The Rise of the Black Plain

After hearing Minos' proposal, Vico did not tarnish his reputation by trying to wriggle out of fulfilling his earlier promise. He accepted Emperor Stuart's orders and left without further delay.

After losing to Minos, he didn't want to be around that young man, let alone Henry and Maximilian!

With such a departure, Maximilian also wouldn't be in Dry City for long. He was unhappy with what Minos had done, giving someone a Divine Medicine without first consulting the Gods of this world. But after Emperor Stuart's show of power and, more importantly, his realization that the Black Plain Empire would have Henry and Vico to protect it, he put aside thoughts similar to those Emperor Travisani had earlier.

After seeing Maximillian off, Henry sighed as he looked at Minos, trying to process everything that had happened and how much this ruler had grown in the last ten years.

"What was that you used at the end of the fight?" He asked curiously.

Minos smiled as he felt the consequences of using everything he had against a God. "You will understand better in the future. But in a nutshell, it's a new kind of technique based on cultivating the same energy as alien robots."

"Oh? You've already reached that level?" Henry was surprised when he remembered that the robot corpse was alive in the Spatial Kingdom, quite different from the situation he had found when he entered that place about a decade ago. "How much has your state evolved in relation to alien technologies in recent years?"

"Quite a lot." Minos smiled. "We're still not able to create robots as good as the aliens, but we're on our way to understanding them well enough to know their weaknesses and strengths and use that to our advantage.

As for similar techniques, the first group of men in my army are already beginning to learn this method so that we can make it compatible and safe with people from our world."

"That's incredible." Henry mused. "I thought my breakthrough was important, but what you did in that Spatial Kingdom was no less important than my breakthrough!

And your strength isn't bad either. If you were level 95, I imagine you'd even be able to threaten the life of someone at my level!"

Even if Minos could get Vico to use one of his techniques, it wouldn't be enough for him to fight the Gods directly. At most, he could use it against a distracted, tired, or even injured level 100 opponent, but even then, he wouldn't have a chance to deal a lethal or definitive blow.

That was the most he could do to annoy someone of Vico's importance!

But Henry could see that Minos had a lot of potential if he was given the chance to grow!

"We don't have time for that. And I can tell you that one of the strongest enemies will be coming after me." He laughed bitterly at the thought of the Mechanical Emperor's promise.

"What are you talking about?" Henry frowned.

"When I revived the robot in my Spatial Kingdom, I saw the Mechanical Emperor. He said he'd hunt me down when he reached the Spiritual World.

'That makes sense. If I were the enemy, I'd think the same thing.' Henry didn't find it strange, especially considering the wealth Minos had in mind.

Minos' whole current problem was time. With the wealth of the Spatial Kingdom and Emperor Stuart's individual abilities, it would be easy to reach level 100. So any enemy of his would have to seek his end as soon as possible, or the worst might happen to him!

Henry thought so and didn't doubt that the enemy Gods would focus on Minos before the level 100 cultivators of the Spiritual World.

He sighed. "Don't worry. Aarav, Willow, and I will protect you from the level 100 enemies. And if we all fall, you can escape through space. With your talent and wealth, you can reach level 100 anywhere. All you have to do is hide for a while, and then you can take your revenge in the future."

"That's a possibility... But I'll fight before I do that." Minos murmured before changing the subject. "Anyway, let's stop talking about what we can't change. The Continental Tournament will start in a few months, so I'm preparing to leave the empire."

"Oh? Is it time for the Continental Tournament already?" Henry's eyes widened as he realized how close he was to the war of the worlds.

There must be about 10 years left until the aliens arrive. After that, the war of the worlds could start at any time.

"Yes, will your state participate?"

"Yes, my daughter will represent my group. Will you participate?" Henry asked while they were already back at the portal to the Spatial Kingdom of the Black Plain Empire.

"Of course. If I win, I will have a level 99 cultivator with an affinity for ice to pick up a new Divine Medicine. I don't know if it will come from the prize that the elves will reveal where it is or if it will come from my Spatial Kingdom. But it's a fact that I have to make an effort for this person to reach level 100."

Minos didn't know all of the powerful cultivators in his world. Some elders lived hidden in the mountains, cultivating in seclusion for centuries or even millennia.

Unless someone knew them or they showed themselves, there was no way for someone as concerned as Minos to know about them and their characteristics.

Otherwise, Minos would have invited Julian's friend into his group!

"If I win the main bet, I'll be able to use that as a justification to give this person Divine Medicine. That will save us trouble."

"You're right." Henry agreed. "Well, I'll send a message to my state so they can try to help you."

"Thank you." Minos thanked him before saying goodbye to Henry and finally leaving to begin preparations for his group's journey to Elves Island.

It was finally time for the biggest expert competition in the Spiritual World!

For the next few days, Henry would work as the doorman of the Spatial Kingdom, while Minos would meet with the key figures in his state to present the current situation of the empire and also assemble the group that would travel to Elves Island.

Aside from Gloria and Abby, almost the entire Stuart family would be going, along with Minos and a few specialists. Apart from them, the vast majority of the important names in the state would stay behind to take advantage of the opportunity to come and go freely from the Spatial Kingdom while developing important measures for the near future.