The Rise of the Black Plain

Chapter 2955: Before the Final Calamity Begins

Back in Minos' territory in the Upper Realm.

The headquarters of the Ancestral Cult was more vibrant than ever.

The city nearby had grown substantially and the palace of the Throne of the Law of Time had gained many new residents and visitors.

Even from afar, it was possible to see a great flow of creatures between the city and the palace, with many powerful auras stationed here and there.

Since Minos' arrival, the fate of the residents and the forces present there had changed entirely. Today, few would dare break the absolute laws of the local ruler, which has led to great prosperity for those living or doing business there in recent years.

In addition, the alliances and subordinate forces that Minos conquered during his first years in the realm also added many positive points to the area. Not by chance, several True Celestials now lived locally, resulting in the enviable strength that this domain had achieved.

Minos observed his domain for a moment, sensing various auras of levels 126, 127, and also the aura of Devdar, the only level 128 there at the moment.

There weren't many level 128 True Celestials, so having just one in his territory was already a major achievement.

Except for Lydis, no one else in the realm could claim to have more than one immortal cultivator of such a level!

But Minos was already at a point in his journey where he didn't care so much about his cities. As he swam slowly towards his palace, he looked at each of his family members there now.

They were all stronger than the last time he left, Lily being the most impressive of all, of course. But figures like Maisie, Oswald, Patience, Angelica, were getting closer and closer to reaching the 13th stage.

The Upper Realm was generous to its inhabitants. One could easily become a Celestial, as long as they were given time to meditate.

There was no need to find special resources or techniques. The simplest of cultivations would be enough for one to leave the 12th stage and enter the 13th in a few years.

Even reaching the 13th stage wasn't that difficult. With the exception of the last two levels, 128 and 129, the previous advances were quite accessible to important members of the realm's major forces.

Not by chance, there were more 'ordinary' Celestials between levels 125 and 127 in the current city of Minos than one could count!

He entered his palace with a serene look on his face, not so pessimistic about the problems promised for the future, but also not so optimistic about the progress of his people.

With a sudden thought, his body disappeared from the clear waters in which he was swimming. Instantly, he reappeared, already inside his palace, in his throne hall.

The men and women in the throne hall sensed Minos' arrival and almost instinctively greeted him by lowering their heads and bowing with their hands.

In unison, a group of 15 Celestials welcomed their sovereign back from his journey.

In just 5 seconds, the throne room was filled with subordinate or allied members of Minos' force, with many important figures having moved quickly around the area upon sensing the local sovereign's return.

Minos saw Devdar, Lily, his grandparents, mother and also the Deities he had won over to his alliance as soon as he entered the realm.

Soon, there was a force gathered in Minos' throne hall that could rival the great and historic factions of the Upper Realm!

Even with such power and glory achieved in such a short time, Minos couldn't relax, nor give the impression that everything was under his control.

His people, too, could never expose the pride and strength in their eyes. Each of the over 50 people crowded into the hall had solemn expressions on their faces, sharp eyes, knitted brows, and expressive marks around their eyes and mouths.

You couldn't say the atmosphere there was tense, but you could never say it was tranquil either.

The silence after the "welcome back" made some weaker hearts tremble, while Minos closed his eyes and took a deep breath, finding a way to talk to his people about something that none of them could do anything to change.

He had almost no information apart from Yin and Yang's few words about the threats from those related to the beings who took part in the destruction of the Ancestral Realm.

But something deep within him made him believe that it was a real problem and the warnings from the Throne of the Law of Darkness and Light were more prophecies of what would happen than mere advice.

The last enemies in their path would be so strong that even Lydis would have to be careful with his current post and the Ancestral Cult would be at even greater risk!

Minos began softly. "Everyone, it's good to be back. I see you've improved a lot in my absence and even completed some important missions for the future of the cult." His eyes passed slowly over the figures who had been most effective in their missions over the last few months.

Naturally, Minos was omniscient in his domain. Even without talking to his group, he knew what each of them had achieved during his absence.

But even with some projects going well and new possibilities looming for his group, he couldn't help but deepen his gaze and tone. "However, along with our growth, the challenges are growing faster than I'd like."

With one of his fingers, Minos projected some of his thoughts, showing them in detail to his subordinates, family, and allies. "During my journey through the Abyssal Region, I could reap good benefits for the faction. Lily, Devdar and even I, are stronger now than we were months ago. We've conquered the thrones of the region, but..."

He paused for two seconds before highlighting the last of the Abyssal Region's thrones.

"What I have to say now must be kept in your minds and never exposed outside of here. You must refrain from talking about it, even among those who already know the facts."

Devdar turned two degrees colder, his expression darkening deeply. He had been worried about what had happened in the conquest of the last throne in the Abyssal Region, and now he couldn't ignore the seriousness of the matter.

Even in his worst conjecture, he couldn't imagine anything that would justify an order of silence like the one Minos had just given!

Minos continued, "I have conquered the final throne of the Abyssal Region, but I have no intention of passing it on to Lydis." He tried to explain himself as best his people could understand. "I have no intention of rivaling Lydis. And the problem that concerns me is not him." He emphasized, seeing that some thought that Lydis would be the challenge in the faction's path. "I happened to have a conversation with that throne and its content could only be described as terrifying."

Gulping sounds reverberated through the hall. The strongest figures there became even more serious, their auras becoming sharper and colder.

A claim to have conversed with a throne was not a triviality. A throne with a conscience was a rarity among rarities!

But a throne without a user having a conscience was even more unlikely, something most of them had never heard of, even on their immortal journeys!

Minos' words were also particularly disturbing when a figure as prominent and frightening as Lydis was not the source of his greatest concerns.

Minos was even willing to deceive Lydis over this matter!

Minos sighed and finished, "We are about to face a calamity rooted in the end of the Ancestral Realm. The same people who destroyed the ancient era have left evil seeds behind and now they will flourish. The successors of the Celestial King's enemies exist and they won't let us go any further on our journeys!"