Chapter 326

Chapter 326: The Heart-Seizing Demon’s Assault

Why should an outsider take the supreme heritage of the Mind Maze?

Every member of Blood Purification held this question in their hearts.

They chose to forget the price Midi had paid to earn his entry into the maze.

They blamed their own failures during the trial on the outsider’s meddling.

Meanwhile, the Blood Purification higher-ups were already plotting how to reclaim benefits from Midi.

"Don’t worry. This is Blood Hell Island," Judge Marcel said dismissively. "When Mr. Midi emerges, I’ll make sure he answers for this."

His words instantly put everyone’s hearts at ease.

"Naturally, I trust our Holy Maiden will ensure justice for Blood Purification, won’t she?" Marcel added, glancing at Avril with a smile that held no warmth.

The fourth prince and Avril exchanged uneasy looks. Though Avril had resonated with Leslie’s statue and gained followers’ support, she remained an outsider figurehead. Against Blood Purification’s true powerholders, she possessed no real resistance.

Reinhardt started regretting his actions—why had he focused solely on competing during the trial, ignoring real-world consequences?

Only Wiseman watched with undisguised amusement.

"Stop smirking. You’ll be dragged into this too when trouble starts," Reinhardt hissed at the Necromancer.

"Dear Reinhardt," Wiseman drawled, "experience tells me misfortune won’t strike our side this time."

Reinhardt didn’t argue, instead rapidly considering diplomatic solutions—compromises, reparations, negotiations. Battle wasn’t an option. Even with Midi, four people couldn’t fight through Blood Purification’s stronghold.

Time crawled forward in the frozen atmosphere. None left—neither Blood Purification’s higher-ups nor failed trial participants—as all waited outside the Mind Maze.

Finally, moonlight-like silver brilliance spilled from the void, revealing Midi’s form.

The glow faded. Midi opened his eyes to find every gaze locked on him—including Judge Marcel’s.

Level 58! He’d entered at level 54!

Though shocked by his growth, the higher-ups quickly steadied themselves.

"Congratulations on winning the trial and gaining four levels," Marcel stated firmly. "But you forget—this was Blood Purification’s trial, not your personal prize."

"By stealing heritage meant for our members, you’ve crossed a line," the High Ranking Judge coldly added.

Hostility radiated from every higher-up’s stare.

The Thought Capturers activated their psychic energy with a single thought, generating intense mental pressure that crashed toward Midi.

Instantly, even the younger Thought Capturers struggled to breathe under the crushing force.

Being a Thought Capturer didn’t automatically grant mastery over psychic defense or suppression. By striking first with his authority, Marcel aimed to warn Midi: becoming a top-tier Thought Capturer didn’t mean freedom to act recklessly. A novice and a battle-hardened veteran like Marcel still stood worlds apart.

“Since you’ve provoked everyone, prepare for consequences,” Sandur sneered nearby. “Allies? Don’t flatter yourself. No outsider can digest the Mind Maze’s heritage, no matter their origins.”

“You’ll vomit every scrap you swallowed,” the Scarred Man growled, his gaze venomous. He’d been expelled early by Midi, barely scraping enough Mind Crystal points to become a senior Thought Capturer—his hatred ran deep.

Rot’s Patrol Team, however, showed little hostility. Reactions among trial participants varied wildly.

At the storm’s eye, Midi absorbed the surrounding hostility and grasped the core issue: profit distribution.

Entering another’s trial on their turf and claiming the grandest prize? Resentment was inevitable, regardless of fairness. Sandur and others slandered Midi’s reputation, but truthfully, the powers-that-be cared little about trial conduct—only what he’d gained and how much they could claw back.

Midi’s obsidian eyes swept the glowering crowd before locking onto Judge Marcel. A quicksilver gleam flashed in his gaze.

Suddenly, crushing psychic energy pressure cascaded from above. Unlike Dragon’s might’s indiscriminate assault, this force targeted specific minds with surgical precision—not mere fear, but soul-deep reverence.

Enhanced penetration, insight, control range, and endurance marked this new pressure. Merging Dragon’s might with the Sea Emperor’s Inheritance, it represented an evolved form of psychic dominance.

Marcel’s psychic pressure shattered like glass under this onslaught. Senior and top-tier Thought Capturers like Sandur paled, utterly overwhelmed. Several weaker-willed individuals collapsed to their knees.

“Impossible… You’ve become a psychic user?” Marcel blurted, voice shaking.

“A user? Hardly.” Midi smiled faintly. “As the trial’s first victor—and the only one ever to surpass 2,000 psychic energy points—I obtained the legendary Thought Capturer heritage.”

The declaration sparked envious glares. Even Reinhardt felt bitter awe.

Midi had barely used Sky Sword Dance during the land-based Mind Maze trial, facing Level 63 opponents with cheat-like skills. Yet he’d triumphed. Why?

Reinhardt racked his brain. He and Avril were senior Thought Capturers; third-placed Wiseman reached top-tier. But against a Legendary Thought Capturer? The gap yawned like an abyss.

Marcel knew the truth: deep blue Pure psychic energy inherently suppressed ordinary azure energy. Multiple top-tier Thought Capturers couldn’t restrain even a fledgling Legendary. Any clash would escalate beyond posturing into real combat.

Against a flying-skilled Legendary Thought Capturer radiating vast psychic pressure, how many Blood Hell Island fighters could stop him? What horrific casualties would ensue? Marcel knew their elites wouldn’t survive.

Sandur’s Level 60 meant nothing—Marcel’s seasoned eyes saw instant defeat. The cost outweighed any gain.

Exchanging resigned glances with the High Ranking Judge, Marcel abandoned his tough strategy. Even on home ground, confronting this menace wasn’t worth it. Diplomacy remained the sole viable path—Midi needed Blood Purification to thrive in the Star Ocean anyway.

As Marcel pondered diplomatic leverage, a Blood Purification commander rushed into the temple depths.

“Report!” Marcel snapped.

“A sect headquarters fleet approaches the Star Ocean’s edge—likely targeting the outsiders. Requesting reinforcement orders.”

The Mind Maze trial’s secrecy meant the commander viewed Midi’s group as genuine allies. His request, however, became an unexpected bargaining chip.

“Their forward base is under attack?” Marcel proclaimed loudly for Midi’s benefit, eyes glinting slyly.

Reinhardt and Avril tensed. Even Midi’s composure flickered.