On the other side of the continent, Maximillian had similar plans to Vico.
At the headquarters of the Spiritual Church, this man was with some of his high-level faction companions, planning for the future.
In front of him, a young man of level 90 was on bended knee, listening to his words.
"Calvert, are you prepared to enter the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom?" Maximillian asked the Third Prince of the Evergreen Empire, who had joined his group in the war in recent years.
The war would bring destruction or advancement to the Evergreen Empire, so whether or not Maximillian was liked, all members of the imperial family were committed to winning the confrontation.
They were accepting this man's orders for now as both the Supreme Pontiff of the Church and the Emperor were away in seclusion.
As such, this prince formerly in contention for the position of Church leader, who had recently advanced to the 10th stage, was there taking orders from Maximillian.
"Yes, ancestor Flamen." Calvert said in a low voice but with a resolute tone.
The Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom was already a place that he and the emperor's grandson, his nephew, had already intended to enter to strengthen themselves even before Maximillian reappeared on the continent.
As such, they were both prepared for this adventure about to open up in the Flaming Empire.
"Alright, I want you to lead our faction's group within this Spatial Kingdom," Maximillian said. "Collect high-level grade-4 weapons and artifacts whenever you can. Grow strong, boy. You may eventually become my successor.
I know your family's group will send an independent group, but try cooperating with them if possible. You will surely have tough competitors coming from the Divine Continent and Continent of Beasts."
This event was for all high-level beings interested in resources and chances for advancement. So even beasts from that continent would come to the Flaming Empire to pass through the portals about to stabilize in part of that state.
"I will do my best, ancestor."
"Very well, now go. Continue your training. When the time comes for you to leave, someone will notify you."
With those orders, Calvert left that place, while Maximillian had a smile on his face, looking forward to what his group could achieve in the coming years.
After the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom closed, he intended one more decisive strike against the forces of the western region and then, victorious or not, invade the Supreme Pontiff's place of seclusion to seek his advancement to level 100.
Vico was strong, more so than Maximillian realized before the war. Still, this man was confident in what he had and felt he could change everything in the current confrontation in less than 30 years!
In this period ahead, he could strengthen his faction, his most trusted men, but also raise his cultivation to a new level.
He could quickly win the war and eventually dominate the Central Continent in the following decades!
So for him, things were going well, even if the confrontation with Vico was practically at a stalemate.
But as he smiled, someone in his living room mentioned Minos' name.
"Ancestor, we have news that the Black Plain Empire will be joining the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom. It seems that Emperor Minos Stuart has made good progress in recent years.
There are reports of even Demigods supporting him in the northern region."
"Oh?" Maximillian put his previous thoughts aside and looked at the person behind those words. "Is he going to enter that Spatial Kingdom? It's not a surprise someone in his position has to take advantage of the opportunities on his doorstep."
"Do we see ourselves communicating with him, ancestor?" The same man asked. "The Black Plain Empire has many freedoms and benefits greatly from the war..."
"So what?" Maximillian looked strangely at that man. "People were already expected to flee from the battlefield to a peaceful area.
The empire of Minos is a rising state, a good place from the point of view of these war migrants. But that means nothing. Are there any high-level Demigods staying longer in that place than one would expect for someone migrating to the Divine Continent?"
"No..."
"Can Minos help our faction within the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom?"
"I can't say for sure, but I would say no." That elder said, a little embarrassed but still thinking this state and sovereign would be worth watching.
"Then let them grow. When I win the war, I will visit Minos and the Black Plain to reaffirm our ties. In any case, the work he has been doing in the northern region will be important for maintaining the continent's strength after the war is over."
"Yes, ancestor!"
...
A few more months passed, and the number of experts in the Flaming Empire continued to increase considerably.
As time went on, cities near the area where the portals to the Ancient Dragon Spatial Kingdom had received more and more 9th and 10th stage experts, transforming the area.
Places previously with the presence of only high-level Spiritual Saints had suddenly changed greatly, with the appearance of not only people interested in entering this region of space.
As experts with an interest in entering such a place arrived, merchants and high-level professionals interested in selling their services moved into this area.
At least temporarily, low and medium-level grade-4 services would be available to those who could afford them in these cities of the Flaming Empire!
The main consumers of these temporary services were obviously the many cultivators coming from all parts of the Central Continent, the Divine Continent, and the Continent of Beasts.
But the very curious who wanted to see the beginning and end of this 'event,' as well as the merchants there to make a profit, also greatly spun the economy in these places.
As a result, most of the empire's attention and the forces of this territory were focused on this place near the Evergreen Empire, where at least 400 Spiritual Sages and 30 Demigods were already waiting for the full stabilization of the portals.
There, Oswald was standing next to one of the level 89 Sages of the Black Plain Army, keeping an eye on the situation, both for the good of the Flaming Empire and to warn Minos when to join the 'party.'
Just that day, a large shadow appeared in the sky of one of the cities closest to the area where the portals were forming, covering much of the city with a shadow shaped like a fearsome creature in this world.
It had two wings as big as the width of a city, and from head to tail, this creature was even bigger than one of its wings.
Looking up into the sky, Oswald saw this creature with gray and black scales, a beautiful beast that he might never see another like it.
Seeing it for the first time, he opened his eyes wide and shouted to his companion.
"A dragon!"
...
