The Rise of the Black Plain

Another year and a half had passed since Minos and his group had made a detour in their plans.

After overcoming the previous area, they returned to their original route, which was supposed to be safer and faster since it was between areas without rulers.

However, the group had faced adversity to get through another 35% of the way to The Bland Gulf. The group had fought about ten times in the past few months and had had many close encounters with death.

Fortunately, none of them had fallen in those months. But in return, the group received another increase in strength, with the last man from level 101 reaching level 102.

Now, Minos and the robot were the closest to making progress. But while Emperor Stuart wouldn't do such a thing now, even though he could achieve it without even using a Divine Medicine, the robot would need at least four more years to reach level 103.

Even with their resources when they left Armhands and the things they had achieved in the more than 3.5 years of their journey, it would still take that long if he wanted to advance in Zocarro again.

However, the robot hoped to reach level 103 before returning to The Adamant Land since it would be at least another year and a half before his group reached the Bland Gulf, and after that, they would still have a difficult journey until they reached the Artificial Moon.

However, today, the group had finally entered the northern region of Oqia, where they could reach The Bland Gulf in a few months' journey.

The Bland Gulf was the northernmost place in Oqia, the best way to get to the Ganaway Refuge, the island in the far north of Zocarro, from where aliens and natives of this planet could come and go from the Artificial Moon.

...

"So you're going to Ganaway Refuge..." Said an alien in front of Minos and his group, who had eight other aliens of the same race as him at the edge of what looked like an abandoned altar in the middle of a forest.

Minos and his group had met these beings a few minutes ago. They started to exchange information after both sides realized that fighting was pointless and that a conversation between them might be interesting.

Minos and his group were going to the Ganaway Refuge, while this group came from this place and was very interested in going to Examire.

Minos said, "Yes. We came to Zocarro by accident many years ago. As wonderful as this planet is, there are things we have to deal with that force us to leave it."

Minos already knew how strange the beings of this world, or the visitors to Zocarro, found it that someone like him wanted to leave when he was at the best moment of his life to cultivate on this planet. So he came straight to the point with this group of aliens.

"I understand. It's something you have to do," the leader of this group of aliens said before advising. "Then let me tell you this: Be careful when crossing the Dark Abysses' Sea. Aside from the natural dangers of the area, which can kill even Sovereigns, you will have to be careful with the crew you choose there."

Traveling across the Dark Abysses' Sea was impossible by flying, space travel, or any other special method. The only method was to sail through it.

But the Dark Abysses' Sea was extremely rough, dark, and difficult to navigate. Only someone with experience and knowledge of the area could lead a party through it with a good chance of survival. Those unfamiliar with the area could easily get lost and die!

But hiring someone reliable was another problem!

"The damned navigators will try to take advantage of clients who turn out to be weak and easy to fool. Don't be surprised if you have to deal with a bloody sailor trying to rob you in the middle of this area."

"That happened to our group." Said one of the other aliens. "The bastard threatened us in the most dangerous area of the journey to The Bland Gulf. If we hadn't given him everything we had, he would have left us in that terrible place."

"This happens in this place?" Ruth asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Certainly. And a group like yours will surely arouse the greed of some sailors. So look carefully for the crew that will take you. If you're not careful, you'll even lose the clothes on your back." The leader of this group said seriously, ashamed of what had happened, but sure that he couldn't let it happen again.

Before, he had been arrogant when he arrived at Ganaway Refuge, thinking that he didn't need to share information with anyone. Now that he had been tricked and experienced some bad situations, he was wiser.

"I see," Minos muttered, understanding the dangers that lay ahead. He thanked the aliens for their guidance. "Then let me advise you about the journey to Examire. There are several dangers. It took my group a little over three and a half years to get to where we are now, and we faced dozens of problems, some of them capable of killing us.

But we've learned on this journey to always think twice before coveting a valuable resource. Almost every time we ran into trouble, we were close to something of great value.

You've just arrived in Zocarro, so you must be looking for opportunities. But don't be too hasty. For low-level Sovereigns like you, there are plenty of opportunities in sects and guilds where you don't have to risk the unknown.

So, it would help a lot if you could avoid valuable things until you join a major force on the continent.

If you're interested, I'm part of a pro-alien guild that's one of the strongest in Examire. If you go there with this item, you'll have good chances on your way." Minos handed them an item similar to the one his group had received when they were invited to Armhands.

"Oh? Then I thank you for the opportunity." The alien said sincerely.

Minos replied with a smile. "I'd tell you how I came here, but that wouldn't guarantee your safety. We've only survived this far. So it might not be the best way."

"Don't worry, we intend to find our own way. But your information will help us." Said the leader of this group.

Minos quickly gave the information he had about the route between this point and Examire before receiving information from that group about the journey between this place and the Ganaway Refuge.

According to the group's information, there were some problems with the route that Minos and his people had defined. Since these problems were in line with the kind of trouble they thought might be ahead, they trusted the aliens' information.

So, not long after finishing their business, each group headed in opposite directions, considering what they had just discovered about each other.