Later, when Minos had finished cultivating, he was reunited with his wives and children, and it didn't take long to gather everyone who was going to return to Dry City.
Most there had already stayed long enough in this place, so besides Kendrick, Sarah, Abby, and Isabella, who would accompany Minos on this journey to the Western region, only Emlyn and Kyla would stay in the Spatial Kingdom for the time being.
More soldiers from the Black Plain Army and elders from the Gray Clouds Sect would be sent here later. But for now, all the other individuals there would return to Dry City alongside Minos, Gloria, and Ruth, who would stay in the capital to take care of local affairs.
Thus, the Spatial Kingdom became somewhat empty as Minos activated the ring of this space and departed back to Dry City.
"Kendrick, go cultivate. You haven't done that in 2 days!" Abby sighed after everyone left and ordered this boy to fulfill his responsibilities that he had been delaying because of his father's advancement.
Hearing that, he ran over to where Kyla and Emlyn were, inside one of those giant skeletons in that space.
"Don't worry, Mom, I was studying while watching Dad." He said as he ran and smiled.
Sarah smiled as she saw her brother hurrying to escape from his mother and soon headed towards a place she liked to meditate.
'Dad won't let me do what I want until I become a Saint, so I must focus on cultivating now...' She thought, wondering when she might have more freedom.
In any case, she didn't think it was bad to stay in the Spatial Kingdom for a while while she was still such a weak cultivator compared to the many problems of her state.
...
Meanwhile, Minos and his people appeared in Dry City in a large cultivation room of the Black Plain Army headquarters.
In that place, protected by several arrays that blocked the spiritual fluctuations of the surroundings, the group of over 100 people soon dispersed.
Minos had in mind to experience some of the Chaotic Gravity changes, but first, he made his way toward his palace while displaying his level 80 aura for the entire core of his capital to feel.
This was his way of summoning his men and telling these most important inhabitants about his success in advancing to the 9th stage!
Immediately upon sensing a new level 80 aura, the people working, training, or in their leisure time within the area protected by the Dry City Defensive Dome realized that their sovereign had advanced a stage.
'His Majesty has advanced to level 80...' A middle-aged man at level 66 thought to himself as he looked toward where Minos was moving, feeling fulfilled to see the growth of this person.
Joey had been in the Black Plain Army for a long time and had seen much of Minos' growth. As he felt the new cultivation of his leader, he couldn't help but feel as if he had, on his own, become stronger and smiled in happiness.
On the other hand, Minos' grandfather, Oswald, was on the outskirts watching over this city and, upon sensing his grandson's spiritual fluctuation, immediately moved from where he was, going to him.
Oswald was already close to reaching level 81, but judging how fast Minos was in his cultivation; this man felt he would soon see his grandson leaving him behind.
As he had dreamed of this moment ever since he had seen Minos at the Peak of Mist decades ago, he couldn't help but feel immense satisfaction with this young man's growth.
Maisie and Patience were also around, and the other Spiritual Sages and relevant government members moved to the imperial throne hall.
At that place, the imperial guards were already with their knees bent when Minos entered the area and said in a single sound.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty! Congratulations on the breakthrough!"
Minos saw those men and smiled, gesturing for them to stop and return to their natural positions.
Meanwhile, his secretary, Dillian, and a few other government members arrived at that place almost at the same time as the first Spiritual Sages to present themselves there.
"Congratulations on becoming a Sage, Your Majesty!"
Several of them repeated similar things. They were pleased that Minos had advanced and that he had returned before major problems had reached the empire.
Oswald arrived at that place, went over to where his grandson was, and patted him on the back a few times, saying his own words of congratulations.
Patience and Maisie would do the same, while everyone had smiles on their faces.
"Thank you for your words, but we must decide some things urgently." He said as he gestured for the people there to lower their tempers in their congratulations and compliments. "Now that I am back, I intend to leave for Lusmait in a few days, so let us settle the necessary as quickly as we can."
Everyone stood quietly and listened to what their leader had to tell them.
This was particularly true for the family members of the Goddess of Life, who were very excited by Minos' strengthening, something that brought them closer to their revenge against the Veora family.
Minos then said. "I want our government to focus on developing the marine empire and the End area for the next few months or years. These two places will be crucial, so we cannot privilege others over them.
As for the army, continue to protect the borders of the empire and these two areas. I want to increase the presence of Spiritual Sages around those areas and decrease in Dry City."
Gloria and Ruth were standing next to Minos and saw how everyone in the surrounding area was strange about this order from her husband.
But even though they were both uncertain about what this meant, the two waited for his words.
"Uh? Are you sure about this?" Maisie asked her son, expressing the doubt of everyone there.
Minos then explained. "With my advancement to the 9th stage and the guarantees generated by the protection we have from Maximillian Flamen, I can secure for myself the safety of this city.
I will show you that in a few moments... Please come with me." He said as he indicated for everyone to follow him.
Then everyone there flew after Minos, quickly arriving outside the Dry City Defensive Dome, where the emperor promptly ordered his men to deactivate the defensive arrays in the surrounding area.
He then said. "I will show you the evolution of Chaotic Gravity. From today we will no longer need defensive arrays to protect this city. My black holes will do that!"
...
