The Rise of the Black Plain

The Spiritual Church forbade high-level organizations in the Central Continent to interfere with those of lesser power, as in the case of the Flaming Empire with the northern region of this continent.

In this case, while one side had Spiritual Saints, the other had as their highest level specialists only people at the peak of the 6th stage of cultivation, Spiritual Kings.

Because of such a discrepancy in terms of strength, even small organizations or mid-level individuals in the empire could wreak havoc in the Minos region, potentially disrupting church business in such a place...

Because while it was unprofitable for experts from that empire to settle here, it might be profitable for some to oppress, enslave, or otherwise exploit the entire Central Continent's north.

That is, by joining all the local resources of this part of the continent, there would undoubtedly be enough wealth to support projects elsewhere!

But that wasn't so good for this weaker part, nor wouldn't be suitable for one of the most prominent organizations on this continent, the Spiritual Church.

On the one hand, the inhabitants could have even more miserable living conditions than today. But, on the other, this incredible organization could lose its excuse to influence and even 'absorb' diverse local organizations and talented youths!

The Spiritual Church was spread throughout the region of Minos, except for very few points. Hence, not only did they influence hundreds of millions of people, but they also obtained significant amounts of crystals, which were enough to train many specialists.

Additionally, some talents, such as young people who competed in the Spiritual Tournament, prefer to join the church rather than try their luck in other local organizations or outside this region. That's because they wouldn't have to leave their homelands or their families right away!

Contrary to that, they could grow position by position in this region until they might have the chance to move to a higher level branch one day.

After all, the Spiritual Church was one of the greatest organizations in this world. Even if someone were to step into that power in a small town branch, a talented person could rise through the ranks to the top!

That was the main reason why such an institution maintained its presence in the impoverished north of the Central Continent.

As to why other powers didn't try to do the same or stop the Spiritual Church from doing that, well, that's simple. That is because none of the organizations close to this region can challenge such power, trying to steal what already belongs to the church!

Another reason is that the church already had a lot of influence in many of these states in the vicinity of the Minos region...

As for the other powers at the same level as the church, they had no interest in such a region. Moreover, the church had already arrived in the north of the continent first. For this reason, start a war for such a thing did not seem to be worth it.

Not to mention that external powers were already coming and going from the north of the Central Continent to pick up young talents and take them to their respective areas. Like the case of what had happened to Luke Nash, the young 'rival' of Minos.

Such an act was not illegal, not even seen negatively by the church, as this power demarcated these territories only to prevent chaos in its domain.

That is, as long as high-level external powers, or people above level 60, didn't act directly to influence local political dynamics, such an organization wouldn't bother with that.

With that, the local population was assured that they wouldn't live in constant chaos and that they could exercise their faith towards the Spiritual Church in an even more devout way than they usually would in other places.

On the other hand, the church could continue to have its benefits locally!

Anyway, because of all this, Ruth couldn't join Minos' organization, as the church would see this as the Gray Cloud Sect trying to influence this part of the continent. And both Minos and everyone else who were there in that dining room having breakfast knew of such a thing.

"It's a shame, at least for now…" Minos muttered in a low voice as he thought about how nice it would be to have Ruth beside him in the army.

However, even though he regretted that this young woman couldn't be one of his pillars of power, he didn't think the Spiritual Church acted badly concerning this thing. That's because it was convenient for him!

After all, the potential enemies of the Black Plain, the royal families of the north of the continent and some local noble powers, had descendants in other regions, mainly in the sects of the Flaming Empire.

But because of this rule, such people couldn't directly influence local matters, or they could end up losing a lot!

The most someone could do was send a few resources. Still, definitely, a Spiritual Emperor couldn't act directly in this region!

Hence, the chances of Minos and the Black Plain being very successive was much greater.

"Oh? So, you want me in your army?" Ruth asked Minos with a smile on her face.

This young woman would no longer find it so strange if this sovereign thought about it. She already knew many things about the Black Plain and knew that there would be no shortage of resources for her here. Therefore, it really wouldn't be absurd to hear such an offer from him.

Of course, she didn't think this place would become as strong as the sects of the Flaming Empire, as such a thing couldn't be easily achieved, not even in tens of thousands of years.

Minos then smiled at her and said in a joking tone. "That would be nice, but currently, such action would only bring me problems, haha. I would probably be persecuted by your family and the Gray Clouds Sect even before the Spiritual Church found out about such a thing and destroyed us all."

'But who knows about the future? Perhaps those rules will change when powers in the northern region start producing Spiritual Emperors locally…' So, he thought inwardly at the same time as he ran one hand over Abby's thighs and the other on Ruth's back.

...

Finally, after some time eating and talking, the group finished their breakfast, with Abby and Dillian heading off on their duties. As for Minos and Ruth, they headed towards one of the residences in the visiting area of this mansion, where they could talk more privately...

As they moved, the two talked in low voices about their business.

"Minos, besides that woman, how many others have you had in the meantime? Is there any other 'girlfriend' of yours I'll have to deal with?" Ruth asked this with dense intent to fight as she walked beside that young man and had one of her hands held by him.

"Hahaha, girlfriends? Well, I guess counting on Abby…" He pretended he was trying to remember until Ruth stopped walking and looked at him thoughtfully.

"Just kidding, haha. Abby is the only one. But I've been with several others in the meantime..."

"But the number is not that significant. In fact, I'm a very controlled person..."

'Oh? Controlled? That is a joke. You've always been flirting with me since the first time I saw you on Stone Island!' She thought to herself, looking at Minos in doubt.

"Ahh, I almost forgot, remember Elena? That young blonde from Stone Island who introduced us to the capital of that place? She's here too."

Hearing this, Ruth's pupils contracted, and she watched him once more carefully. "Why is this woman here? Didn't you say there were no others besides that woman?"

"I told the truth. Elena is here because she joined my army, but we're not in a meaningful relationship, even though we slept constantly…" He answered her calmly.

'So this is how it is...'

"Ahh!"

After that, Minos turned to her and made a quick movement, taking her in his arms and then walking to the interior of one of the residences there.

After letting out a cry of surprise, Ruth looked into the eyes of this young man and blushed deeply, feeling anxious for what was to come next. "I kept myself for you all this time..."

"I hope you take good care of me!" She commented to him, already feeling quite warm, smiling in anticipation.

"Oh? That's good. I prefer it that way, hehehe."