The Rise of the Black Plain

When Minos' group came across those artifacts that were freely placed in the area for anyone to pick up, they quickly spread out.

There wasn't just that big, high-level grade-4 axe. Several other low- and medium-level grade-4 artifacts were scattered around the area.

For some equipment, it was not enough to have the appropriate level to wield it.

Above low-level grade-3 artifacts, all kinds of items would have unique characteristics, such as innate powers, that their users could activate by infusing their powers into these weapons.

But could a cultivator with an affinity for ice, for example, activate the flame ability of an axe?

Not likely!

To master these weapons and use them, one would not only have the strength to bear the weight of the artifact but also have to have an affinity for it.

Otherwise, even if they had the strength to wield them, they would not have the strength to restore them to their original size and remove them from this place.

The dragons who built this temple did not want anyone with raw power to come to this place and take all the artifacts. Each piece of spiritual equipment was deeply connected to remarkable rocks that held the items firmly in place.

Strength alone would not be enough to move them, and only a level 99 or higher could take these items without having an affinity for them.

But no one at that level would come to this place just to collect items that had nothing to do with them. So even after so long since the 'end' of this dragon's home, this area still existed and had equipment available.

It was not necessary to have the strength to get these items out of there but to have the affinity to find the right 'way' to get them out of where they were placed.

So even Gloria and the other low-level Sages in the group soon found themselves scattered around the area looking for items that were compatible with them.

Minos and Forrest looked at the large axe before them, both interested in this item.

Minos did not use hammers, but someone in his group might have an affinity for this weapon. Besides, he only had one high-level grade-4 weapon. If he wanted more at his disposal, he would have to go after such equipment by buying or earning it.

Facing this challenge, he was willing to try his luck.

But being the weakest one there, he gave way to Forrest. "Try it yourself first. If you can master it, our group will be stronger."

Demigods of level 94 or higher could easily wield high-level grade-4 artifacts. Below that level, it would be difficult even to bear the weight of one of these artifacts.

But as someone who possessed a complete set of Golden-grade techniques, Forrest must have had some technique that increased his physical strength a bit and probably gave him a skill higher than his own level.

Thinking about it, Minos judged Forrest had enough power to fight with this weapon if he could master it.

He wanted this artifact for his own army. Still, knowing that it could also benefit him if it ended up in Forrest's hands, Minos didn't bother to give his ally room to try to grab the best item in the area.

Forrest nodded to Minos and was soon in his Soul Avatar form, a little smaller than the gigantic item but more compatible with how the weapon looked.

As Forrest moved his hands, a large amount of spiritual energy from the area suddenly converged on his arms, significantly increasing the spiritual pressure around him.

Everyone in the group noticed this as they were already in front of the items they were interested in and momentarily distracted themselves from the challenges they were about to take to watch Forrest.

The only one who didn't pay that much attention was Harold, who was the weakest in terms of combat skills and was standing in front of a low-level grade-4 weapon that he thought could be very useful to him.

Low-level Sages could easily manipulate artifacts of this quality. However, even though this place had received several people of that level over the years, some artifacts were still left behind.

This was a sign that could indicate a lack of affinity on the part of many of the talents passing through this area, as well as a lack of interest in low-grade items.

For the high-level Sages, the primary public of this event, only medium- and high-level grade-4 artifacts could catch their attention!

But Harold thought this was perfect. Because of this, he could have good artifacts that he could try to collect in this place without going through a big competition or spending too much of his crystals!

He was also already in his soul projection form, with both hands underneath one of the artifacts, pouring all of his power into it in an attempt to control the item.

'If I can get at least one of these artifacts, I'll leave the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom before the group continues.' Harold thought to himself, knowing there were still many dangers in this event and that he had already taken enough chances.

Continuing wouldn't get him much further, so he was already thinking of retreating to the Flaming Empire!

After a few moments, Abby, Gloria, and two of the Demigods in Forrest's group began making their own challenges in the area, trying to gain artifacts for themselves or even for the people in their forces.

With so many of them acting in tandem with Forrest, the others continued to stand still and observe the area, enduring the tremendous spiritual pressure while cheering on their allies.

Anything they could get there would strengthen them in this event and when they left this Spatial Kingdom!

But while these people were testing their affinities and strengths, a powerful spiritual pulse suddenly came from the direction of the great lake in that area.

A whirlpool of energy and laws formed above the center of that huge body of water, and in a single instant, it shook this entire space, causing it to tremble as a cracking sound rang out.

'A breakthrough?' Minos looked at the lake and swallowed his saliva. "The Sky Whale is entering the 10th stage!" He exclaimed.

There was a big difference between an ordinary human like Forrest's allies advancing from level 89 to 90 and the advancement of such a powerful creature.

This whale's advance would put pressure on all of this space for the next few hours, even if it did not intend to!

This might be bad for those who were trying to get weapons in the meantime, but it would move so much spiritual energy that this place would become a good spot to cultivate for the next few hours.

Those who advanced in level concentrated more spiritual energy in their surroundings than they could absorb. Knowing this, Minos immediately ordered.

"Hurry up! Seize the opportunity! When this advancement ends, we must retreat quickly!"