The Rise of the Black Plain

"But after reaching level 51, that pest had suddenly overcome the differences between our powers. No..."

"By that time, the wretch had already surpassed me!" King Brown gave his version to James without hiding the truth.

And while listening to this, James' expression only showed his concern about all this. 'That brat must be stronger than me by now, too!'

'Damn!'

He then asked. "From what I've heard, he hasn't changed his techniques since the Spiritual Tournament. But what is his sixth technique? Is there something worrying about that?"

Upon hearing this, Thomas hardened his expression, remembering the things he had seen Minos do on the battlefields they had been on. "His sixth technique is a mental type."

"I'm not sure what the full effects of that technique are since when we fought, he only used it to try to erode my mental structures, trying to take my attention away from our battles."

"But I suppose the effects of that technique are quite destructive on people weaker than us."

"However, what worries me most is his innate ability..."

"Oh? Have you found out about it? Is it truly a teleportation ability?" James asked worriedly.

If Minos had an ability like that, that would be the worst-case scenario for them. After all, if their target could escape at any time, then it would be impossible to kill him!

On the other hand, he could use this ability to deal with them more effectively, which would be even worse for their side.

Hence, this man could not help but worry.

"No." Thomas stated, shaking his head, indicating his certainty that such a thing was not correct. "I don't think his ability is of that kind."

"I have fought him a few times, but never, on any occasion has he tried to use teleportation against me."

"Even when he was already clearly stronger than me!" Thomas said this with a confident tone, certain that Minos could not teleport anywhere he wanted.

He had watched young Stuart extensively on all the occasions they had met. And since he had always been on the back foot when facing that young man, using caution to his advantage, he had seen enough to infer such a thing with a margin of certainty.

"In my opinion, his ability has some relation to spiritual energy control!"

"What?"

"Are you serious? That kind of ability is very unusual!" James replied. 

Thomas then opened his arms helplessly and said. "I can't think of anything else but something to do with energy." 

"In my opinion, he has a teleportation device that can take him from one place to another and from that place to the first. But with his innate ability related to energy manipulation, I believe he can inhibit the fluctuations of the teleportation array."

"That ability could also answer the question of why he is so strong."

"This..." James muttered in surprise as he understood Thomas' analysis. "Well, if you are right, then our situation is not as hopeless as I thought."

"All we have to do is get a device that temporarily blocks the space by interfering with the array in his possession."

"With that, we may have a chance to deal with the brat without him running away!" He said in satisfaction.

Their situation was still alarming. After all, Minos was no longer at level 51, and they knew it. But, on the other hand, if Thomas' theory proved true, then even if they were still at a disadvantage, now they at least had a chance to kill that opponent.

Which in itself was already a great thing!

King Cromwell then went on to the most critical question. "So, when will we act against him?"

"If you want to test the enemy's power, as long as we have teleportation arrays, we can run away in case we don't get anything good."

"Then, if you want to take him on, we can arrange for that to happen in the next few days..."

"But we can also wait a few more weeks until others of us arrive."

"Tsk!"

"I don't know if it's worth the wait." James spoke in concern. "The Stone family won't act, and we have the Walker family problem..."

"I hear the old man will die in a matter of days to weeks."

"I heard that too..." Thomas said, regretting that such a fellow would die just in these challenging times.

James then continued. "Counting that, we can only count on two more Spiritual Kings of our level... But, of course, that's if old Snow comes!"

"Then, I don't know if it's worth it for us to wait weeks without being sure that a significant number of them will come."

"If even the two of us can't cause that brat any danger, I feel that three won't do much good either."

"So, we'd better simply try something now." James said in conviction. "If we notice that he is too strong, we can ask the Carline family for more power, as well as convince the people in the Walker and Snow families to come to help us."

"Ultimately, we can still turn to the church!"

Hearing this man's words, Thomas could not help but feel better as he understood that, although provocative, James was committed to dealing with Minos.

That was definitely the best thing for him and the entire northern region of the Central Continent.

"In any case, we have to think of strategies to fight him." James continued, finally getting to the final part of his conversation with Thomas. "What do you think we should do? Gather troops to take on that damn thing? Or is there something better that will work against him?"

Upon hearing this, Thomas can't help but hastily decline the first option, fearful of the outcome such an action could bring to them. "James, when facing Minos, never bring weak people onto the battlefield, or they will be used against you!"

"The energy absorption capacity of that brat's technique is simply monstrous."

"Even Spiritual Kings of a few levels above his suffer from that thing!"

He then remembered something as a bead of sweat descended from his forehead. "In fact, even I already felt helpless against that when I last faced him!" 

Previously when attacking Dry City, Thomas had not felt the effects of the Devouring Art since his spiritual power was far above Minos' at that time.

But with young Stuart's advancement to level 51, that had changed, and this king had begun to suffer from that technique.

It was true that he did not suffer so much that he had to worry about having all his energy stolen by Minos at that time, but that change had already scared him.

And with this recent advance of Minos that Thomas had learned through his soldiers, this king could not help but worry.

So, he could only refuse the suggestion to take people weaker than them to the battlefield since such people would only serve as batteries for Minos.

And if a person stronger than them had infinite energy, then even their lives would be at risk!

"I see..." James replied in a startled manner. "That's truly terrible!"

"How will we fight that brat?"

Thomas pondered for a moment and answered thoughtfully. "The most we can take with us are level 58 cultivators. Below that, that young man's absorption will be very effective against such people, and it will become something against us."

"On the other hand, even though he is monstrous, that young man has less energy than us. So, suppose we can stop him from absorbing energies from our allies. In that case, we can eventually get an advantage against him!"

"Oh?"

"Sounds like you've been thinking about this a lot, huh?"

"I have no choice. The damned thing is constantly chasing my footsteps..." Thomas commented in anger.

Thomas already had enough evidence to know that traitors were in his Counter-Revolutionary Army.

He did not know who the traitors were. But considering the times he had almost been ambushed by Minos, he could not help but realize such a hard truth to swallow.

Thomas then said. "Anyway, be careful. That brat is also capable of attacking using only his body, and I must tell you that his blows are as strong as that of pugilists at our level!"

"Even that?"

"Yes, unfortunately, yes."

"All right, I'll get ready." James finally made up his mind as he clenched his fists tightly and felt his pulse in a way he had not felt in ages. "Make the preparations."

"When everything is ready, just let me know, and we'll test the bastard!"