The Rise of the Black Plain

From Minos' first moments on level 5 of the pyramid, he could see that this place differed from the areas he had spent the last century in The Red Expanse.",

Cultivating energy there was still difficult, just as it was anywhere in the dimension. The purpose of this place was not to help the survivors advance in levels, but to improve their powers, their physique, and understanding.

It was their duty to raise their cultivation in 'normal' areas of the universe, where it was possible to go far when facing challenges. But in order to inherit the position of Celestial being, certain opportunities could only be seized during the tests of inheritance.

Minos realized this point as soon as he started cultivating at level 5, feeling the pressure of the area to make him understand more about the laws of cultivation he had trained for centuries in his life. Not only that, his Divine-grade Physique seemed to vibrate in response to the area, a sign that put a smile on his face.

'I see... This place is even better than all the rest of The Red Expanse. The senior has made it very difficult to analyze this place.' Minos thought to himself, as he felt the benefits he would get from cultivating there for the next 600 years.

At the beginning of the Millennium Massacre, almost all the competitors thought the purpose of the place was for them to explore in search of opportunities, as each of the survivors had done. But as he cultivated there, Minos realized this might not be the real purpose of the area.

The Celestial being wanted part of them to take advantage of the opportunities in his dimension, but his real objective was now clear to everyone in the pyramid—to nurture heirs in the pyramid.

Minos would continue his seclusion on level 5, keen to advance to the higher levels as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Forfex had just reached level 2, the furthest he could go per hour. For him, the vast majority of those entering the pyramid today, reaching higher positions would take time and preparation in the cultivation areas of each level of the pyramid.

Luckily, they had plenty of time ahead of them; they thought...

...

In the blink of an eye, 10 years have passed since the Minos groups and other aliens allied to secure their position among the first 90 of the 100 places available in the inheritance for the next phase.

In 10 years, 6 more contestants died and a group of 8 individuals reached the pyramid area, totaling 98 individuals inside or outside the pyramid, and 105 contestants remaining.

As a result, no battles had taken place around the pyramid during this period, with the groups getting closer and closer to the end of their journey in this dimension.

Most of them hoped they would still have a few centuries to cultivate inside the pyramid, but the truth about that wasn't far off!

Before that happened, Minos opened his eyes on level 5 of the pyramid, sensing one competitor in that area showing signs he was ready to move on to the next level.

As soon as he felt that man move, Minos stood up, preparing to move on as well.

Just as he was about to leave that level 5 cultivation area, the competitor in front of him stopped at the exit, facing the stairs that led down or up.

"If you're just going to steal my cultivation, I'd rather risk staying here longer." Said this competitor, aware of Minos' terrible powers.

Minos had expected something like this. Rumors about him had spread throughout the pyramid, and the newcomers to level 5 during this period had brought this information to the two individuals who were there before Minos arrived in the area.

Minos laughed bitterly and said. "I will not lie to you. I have no reason not to use my abilities to my advantage. But let's make a deal. I'll let you get to level 6 of the pyramid before I use my ability. That should be enough for both of us to benefit."

The other aliens in the area saw Minos' grimace, watching the situation as they left their meditations to listen to the alien's response.

He didn't like what he was hearing, but frankly it was better for him to reach level 6 than to remain at level 5. Besides, if Minos stole his powers temporarily, the young human would probably reach level 7 and it wouldn't be a problem for him later.

"All right. Let's do as you say." He made a sign, proposing a deal with Minos.

The other competitors sighed, both because they were relieved that Minos was leaving and that they wouldn't be his next targets, but also because they were afraid, as this meant a breakthrough for Minos.

There was no way anyone could sacrifice themselves to harm Minos. Everyone there, in the situation of that alien about to reach level 6, would do the same as him!

Minos smiled as he made a deal with the alien, then left the area together with his temporary 'ally', both of them going on with the next 100 steps between level 5 and 6.

Minos had made the most of the last 10 years. As much as he had reached level 5 because of his temporary advancement to level 102, in recent years he had improved his understanding and ability of his Physique. When he set foot on the stairs, he didn't feel the same pressure that had forced him to retreat at level 5 back then.

He carried on, climbing rung by rung, feeling the weight of his body increase as he made his way, beginning to feel pain, sweat and express discomfort in his expression.

He and the alien who had just left level 5 climbed the first 30 steps in front of them with relative ease, until they struggled to reach step 555, reaching the point where they had to use their powers to continue with the remaining 45 steps.

Their journey dragged on, with the first hour of their movements passing as their strength dwindled with each step they took. When they had to hold on tight and get used to the pressure before moving on to the next step.

Reaching step 589 two hours after starting this journey, Minos was almost stealing his ally's cultivation, seeing this guy look like he was going to collapse at any moment.