The Rise of the Black Plain

With the words of Aarav, a member of the same faction as Julian, the other level 99 Demigods could not disagree with his words.

Minos was already in the middle of level 80, so reaching level 81 could happen quickly. Cultivation became more difficult along the ranks, so even though reaching level 82 was probably going to be a bit harder than level 81, it still wouldn't be a big deal for someone of Emperor Stuart's age.

"It makes sense... We should consider that he has the minimum to join us." Another elder said, as Julian smiled, for with Aarav and this person, they would already have half the council, enough to move on to the next phase of Minos' entry into this organization.

Obviously, the entrance of people into the Pantheon of Honor didn't depend only on the level of those interested. That was only the minimum requirement for the organization to consider welcoming new members.

But with the council members' approval of Minos' strength and potential, Julian knew he could handle the other bureaucracies on his own to bring this young man to his side.

Then Wren said. "I also approve of the strength of this Minos. His ability to steal cultivation base is impressive. If he one day reaches level 99, could he steal the energies of others of the same level and approach level 100 at least temporarily?

Maybe this is what we need to figure out a method to enable the advancements of more of us to the 11th stage."

The oldest of this group clenched his fists and said. "Okay, I think everyone agrees about Minos' potential. So let's make that exception for him to join our group even though he is a Spiritual Sage.

Does anyone here disagree?"

No one said anything.

This was a unanimous decision!

The old man then said. "Very well, Julian, take care of the other procedures for Minos' entry into our group. However, we won't make any more exceptions for him. He must fulfill the other requirements to become an active member of the Pantheon Of Honor."

With those words, the elder left without waiting for a response from Julian.

The others agreed and soon disappeared from there as well, leaving only Wren, Aarav, and Julian.

Julian looked in the direction from which that old man departed and said. "I will do my best to make him fit our standards."

As Julian clenched his fists in anticipation, Wren deactivated her innate ability, and Minos finally saw his surroundings returning to normal.

He was pretty tired at the moment, pale from the latest defeats within Wren's ability, with various injuries here and there.

His soul was the most exhausted part of him, but nothing he had suffered in the last few minutes would leave any after-effects behind.

Minos found himself free of the chain that had been preventing him from moving and dropped to the ground, laying down to rest after all he had been through.

"Congratulations, young Minos. You have demonstrated enough for us to proceed with your membership in the Pantheon Of Honor." Julian said to him as he showed one of his hands to help him up.

Wren smiled at Minos but said nothing, soon leaving there for her own affairs.

This young man had a lot of potential, but she didn't expect to see his questions answered in a short time.

But she would definitely look more into Minos in the future!

Aarav was the only one who continued to stand beside Minos and Julian, as he was in charge of that area at the moment.

"Did I make it?" Minos asked before letting out a long sigh.

It would be a great loss for him to go through all the suffering of the elder Wren's test if he didn't pass!

He took one of Julian's hands and stood up, soon grabbing some fruits from one of his rings to eat and regain some of his strength.

"Now we will have to go through the bureaucratic process," Julian told him while giving him some time to recover enough of his energy to be able to move on his own.

"First, you won't receive any benefits until you are properly registered and start providing your support. Then it will take about two years before you have access to the things I promised you. That's not a problem, right?"

Minos nodded, indicating that he wouldn't mind waiting only two years.

Julian smiled at him and continued. "You must sign some contracts, but it's no big deal. This will only serve to ensure that you don't act unreasonably against other of our members in the future, as well as accept the norms of the organization.

After that, we will have to evaluate the level of support you can provide... But don't worry about that. Even if you alone can't get enough, I and my faction will cover what you can't fulfill.

Then we'll certainly be able to get you registered in a few weeks."

"Oh? I thank you then." Minos said, already feeling better.

He followed Julian through that temple, soon saying goodbye to Aarav as he went to settle these bureaucratic matters.

"Don't thank me," Julian said on the way. "Return this and other favors when you become stronger.

But for now, tell me about your enemies and allies. Is there any great risk to your life, young Minos?"

"Hmm, Vico Travisani hates me. I unwittingly released Maximillian Flamen from his slumber, and now they are at war... If the Emperor of the Eastern Empire wins that war, he will definitely visit me." Minos said before adding. "I was also targeted by an elf who forced a contract on me. But I believe I can reverse that in the future."

"What?" Julian looked at Minos more seriously.

Vico was a monster, and elves, regardless of their levels, were extremely difficult to deal with!

"But this is terrible! Why didn't you tell me that your fate was so dark?" He asked in shock.

"Is that so?" Minos laughed. "Maybe Maximillian will win the war... And I won't have to follow the agreement with that elf until I set foot on the Elves Island."

"Still... Maximillian is not guaranteed to win the war, and the Continental Tournament will take place on Elves Island soon. Don't tell me you won't take advantage of this opportunity?" Julian asked.

"I hope to improve my circumstances by then, elder." He laughed bitterly. "In any case, I will keep fighting. There is no other path ahead of me, so I can only face these problems when the time comes."

Julian sighed upon hearing this, but these problems would not affect him directly, and he judged that it was still worth investing in the relationship with Minos.

"All right, we'll talk about it later. Right now, we'd better focus on fulfilling the requirements for you to become one of us."