The Rise of the Black Plain

Meanwhile, Vogel was in a superior situation to its former allied states.

Unlike the former enemies of the Flaming Empire, this territory had a much closer relationship with Minos. Because of this, the benefits it had gained during the last few years were much more significant.

Consequently, the local forces had improved in expert numbers and cultivation levels more than their former Albano, Rosser, and Blackrock allies.

Currently, the number of Spiritual Saints in this territory is 90% higher than years ago, when Minos had dominated this place. At the same time, the leaders of local organizations who had previously been between levels 75 and 76 were now between levels 77 and 78.

That still made them lose in front of the Blackrock kingdom. Yet, they were closer than ever to this place that had always been the strongest in the old alliance of the four enemies of the Flaming Empire.

Meanwhile, the families that had chosen Minos' side years ago had reaped the rewards of their decisions and were now the strongest organizations in this territory.

Those who had stood against Minos and made his life difficult years ago had suffered the consequences of their choices and were no longer as great as they once were.

But even these powers had developed, which was a great thing for those families that the imperial family had sidelined.

In any case, there was currently no resistance to Minos in this place. He was already stronger than the local leaders when he was at level 70, so at level 76, no one in this place dared to speak ill of him behind his back.

Minos seemed like a monster to the local leaders, someone who seemed to have no limits. Hence, all that these people currently wanted was to please their leader.

Among the things they had been doing for this was sending more and more Spiritual Saints from this area to the northern region to maintain security around the empire.

Currently, Vogel didn't have to worry about defending its borders with Rosser and the Flaming Empire since those two states were regulating the passage of people in those areas.

With this, there were people left over to work internally in the Black Plain Empire and go into seclusion, something necessary to strengthen the local cultivators.

Meanwhile, the trade of this territory with the northern region had never been so good, naturally generating essential results for this place.

In this way, the local leaders learned about their state's Spiritual Sages!

...

In the capital of the Vogel territory...

The representatives of the Vogel Assembly were gathered in this institution for their daily discussions.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the leading local families were welcoming Oswald and the other Spiritual Sage from the Black Plain Empire, impressed by the appearance of these individuals.

Minos had not sent any warning to them regarding the situation of these two. So upon witnessing the opening of wormholes locally and the emergence of these two, the local leaders were naturally shocked.

Seeing Oswald, an old enemy of theirs, already at level 80, many had conflicting feelings in their hearts.

They both thought this was a good thing since they were now subordinates of Minos, whom Oswald served. That was also an indication that the Black Plain Empire would not only be a place with high-level Spiritual Saints but would evolve to the next stage. However, they still felt that this ancient enemy was now out of reach, and the sense of threat in their bodies was not small.

'So Minos now has Spiritual Sages on his side...'

Gulp!

'Impressive!'

'If the Black Plain Empire can produce Spiritual Sages now, then soon Vogel will undergo a qualitative change!'

But as much as there were those worried about their safety and future, others were already thinking about the benefits they would have with higher-level people on Minos' side.

When someone changes cultivation stages, they change their own life and the lives of those around them!

If that person was part of a dominant force and was among the strongest, that advancement could favor an entire state, several families, and organizations.

With 9th-stage experts, the empire could produce and consume new things and develop high-ranking items faster, which could boost the advances of those who were weaker but had resources.

That was the case for these families!

Therefore, even though they couldn't use the strengths of Oswald and his former subordinate in the Gray Clouds Sect, these people knew they could benefit from them being Spiritual Sages.

Someone then asked Minos' grandfather. "Your Excellency, to what do we owe the visit? By the way, congratulations on the stage advancement. His Majesty must be very pleased."

Oswald looked at that man who was favorable to Minos and replied. "Hmm, thank you for the words. Although we were enemies in the past, we are part of the same state now.

So we are here to bring good news to Vogel!"

"Oh?" A level 77 woman asked. "What is this about?"

"We are going to begin the creation of a wormhole port connecting this city and Dry City," Oswald replied. "From it, in the future, someone will even be able to go on a single trip from this city to the capital of End territory, traveling only through the wormhole paths.

His Majesty intends to connect all areas of the empire."

The people in the surrounding areas readily understood Oswald's words, becoming extraordinarily content and eager for this to be completed.

That would improve the crystal economy of the local powers and make it easier to move people and goods between the areas of the empire.

That was very good for them, so even those who had a bit of a grudge against Oswald couldn't help but smile at his words.

"That's magnificent news!"

"Yes, with wormhole ports, we can integrate our operations with even the most distant families from our territory within the empire!"

"In the future, our members defending the empire will be able to quickly return home and help us in trouble even when they are carrying out His Majesty's orders..."

"What about Rosser, Albano and Blackrock? Does His Majesty intend to connect these states to the empire?" Someone asked Oswald.

That man then said. "Not for the time being. We will wait and see if these kingdoms wish to have it in their states. But if they so desire, I believe Minos will expand his network there after the next 12 months."

They would need that time to make the entire corridor network between the capitals of the Black Plain territories. So even if those states decided to accept such a thing in their domains, it would take some time to connect them to Minos' empire.

Anyway, with those words from Oswald, the people there stopped questioning him about it, approaching him and his 9th stage companion to get closer to the two.

But that wouldn't last long, and soon the two Spiritual Sages would begin the creation of the wormhole port in that city!