The Rise of the Black Plain

After the end of the one-sided match in which practically only Minos had a chance to act, the soldiers of this man were sitting on the outskirts of where they had fallen. In that area, they were sighing as they massaged their injured parts.

Seeing this, Minos did not take the time to say a few words to them. "I just showed you the worst you can encounter when facing people at the end of the 7th stage."

"Obviously, not everyone will have techniques as complicated as mine, so you don't have to think it's impossible to fight against them. But since I didn't use everything I had either, thinking that the difficulty of a fight against someone at the end of that stage would be the same as this occasion we had is not incorrect."

"I restricted you completely, but others probably wouldn't be able to do the same. However, other people could push you with brute force, speed, regenerative ability; in short, there are all sorts of possibilities of specialization that someone like that could use to defeat you."

Most there listened to Minos' words silently, with some having solemn expressions on their faces.

Some thought that after reaching the end of the 6th stage, their strength was already extreme due to their Silver-grade techniques. Moreover, their confidence had reached a high level due to several victories against Spiritual Emperors right after independence.

But seeing how weak they were compared to Minos, who had just reached the 7th stage, they could not help but reconsider their strength.

Ruth then said. "Don't be discouraged now just because of that. Minos was showing you all something to inspire you to keep moving forward."

"I'm sure we'll continue this fight in a few minutes without him using such complicated techniques..." She looked at him, seeing him smiling and nodding.

"In any case, even in the Flaming Empire, there are no people known to have such unusual abilities. Even considering the powerful Spiritual Saints."

Hearing Ruth's words, those soldiers felt much better. If only their leader were that monstrous, this was not such a bad thing. But instead, they were worried about the possibility that millions of potential enemies were so much stronger than them.

Abby then said. "This previous training was to show you the worst, but now it will help us train our mastery to the limit. So, raise your heads and prepare for a fight!"

The soldiers' spirits improved considerably as the group of almost 40 people slowly returned to fighting formation.

...

While the real part of those soldiers' training in the Spatial Kingdom was beginning, Grant was leading a training session in one of the arenas in the headquarters.

This former Spiritual Saint had been working as a royal instructor for over four years, having already trained the Black Plain's most outstanding specialists.

In fact, from time to time, people like Celeste, Angela, and Eduard, would visit him in his area within the headquarters, seeking cultivation tips or how to improve their combat proficiencies.

As someone with a powerful soul sense and experience, he had a lot to teach these ordinary people from the northern region of the Central Continent.

And that was what he was doing while observing a Battle Royale.

In that arena he was in, several Spiritual Kings, low-level lieutenants in the army, were on the outskirts fighting to demonstrate their prowess and failures to Grant.

Among them was Neal Ryan, level 53, Maxwell, Robin, Elmer, all three at level 54, Dumas, Barbara, Mona, Humbert, at level 55, and several other soldiers who were between those levels.

As he watched them fighting, Grant had a relaxed expression on his face, as it was not difficult for him to evaluate these people.

He then stood up from where he was standing and made hand gestures, imitating one of those people. "No! No! You're doing it wrong! Look at that!"

Grant had already regained his lost limbs, which had been achieved with Dillian's help. So, now he could walk normally without the help of wheelchairs or people.

As he increased the difficulty of training those people, making them sweat profusely, one of the soldiers with the least willpower said. "Royal instructor, that's my limit... Hah... I can't stand to take even one step anymore..."

After that voice sounded in the surroundings, causing the noises of fighting to diminish, many of the soldiers on the fighting stage looked in the direction of such a person.

"Oh? That's how little willpower you have?" Grant asked as he noticed that person drenched with sweat. "Sigh!"

"If you can't take it anymore, leave the fighting stage. But know that anyone who leaves this place will miss important lessons..."

"You may miss the teaching that could save your life in the future!" He said as he closed his eyes and remembered a situation about two years ago. "Do you remember when we were visited by an enemy Spiritual Saint years ago?"

"Yes..."

"How could I forget? The entire Dry City trembled that day..."

"Yes, I almost shit myself with fear."

Several voices rose in the surroundings of that training area.

Grant then said. "Well, do you guys know why no one died that day?"

"Because of the grade-3 arrays?" One of the youngest female soldiers in that organization in this group said in a tone of doubt.

"The grade-3 arrays played a powerful role, which helped us in that situation." Grant nodded in agreement and continued. "But that doesn't explain the absence of deaths on our side..."

Robin then said. "The training with the royal instructor prepared us for that."

Grant laughed in satisfaction. "I don't want to brag, but that fellow who came to Dry City was much weaker than me in my best days."

"Because of that, all the soldiers who participated in my training before that fellow's visit could withstand the pressure of dealing with someone at level 70. So, unless you are prepared to give up the teachings that can save your life in a moment like that, then you can give up."

He looked serious again. "Otherwise, as long as you are breathing, I advise you to ignore the pain in your body and continue. Others like that fellow will surely come to Black Plain in the future!"

'In fact, people even stronger than him will come here in the future...' He quietly thought as he remembered the terrifying strength Minos had already gained, being only at level 60.

Grant did not know the powers of the high-level kingdoms neighboring the northern region of the Central Continent. But he knew that once a Spiritual Saint had acted, it meant that there was at least an entire organization from one of those kingdoms against Minos.

After all, the power of those kingdoms neighboring this region was somewhat less than that of the Flaming Empire. In other words, Spiritual Saints were at the peak of power there, making that expert's visit impossible to be a simple individual action.

In this case, when someone discovered the level that Minos had reached, that mysterious enemy would certainly act forcefully to eliminate such a threat.

They had already made quite a gamble in sending a Spiritual Saint after Minos, which had undoubtedly earned them their share of trouble. Thus, to prevent another problem against them from developing, eliminating this enemy they had made would be the best thing for them.

If the enemy in question were already so strong at level 60, then that would only give them more reason to act without further caveats.

Grant knew this because of his vast experience. Thus, he was sure it would not be long before more threats hit the Black Plain.

That was why he was training these soldiers so vigorously!

'Anyway, Minos is brilliant, and there is much room for growth in this place.' He smiled, pleased that he had joined the Black Plain years ago.

'He even has a level 62 helper...' The image of a sizeable Feathered Serpent appeared in this fellow's mind as the soldiers in the surrounding area finally returned to training with vigor.

"Very good! Keep it up, and maybe you will have the opportunity to see Spiritual Saints falling in the future!"