The Rise of the Black Plain

Minutes after being summoned, Minos stood in the cockpit of Starship 666, face to face with the ship's captain—a figure he recognized from the communications picked up en route.

Yet, despite familiarity, meeting someone at the level 114 remained a remarkable encounter.

The captain's striking features, complete with horns and eyes resembling those of a cockroach, failed to startle Minos. His years at the Armhands' headquarters, followed by extensive travels, had inured him to extraordinary appearances.

Encountering someone at the pinnacle of the 11th stage of spiritual cultivation was always a profound experience.

"Captain," he greeted the formidable alien before him, his attention fully focused on the encounter without a glance at the surroundings of the cockpit.

There were many devices and several other aliens around, but Minos understood nothing about these things. The technological level of this spaceship was far above the level of the ships of the Mechanic Empire that Minos knew.

The young alien also impressed the captain, the alien noting the powerful aura of a mere level 99 Grandmaster, but also the powerful life force of Minos.

Minos had only been cultivating for a little over two centuries. Yet, his vitality would easily allow him to live for over 30,000 years. Even though the captain had over 40,000 years to live, his vital energy was weaker than Minos'. Why is that? Because of the ratio of used vital energy to available vital energy.

The captain was a being with over 50,000 years of experience!

His vitality was much lower than Minos', considering the young man hadn't even lived 0.7% of his life expectancy, while the captain had already lived over 55% of what he could if he didn't advance to the 12th stage.

"Young man, you are truly impressive. It's no wonder you led the group of passengers. Someone as formidable as you must be a great fighter."

"The captain is flattering me. I was only protecting my group." Minos said as he made the usual gesture of thanks from Zocarro.

"You are from Zocarro, right?" He asked, without the slightest intention of going into detail about how Minos had done everything.

He hadn't met Minos to test the power of this human. He had surveillance devices all over his spaceship. His group already had all of Minos' battles from that day, so they could understand how everything had happened.

"I'm not from Zocarro, but I lived there for a few decades before this journey began." Minos replied sincerely.

"Do you belong to a group from Zocarro?" The captain was from Zocarro. But he usually spent most of his time traveling, so he wasn't familiar with the major forces in each area of Oqia, the major continent for people like Minos and him.

He didn't recognize the red and black snake symbol on Minos' forehead.

"Yes, I belong to the Armhands guild. It's an Examire force."

"Oh? Examire, huh? I see." The captain remembered the place. "Do you intend to return to Zocarro in the future?"

"Yes. I have some business to attend to on my homeworld. When I'm done, I'll be back."

"That's it then. Well, I wish you luck. If you need support in the Aether Terminal, I hope this will help you." The captain handed Minos a device that looked like an ice crystal.

Before Minos could thank him, the captain went on. "Also, as a reward for your efforts in protecting our journey from enemies, I will give you the belongings of the level 111 and 114 Sovereigns of the enemy's group. They have artifacts and resources that I know will help you in the future.

Besides, you didn't come on this journey alone, did you? You and your group will have access to twice as many services as we promised you with your ordinary passages. My men are already working to warn the crew. But from the next stop, you'll be able to enjoy these benefits until the end of the journey."

"Thank you, Captain!" Minos thanked him sincerely, without refusing.

This was a precious reward for his efforts!

But the captain and his crew hadn't given Minos everything. They would keep the bodies of the aliens killed that day, which was also valuable to them.

So Minos exchanged a few more words with the captain and soon returned to the passenger lounge with many prizes in his spatial ring.

From what he'd counted so far, aside from the strange coins that he didn't know where to use or whether he could exchange them at the Aether Terminal, he also had alien techniques, maps of galaxies, solar systems, and planets, cultivation resources superior to Divine Medicine such as pills and potions, as well as minerals, plants, and tools useful to mid- and high-level Sovereigns.

For someone like him, the leader of a group of low-level Sovereigns, this was a level of wealth that alone surpassed all the wealth that existed in the Spiritual World!

This income today would help his group and his family greatly in the future!

Then Minos returned to the side of Ruth and the others, applauded by some passengers upon his return from the cockpit of the spaceship.

Besides all the prizes and benefits, he had also earned the respect and admiration of everyone on Starship 666!

...

After the previous situation, there would be no more problems for Minos' group. Starship 666 would finish its unloading and recharging stops by the journey where they had to stop at various space stations, and then begin the long journey where they would travel most of the way to the Aether Terminal without further stops.

Over the next few weeks, Minos and his group seized every opportunity presented along their journey. They used privileges extended by the captain, along with some cultivation resources Minos had gained. Although Minos himself couldn't use these resources, his five companions would employ them to advance their cultivation during this peaceful period.

As they continued their journey towards the peak of cultivation, dangers still lurked along their path. However, the voyage grew progressively safer as they moved beyond the most perilous stops. Despite this, they remained vigilant against unique phenomena capable of devastating their ship or casting them into distant corners of the universe.

With a bit of luck, their journey post the hostage crisis would proceed without significant incidents. Time would swiftly pass, and before they knew it, the group would arrive at their next major destination: the Aether Terminal!