The Rise of the Black Plain

After leaving Abby's parents' residence, Minos' group began to circle the large Miller family property on this northern side of Odella.

They didn't have much to do in this place, and since Minos had already done what he could to contact the Miller family leaders, now, he could afford to get to know this place better in his spare time.

The three had already trained and cultivated before going to bed last night, and their bodies wouldn't be able to withstand another session for a few hours. Thus, getting to know this place was by no means a waste for Minos and his two girlfriends.

On the contrary, it could even be considered a way to relax!

There were many different ways to relax, to have fun, things that could range from an ordinary meal to sex, or even the appreciation of art. But no matter which way one chose, it was always good to have some variation, things that would make an individual's day different from the previous one.

Knowing this kind of thing, Minos and his two girlfriends would not spend the whole day locked in a room...

This idea was indeed tempting, and yes, it was something that everyone should try at least a few times in their lives in this vast Spiritual World. 

Young Stuart himself had already done such things with Abby and Ruth, on separate occasions, of course. But it wouldn't make sense to do this all the time when they had so many other things to do and experience.

As such, these three would not miss the opportunity to go out together somewhere new, at least for part of them, where they could have unique and significant moments.

...

After passing in front of the Spiritual Arts Hall, the three finally stopped their walk when they arrived next to a large area, where there were about a dozen fighting stages.

There was a small bleacher on one side of the fighting stages, which formed a semi-arch that covered about 100 degrees of the circular area around those fighting stages. Meanwhile, a large lawn could be seen on both sides of this bleacher, which extended over small slopes.

Finally, on the opposite side of the bleachers, there was a large artificial pond with completely blue water, something that made this place much more beautiful to look at.

So much so that besides those people present at this place to fight and watch the fights, some just sat there to enjoy the beautiful and pleasant scenery.

And it was no different for Minos' group.

At this moment, the three of them had sat down on one of the highest points of that stand as they felt the sun's rays warming their bodies, along with the pleasant morning breeze that made them feel nostalgic.

Days like these, when the sky was completely blue, was somewhat warm, and the breezes passed by from time to time, would give a unique feeling to anyone with specific experiences.

That could make some remember their childhood days or even family holidays, those unique situations. And consequently, there was certain happiness that would come on days like these, making many people enjoy the moment, appreciating it.

"Ahh, this place is not bad..." Ruth said in a low voice as she had her eyes closed and leaned on one of Minos' shoulders.

"Hmm, but I didn't think this place would be so crowded. I didn't assume there would be so many fights going on already so early in the day in a place like this." Minos said so that only the three of them could hear it.

At the moment, there were a few hundred people in that place. Part of them was around the fighting stages, fighting or waiting to fight. At the same time as this, another part was subdivided into several groups around that portion of this property. 

Some were sitting or standing on that lawn, others were sitting on the seats in that bleachers, and a few were on that lake, in the water, or on small boats.

Abby then explained. "Well, my family has about 100,000 members, the subordinates and nobles of the six different stages of cultivation. So, it's normal on this property for so many people to act around a building like this..."

"Oh? Hehe, it seems that your family is not at all weak in this region, eh?" Ruth commented as she opened her eyes and looked in the direction of the blue-haired young woman.

"You could say that. But some families go well past that number, sometimes even going as high as triple that!"

"Triple that? That's already almost the same amount of members of a small sect in the..."

"Abby?" 

As Ruth and Abby were going about their conversation, suddenly, a male voice reached the ears of those three.

Upon hearing this, the two young women who were talking and young Stuart turned toward the direction from which that voice had departed. 

They then saw a tall, muscular young man, who had blue hair like Abby's and was closely followed by a bodyguard who was wearing blue armor, which had the symbol of the Miller family on it.

"Cole?" Abby said without any emotion in her voice, as if she had just said the name of someone she may have come into contact with once or twice in her life...

Upon hearing Abby's question, the man who had asked her name earlier, who was already at level 48, smiled as he approached Minos' group.

At the same time as this, his bodyguard, level 49, followed him silently, without drawing too much attention.

Cole then laughed and said. "Haha, Abby, I heard that you had returned after so long away from the family. So, I decided to come to invite you to the status ceremony, which my brother will be passing soon!"

This man had just returned from an outside mission and had found out about Abby's sudden return. Upon finding this out, he immediately went to this young woman's residence to talk to her about it. 

But after having no luck at that location, he had finally reached that part of the Miller family property.

He then looked only at Abby and Ruth, without paying much attention to Minos, and said proudly. "He just reached level 50!"

"So? Why don't you come with me? After that..." He was about to say when suddenly he was interrupted by Abby.

"Cole, I'm not interested. You can call someone else. I already have other business to do with my boyfriend." Abby said as she gently held one of Minos' hands and leaned her head on one of this young man's shoulders.

"What?" Cole doubtfully asked as if he didn't understand something. 'Boyfriend? But haven't you always refused me? Not only me but everyone else who has tried to court you!'

He then looked at Minos and began to probe the young man in front of him. 'Humph, level 49, not bad, but that's not that far from where I am!'

'What does this guy have that I don't have?' He wondered as he began to get irritated with this whole situation.

He liked Abby, but the feeling was not mutual... On the other hand, now, just like that, this woman was saying that she had a boyfriend and even behaved that way with such a person... That was making him furious!

To make matters worse, he had no idea who this person in front of him was. 

One of the most talented youths in this family, he knew practically all the high-level youths in this region who could reach the 6th stage of cultivation in their early years. So, this was worse for him since Abby could very well be dating an individual who might have no support as he had!

"Is he your boyfriend?" He said, just before he pressed his teeth heavily.

"Yes, we've been together for over two years." Abby said with a smile on her face as she looked sideways at Minos' face and ignored that individual who was bothering her.

"Miserable!" Cole brandished loudly, to the point of making several people in his surroundings turn in that direction.

"You." He shouted at Minos. "What right do you have to be with Abby? What makes you so good? I don't believe you are any better at anything than me!"

He then clenched one of his fists at face height and said. "I'm afraid you don't have the capacity to be with someone like Abby!"

"I challenge you to a duel! If you lose, never come near her again!"