Chapter 184

Chapter 184: Dragonkin Tower

Midi shrugged noncommittally and smiled, “Why not tell me why those Humanoids were chasing you?”

The female Dragonkin paused before catching his meaning. She snorted, “Hmph, just say no if you won’t share your own story. You humans always twist words instead of speaking plain.”

Though her eyes showed disdain, she pulled a heavy black crystal from her pocket. “You saved me. Dragonkin don’t forget debts. Take this earthly stone—my most valuable possession. Now we’re even.”

Earthly stones existed only in Sky City. Unlike Arad’s magic crystals, these condensed pure magic. One chunk equaled the power of an entire magic vein from Arad.

With this, Fina could redo her “one person, one day, one city” feat. A castle-protecting magic array could run for a year on such a stone—a portable strategic treasure.

Yet Midi shook his head. “Keep the stone. I need something else.”

“What?” Her gaze turned wary.

“Take me to your tribe’s chieftain.”

In the Sea of Trees, scheming didn’t mean a thing. State your needs plainly—if strong enough.

The Dragonkin woman frowned. Though Midi had handled the Humanoids smoothly, she’d only seen him fight her exhausted equal. To her, his human flashiness without matching strength spelled danger.

“My tribe hates outsiders, especially weak humans. They’ll kill you.”

“I’ll handle my safety. Just introduce me.” Midi remained unruffled. “Or does your tribe hide like cowards?”

“Provocations won’t work.” She scoffed. “I’ll take you to the elder. What happens next isn’t my problem.”

As she turned to leave, Midi raised a hand. “We haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Midi Asreks of the Hawk Brigade.”

“Never heard of it.”

“You will.” His certainty made her blink. How could this magic-struggling human radiate such confidence? Did he hide some trick?

His starry dark eyes compelled her answer: “Call me Xena. From the Lightning Fire Wing tribe.”

Their new path led straight to her tribe, abandoning evasive routes. Supplies ran low—Midi had entered the rift empty-handed, Xena’s packs drained during the chase.

Exactly as Midi wanted. Months in cushy Faero Bay had left him rusty. To survive Sky City’s dangers, he needed shedding his pampered Count of Saint Tower Island persona—the power-and-coin noble—to become the battle-ready adventurer again.

With Xena watching, his readjustment became performance. Drawing on past-life memories and current skills, he thrived in the Sea of Trees:

Food, potent herbs, even rare materials unknown to native Xena filled his pack.

This left Xena increasingly puzzled.

Had this guy been here before? Or was he actually a resident of the Sea of Trees who’d hidden in some remote corner for years, remaining unknown?

With these questions lingering, three days later, Xena led Midi to the territory of the Lightning Fire Wing tribe.

Even from over a hundred kilometers away, Midi instantly recognized their destination.

A colossal tower stabbed upward through the clouds.

Bathed in dawn’s light, the cloud-piercing structure remained veiled by swirling mists. Migratory birds swirled around its midsection like drifting white petals, while the sprawling Dragonkin settlement at its base resembled scattered pearls.

Though Midi had seen this tower countless times, its grandeur still struck him speechless.

This was one of three pillars connecting the Sky City’s foundation to the central tower structure.

The Dragonkin Tower.

Two other impossible feats of nature completed the trio—the Puppet Portal and Stone Giant Tower. Together, they upheld this world.

Hence the name: Sea of Three Towers.

The Puppet Portal housed the Humanoids, another major power in the Sea of Trees. The Stone Giant Tower belonged to the Elemental Giants, the third great faction.

Humanoids were cunning, violent beings born from the Sea of Trees, plagued by internal strife despite their numbers. Elemental Giants weren’t true lifeforms, but magic-fueled constructs with alien mindsets.

Though formidable, the Dragonkin remained the smallest faction. Their slow maturation and outsider status—having arrived merely centuries before Midi—limited their numbers.

Their true home lay beyond the Sky City in higher realms. This tribe was but an exiled branch.

Midi chose the Dragonkin for key reasons: their sophisticated order, martial pride, manageable population, shallow roots in the Sea of Trees, and burning ambition to reclaim their skyborne heritage. They could become the Hawk Brigade’s staunchest allies, like the Elves of Forest of Gran.

But first, he must confront their arrogance.

Xena’s arrival caused commotion. Sentries spread word as well-armed Dragonkin elites emerged, guards clearing a path.

As Midi predicted, Xena held high status.

Humans, however, meant nothing here. In Sky City’s isolated world, they were mythical at best. Dragonkin lore dismissed them as weaklings.

Battle-obsessed youths barely recognized Midi. Their stares mixed curiosity with contempt—was he captive or pet?

Xena offered no explanation, bound only to introduce Midi to the chieftain. Midi likewise kept silent.

In the Sea of Three Towers, words meant nothing. Only power commanded respect.

They advanced under countless stares along ancient flagstones, reaching the mountain-sized tower’s base.

Before them rose a palace merging primal wilderness with Dragonkin elegance—rough-hewn stone pillars flanking a twenty-meter arch crowned by skyward horns.

The Lightning Fire Wings’ seat of power: Palace of Dragon Horn.