The Rise of the Black Plain

"Oh?" That man made a sound of surprise, seeing that such a woman did not want him interrupting her affairs in this region. "Well, I know my role here, and I don't intend to stay in this place for long, so don't worry."

"But before this negotiation, why don't you come to have lunch with me? We can talk about some recent empire affairs in the meantime..." He suggested.

But Gloria already knew of the hidden intentions of this person, one of the many who had tried to win her favor in the past. 

She made a cold expression and said. "I'm not interested."

'I already know what is going on in the empire, so I don't need you to tell me anything!'

And indeed, she did. As a promising member of the Spiritual Church, this woman was receiving constant communications from her team in the empire through a telecommunication array.

Because of this, she knew about the declaration given by the Church to the sects in the Flaming Empire and the actions of Maisie's father.

She had not done anything about it or even spoken to Minos because she could not go against that order, and her allegiance was to the Church and not to a young man she had just met. 

In this way, she kept her information to herself, only concerned with matters in her power.

She watched that man as she felt contempt, but without showing it. 'And I won't go out with someone with that look.' She secretly looked at the expression of that individual, who, although relatively restrained, could not hide all the lust in his mind.

'Minos certainly desires me, but he at least is sincere when he is with me. Whereas people like you...'

As she sneered at the person in front of her, Warner sighed in defeat, once again being in that uncomfortable position.

'Ah, as cold as ever...' He lamented in his heart.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, he finally stepped forward and changed the subject. "Anyway, answer me one thing."

"Who is this level 69 person who is in this camp? Ever since I sensed the arrival of this individual next to you, I have been curious."

"Did the church send more people with you to this region?"

"Level 69, huh?" The image of Maisie appeared in Gloria's mind. "Well, I don't need to hide it from you since she intends to watch the negotiations we'll be doing here."

"She is the mother of the Black Plain sovereign, Maisie Coleman, the next person to become the master of the Gray Clouds Sect."

"I see..." He said this in realization as his eyes opened wide. 'Well, I think this woman probably knows about the recent events in the empire.'

'Hmm, she's here to protect him!'

"Sigh..."

"Well, if that is the case, I will join the negotiations when they begin and do as you said."

After that, that man returned to his meditative position, and Gloria headed off toward another part of that camp, determined to settle some matters.

...

While Gloria was doing her work, Minos and his traveling companions had already settled into one of the structures in that luxurious camp.

But while they had barely had time to sit around a table and have a quiet meal, a group of people approached the area assigned to them.

"Prince... Regent Blake Walker, this is a restricted area of another regional organization, so please don't insist. We won't allow your passage." One of the Bishops looking out for that area said this as he stopped in front of that fellow's group.

Since this was a place of the Church made for peace negotiations, each organization involved had its area, and the Church staff kept order so that 'accidents' did not happen.

And as much as many of these members of the Spiritual Church wanted to watch the fall of Minos, none of them dared to disregard the rules of this great institution of the Spiritual World.

Hell, they would rather see Minos dominate the entire region than have to receive punishment from the Church!

So, when that Bishop saw Blake's group, a recent victim of Minos' acts approaching the area of the Black Plain sovereign, he could not help but go out of his way to stop that young man.

"Bishop, don't worry. I won't cause any trouble." Blake said as he made some gestures with his, indicating that he just wanted to talk to Minos. "I just want to talk to this person in person since I didn't get the chance last time."

"That..."

"No, that won't work. You'd better go back to your area and wait for the right time..."

As the Bishop refused Blake's request, Minos appeared, walking toward those people. "Let them pass. I want to hear what they have to say."

"But..."

But not having the courage to refuse Minos, that individual just walked away from there, hoping that nothing wrong would happen because of this situation.

Minos then gestured to Blake and the three people beside him, indicating for them to enter the large tent in that area designated to the Black Plain.

...

As they found themselves inside the luxurious interior of the bigger tent in that area, Blake saw Minos sitting between two women of incredible beauty.

At the same time, the most beautiful of all was alone at a table, drinking spiritual tea.

'A peak Spiritual Emperor!' Blake almost cried in envy, thinking about where such an expert had come from and why Minos had such a person by his side.

Like many people of good background in this region, he knew about Minos' powerful mother. But none of them had current information about her level.

Thus, Blake did not even consider the option of that being young Stuart's mother. After all, Maisie was only a low-level Spiritual Emperor when she gave birth to Minos, so how could she have advanced levels so quickly?

But unfortunately for Blake, it was not his place to try to evaluate someone coming from the Flaming Empire.

He then listened. "You have withdrawn your kingdom's troops from my territory. Very well. A portion of your responsibilities has been fulfilled."

Minos then pointed to an elder standing behind Blake and asked. "Is that the spiritual judge you brought in for us to sign a Soul Contract?"

"Yes." Blake nodded in agreement.

As for the people in his group, they all remained silent, respectfully waiting for what would happen here and fearful of Minos and that woman of enviable power.

"I understand... But what about your brother? Didn't he come with you?"

"No, Wilfred stayed in the kingdom to take care of recent problems we are facing."

"That is bad."

"I will not release your mothers and stepmothers until we have confirmed Soul Contracts among all of us."

"What? But..."

"But?" Minos' eyes sharpened, making that future king tremble with fear.

"I... I thought..."

Minos interrupted him and said. "Look, Blake, go with your brother to Dry City in the next few days, and we can make our agreement official there."

"But don't worry, our agreement won't change just because of that."

He then remembered something and laughed. "In fact, that will be a good opportunity for both of you."

"Uh?

"Charles has tried to kill you several times, right?"

"Well, I'll have him executed after we sign our agreements!"

"So, you two can celebrate your subordination to my person by watching Charles being executed in the Puller!"

After those words were spoken, even young Stuart's mother felt a slight chill run down her spine, shocked by the brutal way her son handled the situation.

'Ah, our son is already someone capable of dealing with the problems of the cultivation world, Albert...' Maisie looked up and sighed internally, feeling bad for not having seen this young man grow up, not having gotten to know him better during his immature phase.

Now seeing Minos dealing with the Walker family, she was seeing a complete cultivator who no longer needed parental advice on how to deal with the perversion of this world.

Gulp!

Sounds of saliva being swallowed reverberated through that area, while only Abby had not been surprised by Minos' decision.

After all, she had almost died at the hands of one of Charles' subordinates. So, how could she not understand Minos' intentions in being so tough on the Walker family?

As for Ruth, she was a little surprised to see such a violent side of Minos. But she felt that there was more to this story than just an ordinary relationship between war enemies. Thus, she decided to put the matter aside for the moment and support her fiancé by standing by his side as if nothing strange had been said.

"All right, we will do as you command," Blake said in difficulty, feeling a genuine fear in his heart.

...