Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Sky Arena

Three days later.

After departing the Stormy Region aboard the Wavebreaker and switching between transport routes connecting massive floating islands, Midi reached the Sky Arena’s location.

This enormous floating island in mid-level airspace held a striking white tower at its center, resembling a lighthouse. The kilometer-tall structure towered like Arad’s highest mountain peak, stabbing the blue sky. Even skyfish and flying whales – expert flyers of the Sea of Clouds – struggled to reach its summit.

This was the legendary Sky Arena.

Radiating from the central tower lay orderly streets and dense buildings: alchemy shops, potion stores, weapon vendors, inns, markets, auction houses, intelligence dens, docks, and even a massive Skyship shipyard. Every necessity existed here.

Major Sea of Clouds factions occupied small but priceless territories here. The wealthy Blue Truth Sect had erected a dainty white jade temple that clashed with surrounding celestial-style architecture.

More than an arena, this was a thriving trade hub. The white tower’s pull drew massive funds, goods, intelligence, and rivalries between factions.

Walking the island’s streets revealed diverse races: native Dragonkin, haughty People of the Heavens, dark elves and high elves left from King Bacal of the Tyrant Dragon’s ancient war, even Demon Realm night-demons and aberrants. Through time, these disparate races became the Sea of Clouds’ foundation.

Yet humans – Arad’s dominant race – became rootless minorities here, facing native scorn.

Midi immediately sensed hostility upon arrival. Though not murderous, it meant constant trouble – getting food, lodging, even directions became difficult.

The "fair and just" Sky Arena forgot its principles when dealing with Lower Realm humans. After waiting over an hour without tea, Midi met the First Layer’s manager.

The well-dressed male Dragonkin looked down his nose, offering no apology. "Boy," he drawled, "want to register as a gladiator?"

"Correct," Midi answered flatly.

"Who do you think you are? This thousand-year-old arena accepts only elite warriors! A human in our sacred grounds?" The Dragonkin snorted.

"Elite warriors?" Midi smirked. "Levels 1-50 are for unawakened fighters. Shouldn’t testing prove my worth?"

"Humans…" The Dragonkin’s face darkened.

He couldn’t argue. Unlike natives, humans reached these skies only through Sky City’s shadowy passages, rigorously screened by the Hawk Brigade and Empire. All qualified humans were Awakened Ones – perhaps arrogant, but undeniably elite.

"Afraid a human might claim your championship?" Midi prodded.

Recognizing the cheap taunt but compelled to respond, the Dragonkin glared before snapping, "Fine! Take the gladiator test. Let’s see your skill!" He stormed out without asking Midi’s name.

Midi smiled. Though remaining level 51 for a year, his Extraordinary Awakening power dwarfed ordinary Awakened Ones. Let them rig the test – he’d crush their schemes through sheer strength.

True experts don’t plot when crushing ants.

Once the decision to act was truly made, the efficiency of the Sky Arena became truly admirable.

In stark contrast to Midi’s hour-long waiting, a servant came running just five minutes later to announce the test’s preparation.

Guided by servants, Midi soon entered a massive circular arena – the Central Arena, core building of the Sky Arena’s First Layer.

Originally, testing involved simple indoor evaluations of power, speed, level, and magic power to obtain a gladiator badge. This routine process called "data measurement" marked only the beginning of climbing the 128-layered colossus.

Clearly, arranging Midi’s test in the Central Arena meant no ordinary trial.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today’s human challenger refuses data measurement!" boomed the magically amplified voice of the Dragonkin female in charge. "He demands battle testing! Let’s witness his capabilities!"

Artfully exaggerated tone and subtle mockery ignited the crowd. Boos and curses flooded the arena as spectators from various floating islands swarmed toward the Central Arena. Tickets sold rapidly – both humiliating humans and profiting proved effortless for the Sky Arena’s commercial machine.

Midi remained unfazed by these tricks. He actually appreciated the Dragonkin’s prejudice. Impressive stats might be dismissed as cheating, but a public battle suited his needs perfectly. Fame and attention from powerful factions required spectacle, not paperwork.

The black-haired youth strode calmly into the arena as jeers erupted. Sea of Clouds residents envisioned this frail human being shredded by beasts, their eyes bloodshot with anticipation.

With grinding gears, the white steel gate rose. A white hill-like creature emerged – a sky bone crab, monarch of aerial beasts. Fifteen meters long with jagged armor and pincers capable of shearing through towering trees, its bubbling foam posed deadlier threats than claws. Though denied flying ability, this level 54 terror remained lethal – even Awakened Ones retreated before such foes, let alone fought solo.

The crowd roared approval. Fairness meant nothing compared to witnessing human slaughter.

Midi stayed calm. True Experts neither expected nor needed fairness. Whatever he desired, he’d claim with his own hands.