The Rise of the Black Plain

Arriving at the Sanctuary of Visions in Oxbarrow, Minos' group didn't stop to admire the magnificent ten-story oriental-style building that resembled a pagoda. They made their way through the garden on the area's outskirts, where many Sea Folk could be seen.

Several of them wore similar clothing, all red, and walked in groups around the garden, strolling or watching the area.

This was a place that the Sea Folk highly regarded, but even so, it was open 24 hours a day and any believer could go there whenever they wanted or needed to.

But that didn't mean it was easy to get into. Some artifacts around this building limited those who could enter the central part of this religion's sanctuary.

If you didn't have the talent and compatibility with certain natural laws, or if you didn't have a high cultivation level, it would be impossible to enter!

But this wasn't done to restrict beings of weaker races because some of the Sea Folk didn't want other races to intermingle with their beliefs. It was something ancient, part of the way of that faith. The creators of this sanctuary believed that only those who were compatible with their purpose could enter the doors of their sanctuary.

Whether these people were members of the Sea Folk or any other species, those who were not compatible with this place had to wait until a later time to try to discover the secrets of this world.

When they had walked about 30% of the way to the front steps of that huge building, some of the people in Minos' group began to feel their bodies getting heavy.

'This...' Emlyn was one of the first, but as a member of a very talented race, despite its limitations, she still had a better understanding of this world than level 89 humans.

However, there wasn't much difference between her and the three level 89 humans in this group. As such, she and these three experienced almost the same difficulty when trying to walk toward the entrance of this building.

"Minos..." She said with difficulty. "I don't know if I can keep up with you..."

Minos hadn't felt anything yet, but when he noticed that almost everyone in his group had changed their expressions, he understood why.

'So this place has something like that?' He thought but without surprise.

The Sea Folk's faith existed before the Marine Empire's creation. It had existed as long as this ancient race had existed in the Spiritual World.

He saw that the Demigods in the group were also feeling some pressure, but they were still able to move with him. "Let's continue." He said, encouraging the group's three humans and the two level 89 beasts.

With a few more steps forward, Minos' group had reached 65% of the way to the entrance of this building. But now, only he and the three Demigods were moving forward.

All the others were standing behind, unable to move forward or even backward, stuck in their positions.

Even though the three Demigods were still able to move, it was with great difficulty, especially the two level 90 Demigods.

Realizing how much they were struggling to move, sweating, and in pain, those two looked at Minos in an ugly manner, not understanding the situation.

"How?" The level 91 man, a little better than his companions, asked in shock as he looked at the young man next to him.

Minos moved as if nothing was pressing on him!

Minos laughed and said. "I may be level 83, but I'm stronger than you, my friends. Just because I hired you doesn't mean I can't protect myself and turn around."

The man clenched his fists, realizing that Minos wasn't actually being arrogant, but stating a fact.

They were relevant to Minos' purpose but weren't necessarily his bodyguards.

When he understood this, these people's respect for him went up a few notches.

Minos no longer waited for his companions, and after his comment, he took several steps forward until he reached the last step he needed to overcome this area that limited the weak and those with low spiritual understanding.

When he got there, Minos felt a little pressure on him, but he managed to take the last step when an elder from the shrine appeared in front of him with an astonished expression.

This member of the Sea Folk looked at Minos strangely, incredulous to see the first level 83 human able to overcome the powerful artifacts in the area.

To get to where Minos was now, a human would have to have a Golden-grade talent, an almost Divine-grade Physique, and be at least level 93.

Due to the high requirements and the fact that until a few decades ago, no human was allowed even near this area, less than half a dozen humans had ever entered this place. All of them had cultivations higher than level 95!

But Minos had only reached level 83, which came as a complete shock to the level 90 elder standing before them.

Minos' arrival there had already attracted the attention of several of the shrine's elders, and many eyes were turned in his direction, watching him intently.

"Young human, who are you? Where do you come from?" This elder, who looked very similar to all males of the species, asked Minos, trying to analyze the young soul before him.

Minos was sincere, knowing he didn't have to hide from the humans in this place. "My name is Minos Stuart. I am the Emperor of the Black Plain Empire, a state in the Central Continent.

I have heard of your faith and found that we have much in common, elder. So, of course, I'm here to learn, if possible."

"Oh? Central Continent?"

"I didn't expect the Central Continent to produce a new genius."

"After Vico Travisani, I didn't expect such a talented person to appear on this continent."

Some members of the shrine in the vicinity commented among themselves, while this elder saw that Minos wasn't lying or joking with him.

This young man really seemed to have many compatibilities with this place.

In particular, there was something powerful and chaotic in his being, something similar to what had created this world as it is today.

As a worshipper of the truth and stability of the Spiritual World, this individual looked at Minos as if he were in front of a singularity that he needed to investigate.

Few in this world had the characteristics he could sense in this young human.

With this in mind, he said. "Minos Stuart, come with me. I'll introduce you to someone who can answer your questions.

...