The Rise of the Black Plain

Some time later, Minos and his group entered that coastal city where they were supposed to find signs of Tiolos.

Marrin wasn't as big as Examire, but by the standards of Oqia, where there were few cities open to aliens, the place must have been among the largest cities on the continent.

With just over 100,000 alien inhabitants, the beautiful seaside city stretched along 25 kilometers of coastline and beach, with one of the largest ports on the continent there.

Although sea travel was extremely dangerous, traveling along the coast was not and was one of the quickest ways to cross great distances without a variety of dangers on the continent.

Coastal towns were common in Oqia. For people of lower levels, as most of the mainland population was, traveling across the continent was too dangerous. Exchanges of goods and resources were necessary, so naval cities dominated this continent.

While there were some free cities where aliens could enter and leave easily, many of the continent's coastal cities were not accessible to people like Minos and his companions.

Tiolos had chosen their meeting place wisely, picking the city closest to their starting point that was also accessible to his allies.

As soon as they entered the city, with streets combining rounded stones of different sizes and lots of yellow sand, Minos and his people paid attention to the voices on their way.

His group was powerful. With 3 Supremes and almost everyone there with high level Sovereign cultivation, listening to distant conversations wasn't that difficult.

After less than 15 minutes of walking through the heavily wooded city, with lots of tropical trees, coconut palms and a strong sea breeze, they made their way to an estate where they were supposed to be able to pay for information and investigations.

They didn't need investigators, however. As soon as the group split up, one part to wait and Minos and his women to negotiate, the four humans returned from the building they had entered with the information they wanted.

"Do we have Tiolos' location?" One of the group's companions, sent by the Armhands Council of Elders, asked.

"No, but I believe I know where we'll find him." Minos was sincere when answering the General's question. "There's a place in the city called The Lookout of Stolenor. There are good cultivation rooms there, special resources, and also traders from different parts of the continent. It's a great place to cultivate while waiting for a meeting or doing business. I think we'll find Tiolos there."

Could Minos try to start his journey to Uzira without Tiolos? After all, he already had a group that was possibly stronger than the locals, right? But it wasn't that simple. Minos had an agreement with Tiolos and what's more, the native of Zocarro had cultivated to level 116 and spent the last 100 years traveling the continent.

Tiolos could have information that Minos didn't have. Tiolos might stop things that Minos' allies could not. Ultimately, he could bring misfortune upon the level 112 young man if that promise was broken.

Minos didn't intend to go back on his words, so he would not move on to Uzira without the individual with whom he had done business decades ago.

"But we're not all going to The Lookout of Stolenor. Forestville Piers, an area on the north coast of the city, apparently has crews experienced in traveling near the Violent Sea. I want part of the group to go there and try to find out more. I'd like to find any locals interested in traveling with us or at least telling us about things they've witnessed themselves." Minos looked at those he wanted on this mission.

Without question, the group split up, with more than half going to Forestville Piers and the rest following alongside Minos and his women to The Lookout of Stolenor.

Minutes later, Minos and those who followed him entered a magical tower, located two blocks from the longest stretch of continuous sand in the city.

From this tower, one could see almost the entire city, have a good view of the sea and even see the mountains.

Being a cylindrical building, some levels gave 360 grade views of this beautiful city of many different cultures.

People from different parts of the continent could be seen around the building's 10 floors, each of which had meeting areas.

As a merchant city, this place was famous for its meeting places, where travelers and powerful cultivators passing through the area could meet and make deals.

This was the perfect place to meet a Supreme passing through the area!

As soon as Minos and his group entered one of the main halls of the area, all eyes in the area turned to them, especially to one of the two level 115 giants who was with Minos and his group.

"Dear guests, it's an honor to welcome you to our tower," said a native of the area, a man of level 114. "Do you already have a place reserved with us, or are you looking for someone?"

Wovar remained silent, giving Minos the space to speak.

"Hmm, I'm looking for this man here. Have you seen him?" He showed the level 114 Sovereign looking at Wovar the portrait of Tiolos.

Minos had a good feeling about coming to this place, so he was relaxed about his eventual encounter with Tiolos.

"This senior..." The man picked up the representation of Tiolos while listening to Minos.

"He's a level 116 Supreme, a native of Zocarro. I think he may have passed through here, since he's waiting for my group."

The man looked into Minos' eyes and felt a shock of realization hit him.

"Are you Minos Stuart?"

Minos smiled as he shook his head in the affirmative.

"I'm sorry I didn't recognize your presence. Senior Tiolos warned me you were coming, but your cultivation... is a little higher than he had estimated. In any case, please accompany me to him," he said respectfully.

This city had Supremes, but hardly any of them left their estates. The only Supremes who roamed the area were individuals of levels 115 and 116, so someone like Tiolos was very well received and treated there.

Minos and his group followed this alien, leaving the entrance level of the tower and going up to the eighth floor, where they would see an even more beautiful and breathtaking view of the city.

They would find Tiolos talking to a group of high-level travelers who were in a large garden in the living area on this level.

Tiolos sensed a different presence and stopped talking to his contacts, whom he had recently met, turning his gaze toward Minos, who now looked very different from back then.

But as a level 116 Supreme, there was no way he couldn't recognize Minos' essence.

He opened his mouth as he walked towards the group of 10 individuals. "Minos! You are finally here!"

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