Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Promotion to the Fiftieth Layer

As Midi first observed, the Sky Arena wasn’t a circular field but a towering structure.

This tower contained 128 layers.

After registering and passing the First Layer’s test, those awarded "Sky Gladiator" status could begin challenges from the Second Layer. Through repeated victories, they’d climb higher until reaching beyond the hundredth floor to earn the "Sky Expert" title and lavish rewards.

Rare materials, precious potions, powerful weaponry, esteemed Status, even admirers – all became attainable after conquering the hundredth floor.

Only upon reaching this milestone would the Sea of Clouds’ major factions take notice.

Those below this threshold, though called geniuses, were deemed unsustainable by powerful factions – mere publicity stunts for profit.

Now a Sky Gladiator, Midi naturally embarked on this ascent.

Yet his instant kill of the frenzied sky bone crab spared him from starting at the Second Layer. After receiving his unique gladiator badge on the First Layer, he was directly elevated to the Fiftieth Layer.

This marked the true starting point for Awakened Experts.

A seductive dark elf attendant awaited at the Fiftieth Layer’s entrance. With practiced charm, she guided Midi not to bloodstained arenas but to a private luxury suite.

"Mr. Blade, this suite is yours at Sky Arena’s expense," she explained. "Your Obligation: challenge or accept challenges against gladiators between Layers 50-54 weekly."

"What determines promotions?" Midi inquired curiously.

"Victory advances you five layers. Defeat drops you five." She added delicately, "Free services apply from Layer 50 upwards – our ‘Awakened Treatment’. Below this, you pay personally."

Midi nodded, considering how this tiered reward system might motivate his Hawk Brigade using contribution points.

As he mused, the attendant continued: "Victory rewards include prizes detailed on your desk. Moreover…" She leaned closer, voice husky, "I’m available for any… service requests. Anytime."

Sky Arena’s efficiency had already spread news of Midi’s feat. Veteran experts speculated he might be a Perfect Awakened One – a future Sea of Clouds ruler. Hence the attendant’s desperate seduction attempt, having schemed intensely for this contact opportunity.

Yet before her perfumed body made contact, Midi recoiled like startled lightning, wariness flashing in his eyes.

Not paranoia, nor prudishness – pure survival instinct.

Could an Extraordinary Awakening expert fear enemies? Absolutely – particularly when outnumbered by peers. The Hawk Brigade’s Iron Triangle involved precisely such imbalance. Though currently disguised on a thirty-kilometer-high floating island, Midi couldn’t risk exposure.

The Queen of Magic and Mist Sorceress Alice frequently gifted him alchemy trinkets he always carried. Their detection magic might sense infidelity…

Therefore, even with zero possibility of being seduced by the dark elf attendant, Midi cautiously avoided physical contact to prevent triggering surveillance trinkets that might misreport military intelligence – his hard-earned reputation couldn’t afford such stains. More importantly, he never intended to use this room anyway.

"Good timing. Handle this matter immediately," Midi commanded coldly, his authoritative gaze extinguishing the dark elf’s seductive intentions.

"As you wish, Mr. Blade." Switching tactics, the dark elf lowered her head and peered upward through dewy lashes. Men always enjoyed this submissive act…

"Arrange a duel," Midi cut through her act. "Against this floor’s top-ranked fighter."

A duel? Against the strongest?

Hadn’t this human just slain a frenzied sky bone crab in seconds? Now he wanted more? Unlike mindless beasts, human opponents exploited weaknesses through attrition tactics, guerrilla warfare, and prolonged battles – not simple brute force.

Challenging the fiftieth floor’s champion within his first hour? Who was this black-haired human?

Shock made the ambitious dark elf forget her act, gaping openly at Midi. After frozen moments, she squeaked an apology and bolted like a rabbit with its tail on fire.

The Sky Arena lived up to its legendary efficiency. Within five minutes, preparations were complete. Promotional notices snowballed through every level, reaching even the hundredth floor.

When Midi entered the fiftieth floor’s colossal arena, all ten thousand seats overflowed with spectators. The crowd’s fervor and swift mobilization stunned even this genius commander accustomed to battle-hardened armies.

This exposure might attract powerful factions earlier than planned. Was the Rothschild Guild watching?

Scanning the packed stands, Midi finally regarded his opponent – a female Dragonkin. Towering and muscular like her kind, she bore black draconic scales beneath white steel armor, wielding a massive axe. Black smoke curled from her eyes, while imperceptible Dragon’s might radiated from her form.

Level 52 Awakened One. Black-scaled Dragonkin. Fire-smoke affinity. Her scorching vapors drained magic and focus before she finished opponents with crushing axe blows. Representing the peak of novice Awakened Ones, this "Newbie Slayer" dominated the fifty-fourth floor.

Midi’s dual swords Sun and Moon flashed. Within thirty seconds, both axe and Dragonkin lay severed at the waist.

Though expecting to see an arrogant human crushed, the crowd now roared for their new champion. Fickle spectators worshipped strength alone – today’s hero became tomorrow’s discard in this microcosm of Sky Arena’s merciless hierarchy.

"Prepare the fifty-fifth floor match," Midi declared, eyeing the corpse. "I’ll depart upon the floating disk. No room needed."

His quiet voice carried crystal-clear across the roaring arena.