The Rise of the Black Plain

Another 15 years passed while Minos was on level 7 of the pyramid in The Red Expanse.

The last few years here have been pretty quiet. Lots of competitors have been advancing levels of the pyramid, while everyone has been working on improving their comprehension abilities, quality of physique, and powers.

They still couldn't access these improvements and weren't sure how much they had advanced compared to their powers before the Millennium Massacre. But they all had a good feeling that they were much more powerful now, with new abilities and old skills that were much more refined.

Minos could feel this while meditating on level 7 of the pyramid. He'd spent most of the last 15 years there, cultivating alongside only the woman of strong mental power. However, four years ago, the first person after he arrived there got into the meditation area of this level of the pyramid.

Right now, three of the hundred remaining competitors are at level 7, ten are at level 6, 33 are at level 5, and almost everyone else is at level 4.

However, that was about to change!

As the woman with strong mental power rose from her seat, Minos and the broccoli-headed alien opened their eyes to see the first competitor trying to reach level 8 of the pyramid. But instead of going straight to the next level, the alien woman looked at Minos and said. "Let's make a deal. You'll take my cultivation, but you'll take me as far as you can. Otherwise, you'll have to go it alone. I'm not going with you, and I'm afraid this alien will do the same and prefer to stay behind rather than help you."

The alien and Minos narrowed their eyes, realizing this woman had a unique plan in mind.

"It looks like you're not sure you'll make it to level 8 of the pyramid." The alien muttered, and Minos sensed that this was the case.

As you progress through the pyramid, each level becomes more challenging. That woman had spent 17 years at level 7, but she wasn't sure if it was enough.

She realized the two competitors had figured out what she was thinking and said. "My understanding is that each level of the pyramid requires an effort that is the sum of the efforts we've had at previous levels. If it takes 20 years to reach level 5, it'll take another 20 years to reach level 6, and another 40 years to reach level 7. I've been here in this pyramid for 49 years. If I keep working at it, I can reach level 8, but I'll only be there for a short time before the Millennium Massacre ends."

She pointed at Minos and said. "However, he can boost his cultivation and advance further. If he reaches level 8 today, in another 25 years, he could try to reach level 9 and cultivate for a decade there. Reaching level 10 is out of the question, but if he carries me, I'll be able to cultivate at level 8 and have a shot at level 9."

The alien got what the woman was saying. "I see your point. If the pyramid is willing to accept him carrying you, that might make sense. But if that's the case, couldn't I make the same deal with him instead?" The woman shook her head and smiled. "You've only been at level 7 for a short time. If you leave now, he'll have to take you almost all the way to level 8 and probably won't help you reach level 9. But I'm in a different situation. I'm confident of getting halfway up to level 8 without help."

Minos stood up and showed one of his hands to the alien woman, figuring it made sense for them to help each other out. "All right, then. We've come to an understanding. I'll take you as long as you don't stop me from doing so."

The woman clenched her fists in determination, feeling a little nervous because she wasn't sure it would work out. But if she couldn't make it, at least she would have tried to reach the top of this place.

The broccoli-headed alien stayed behind, hoping for the worst for them.

Minos and she headed straight for the area of the steps, and then they went back to the hard climb up the pyramid. Minos and his partner made it up the first few steps without using their skills, but as soon as they reached the 722nd step, they felt the weight on them and started pushing themselves. That woman was really talented, and even though she didn't quite get the requirements for ascending the pyramid right, she was pretty close. She'd make it to step 744 on her own, when she'd finally look at Minos with an exhausted look on her face, showing it was time for him to step in.

Minos got the message and got to work, wrapping his arms around the woman's furry body while raising his cultivation to level 102.

As he moved forward with her in his arms, he felt the pressure against him double, but he kept going, carrying the woman.

Even with the pressure doubled, he moved more easily as soon as he started his way. But when he reached step 784, his cultivation dropped to level 101, which was a sign of how difficult it was to climb this area.

He kept his promise to the woman who had fainted in his arms. Unfazed by the majestic pyramid's oppression, he continued on his path.

He took an opponent to level 8 of the area with him!

'It looks like the Senior wants to see the circus on fire, huh?' Minos thought to himself. 'I guess the celestial being is letting me take this woman to make the competition even stiffer in the next stage of the inheritance.

I might face some negative consequences for bringing this woman with me, but she's right. If we don't move fast, we won't be able to take advantage of the best in this pyramid!' Minos reached step 800 and level 8 of the pyramid with that woman in his arms.

When he got to level 8 of the pyramid, his cultivation was already back to level 100. He put the unconscious woman down and took the opportunity to cultivate for longer than his opponent there.