The Rise of the Black Plain

"Level 80?" That level 96 woman opened her mouth in surprise. "And the council unanimously approved this young man?"

"Indeed. Elder Wren tested him herself." Julian said. "Don't underestimate him, Rose. Young Minos is quite talented. Not surprisingly, he has a fantastic track record in the northern region of the Central Continent."

"So he's from that place..." A level 93 man commented, figuring that adding someone from another continent wouldn't be a detriment to the group.

It might not be worth the cost if it was to add a new member so weak and from the Divine Continent. But if he was from the Central Continent, where they still had no one from their faction in that place, things might be a little better.

But still, the low level of Minos was a concern in that man's mind.

For those who wanted their faction to grow, a level 90 Demigod could take a long time to mature. But a level 80 Spiritual Sage would take even longer!

As much as the advancement of Sages was faster than that of Demigods, their influence was usually not great until they became at least high-level Sages.

So for at least a few decades, they would have to endure Minos without receiving practically any benefit!

After that, they would still take a long time to rely on what he could offer the group.

Julian understood what was on the minds of some of his allies and said in a more serious tone. "Guys, I have seen some of what Minos can do. I have looked at his basics along with the council elders. I know his potential is immense.

I understand your concerns. If we accept him in our group, we will have to help him for a long time. But this is the only way we can get the best return.

In a century, Minos can grow a lot and become what we need to change our status. So I ask you to give him your vote of confidence."

Those people were silent at those words from Julian.

Julian had not been the one to create this faction. Aarav had invited him 5,000 years ago to join this group. But among the current members, he was the third oldest and had invited at least half of the 10 current members of the faction.

These people respected him greatly for this and for the fact that he himself was a great talent who could one day reach level 99.

The cultivation at the 10th stage was so difficult that not everyone who reached it could reach level 99, even though, in theory, there was a possibility.

So someone like him was valued everywhere in this world!

His opinion and requests carried great weight, and even someone like that level 96 woman who had been even longer than Julian in this faction couldn't help but consider her opinion.

"Tell me about his powers." She said, wanting to hear more before making up her mind.

Julian quickly summarized what he knew, "Minos is a young talent in his homeland. He created his state from absolute zero and currently has even mid and high-level Sages in his group.

I believe that given the right resources, his group will have Demigods in a few decades.

By the time he reaches our stage, I feel there will be some 10th-stage cultivators under his command.

Furthermore, he is a ruler of a state with billions of inhabitants, so his resources are not weak. He has a lot of financial potential on his side."

Those people looked at each other, and then Rose said. "Very well, elder Julian, I have a suggestion. I will temporarily support the nomination of this Minos. But I will reevaluate my position during the Continental Tournament.

Let's ask him to report to us during the tournament on Elves Island. If your expectations of him are not dashed by then, I will support him."

This faction functioned by the votes of its members, who, regardless of their levels, had equal weighted votes. If these people decided not to support Minos, even if Julian was the strongest, there was not much he could do to have Emperor Stuart in his faction.

Hence, he had to introduce Minos to these people and have their support.

"I agree." The level 93 man said. "It would be unwise to bet so much on a level 80 young man. Even if he is as talented as the council elders think, nothing prevents someone powerful enough to kill him.

There is no God to protect him, and level 99 Demigods are not all the same. So we can't rule out the possibility that he dies prematurely and we lose our investment."

With these people agreeing on this fact, Julian soon had the decision of a relevant part of his group to at least support Minos' entry into this faction temporarily.

At the end of that meeting, each went to their side, and Julian sighed in relief, feeling that he would get the majority of the votes.

'The Continental Tournament will take place in about 37 years. I hope Minos is still breathing then.' He thought, as he moved on to another appointment.

...

A few more days passed...

After several days of business around that great city, Minos had already received all the techniques and equipment he had purchased during that period.

With these items, upon his return to Dry City, he would greatly strengthen his women but also the bases of the Black Plain Army.

Very soon, he intended to travel again through the Spiritual World, this time to the Marine Empire and the Continent of Beasts, where he would look for support to resolve the North Sea issue.

Investigating that area would be crucial for him and his people!

As such, he would have to seek more allies in a few years!

Minos was only not doing this now because, according to information from the Spiritual Church, a 'gateway' to the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom would soon appear near his domain.

So he wanted to get involved with this alongside his wives first and then go out searching for more allies.

At the moment, he already had some allied tribes of the Longus family and the survivors of that family on his side. At the same time, if his membership in the Pantheon of Honor was confirmed, he could use this organization's contacts to gain more allies in the future.

Therefore, he didn't want to waste his time searching for more people in the Divine Continent and was only interested in returning to the Black Plain Empire as soon as possible!

But that would not take long, and this afternoon Julian would come to him!

...