Chapter 523

Chapter 523: Unfair Targeting

The Black Dragon Conference operated under the absolute control of the dragon’s shadow.

Any fighter holding a Dragon Energy token couldn’t simply be expelled—not even the central temple head possessed such authority.

Beyond combat on the arena, Black Dragon warriors enjoyed constant protection from the magic array. No unauthorized attacks were permitted within Dragon Tooth Arena’s grounds, including personal grudges.

When the Ice Queen Catherine spoke of “expelling” someone, she meant crippling Midi during arena combat. A fighter rendered unable to compete would lose Dragon Energy with each forfeited match until effectively driven out. Only the Children of the Dragon could casually issue such orders, motivated by mere dislike for humans.

Unaware that his closed-eye cultivation had angered Arena Three’s strongest combatant, Midi remained untroubled by the looming threat. Rivals would clash eventually in this conference, with timing beyond his control. His frantic efforts to level up aimed precisely at overcoming godlike opponents like the Children.

Would the Ice Queen show mercy if they fought? Hardly. Outcomes depended on strength alone—enemy intentions mattered nothing.

Battle after battle raged on. Midi mercilessly stripped opponents of their Dragon Energy, earning five straight victories. The dragon’s shadow rewarded him with enough energy to upgrade his near-silver token to full silver status.

“My ranking stays high, but greater Dragon Energy means greater risk…” Midi maintained calm vigilance. Most opponents held far less energy than him. Though he won swiftly with minimal cost, each loss would erase all gains and drain his reserves. Protecting accumulated energy required matching power.

“Need to break through peak-level 65 urgently.” Three days in Dragon Tooth Arena’s optimal environment had pushed him from level 65 mastery to its peak, but two competition days brought no progress toward level 66—his cultivation bottleneck. Past-life experiences with second awakening offered little help now, his current path diverging too far from ordinary practitioners.

"Number 321 versus Number 374!"

The dragon’s shadow’s voice boomed again.

Midi jumped onto Arena 3 as he always did.

But this time, his opponent stood out from previous ones.

She was a dark elf woman with delicate features and a frosty expression, radiating cold superiority.

Not only did she possess level 68 strength, but swirling ice winds surrounded her like an untouchable ice sculpture.

A faint glow in her eyes betrayed her Ice Dragon Bloodline.

This eastern temple Ice Mage glared down at Midi.

"That’s Shelly," sneered Ingman from Arena 3’s sidelines. "Fifth-ranked Black Dragon warrior from the eastern temple. She’s no Catherine, but crushing that human will be easy."

Though disinterested in Midi, Ingman kept watching his supposed rival – Lilian’s persistent attention forced him to. Shelly’s level 68 advantage alone spelled trouble for the level 65 human.

Lilian’s brow furrowed at Midi’s predicament before smoothing into a smile. "If he’s worthy of my interest, he’ll overcome this." She left unspoken that failure would make him worthless, even with his psychic scanning defense.

Ingman scoffed. "He’ll probably surrender. Typical human cowardice."

"Don’t count on it," interrupted Layman, Blue Lake City’s third-ranked fighter turned strategist. All eyes turned as he revealed, "The eastern temple wants him gone. Surrender won’t save him."

On Arena 3, Shelly’s voice cut through the air like winter wind. "Two choices, 321. Renounce being a Black Dragon warrior and crawl from the Shaded Realm… or let me break you."

Midi blinked. "Do we have history?"

Shelly’s laugh held no warmth. "Catherine dislikes vermin like you at the Black Dragon Conference."

"I see." Midi’s lips twitched without humor.

The Ice Mage bristled at his calm defiance. To her, erasing a level 65 human was child’s play. Catherine’s orders had been clear – remove him. Offering escape was mercy he clearly didn’t deserve.

"This Ice Queen is truly tyrannical," Lilian snorted coldly from the side.

Ingman and Layman privately shared this sentiment.

Using temple power to force a Black Dragon warrior’s withdrawal based solely on personal opinion – such utterly tyrannical behavior!

Yet in the Shaded Realm, survival of the fittest ruled supreme. Weakness itself constituted failure.

If Midi wished to resent anything, he should resent being human – the root of Catherine’s animosity.

"That human’s finished," someone lamented.

"At least we’ll gain Dragon Energy," another whispered gleefully.

Any Black Dragon warrior forfeiting their qualification would have their Dragon Energy divided among arena participants.

"Against the eastern temple, that human stands no chance," came the logical assessment.

Whether sighing, analyzing, or anticipating gains, none favored Midi’s prospects.

Even Thor and Alexis from distant arenas turned watchful eyes toward the conflict, their expressions conflicted.

Though rivals with Midi through past conflicts, they shared common ground as Mososbury City fighters aspiring to join the Children of the Dragon.

This blatant unfairness stirred uneasy empathy among them.

Yet under collective scrutiny, Midi laughed sharply. "Withdraw? Catherine’s tactics aren’t mine. Test my resolve through combat."

His declaration sparked instant uproar.

A mere human from first-rate City factions daring to oppose the eastern temple’s chosen?

Madness? Or suicidal recklessness?

"Fool! Surrender won’t save you now," Shelly hissed, cyan-blue orb glowing in her palm. "Refuse withdrawal, and forfeit all retreat options."

The Devouring Sound Orb’s purpose became clear.

While Black Dragon Conference rules permitted honorable withdrawal, powerful factions like the eastern temple had long mastered rule circumvention.

This artifact would silence any concession attempt.

"Error clouds your judgment," Midi countered, frost gleaming in his eyes. "My sole concern is whether your Dragon Energy token proves worthy."