The Rise of the Black Plain

"Maybe I can show you something..." He said and then stopped to think about it some more. "I guess I can trust that none of you will covet the items of a junior like me, right?" Minos smiled at them as he said that.

Logically speaking, there was a danger, which was not small, in demonstrating his wealth to other people, including these individuals with whom he wanted to form an alliance. After all, if one side could become stronger by taking something from the weaker, then this would be the most likely action.

However, human beings were rational, and some could even control these more immediate impulses present in situations like this. In particular, Minos was already offering a pretty good deal for this family, and these elders had no idea where this young man's techniques came from...

Because of all this, even if he showed one of his Silver-grade techniques in that place, the likelihood that those elders would try something against him was small. But of course, Minos knew that each of them would be quite compelled to try to take whatever he showed there, but that would be more like wishful thinking rather than a will to act.

Who could guarantee that there were no ways for him to protect himself?

For that matter, why would he take such a risk inside territory surrounded by potential enemies if he didn't have his means of protection or escape?

Besides, they had already heard that this organization of Minos still had two other people stronger than this young man.

And even if they couldn't be sure of the veracity of such a thing, it would be very unwise to act so blindly in such a unique situation.

On the other hand, if they tried something against him, and he managed to escape, then such a thing would make any good relationship between the parties impossible in the future!

In fact, this could make them deadly enemies, something that no one would want, and that would always be put aside if there were better alternatives that did not result in this.

Understanding all this, Minos quickly decided to use one of the Silver-grade techniques he had in his spatial ring to give this new proof to the Miller family.

That was indeed the fastest way that he could prove himself capable of keeping his promises. But it was not entirely necessary. After all, Eliot had already told all that needed to be said to those elders about the disproportionate strength Abby had gained after spending that time with Minos.

That should be enough, but those elders wanted to see such techniques, so they had asked for such proof.

The supreme elder then opened his mouth for the first time since the beginning of this occasion and said. "Of course, young man. We are not going to steal a belonging from a potential ally, someone who may also become part of the family in the future."

"Hmm."

And hearing that, Minos finally took out one of the silver scrolls from his spatial ring and presented it to those people. "This is a Silver-grade defensive technique." 

Simultaneously, those elders in that hall smiled in satisfaction while they had meaningful looks in their eyes. It was as if they had seen the most valuable thing of their lives and were now looking forward to finally having the chance to touch it.

'It truly is a Silver-grade technique...'

"It's amazing! The fluctuations of that scroll are fantastic!"

"I can't wait to be able to learn it..."

Several murmurs sounded throughout that place, while other people were thinking about it in silence.

'What I honestly need is a cultivation technique of that quality... Does this young man truly have a complete set?' So the supreme elder thought to himself, at the same time, where he felt a certain excitement in his old body.

He would obviously be interested in having a defensive technique of this quality. But he wanted to solve his cultivation problem first so that his vitality would increase!

He was already quite old and lacked the appropriate resources to level up to the next stage safely. However, as much as superior techniques alone would not be enough to take him a step further, this would make the process much easier! 

With this, Vince Miller was naturally more concerned with his cultivation than with his defense.

On the other hand, the patriarch's right-hand, Daphne, had an expression of curiosity on her mature face as she looked intently at the scroll in Minos' right hand. 'Where did he get this from? Did he by any chance fall into a treasure well? Or maybe his mother took a chance and gave some of her techniques to him?'

Anyway, after a moment of appreciation, where many people were smiling in that place and making enthusiastic comments, the patriarch finally said. "Well, young Minos, that's enough to prove that you can fulfill what you said, even though you haven't shown us the rest."

"Since that is done before we vote on this matter, we should know what our relationship will be like if we ally ourselves." He then turned to Eliot and pointed with one of his arms at such a person. "Elder Eliot has already told us a few things, but I hope you will be more specific on a few points."

"For example, when can we learn these techniques?"

Upon hearing such a question asked by the patriarch, all those people in that place looked in the direction of where Minos and his two girlfriends were standing, eager to find out about it.

Minos then said calmly. "I will let the people you send to my city study such techniques until they have learned six of them. But that will only happen for the four people who will be sent once each year."

"I will not accept anyone else, nor will I teach anyone else first."

"And those people need to stay in my city for one year until the new group arrives to replace them." He then paused briefly and said. "Since in this hypothetical situation we would-be allies, I'm afraid that the four people in question would have to help us if needed..."

After this was said, several of those elders looked at each other as they scratched their eyebrows, and some frowned. This Minos' scheme was a bit slow for them. After all, this would mean that all the Spiritual Kings in this family would only learn these techniques after ten years!

The Miller family had 39 people at this stage of cultivation, which was almost the number of slots given by Minos. And since those people wanted to advance to the 7th stage, it would be difficult for the lower level juniors to have such an opportunity...

As such, they would have to compete with each other to see who would be the first!

He then continued. "But I will do the Miller family a favor. Since Abby is a descendant of this organization, I will allow her parents to accompany me to Dry City, and I will teach them such techniques, out of this agreement."

"In other words, you will have the opportunity to have 42 of your members with complete sets of Silver-grade techniques!"

"Oh?" Eliot was the first to exclaim in surprise while the others around him watched him with envy.

"Haha, good. Good!" Abby's father said in satisfaction.

"Looks like our family got lucky this time! The girl Abby should be remembered in our history as a heroine!"

"Hmm, really a filial descendant!"

Several favorable comments were made about Abby, while this woman was somewhat embarrassed. However, that soon passed when her boyfriend's voice sounded in that place once again.

"Anyway, aside from this matter of people who are going to learn these techniques, I want our relationship as allies to be as discreet as possible. For example, it will be interesting if at the surface we had no relationship at all so that we have some advantages against potential enemies..."

"So, it will be better if we keep the matter about Dry City and the Black Plain a secret. For that, we can communicate through Yellow City. There, my soldiers will be able to request your help, and you will be able to inform me of dangers or something like that." He said before finishing his presentation.

"I see..." The patriarch thoughtfully said until he got up from his armchair and said loudly and clearly. "Young Minos, I now ask that you wait on our property for one more day until we have finished discussing this among ourselves."

"All right."

"If we agree, Eliot will bring you here for us to sign the Soul Contracts and formalize this alliance."