Chapter 191

Chapter 191: The Night Before the Festival

Though Midi had given introductions beforehand, the arrival of Xena and Tanius still stirred commotion. Just as the Dragonkin had never encountered living humans, people—except the reincarnated Midi—had never seen living Dragonkin. Now two Dragonkin exuding overwhelming power stood before them. Even the most battle-hardened adventurers felt uneasy.

During the voyage to the West Coast, Midi imposed no restrictions—the Dragonkin roamed freely, even diving into the sea as they pleased, provided it didn’t delay the journey. Their immense physical strength, innate magic skills, magic aura surpassing ordinary practitioners, battle-tested combat skills, and rumored longevity far beyond humans… This was the race from Sky City.

As the Hawk Brigade learned more about Xena and Tanius, Sky City’s threat level soared in their minds. This was precisely Midi’s intention. Witnessing true strength firsthand held more weight than any warnings.

Initially, adventurers treated Sky City as another Elven Palace’s heritage—believing the Hawk Brigade invincible except against the Delos Empire. Victory seemed assured through sheer speed. This unspoken confidence had quietly spread, and even Dickson and Kelvin grew complacent after finding the rift on Deep Rock Island.

But seeing the Dragonkin shattered these illusions. Establishing a foothold in Sky City meant facing unimaginable foes. The real struggle was just beginning.

Xena and Tanius reacted differently to this new world. As the Dragonkin chieftain’s daughter, Xena focused on interracial cooperation. Though she’d made a pact with Midi in the Sea of Three Towers, doubts lingered—what exactly was the Hawk Brigade? Could they craft power amplification rings or better magical items?

Observing Arad’s ironclad ships, triple cannons, heavy mechanics, and Norton’s alchemy items earned through contribution points, Xena finally acknowledged the Hawk Brigade’s might. She mused that even in the Sea of Three Towers, this force led by Midi would thrive. The alliance’s value now clearly outweighed mere rings. Future trade routes would double as troop passages—Humanoids and Elemental Giants would fall before their united strength.

Meanwhile, Tanius had one verdict:

“Weak. Pathetically weak.”

To this prideful Dragonkin warrior, humans were pitiful. Those below level 50 weren’t worth a glance. Even peak-level practitioners paled against Sea of Three Towers foes. Ironclad ships? Slow, unwieldy machines. A few maneuvers to exploit firepower gaps, and he’d breach them alone.

“Why recruit such weaklings?” he scoffed openly before Dickson and Kelvin, shooting Midi a betrayed glare.

The paladin and magic scholar flushed but stayed silent—their eloquence meaningless against sheer power disparity. For the first time, these Hawk Brigade officers endured contemptuous gazes, branded “weak” before their leader. Worse, being below level 50 barred them from Sky City’s pure magic refinement, leaving them seething wordlessly.

"Dragonkin are nurtured with pure magic from birth in Sky City. Compared to Arad’s sparse magic energy, reaching this level is already remarkable here. Once they reach peak level and absorb pure magic, their abilities will improve further." Midi naturally defended his subordinate, preventing Tanius from spouting more careless remarks.

"Should we just return then? If everyone here’s this weak, fighting won’t be interesting," Tanius said regretfully.

"Not necessarily." Midi gazed toward the distant coastline where Faero Bay lay. "Though most humans are weaker than Dragonkin, there are still some here worth fighting. You’ll meet them soon enough. But…"

"What condition now?" Tanius snorted.

"Don’t touch my prey when it appears," Midi said, cold light flickering in his eyes.

The tricks of Zhenlu Arena came from the Delos Empire’s alchemist guild. For something as crucial as competing for Sky City, they’d surely send top-tier experts. That man might soon appear before him.

Midi recalled the face of that careless middle-aged man.

Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers east of Faero Bay, at Zhenlu Arena’s secret port on an island, an unremarkable merchant ship docked. On the dock stood the silver-haired woman hosting Zhenlu Arena, her giant knight subordinate, and leaders of various West Coast factions planted by Delos Empire. They stood like inspected soldiers awaiting the ship’s important guest.

"Good evening, all." A relaxed voice rang out.

The speaker wore plain gray robes and carried an ancient staff. Tall and calm with perpetually narrowed eyes, he seemed approachable. But those who knew him understood – he was both a top Delos Empire expert and a mad alchemist who treated humans as magical ingredients.

This was Midi’s old rival, "Hand of Nightmare" Wiseman Newton.

Two years earlier during Belmar’s noble war, Wiseman had underestimated Midi. His physical form was destroyed by Ultimate Intent, leaving only his Soul to escape. Using Necromancer secrets, he forged a new body and restarted cultivation from nothing.

Within two years, he’d reached level 50 peak level without medication or external force – pure effort. Though restarting with intact Experience and a perfect custom-made body, even reincarnators like Midi couldn’t guarantee such rapid promotions.

Now fully restored and stronger, he’d returned.

"Master, welcome to Flying Reef Island." The silver-haired woman bowed deeply, eyes shining.

Behind her, the giant knight’s former lion-like arrogance now resembled a meek kitten before this famously powerful Empire expert.

"Dismiss them. They’re just distraction pawns. Show me the thing." Wiseman waved. These influential faction leaders were mere cannon fodder.

The silver-haired woman immediately complied. As the crowd dispersed, Wiseman tapped his staff.

Black glow erupted like a Whirlwind, enveloping the trio. In an instant, they vanished without trace – teleportation magic requiring no incantation or visible magic buildup. His skills surpassed even when he’d fought Midi.

The silver-haired woman stared impressively – they’d materialized in Flying Reef Island’s most secure area, effortlessly bypassing her disciples’ defenses.

Wiseman’s attention focused completely on the rift before them – a spatial tear leading to Sky City.

"Operational?" The middle-aged man’s narrowed eyes sparkled like a child seeing new toys.

"The rift remains unstable with void energy blocking entry," the silver-haired woman apologized. "But we can extract pure magic now."

"Pure magic? Excellent." Wiseman’s eyes gleamed. "Let’s taste if it rivals century-old Zhenlu wine."