The Rise of the Black Plain

Minos, Maximillian, and the other four Sovereigns of the group were soon standing in front of the rest of their people when they saw four aliens stop a few meters in front of them.

"Fellow special explorers, where did you come from?" Asked the weakest of the Sovereigns, a level 102 individual with green hair, four legs, and three arms that resembled octopus arms.

The people in Minos' group looked nervously at this being while he and Maximillian were one step ahead of the four newly promoted Sovereigns in the group.

Then, the being continued. "You seem to be quite different from the space explorers we usually meet here. What galaxy are you from?"

Minos looked at the individual and said, trying to be friendly, because a problem with these beings would cost them a lot. "We come from a planet we call the Spiritual World. I don't know which galaxy we belong to. We came to Zocarro by accident."

"Oh?" The strongest of the four opened his mouth in interest. "So you have no connection to any powerful force? How do you feel about visiting our group? I'll be honest; I felt that woman's magical fluctuation, and I couldn't help but be interested in your group. You don't look weak."

"Can I learn more about the seniors?" Minos asked with a respectful tone.

Another of those creatures that looked identical in appearance said to Minos. "We are part of a force that only consists of aliens on Zocarro. Our headquarters are in Examire, not far from here." The creature pointed with one of its arms toward where they could see that city.

"Anyway, we're a group whose purpose is to explore Zocarro's potential, to reach new worlds, and to find a place in the Upper Realm for as many of our members as possible."

"Upper Realm?" Maximillian asked when he heard this name they had never heard before.

"The Upper Realm is a place in the universe where only cultivators at the 13th stage or higher than that can enter." The level 106 being said.

When these words were spoken, Minos' entire group felt pressure on them as they heard for the first time about what might be the most powerful place in the universe.

'Upper Realm?' Minos wondered silently. 'Does this have something to do with the lord of that seraph? He said his leader had many parts of the universe under his control.'

Thinking about it, Minos realized he would probably have to go to the Upper Realm to keep his promise to that seraph.

'That must be it. He had told me that if I could access other civilizations more powerful than the Spiritual World, I would get answers to my questions!' Sensing this was the case, he quickly turned his attention to these beings.

"This is very important. We would like to get to know the group of the seniors in Examire better before we decide. As tempting as the idea of joining a group with such a great purpose is, we have issues to resolve that could get in the way between us." He said, showing his interest but also his uncertainty about their proposal.

The weakest individual in the group in front of them threw what looked like a small bone in Maximilian's direction. "Look for Armhands in Examire. Use this item to locate us and gain access to our headquarters. There, you will be guided, and your questions answered."

Maximillian took it with interest, feeling that it would be good for them to join a group in Zocarro during their stay in this world.

He was more and more inclined to stay in this world. However, even if he decided to give up his old ties to the Spiritual World, he still wanted to accompany Minos' group until they could leave to return to their mission.

That was not out of mere kindness on Maximilian's part. He didn't want to be alone in an unknown and powerful world. Even though he was the highest-level cultivator in his group, he felt that he could get further and have a better chance in Zocarro if he traveled with Minos and the rest of the group.

Until they found a way out of this place, it would be time for him to adapt, grow stronger, and find a way forward if he really decided to stay in this world.

Then, the strongest of these strange beings said to them before he left with his companions. "Think about it. Our group is well known in the city, and few have the chance to join us. I only gave you this 'key' because of this person. Her ability is quite interesting. If she can become a Supreme being, she will be an asset to those who seek the Upper Realm!"

The people in Minos' group didn't say anything. They just watched those four disappear while thinking about everything they had just heard.

"Strin was right. Examire is the best place for us." The level 100 dragon in the group commented as he thought about the ant.

"What do we do now, Your Majesty?" One of the men in the group asked Minos.

Minos clenched his fists and said. "Let's go to Examire and get to know this place better. We'll get a taste of the city and then go to that group, the Armhands, to see if this proposal is really as good as it seems.

Depending on the conditions, I'm not against joining this group. Although it's not our goal to stay in Zocarro, we may be in this world for a few decades before we reach the point where we can return to our original plans."

With that settled, the group soon left the place, quickly completing the journey between that point and one of Examire's many entrances.

Examire was truly a large city. The city area covered dozens of square kilometers, and there were more than two million inhabitants from at least 10,000 different races.

There were five floating districts around the city, where some large local organizations were said to have their headquarters.

Apart from these floating areas, the place had many unique buildings in the center and more residential areas on the sides, where the local natives usually lived, more or less the same way Minos' group had seen in Littlemere.

The city center was where all the local diversity could be understood, where there were all kinds of businesses and opportunities for both native Zocarro beings and space explorers.

Stores sold everything from basic information to complex materials useful to newly promoted Sovereigns or those who aspired to become Supremes.

Unlike places that sold items usually made for the natives of this world, this city had all kinds of shops where one could easily order resources and artifacts useful only to those of their race.

This place was huge, but soon Minos' party would learn the basics of the area!