A month quickly passed in the Dry City.

During this period, practically all the original citizens passed through the local public library, learning at least one cultivation technique of Blue-grade.

It was a busy month for these people, who had to face long lines just about every day. After all, many of them were already at least in the 3rd stage of cultivation. So, they could use up to 3 techniques.

And even though they needed time to get used to their new techniques, many citizens returned to find defensive or attack techniques in that period. Hence, many people were always standing in line, waiting to enter the Dry City Public Library.

Several families moved from Yellow City to here during this period, further accelerating local growth. According to the Black Plain Army's estimates, about 4,000 people had already moved here in the meantime since Minos, and his group had returned.

At this time, Minos was cultivating within the Spatial Kingdom with the young Lee, Alison, and the Nine-tailed Foxes.

Lee was resting under a tree while Alison played with tiny Kyla, who had already grown a few inches since she moved here. The growth rate of this little fox was excellent, and according to Emlyn, she should be able to reach her second tail in another month!

As for the two youths had increased one level in that period, reaching levels 24 and 23 for Lee and Alison, respectively.

At the same time, Emlyn was lying on the side of the lake, watching Minos cultivate. She was pleased to have come to this place. Here, she could relax and watch her daughter grow up without being disturbed by the Central Continent's dangers for spiritual beasts like them.

Minos was seated not far from the house while cultivating his specialized cultivation technique, Solar God Breath. He was in a meditative position, slowly breathing as if he were completely unaware of his surroundings.

All he felt, at that moment, was the spiritual energy around him. Each time he inhaled, a flow of free spiritual energy in nature gathered around him as Minos' body gradually absorbed it.

It didn't take long, and the sun's rays within the Spatial Kingdom passed through Minos, just as he was breaking through to the next level!

At that moment, the air around the young Stuart began to slightly distort, as if it were one of those mirages on hot days. And a few seconds later, the low popping sound was heard!

Crack!

After that, a beam of spiritual energy quickly entered Minos' body, and he finally reached level 36!

'Ahh! It's really nice to be stronger...' Minos opened his eyes and blew out a breath. After leveling up, his body was full of energy, to the point where he felt a sense of satisfaction with himself.

Shortly after that, Minos began his training in battle techniques. First, he trained the Spatial Sword technique until he ran out of energy, executing a few dozen moves.

He then eats some spiritual fruits and absorbing the energy of some low-grade crystals. After that, he activated an array of attacks while beginning to train his defense technique, Indestructible Body.

And finally, he eventually trained his support technique, Devouring Art.

But this technique was somewhat strange to increase the user's proficiency since he needed to use this technique in living beings or spiritual arrays. He had to waste several crystals in an array to train this technique or to battle almost constantly.

Devouring Art did not consume free spiritual energy in nature, only being effective against the energy stored in living beings or manipulated by spiritual arrays. So, it was not possible for Minos to simply train the technique in other ways.

As for why Minos was not fighting anyone, well, this was because he was already much stronger than the soldiers over his power, and he preferred to train within the Spatial Kingdom.

He also couldn't use this technique on Emlyn since she had much more than 100% more spiritual energy than Minos. So, she could ignore the effect of his technique. After all, she was almost in the 6th stage of cultivation, while Minos was just over half of the 4th.

Finally, Minos finished his training and returned to his mansion after taking a long shower in the Spatial Kingdom. He wanted to stay a few more weeks in the Dry City before finally leaving for the Cromwell Kingdom, where he would participate in the Spiritual Tournament.

...

As Minos walked from his residence, inside the local government mansion, to the administrative part of the building, he came across a beautiful young woman with long black hair coming towards him. She had sexy curves and a cute expression that would make anyone rethink her age.

That was Ruth.

She looked at Minos for a second and soon noticed a slight change in his spiritual energy. 'Hmm? Did you level up again?' She thought as she probed the young Stuart.

She then said. "Well, you're already at level 36. Don't you think it's time for us to go to the Cromwell Kingdom?"

"Ehh, it's still early. There are still about four months to go. So, we will wait one month more. Only then will we make this trip." Minos said with a subtle smile.

"Hmph, you must be wanting to delay my cultivation by making me stay here. Maybe you don't feel good about being accompanied by a beautiful young woman who is stronger than you..." She complained in a provocative voice.

"Haha, you shouldn't have delayed your cultivation, as you must have a lot of spiritual crystals with you. As for the other thing, I don't even think it's bad to be protected by a beauty like you..." Minos said while flirting with Ruth.

Upon hearing this, Ruth blushed and said before leaving. "Hmph, do you think I'm going to fall for your conversation? I'm not like that Stone Island's bitch!"

'Hehe, this we will find out...' He whispered in a low voice with the corners of his mouth slightly lifted upwards.

In addition to being the most talented person Minos knew, Ruth was also beautiful!

She had a beauty that could move the masses, with her flawless face and a sensual body that could make any man's blood boil!

For these reasons and the fact that he was a young man at the beginning of his sex life, Minos had specific desires about Ruth. After all, it was difficult to avoid this.

The two had been spending a lot of time together since Stone Island. In these situations, sexual tension was quite common...

...

After getting the indecent thoughts out of his head, Minos arrived at his office and received some reports from secretary Mia.

First, according to Mia, the city was growing very fast, and soon the old city walls would be unusable. And with that, the city would be exposed to anyone who wanted to enter here, including possible wild spiritual beasts.

Second, according to the soldiers sent to the coast, the base of that place was almost complete, being within the deadline to receive the Nash family's ships within one month.

"Hm, I see. It is good that this base is already ready. Such a thing will avoid any delay in our first export to Stone Island." Minos sighed and then said with a solemn look. "As for the city's wall, make arrangements for a new one to be built."

"We are going to do this around 10 kilometers from the current city. That will be great for the size of our town at the moment, but it will avoid the need to do it again in a short time. We will also make four checkpoints, where there will be small bases of operation for the Black Plain Army."

Upon hearing all of this, Mia shook her head and said before leaving the room. "Okay, young master. I will prepare for these matters to be resolved as soon as possible."

'This will also be an excellent measure to employ these immigrants from the Yellow City. It will still be a few months before they are hired by local agriculture...' Minos thought as he did the calculations with his fingers.

It would be good if these people who have already moved to the Dry City would not be unemployed. And with the new wall, these people could have a temporary occupation for the next few months.

That would stimulate the local economy, with more people buying and paying for services within the city.

The Black Plain Army would also hire another round soon, but the number was still too small to make a big difference at the moment.

...

After that, the next few weeks were very quiet in the Dry City, until finally, it was time for another harvest.

With that, regular trade in the Stone Island would start quickly, and as soon as these items were sold, the Plain Black could reinvest the crystals in more areas within the city.

It was also time for Minos to begin his journey to the Cromwell Kingdom, which he had been putting aside since he had met Ruth on Stone Island.