Meanwhile, in Dry City...
It had been about five years since Minos and his wives had left the capital of the Black Plain Empire, and a lot had changed locally, with the local power increasing significantly in the meantime.
Minos didn't know it yet, but in those five years, four level 89 Sages from his forces had advanced and reached level 90!
In addition to them, practically all of the Sages in the empire had improved by at least one level during that time, while the Saints had improved by 2 to 3 levels.
Even without access to the Spatial Kingdom, the people of Minos had cultivated easily in Dry City and other important places in the state, taking advantage of the peace around them to improve their strength.
For example, Sarah Stuart, the princess who had stayed in that city, was not far from reaching level 73 and was expected to break through before her parents returned from their current trip.
With the strengthening of the imperial family, the state and the northern region became more attractive to the continental community, especially to those who had left their home states due to the war in the south.
In short, the state of Minos has been doing very well in recent years. A few months ago, groups of low-level Demigods had arrived in the capital to wait for the emperor.
If one were to arrive in Dry City right now, one could feel the soul fluctuations of several levels 90, 91, and 92 Demigods, mostly sea creatures.
Where did these beings come from? From the tribes Minos visited at the beginning of his journey outside the continent, where he had invited beings to join his crew heading to the North Sea.
Not everyone he had invited could join his party at that time, but some of those interested had promised to do their best to join him later.
Among those who had promised, ten Demigods were already in Dry City, awaiting Minos' return, which the local forces expected to happen in 12 to 18 months.
However, these were not the only Demigods in the city at the moment. Following Minos' agreements on the Divine Continent a year and a half ago, as well as his requests to the Pantheon of Honor, several mid-level Demigods from that organization had reached this state.
Among the strongest was a level 95 hybrid, someone sent by the elder Aarav to help Minos protect these lands from the Gorgons.
But in addition to this individual, there were several Demigods between levels 92 and 94, all at the disposal of the people of Minos to protect these northernmost lands of the Central Continent!
With the presence of these experts, the citizens enjoyed peace to go about their lives and grow with the state.
But as another day dawned over the great Dry City, one of the experts observing the capital's perimeter noticed something strange approaching them.
'There is a spatial distortion near the south side of the great dome of Dry City.' A level 94 Demigod said into the mental communication of his companions, drawing the attention of several experts in the direction of that piece of space.
Looking in that direction, the dozen or so 10th-stage experts who were available soon saw the arrival of a group of beings of the same stage as themselves, individuals between levels 92 and 96.
Seeing it, the strongest of them, a level 95, narrowed his eyes and immediately recognized the newcomers.
"Gorgons!" He immediately realized and warned everyone in his group to get ready.
Distorting space, he headed toward the newly arrived creatures, who were staring with ugly expressions at the dome of the Dry City, something even they would not be able to cross.
The dome of the city could evolve as it was fed. As years and years had passed since its creation, this place could no longer be invaded by mid-level Demigods. Only the strongest experts in the world could challenge it!
However, they didn't have much time to worry about the dome that would protect Minos' people from them. Soon after arriving there and seeing Dry City's dome, these Gorgons noticed several spatial distortions of Demigods appearing around them.
"I had no idea that the influence of the damned Emperor Minos Stuart was so great!" One of them commented when she saw the number of Demigods there.
There were five mid-level Demigods!
That was impressive, considering Minos was only at level 85, and the Black Plain Empire had no 10th-stage cultivators until about six years ago.
However, there were several Demigods who were obviously there to prevent them from starting their mission.
"Gorgons, you are not welcome in the Black Plain Empire. If you don't want to be visited by some of our superiors, leave immediately." The level-95 hybrid shouted, while the forces inside the dome were already aware of what was happening outside the city.
"You think that's enough to stop us?" The leader of that group, level 96, said in a rude tone, not caring about the man's words.
"Don't be so confident, Gorgon. We won't wipe you out, but our elders will kill your leader if you go too far. Minos is very important to us and the elves, dragons, and various states in the Spiritual World. If you do anything against him, we'll punish you ten times worse!"
"Tsk!"
"You bastards! This is just revenge! Why are you involved in this?" A level 95 Gorgon felt irritated by the oppression against them.
They had suffered a lot over the past few years, being unable to enter the Divine Continent to go after Minos, being restricted by the dragons on the Continent of Beasts, and still suffering from their losses to Emperor Stuart's group.
They were at their limit!
Come to think of it, they weren't going to give up so easily!
"If you stand in our way today, we'll deal with you while we destroy this place!" One of them threatened.
"If that's how you want it, we'll send you to build the local defenses!" One of the level 94 Demigods pointed to the great dome of Dry City, seeing that these women would not listen to the voice of reason.
"If you want to meet your own end, we'll have no choice but to eliminate you. Where do you think that will lead? Your tribe will only become weaker. Considering the catastrophe about to befall our world, by the end of the ice age, you will probably be gone because of your stupidity!"
"Tsk! Shut up and fight!" One shouted, preferring to die there rather than fail and return to the Continent of Beasts.
With that woman's move, another devastating battle would occur near Dry City!
