The Rise of the Black Plain

While Minos continued his journey towards completing a century since the start of his journey in The Red Expanse, his companions had experienced The Enchanted Realm for another 9 years!

This was a relatively quiet period for the group, even though, 9 years ago, they had begun to explore this pllittle by little.

As Ruth had been careful in her orders, emphasizing they would start getting involved in the affairs and opportunities of this world little by little, the group had, for the most part of time, acted without getting involved in risks.

Their group had lost no one in those years and got involved in missions and more serious matters as they grew stronger.

Nine years in The Enchanted Realm was no small feat for a group as weak as theirs. In those years, everyone in the group had improved in strength.

The robot and the four humans, who were previously at level 103, advanced to level 104. Ruth advanced to level 103, with Vico and Callie reaching level 102.

Of those currently at level 104, the robot was furthest ahead and could achieve a further breakthrough in a maximum of another five years. Ruth was next in line for advancement among the strongest, and could advance to level 104 around the stas one of the level 104 humans went for level 105.

But apart from the old Sovereigns in the group, these 9 years were enough for Abby and Gloria to reach level 100, becoming Sovereigns, cultivators of the Divine Journey!

The two had recently advanced, while their group was still in the sposition that Minos had chosen for them just over a decade ago.

The group had stayed there all this time, where the 7 Sovereigns of the group took it in turns to guard the area to protect the weak members of the group or to explore the region they were in.

In these explorations, they discovered a lot about the world they were living in, from the local forces, the situation of each force, where they could look for opportunities and do missions, which were the good places to cultivate and hunt, etc.

They went on quite a few missions in those years, learning about the war situation in the galaxy and what happened to those who chose the side of The Enchanted Realm when they left the planet.

While the group of 7 Sovereigns had done this, the children of Minos had cultivated and trained almost without rest in those 9 years, all of them having reached the 10th stage!

Kendrick was currently at level 95, very close to advancing to level 96. His younger sister, Hollie, had reached level 93, one level below Lily's current cultivation.

All of them had advanced a great deal over the years, not using any special resources to speed up their cultivation—a good sign, since there were wonderful resources in this world that could help them make rapid and solid progress.

Each of them had learned the techniques left by Minos before he left, with Kendrick choosing the stechnique as his father, while the two girls preferred techniques their father brought back from Zocarro.

All three were now powerful Grandmasters, youths almost as strong as Minos was at their levels.

As well as having his genes, Divine-grade Physiques and exceptional talents, they had cultivated since the 9th stage in areas stronger than the Spiritual World, something Minos had only done when he was in the middle of the 10th stage.

Now much stronger than they were s13 years ago when they left the Spiritual World, the three of them could finally accompany their family on more risky adventures through The Enchanted Realm!

...

Three days ago, after Lily's advancement to level 94, the group left the place where Minos had disappeared just over a decade ago.

They left that area marked, with various defensive artifacts and signs that would help Minos find them, in case he return while they were away.

Having made a lot of progress in the last few decades, the group thought they were better prepared than ever to get involved in missions and local affairs with all their members.

Their goal was obvious. To gather resources so that, when Minos returned, they could leave for Zocarro together.

Minos had spent almost all the financial resources he had with him to bring his group to The Enchanted Realm. If they wanted to continue on to Zocarro, they would have to build up local wealth similar to that which Minos had built up in his tin Armhands.

Minos had stayed in that sect for several decades, so the group was rushing to move through The Enchanted Realm and use all the hands they had at their disposal.

After the return of Vico, and the three Sovereigns who had been with him outside the group's camp until a few days ago, the group of 12 set off towards the nearest city.

They were now in a flying boat they had gained in this world, with the robot commanding the vehicle while the weaker ones there learned what was necessary by talking to the more experienced ones.

"Kendrick, Lily and Hollie, you've gotten a lot stronger over the years, but don't let your powers fool you. We're in a world where the strongest are high-level Sovereigns. Even I can't stand up to cultivators this strong. So be careful what you do." Ruth advised the three children of Minos.

Abby looked at her son and the other two. "You'll always be accompanied by members of the group, but watch your actions. Depending on the situation we face, you may be left alone temporarily. If that happens, don't step on anyone's toes. Respect even those who seem weak. We can't risk angering someone with powerful support."

The three nodded in agreement, aware their group would split into three when they went on missions. That was the best way for them to quickly complete their objectives locally!

"But don't get too tense. The city we're heading for has mid-level Sovereigns as its peak experts. The danger of the missions locally won't be so ridiculous, but it's impossible to foresee all the negative implications." One of the level 104 Sovereigns said confidently.

As they talked, they continued on their way, which would take a few weeks to reach the city of their interest.