The Rise of the Black Plain

As soon as he got close enough to the top of the hill, Minos noticed the cultivation of the surrounding men, either those who were there to cause trouble, like him, or those who were part of Firestone Mines, the guards stationed around the portal.

The groups of people who seemed to have negative intentions toward the portal and Firestone Mine were basically Sovereigns with cultivation levels between 111 and 113. Meanwhile, the guards around the portal, who numbered over 50 people, had cultivation levels between 112 and 114.

There didn't seem to be any Supreme beings around, which was to be expected, since such beings would hardly stay outside their headquarters.

In a world where the strongest were Supremes, regardless of whether they were the strongest or weakest of the 12th stage, it was unlikely that such a strong specialist would be in a place like this, where there was nothing of great value for Supremes.

As much as such a portal would cost the efforts of Supremes, it would be difficult for a Supreme to attack such a place because they would force other Supremes to move. Therefore, what wasn't essential for such strong cultivators was usually guarded by Sovereigns.

Minos knew this. The logic behind it was the same for lower levels. However, there was one problem that someone who had once been a monarch couldn't help but notice.

'Is Firestone Mines trying to start a war?' he asked himself with a sour expression on his face.

If he and the other groups in the area destroyed this portal today, what would Firestone Mines do next? Revenge, of course. This sect didn't go to the trouble of creating this place just to have it destroyed!

'Is this sect looking for an excuse to start a confrontation with the guild and other powers?' Minos thought as he watched. Certain things couldn't happen. As much as certain plans could strengthen a group, in some situations, if several other groups were fighting over the same resource or exploit it, if one tried to take a dominant position, a conflict would break out.

Therefore, the appropriate decision was always to avoid being dominant and to share the resource to be exploited in order to take advantage of the opportunity and avoid clashing with forces of similar power.

Of course, the competing forces had to be of similar power to yours for this situation to be valid. Otherwise, the strongest could act without worrying about the weakest.

That's why acting like Firestone Mines was so complicated. Their actions in that area of Lost Soul were the same as shouting to the world that they were stronger than all the other powers interested in that area!

But the powers that were there, like Armhands, wouldn't take that easy!

'Are they trying to provoke a confrontation to justify their actions? I have a bad feeling about this. Armhands may soon be involved in a war between Supremes.' Minos thought about this, feeling the need to prepare his group.

But amid his analysis of the situation, he couldn't help but think of the Black Heart mission.

Gulp!

'Don't tell me that's what the Council wanted the stuff I collected…' he wondered as he turned a few degrees paler, more and more certain that something big was going on between the great powers of the central region.

'I will look into it when I get back to the guild. For now, I have to complete this mission, but I'm afraid I can't do it alone.' He looked around, where three groups clearly had the same intentions as him.

Because of his Bright Eyes, Minos could see these three groups, unlike the members of Firestone Mines in the area. Because of his Incorruptible Heart, he easily perceived the negative intentions of these groups.

There were 10 people in these three groups, far less than the enemy's numbers, but it was the best Minos could use to his advantage.

He sneaked up on the weakest and least numerous group of the three, a team of three individuals, two of them at level 111 and one at level 113.

Appearing behind the three, about 70 meters away, Minos said in their minds, 'You three, let's talk. I wish you no harm. I want to destroy the portal in front of you as well as you.'

Hearing Minos' strange voice in their minds, the three looked around, frightened, not having noticed anyone approaching.

'I am behind you.'

They immediately turned around, ready to deal with Minos if he was an enemy.

Despite Minos' words, they couldn't trust a complete stranger so easily!

Minos showed his hands in a sign of peace and continued to speak with his mind. 'Let's not get carried away. We don't want to alert our enemies that we are here. As I said, my goal is the portal, not you three.'

'Who are you? Why should we trust you?' asked the strongest of them, glaring at Minos, but not letting himself be startled, not wanting to spoil his own mission.

'My name is Minos Stuart. I'm a member of Armhands. I've been sent on a mission to destroy the enemy portal. And you?'

'Armhands?'

'Armhands are an enemy of Firestone Mines.' One of the two women behind the man commented between them.

Seeing the symbol on Minos' forehead, they were sure he wasn't lying.

Even so, the way Minos had approached them had frightened them, and now they still felt uncomfortable.

Minos said. 'I have some powers that make it easier to analyze terrain like the one we're in. Besides the four of us, I know that there are seven other individuals in the area right now, staring at the members of Firestone Mines and planning an attack.

The truth is, our chances of making a difference here are slim. But together, we might destroy this portal and complete our respective missions.'

'There are seven others? Where are they?' Another woman stepped forward, worried.

The level 112 man motioned for her to be quiet and looked at Minos. 'Why should we trust you? Who can guarantee that you are not an enemy and that you are with these seven?'

'I approached you first because you are the weakest in the area. But soon after you ally with me, I will approach the next trio to form a strong, united group with the same goal. The fall of the Firestone Mine portal!'