The Rise of the Black Plain

After recovering from the battle with the black liquid creature, the level 110 Sovereign and the level 108 Silverdawn young master, the group continued on their journey.

Well-informed of what lay ahead, and already knowing part of the way, the group would have a much better time once they left the vicinity of The Bland Gulf.

The three-year journey to the Armhands' headquarters city of Examire would unfold quickly, with two years passing uneventfully for the group.

When they least expected it, they would find themselves in the last third of the journey to Examire, with new breakthroughs in the group and, more importantly, with everyone finally stabilizing their spiritual foundation.

...

With just over two years since their arrival in Oqia, Minos' group had avoided many problems through their ability to spy on the future and know the problems that lay ahead.

By avoiding many situations and directing his group to the best opportunities that lay in their path, Minos had maintained the integrity of his group of 14.

Today they stopped to rest after weeks of travel. Not only that, but Kendrick was already on the verge of reaching level 105, having cultivated for about 8 years since advancing to level 104.

Minos had reached level 105, the same level that Gloria and Abby had reached after stabilizing their spiritual forces.

The other members of the group hadn't improved their cultivation in the two years they had been traveling, but they had greatly improved their strength by stabilizing their cultivation according to the energy density and laws of Zocarro.

Now, they shouldn't be so weak against opponents of the same level or weaker than them who had lived in Zocarro longer than them.

Ruth, Otis, Vico, and the other stronger members of the group would still need some time to advance again. Since they had higher levels of cultivation before, any advancement for them would take longer than the advancement of the weaker ones at the group level.

However, Callie also improved her strength and reached level 105 about a year ago.

Apart from that, Lily reached the maximum mastery level of her Eternal Flame Phoenix technique, further improving her strength and reaching a point of strength with the technique similar to Minos' level when he used the Flame skill he had gained in The Red Expanse.

...

"We're almost back in the Armhands' territory. As soon as we get back to Examire, you'll have to join the guild as our appointed members." Minos said as he was reunited with his group, except for Kendrick, who was still cultivating to reach level 105.

Looking at his companions around the campfire between them, Minos continued to advise his group. "You'll go through a boring test, but at the levels you're at, you'll be allowed to join the guild as Recruits. The starting conditions won't be as favorable, but accept the situation.

It doesn't matter how strict the guild's rules are, if you follow them, you'll advance to a higher rank in no time. So try not to annoy anyone and improve your positions through the guild rules."

Everyone agreed, already aware of how Armhands more or less worked and the limitations they would have for a while.

"You'll also have our support, so things shouldn't be as complicated for you as they were for us." Minos pointed to the five guild-mates who had experienced Zocarro with him decades ago, when they knew nothing of this world.

These companions smiled, remembering how angry they had been to enter Armhands after losing their freedoms.

"How must the Guild be? Has anything changed?" One of the level 107 humans asked.

"I highly doubt it." Ruth opened her mouth as she stared at the flames of the bonfire in front of her. "The guild had plans for the black liquid and the other things Minos collected on The Obsidian Shore. But that's the kind of thing that would affect the Supremes. For us mid-level and low-level Sovereigns, I doubt anything would change in just eight centuries."

They already knew exactly how long it had been since Minos had left the guild headquarters. 85 years and 6 months had passed since that fateful day when they had left the guild headquarters to begin their journey back to the Spiritual World to deal with the War of the Worlds.

"But our enemies are stronger. It's almost certain that they've improved by 3 or 4 levels in that time, and perhaps even moved up in the guild hierarchy." Minos warned his companions.

"When we left the guild, we were only Junior Officers, and our biggest opponents were at the same or even the next rank, Intermediate Officer. It's almost certain that when we return to the guild, our problems will be with these people, who must now be Intermediate and Senior Officers.

For those of us who are already Junior Officers, we need to move up to Intermediate Officers as soon as possible. In addition, I want at least one of us to be a Senior Officer before my next trip outside of Armhands."

Minos said this while looking at Ruth, whom he wanted to take on this mission to become a major influence within the inner realm of the guild.

"I'll do my best, but it won't be easy." The black-haired woman warned.

"Just be prepared to make the effort... Anyway, Kendrick will have finished his progress. It's time to get ready to move on." He warned the group as he sighed and stood up.

"How much longer will it take us to get to Examire, father?" Hollie asked curiously.

"About 11 months." He said as he looked south.

Despite the months the group would have to travel, he already felt fully prepared for the situation he expected to encounter at the guild.

'I wonder what that guy did in the short term. Will he betray me and side with my enemies?' Minos thought about Maximillian while his family members looked at Kendrick, who had just finished his advancement, with his cultivation stabilizing at level 105.

'It doesn't matter. No matter how strong and influential he has become, he will return to my control as soon as he sees me.' Minos smiled as he looked at his son, seeing not only Kendrick, but his entire powerful family.

'My superiors will love it when I bring young talents as strong as these five into the guild.' He clenched his fists at the thought that his wives and children would help him gain even more support from his old superiors.

With that, the group would soon prepare to leave and complete the months of travel they had left before arriving in Examire!