The Rise of the Black Plain
Chapter 82 - 82: I Accept the Challenge

Right now, Minos and Ruth were prepared to leave the City of Waters to continue their journey through the Cromwell Kingdom.

Minos had no intention of staying here and analyzing this place by himself.

That wouldn't even be ideal, especially since he hadn't reached level 40 yet. However, that did not mean that Black Plain could not start to investigate this city.

Before this, Dillian had only obtained some basic information about this city. However, they still were not aware of the more essential details, such as which family was governing this city and how strong this place was.

Thus, the Black Plain Army would soon send a group of soldiers on a reconnaissance mission. The group would live in the City of Waters for a while until they could gather the most relevant information for Dry City's plan.

That should take place before Minos' return from the Spiritual Tournament, which was roughly three months from now. By then, the number of soldiers in the Black Plain Army would have increased significantly more than its current position, making it possible to maintain activities like these.

...

As they left the City of Waters, Minos, and Ruth started discussing the journey they would have to take further.

Minos was walking beside Ruth as the two made their way to look for the great eagle at the northern exit of the city, "Ruth, as I mentioned before, I want to take this trip gradually, stopping along the way to train my techniques."

"Hmm, I know. There are over 20 cities between our current location and the kingdom's capital. There are also some forests and mountains along this route that would be of great use for your training," she said, still feeling a bit ashamed. She couldn't simply ignore the fact that they had been kissing so vigorously just a few minutes ago...

"Oh! That's great. Let's do just that. We'll travel on your eagle for 8 hours a day and then stop to train and rest for the remaining time," Minos said with a satisfied smile.

Though he liked to stay and train in Dry City and the Spatial Kingdom, he wanted to explore the world like any normal youth. So, if he was going to make this trip anyway, he might as well make the most of it!

"Okay..." Ruth nodded as they finally arrived at a spot in the city's northern exit, where White was waiting for them.

Without wasting much time, the two hopped on the great eagle and soared through the skies. This time Minos hugged Ruth's waist tightly as White took off.

...

Meanwhile, on the coast of Black Plain, there was a medium-sized port in the middle of nowhere, this port had a capacity enough to allocate up to three ships at once.

From the current location, one could glimpse a medium-sized ship slowly approaching the port not far away.

And on the ship's bow was a prominent silver ship symbol, and one could also see two sailors were having a conversation just above the bow.

"Oh, so this is the place where we're going to pick up the load from? How strange. I wasn't aware that there was a port in this region," remarked a man with blond hair while shielding his eyes from the sun and gazing at the port to which they were getting closer and closer.

"Hmm, but why don't they use the Maritime City to do this business? At least there, we have something to do while the ship is being loaded," complained a young man.

Soon after, a third man wearing a Nash family guard uniform approached the two, "Enough with the small talk. This business is very crucial for Ms. Elen. You two are too soft. It seems that I'll have to harden your training."

"Yes, captain," the two responded in unison, promptly returning to their respective areas.

It didn't take long before the ship was docked at the port, not far away from a building with a symbol of a golden tree.

That was the symbol Minos had chosen to represent his power!

And this place was the base that had been ordered to be constructed a few months ago. It was currently completely operational, with about 50 soldiers with a strength ranging between the 4th and 5th stages of cultivation.

The place had also already received the promised 200 tons of grains, cereals, and spiritual fruits from Minos for Elen.

As they disembarked from the ship, some members of the Nash family also began to help the soldiers of the Black Plain Army to load the cargo. At the same time, the captain observed the place with curiosity.

'A golden tree? I've never seen this symbol before. Where does that power come from?' he pondered, massaging his face. Soon after that, he scanned the items that were being shipped and was astonished. 'Huh? All of these food items have a remarkably high spiritual concentration!'

He then mumbled while having his eyes wide open in surprise. "No wonder. So that was why Ms. Elen ordered me to prioritize these items before heading to the Cromwell Kingdom! How lucky she was to obtain such excellent provisions..."

After that, it didn't take long before all the cargo transfer was completed, and the ship finally started to sail back to Stone Island.

...

While the Nash family ship was on its way back, Minos and Ruth had been traveling continuously for almost 3 hours when the two finally decided to descend in a forest.

White descended quickly from the skies, landing in an open area in the middle of the dense forest.

The ground here was mostly covered in grass, and not far away, they would also see some oversized trees.

Though it wasn't a closed forest, it was still heavily wooded enough to the point where someone would get lost if they weren't careful.

"Ruth, do you want to train with me for a while? It would be very good to spar with someone as strong as you," Minos proposed to the young woman after finding a suitable terrain to start his training.

Ruth stared at him with surprise and asked firmly, "Are you sure about that? I don't hold back, and there's a significant difference between our cultivation levels."

'Hmm, considering that I advanced 1 level since the last time I fought, I believe that if I go all out, I could be able to defeat an average person at level 43.' Minos calculated and then nodded. "Considering that you have Silver-grade techniques and are at level 45, if you fight with less than 50% of your complete strength, then that can work."

"Oh! 50%, you say? Then, wouldn't that mean that all of your techniques are Golden-grade?" she responded with a smile forming on her face. She had already witnessed Minos' fights, but she didn't expect that he would be so skilled to the point of being able to match her, someone who was nine levels ahead of him.

Minos smiled and tried to change the focus of the conversation, "I have an innate ability that allows me to enhance my reserved energy."

"Oh! So, that's why you are so strong!" Ruth exclaimed joyfully. This was the first time she had gained any insight into Minos' mysteries.

Minos then approached closer with a flirtatious smile, "Look, I told you a secret of mine. Do you have any innate abilities that can be used in fights?"

"No, my innate ability is not suitable for fighting."

That was not uncommon in the Spiritual World. It was rare to be born with a Physique that would provide someone with an innate ability that could be useful in battles.

There were many possibilities of innate abilities, and those battle-related characteristics were just one of many subdivisions, and it extended far beyond that.

There were innate skills of all kinds, ranging from increasing someone's potential when making spiritual pills to predicting the future or even helpful in one's culinary skills!

Therefore, not many were lucky, like Minos, to have a skill that amplified their spiritual energy.

A little curious, Minos tried to inquire further, "Then? Won't you tell me what your skill is?"

Ruth smiled provocatively before replying, "Hehe, if, or rather, when you manage to beat me while I'm fighting with everything I have, then perhaps I'll tell you."

She knew that it was only a matter of time before Minos reached her in terms of his cultivation speed. And eventually, she wouldn't be able to defeat him.

"Oh! Okay, I accept your challenge. It might take a few months for me to be strong enough, but I will do that." Minos then took a blunt sword from his spatial ring and prepared to fight.

Ruth asked in a soft voice, "Are you ready?"

"Hmm, bring it on." With these words, he immediately activated three of his techniques simultaneously.

Devouring Art!

Indestructible Body!

Spatial Sword!

Soon a black ring materialized in the sky above him.

At the same time, Ruth also activated her techniques, but only with half of her usual strength, and rushed towards Minos.

Fists of Pain!

Instant Steps!

But she did not opt to use her defense technique. The reason was that she simply didn't need to. Just with the use of her movement technique, Ruth would be able to dodge Minos' attacks.

This would be a battle of resistance for him, not for her!