide variety of dishes that all tastes could be satisfied.

The three humans now ate food similar to what they would eat in the Spiritual World, while they talked about the future.

"Will you still want us to return to the Spiritual World when we reach level 107?" Vico's voice was filled with intrigue as he asked Minos. To be honest, he wouldn't have minded returning to the Spiritual World to fulfill the agreement the two and Minos had made. But considering everything that had happened in the last decades and the fact he was already at level 105, he wondered more and more if it would be possible to fulfill this agreement.

By the time they reached Armhands, he wouldn't be far from level 106. Would he be able to take care of all his guild business in the short time it would take him to reach level 107, the level Minos had asked him and Callie to reach before going to the Spiritual World?

Armhands had their rules. They would join the guild, and it would be awhile before they had the right to come and go from the headquarters. Uncertain about this, Vico was curious if Minos would stick to their agreement as they had discussed in the Spiritual World.

"I've thought about it and I don't think there will be enough time for you to get the chance to return to the Spiritual World. We'll let it for when you reach level 108. It won't be easy to reach that level, which will give you enough time to settle up with the guild."

The two sighed in relief that they wouldn't have to go to Zocarro, stay there for a few years, and then return to the Spiritual World.

"Changing the subject, what do you think we'll have to deal with when we enter Armhands?" Callie asked Minos.

"Are you talking about the challenges for you and Vico?" Minos asked the ice-blue-haired woman next to him.

"Knowing that might help us, but I was more concerned about what challenges you and the other five might have because of the old problems you had before you left the guild." She clarified what she had in mind.

"I can't say for sure. During my time in Armhands, I served as a Law Enforcer. I prevented many guild members from doing what they wanted, punished many criminals, and certainly became a target for the hatred of the oppressed ones.

All of my enemies or rivals may have died while I was away. After all, Zocarro is terrible. But they may still be alive and eager to taste my blood. So it's hard to say what to expect.

There will certainly be some pressure, direct attacks, attempts to turn relevant guild members against us, etc." He said what he could imagine.

"But we won't be completely alone. I left a faction behind, and I have friends within the guild who will help us. I don't expect them to sacrifice anything for me, but they will be available to at least advise us and point us in the right direction." Minos said without being naive.

"Are you talking about Maximilian?" Vico asked with a strange expression on his face. "I wouldn't trust that guy, Minos. Maximilian is treacherous."

Minos smiled and said. "I know, and I'm not talking about him. Maximilian is plan D for me. If plans A, B and C don't work out, I wouldn't count on him."

Callie and Vico smiled, but also sighed with relief.

Maximillian and Minos had experienced things in Armhands that they didn't know about. But Maximillian's history in the Spiritual World was too long for them to ignore the treacherous personality of this former member of the Spiritual Church.

Minos said. "You are familiar with the regulations of the Armhands. I trust certain guild members because they benefit from my personal growth. So these friends I told you about can be trusted. They'll help us with information and advice."

He sighed and said. "As for joining the guild, I'm not sure what the process will be for you. You'll certainly join as Recruits, since you'll need merit to get better positions. But your position won't be that of simple Recruits.

You will probably become internal members of the guild in less than a year after we enter the headquarters. During that time, the only problems you'll have will be related to me. Only after that will you get involved in situations that have nothing to do with me."

"Sigh!"

"I'm looking forward to it."

The two said similar things before finishing their meal and returning to their shifts, when they would cultivate and other members of the group would stand by to monitor the situation on the spaceship.