The Rise of the Black Plain

Chapter 2946: The Abyssal Region

In the blink of an eye, Minos and his party had left Lydis's territory, drawing ever nearer to their ultimate objective—the Abyssal Region.

The Abyssal Region stood as a fabled expanse in the Superior Realm, renowned for its towering underwater mountain ranges, deep abysses, and expanses of near-total darkness. It was a perilous domain for beings who depended on light and for those whose powers relied on the "positive" aspects of the laws.

According to legends whispered throughout the realm, the Abyssal Region was the critical point where the dimension had severed itself from the remaining Ancestral Realm, surviving the cataclysmic forces of dimensional fragmentation.

In this forsaken area, remnants of ancient superior laws—a shattered yet incomparable foundation for cultivation—are said to still persist.

Rumors spoke of space-time distortions in this region, dangers so extreme that even high-level True Celestials dared not approach except for the mightiest beings in the dimension.

Yet, amid its countless perils and whispered legends, the region teemed with potent energy. It was no coincidence that the strongest being in the entire dimension lived only a few hours' swim away—a fact that eased Minos's current mission.

They were deep in conversation about the earlier events when, from afar, the impenetrable darkness of the Abyssal Region appeared, causing their chatter to fall silent and their expressions to grow solemn.

Minos' daughter spotted the allied forces waiting in the area and was the first to signal their previous success.

"We have secured Lydis's release—but it came at a tremendous cost…" Oswald intoned as he glanced at Maisie, his daughter, stationed on guard since the alliance uncovered the four unoccupied thrones of the Abyssal Region.

"What do you mean? What did Lydis demand?" Maisie asked, as the other high-level Supremes and low-level Celestials on guard watched the newly arrived group with keen interest.

Minos replied, "He insists that for every throne we displace, we must relocate one into his territory… Moreover, there are other matters uncovered during our negotiations with Lydis that are of utmost importance."

Sensing that questions were about to be asked, Devdar interjected, "We'll talk about that later. It isn't as urgent as it sounds."

"Devdar is right," Minos agreed with a nod. "The secrets we unearthed in these negotiations will not have immediate effects; yet claiming dominion over the thrones in this region could alter our fate for years to come." He pointed toward the dark, ominous outskirts.

Lily looked up at her father and queried, "How will we split up to enter the Abyssal Region?"

Minos exchanged a glance with Devdar—having discussed the matter at length before—they had not approached Lydis unprepared for success. In fact, they had a contingency plan in place. Then Minos addressed the entire group, "Devdar and I will go together with only Lily. The rest of you will rotate between standing guard and returning to the Ancestral Cult.

The region ahead is treacherous and unpredictable, yet it harbors immense opportunities. I shall seize this chance to elevate Lily's powers while Devdar and I shift the four thrones."

Everyone trusted Minos's judgment implicitly, accepting his orders without question.

"How long do you expect it will take for you to complete your task?" Oswald asked, his eyes full of expectation as he looked at his grandchild.

They had not long been in the Upper Realm, yet after seizing the first vacant throne, progress had been frustratingly slow—nearly stagnant. Anxiety ran high, especially since they were already aware that Segiel had initiated Minos's first inheritance.

"It's difficult to predict with certainty… From what I've heard from Lydis, whether we succeed or fail, the truth should emerge in a matter of months—perhaps a few short years. Therefore, you must remain sharp and be ready to act," he responded.

Minos's many clashes with the realm's most formidable beings had already begun. The Ancestral Cult had made mortal enemies within the dimension, and their alliance was tied up in at least three major missions at present, not to mention their aim in the Abyssal Region.

Minos then separated slightly from his group and began swimming toward the encroaching darkness. "Once we emerge from the Abyssal Region, we will address the other issues we negotiated with Lydis. Until then, focus solely on our short-term goals."

"Yes, Your Excellency!" came the unified reply.

With that resounding cry, those left behind—Devdar and Lily—joined Minos, swimming at high speed toward the perilous Abyssal Region.

"What do you expect from me on this journey?" Lily asked her father.

"One day, your siblings will enter the Upper Realm with their own thrones. They will command their own factions and wield unique powers. But you, Lily, will inherit my position," Minos declared without turning back, ever vigilant, sensing minutes ahead of them.

"This is the beginning of your training. If you do not fail to meet my expectations, you will grow tremendously from this opportunity. Remain vigilant, and do not place your complete trust in me."

Lily clenched her fists with determination. "I will do my best, father!"

Devdar regarded their father-daughter relationship with approval. Every Entitled Deity sought an heir, though finding a worthy one was nearly impossible—the best always strove for independence, and the rest were rarely impressive enough to be true heirs.

In Minos' case, though Lily could not ascend to a throne directly because of the nature of her immortal ascension, she could cultivate to her utmost and act in her father's stead.

'Sigh—what a pity that we immortals cannot truly have children. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to seek heirs outside our own bloodlines…'

Most immortals entered the realm childless or with few offspring, naturally resulting in too few in the mold of Lily. There were also disputes with Hell and internal conflicts within the realm, any of which could diminish those numbers further in an instant.

Devdar was one among many affected by these local conditions, and for now, he could only appreciate Lily's situation by Minos and the rest of the family. Yet his thoughts would not dwell on this for long.

"The first throne should be less than ten minutes from here. It is likely the throne that represents the power of death, as Senior Lydis told us," Devdar said seriously, looking at Minos. "Are you truly confident that you can move it?"

"If it is indeed the throne representing the Law of Death, then it is the one with which I have the greatest chance of success," Minos declared confidently, feeling deep within his soul the power he had absorbed from the Infernal Crown.

Though he had relinquished his infernal position, remnants of his former self as Devil still dwelled within him, granting him the ability to manipulate negative laws.

Minos had his own theories about how he would fare in the Abyssal Region because of this, but even now, as he swam with his two companions, he savored the sensation coursing through his being.

The darkness still welcomed him, even after every change he had undergone.

"Let's press forward and claim our first victory!"