The Rise of the Black Plain

At this time, Minos and Ruth were ready to leave the City of Waters and continue their journey through the Cromwell Kingdom.

Minos had no intention of himself staying here and analyzing this place.

That would not even be ideal, as he has not yet reached level 40. However, that did not mean that the Black Plain would not begin to check this town.

Previously, Dillian had obtained only the basic information about this city. However, they still did not know more essential questions, such as what family was governing this city and how strong this place was.

Thus, the Black Plain Army would send a group of soldiers on a reconnaissance mission in a short time. They would live in the City of Waters for some time until they discovered the most relevant information for the Dry City plan.

That should happen even before Minos returns from the Spiritual Tournament, within three months from now. At that time, the number of army soldiers would have been considerably more significant than today, making it possible to maintain activities like this.

...

As they left the City of Waters, Minos and Ruth discussed the journey they would take in front of them.

At that moment, Minos was walking beside Ruth while the two went to fetch the great eagle at the city's northern exit. "Ruth, as I said before, I want to make this trip little by little, stopping to train along the way."

"Hmm, I know. There are more than 20 cities between where we are to the kingdom's capital. There are some forests and mountains on this route that are also useful for you to train." She said with an expression still ashamed. She couldn't ignore the fact that they had been kissing for just a few minutes...

"Oh! That is great. Let's do this. We will travel on your eagle 8 hours a day, and then we will stop to train and rest for the remaining hours." Minos said with a satisfied smile.

He liked to stay and train in the Dry City and the Spatial Kingdom, but he wanted to see the world like any other youth. So, if he was going to make this trip anyway, then he might as well make the most of it!

"Okay..." Ruth said as they finally arrived where White was waiting for them, at the city's northern exit.

It didn't take long, and the two climbed on the great eagle and flew through the skies, with Minos hugging tightly to Ruth's waist while White took off.

...

Meanwhile, on the coast of the Black Plain, there was a medium-sized port in the middle of nowhere, which could allocate up to three ships at once.

From this location, not far away, one could see a medium-sized ship slowly approaching the port.

There was a prominent silver ship symbol on the ship's bow while two sailors talked just above that place.

"Oh! So, is this the place where we're going to pick up that load? How strange. I didn't know there was a port in this region." A man with blond hair said while covering his eyes from the sun and looking at the port, which was getting closer and closer.

"Hmm, why don't they use the Maritime City to do this business? At least there we have something to do while the ship is loaded." A young man complained.

Shortly after that, a third man wearing a Nash family guard uniform approached the two and said. "Stop the small talk. This business is essential for Ms. Elen. You are too soft. It seems that I have to harden your training."

"Yes, captain." The two responded in unison as they returned to their respective areas.

It didn't take long, and the ship docked at the port, where a building was not far away with a symbol of a golden tree.

That was the symbol that Minos had chosen to represent his power!

And that was the base that had been ordered months ago. It was currently in the whole operation, with about 50 soldiers divided between the 4th and 5th stages of cultivation.

The place had also already received the 200 tons divided into grains, cereals, and spiritual fruits that Minos had promised Elen.

As they descended from the ship, some men of the Nash family began to help the soldiers of the Black Plain Army to load the ship. At the same time, the captain watched the place with curiosity.

'A golden tree? I've never seen this symbol before. Where is that power from?' He massaged his face as he thought about it. Soon after, he scanned the items that were being shipped and was surprised. 'Huh? All of these foods have a very high spiritual concentration!'

He then mumbled while having a look of shock in his eyes. "It is not for less. So, Ms. Nash ordered me to prioritize these items before we went to the Cromwell Kingdom! How lucky she was to get such good items..."

After that, it didn't take long, and all the cargo transfer was done when the ship finally started to return to Stone Island.

...

While the Nash family ship was on its way, Minos and Ruth had been traveling for almost 3 hours continuously, when the two finally decided to go down in a forest.

White quickly descended from the skies, stopping in an open area in the middle of that forest.

There was grass for most of the land in that place, and not far away, oversized trees could be seen.

It wasn't a closed forest, but it was still entirely wooded, to the point that someone would get lost if he wasn't careful.

"Ruth, do you want to train with me a little? It won't be bad to match someone as strong as you." So, Minos said to the young woman after finding an appropriate place to begin his training.

She then looked at him with a surprised expression and said it firmly. "Are you sure about that? I don't take it easy, and there is a big difference between our cultivation."

'Hmm, considering that I advanced 1 level since I fought the last time, I believe that if I use everything I have, I could defeat an average person at level 43.' Minos started calculating and then said. "Considering that you have techniques of Silver-grade classification and are at level 45, if you fight with less than 50% of your strength, then that can work."

"Oh! 50%, you say? So, wouldn't that mean that all of your techniques are Golden-grade?" She said with a smile on her face. She had already seen Minos fighting, but she didn't think he would be that good, to the point of being able to match her, who was nine levels above him.

Minos smiled and then said as he tried to change the focus of the conversation. "I have an innate ability that allows me to increase the reserved energy."

"Oh! So, that's why you are so strong!" She exclaimed in joy. That was the first time she had any information about Minos' mysteries.

Minos then approached her with a flirtatious smile and said. "Look, I told you a secret of mine. Do you have any innate abilities that can be used in fights?"

"No, my innate ability is not for fighting."

That was not uncommon in the Spiritual World. It was difficult to be born with a Physique that provided an innate ability that could be useful in fights.

There were many possibilities, and those battle-related characteristics were just one of many subdivisions.

There were innate skills of all kinds, ranging from increasing someone's potential when making spiritual pills to predicting the future and even cooking!

Therefore, not many were lucky, like Minos, to have a skill that increased their spiritual energy.

Minos then asked curiously. "Then? Won't you tell me what your skill is?"

Ruth smiled provocatively and said. "Hehe, if, or rather, when you manage to beat me when I'm fighting with everything I have, maybe I'll tell you."

She knew that it was only a matter of time before he reached her with his cultivation speed. And at that time, she wouldn't be able to beat him.

"Oh! Okay, I accept your challenge. It may take a few months for me to be strong enough, but I will do that." He then took a blunt sword from his spatial ring and prepared to fight.

Ruth then asked in a soft voice. "Are you ready?"

"Hmm, come on." In saying these words, he immediately activated his three techniques at once.

Devouring Art!

Indestructible Body!

Spatial Sword!

A black ring then appeared around the sky, above Minos.

At the same time, Ruth activated her techniques with only half of her usual strength and headed towards Minos.

Fists of Pain!

Instant Steps!

But she did not use her defense technique. That's because there was no need. With her movement technique alone, she would already be able to dodge Minos' attacks.

That would be a battle of resistance for him and not for her!