The Rise of the Black Plain

On the cargo ship on which Lee and Alison's group were traveling were 2,000 spiritual beasts, three-quarters of which were beasts at the 3rd stage and 300 at the 4th stage.

Of the remaining numbers, all of them were 5th stage beasts, with a few dozen capable of flight, which was something quite sought after by regional experts.

Because of all these numbers, this was quite a valuable cargo being carried on that ship, which made Lee worry about the safety of such a thing.

They had not faced any problems so far on the journey here since many regional organizations were concerned with matters relating to the Minos war.

On the other hand, they had taken the necessary care to get this ship from a reliable organization, which certainly lessened the chances of trouble coming their way.

Finally, they had camouflaged that ship to make it look old, like those that carried low value-added goods.

For all this, and perhaps their luck, Lee and Alison's group had not yet run into trouble at sea.

But that did not mean much to them. After all, they had only completed about half of their return trip!

As such, that young man was still aware of his responsibilities here!

"That's right..." Alison commented this thinking sincerely.

After that, the two got up and put on a few pieces of clothing, heading towards the place where they could get something to eat.

...

"Peter, how could you have gotten to this level? That's just not fair." A young, tired-looking man said this to Mia's fiancé, while he had an indignant look on his face.

"Look at my situation..."

"It's almost unbelievable to think that we were once at the same level!" He said in a tone that contained some distress and humorously as he used his misfortune to persuade Peter to talk.

"Maxwell, I already told you, I got like this after I joined Minos," Peter said to the person next to him as the two of them ate some seafood.

Previously, Peter had been in doubt about the mission concerning this person there with him on this ship. But fate had played several tricks with them, and when he least expected it, he had come across such a person.

While heading towards the coast of the Snow Kingdom months ago, Peter's group had come across a significant incident involving the Hayes family and the regional assassins' organization. 

The Scourges of the Devil!

On that occasion, as they were moving away from the focus of the conflict, Peter had identified a person trying to sneak in the vicinity of that organization's secret outpost, heading toward battle.

That was Maxwell, who at the time was following in the footsteps of the Hayes family pursuers, the one who had been chasing the Chambers family fugitives since the Persephone Tragedy.

Anyway, on that occasion, Peter had followed that individual who had been his ally in the second test of the Spiritual Tournament, trying to get him to the Black Plain.

And that had saved the life of this individual, who at the time had intended to sacrifice himself to kill his final enemy, the Scythe!

After that occasion, Maxwell traveled with this group from the Black Plain, postponing his revenge mission.

He still wanted to kill Alexander's killer. Still, now that he knew that Minos also wanted to get revenge on that organization, he had no problem waiting a little longer. Especially after discovering how shockingly strong that young man already was!

With that, he was here beside Peter, trying to understand how this person could have cultivated so fast in this period.

That is, Maxwell had not had an easy time in the last few years. But even so, he was still a member of a powerful family focused on taming beasts in the Snow Kingdom. So, he had many crystals and leveled up a few times these past few years, recently having reached level 47, which is very good considering his age.

But hell, Peter, who did not have a noble origin and stayed on the Black Plain all these years, who had once been at the same level as Maxwell, was now at level 48, one step away from the next level!

Because of this contrasting difference, Maxwell could not help but bother Peter in his attempt to learn Minos' supreme method.

He was even aware that Peter's and those youngsters' cultivation level frequently increased because they probably had high-grade cultivation techniques. But even people with such Silver-grade techniques should not increase at levels so quickly!

Therefore, he kept questioning that person in an attempt to understand the mystery.

"But if you continue with these suicidal thoughts, I'm afraid you won't live long enough to understand the power of the Black Plain." Peter declared as he tried to put some sense into that person's head.

That individual had become a depressed person who was even willing to accept sacrifice just to get revenge on his former companion!

That was madness!

And thinking this way, Peter could not help but advise that man, who even now did not seem so attached to life.

"Tsk!"

"Maxwell, it is a gift that we are alive here today..."

"How many don't even get the chance to be born in our world? How many are killed before they even get the chance to cultivate?"

"We should all value life, no matter how much at times only shit happens in our lives!" He advised.

"It's a shame that loved ones have to die, but you don't have to give up your own life because of it. There are many people around the world and many good places to meet..."

"I'm sure Alexander wouldn't..." He was about to say that when suddenly that tired-looking young man looked at him as if he was looking at an old man who did not understand him and thought that could tell him how he should live.

And then, such a person walked out of that place after stomping heavily on the ground.

"Sigh..."

Peter sighed in a low voice while shaking his head in disappointment. 'What extreme...'

'I didn't think he was one of those individuals who put something on their head and don't go back.' So, he  thought as he felt his mood diminishing.

But as he pondered about the problems his old acquaintance had to overcome, the couple arrived at that place, both full of vitality and joy.

Lee looked very well as if he was much more mature than he looked, carrying an air of immortality. But, on the other hand, Alison looked more beautiful than ever, with her breasts that had not stopped growing since she came of age. 

At the same time, she had a smile on her face that hinted that not many problems were on her mind at the moment.

"Good morning, Sergeant Peter." The two said respectfully, just before they sat down around a table that had several plates waiting for them.

Upon hearing this, Peter greeted them as he watched them intently, understanding several things.

'Ahh, youth!'

'Must be nice to venture out like these two, huh...' He thought enviously, regretting that Mia could not be here so he could have a chance to relax a bit.

'But hopefully, we only have about three more months of travel ahead of us!'

'After that...' He smiled, regaining his mood after that depressing talk from earlier.

But while those three people were quietly enjoying the moment in that part of the cargo ship, a giant flying serpent circling the surrounding area descended on the ship's deck in a hurry.

"We'll have company soon!" Such a beast shouted, speaking in the human language so that everyone on that crew understood that it was time to prepare for the unexpected.

Upon hearing this, those three quickly frowned as they stood up and prepared to check what the problem was.

"Pirates?" One of them asked that soon as he saw two medium-sized ships coming towards them.

"Well, let's hope they're just passing through, or we'll have to act!"