The Rise of the Black Plain

While the situation of the radicals in the Spiritual World worsened, a few months passed quickly between the crisis of the rebels and the preparations for the beginning of the ice age and the arrival of the aliens.

The cooperation between the world's strongest powers was getting better and better, with each side more easily developing their new ways of using the knowledge from the alien technologies.

After Minos acted to make the most of his commitment to the elves, this tribe and others who acted with him realized the benefits of sharing their discoveries.

Though each was still a bit suspicious of the other and thought they needed to protect some of their advances, many now saw the exchange of information as beneficial.

By sharing information and insights into how other peoples saw the same things they did, different tribes made new discoveries about things they hadn't noticed before, but which could affect them significantly.

As a result, while Minos had made several agreements, tribes such as the dragons, phoenixes, and elves had moved to do the same as him and were already dealing with the positive consequences.

All of these combined powers were getting stronger, which might be a problem in the future, but for now, no side could stand still. With the chance to improve more together, they put aside rivalries to make faster and deeper progress.

Meanwhile, the rebel issue had lost much of its momentum in the months since the news of the radicals' corruption broke.

With incentives from governments around the world, the populations of virtually every state and tribe have become more active in the fight against terrorists.

The result had been the expected weakening of the radicals, a reduction in their numbers, and a decrease in attacks worldwide.

But they were still at work, maintaining tensions around the world while raising the prices of various common and cultivation products through their actions, which were more and more directed towards financial gain and less towards defending the surrender of the weakest.

...

Meanwhile, in Dry City...

Minos was currently gathered with his family, his wives' families, his great friends, and, of course, his wives and children in the living room of his residence.

Hollie, Lily, and Rowan, now adults with fully matured appearances and physical forms, were there alongside their closest family members, listening without saying more than they should.

Hollie was currently at level 48, the youngest and weakest of Minos' children. Her twin brother, Rowan, was level 49, while Lily, the oldest of the three, was level 52.

Lily was the most similar to Minos of the three, but that didn't take away from her femininity. She was beautiful with her brown hair and looked a lot like a younger version of Maisie.

As for Rowan, he was also like his father, but everyone said he looked more like Albert, his paternal grandfather.

Hollie, who had brown hair, stood next to her mother, Ruth, as well as her maternal grandparents, Elise and Vince, and her aunt, Talia.

Of the three next to Ruth and Hollie, Talia was currently at level 81, while the woman's mother and father were at levels 82 and 83, respectively.

In addition to Lily and her mother, Isabella, the princess's maternal grandmother, Harold's second wife, Audrey, was currently at level 82.

Neither Harold nor the Empress of the Flaming Empire were around today, as they were both busy with their state and Isabella's younger brother.

Isabella's brother had already reached level 60, although he was born shortly after her marriage to Minos. He was a very talented young man and was currently the heir to this estate.

Meanwhile, Rowan stood next to his father and watched as his old man talked to everyone in the room about the beginning of his seclusion, which would take place over the next two days.

At Rowan's side were Kendrick and two of the local heir's girlfriends, while the latter rested an arm on his younger brother's shoulder.

"Rowan, what are you going to do? Father will be in seclusion for a few months until he reaches the main point of his cultivation when everyone will have a chance to absorb some of the power of the medicine he will use." Kendrick commented softly in one of his younger brother's ears.

He was still at level 71 but very close to reaching level 72.

Sarah was also close to leveling up but was still stuck at level 76.

Rowan looked at Kendrick, aware that his brother was trying to make him choose between staying in Dry City and having fun and cultivating with his old man.

"I'm going with our father. In a few months, he might be able to advance to level 90, so it'll be a good chance for me to cultivate near him. Maybe I can get to level 50 in the meantime."

Kendrick smiled. "Are you sure about that? In 20 years or so, we might all die. Don't you want to live a little before then? Find a woman and have some fun, Rowan. Our cultivation won't make any difference. Either our father wins the war and secures our future, or we all die. There are no alternatives."

Rowan narrowed his eyes and turned away. "It is a tempting thought to run away and live out the pleasures that remain in the last moments before the chaos. But I'd rather reach my full potential in the meantime."

Kendrick said nothing more as he took his brother aside.

'"You're right... I'll go to the Spatial Kingdom to train as well.' Kendrick thought to himself, 'But if I were you, I don't know if I would do the same.'

On the other hand, Sarah was there with her husband, who was also about to enter seclusion to advance to level 90 and would join Minos in the seclusion he was about to enter.

"You should be careful while I'm away," George said to Sarah, worried about her being away from him for the next few months. "As much as the terrorist attacks have decreased, be careful."

"I know. Don't worry. I will advance to level 78 while you cultivate. The empire will also continue to improve its forces and technologies, so perhaps the situation with the radicals will be resolved by the time you return." She told him when she saw her mother standing beside Minos and Abby.

Minos then raised a glass into the air and finished his speech. "Well, I wish everyone here the best of luck with their missions and goals over the next few months. Next time we meet, we'll have a lot of new things to do." He looked at Harold, Maisie, and Patience as he spoke, seeing the proud and happy looks on their faces.