Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Crimson Edge in the Sky

When the silver-white fireworks shot upward, a miracle occurred. The sharp laser of Lord Segarth of the Light City—resembling a heavenly greatsword—veered off course midair. Like moonlight bouncing off a mirror, it zigzagged wildly before striking empty sky.

The massive net woven from azure fire serpents thinned amid the fireworks, then shattered into scattered embers drifting aimlessly.

"What?" Lord Segarth stared, his Cold Flame flickering unnoticed.

Since his creation by King Bacal of the Tyrant Dragon, this marked the first time Segarth felt shock. These ants had blocked his attack.

Yet the evidence blazed before him.

Beam Disturbance Field—Midi’s trump card.

The trick lay in dense Shadow Dust Crystals. Exploding crystal-packed shells high above flooded the Floating City with dust, neutralizing Segarth’s light-based attacks.

Simple in theory, brutal in execution. For a week, Hawk Brigade operatives had infiltrated the Floating City, yet dared not act while Segarth watched from the peak. Only when Midi and the Imperial army attacked could they deploy magic arrays and steer winds to spread the fireworks’ veil.

Now they’d succeeded.

Unseen by Segarth, the Beam Disturbance Field now neutralized his lasers.

In Midi’s past life, the Delos Empire used similar tactics. But lacking Awakened Ones of Extraordinary Awakening and proper air force, they’d needed to lure Segarth to the ground and suppress him using magic vein formations—a fragile, costly process.

Midi required no such complications.

Block Segarth’s long-range attacks? Then only one task remained.

Settle this with blades.

"Counterattack time." Midi’s voice crackled through magical communications to all—the tense Hawk Brigade warriors, the Imperial army holding against Exile assaults, even Reinhardt, the future Prince of Light.

Not their orders. His own.

Golden-red light tore through clouds as Midi dove.

With the Beam Disturbance active, Midi ignored Segarth. First, the Exiles.

Though they attacked the Imperial army, Midi wouldn’t abandon allies. Petty schemes bred distrust—useless when he could obliterate the Imperials himself post-battle if needed. An Awakened One of Extraordinary Awakening needed no underhanded tricks.

Plus, Exiles remained dangerous.

Crush the weak first. Bleed Segarth’s forces, stabilize the front, *then* duel the Lord.

Guided by Midi’s will, the golden-red glow weaved through sky, icy threads lancing out to pierce Exile weaknesses.

Sky Sword Dance—the Demon Swordman’s awakened Secret Technique.

Storm Sword—the sword soul’s Awakening Skill.

This was the outcome of combining two different techniques, demonstrating the full value of the personal "Secret Technique" gained during awakening—these Secret Techniques could seamlessly integrate with any profession skill or Awakening Skill without delay. Not just that, they even acted as bridges, allowing different Awakening Skills to merge!

Under the combined powerful assault of Storm Sword and Sky Sword Dance, a crimson glow flashed across the sky. Wherever it passed, brief but intense clashes erupted, raining down severed limbs of Exiles.

Within moments, Midi had shattered the Exiles’ ranks, instantly slaying over ten. In mere seconds, the seemingly formidable enemies lost one-twentieth of their numbers.

The Exiles quickly shifted priorities—abandoning ground suppression of the Imperial army to focus on aerial defense against Midi. They stopped scattering their attacks and formed tight formations to stall him. Yet every formation shattered beneath his shadow-like sword light, offering no resistance.

So strong!

As Midi dominated the skies unchallenged, cutting through enemies like a hot knife through butter, identical thoughts struck the Hawk Brigade who knew their commander, the reluctant Imperial army, and even the discerning Fourth Prince Reinhardt:

Truly unstoppable…

This single phrase defined their view of Midi—no embellishments needed.

Remember—these weren’t ordinary foes. Each Exile stood above level 51, an Awakened magical entity superior to flesh-and-blood warriors. One Exile could effortlessly crush a two hundred-man team of elite warriors. Yet now, even when gathered in such numbers, they merely became punching bags for Midi.

Compared to Arad’s adventurers, this wasn’t just one tier higher—it spanned multiple unreachable levels.

If fighting Exiles showed the Hawk Brigade and Imperial army the chasm between Awakened and unawakened, Midi’s aerial carnage now revealed the vast gap between regular Awakened Ones and true Awakened Experts.

While Exiles struggled and ground forces caught their breath, unprecedented rage brewed atop the Floating City.

"Impressive. For an insect."

The Lord of the Light City’s Cold Flame eyes blazed like an active volcano as he watched Midi’s rampage. Normally, exposing his back to attack Exiles would’ve been suicide. Segarth could’ve trapped him like a caged bird with laser attacks or azure fire-snakes—or simply slaughtered hundreds of Imperial soldiers in the time Midi killed ten Exiles.

But the Beam interference rendered Segarth’s lasers useless. Stranded aloft, the lord became a mere spectator to Midi’s slaughter.

Not that he lacked options. This proud ruler simply never imagined needing seriousness against Lower Realm humans.

"Have it your way," the lord hissed.

Cold Flame engulfed Segarth’s cloak as he became a light streak—outpacing even Sky Sword Dance to intercept Midi’s golden-red glow!

Midi stopped midair, golden-red radiance swirling around him.

There they stood—humanity’s finest Demon Swordman versus Tyrant Dragon King Bacal’s magical creation—facing off above Floating City.

"Mortals. Name yourself."

The command echoed from the golden mask.