Chapter 323

Chapter 323: Breaking the Rules

"So it comes to this final battle between us after all." Standing atop the towering alchemy tower, the Heart-Seizing Demon possessed by Wiseman slowly wiped the suckers on his four tentacles while wearing a knowing smile.

In the distance, Midi’s army had finished gathering, preparing to assault his Seventh Temple.

Knowing his troop strength and logistical support couldn’t match Midi’s, Wiseman never believed he could defeat this genius commander.

Yet for this carefree Necromancer, victory mattered less than savoring the struggle itself. The chance to challenge Arad’s strongest commander while experiencing this marvelous Heart-Seizing Demon possession trial promised perfect fulfillment regardless of outcome.

"Let’s witness what surprises emerge when Arad’s genius commander becomes a Heart-Seizing Demon." Wiseman summoned his massive Undead army without hesitation, joining his demonic forces to meet Midi’s assault directly.

The battle concluded swiftly. Having diverted most resources into eccentric experiments and converted the Seventh Temple into an alchemy laboratory, Wiseman’s foundation proved far weaker than Midi’s conventional military development.

Well aware of his vulnerabilities, the undead alchemist abandoned prolonged warfare from the start, instead launching relentless frenzied attacks. Between assaults, he hurled various experimental alchemy devices at Midi’s forces – while many failed, several caused devastating unexpected losses.

After three days of nonstop fighting, Midi finally shattered Wiseman’s defenses using fifty Star Exiles in one crushing offensive, slaying the Necromancer.

The entire conflict occurred under Midi’s concealment. Only when the ancient voice announced the result did the Sandur siblings – preoccupied with their own expansion – realize one of three major factions had fallen.

"Midi just eliminated Wiseman! He’s vulnerable now – attack immediately!" Sandur ordered without hesitation.

He had no choice. Heart-Seizing Demons fused with their Mind Crystal Pool – killing Wiseman would make the Seventh Temple neutral, but capturing its pool meant inheriting all Wiseman’s demonic forces.

These weren’t ordinary demons. Many were Necromancers personally trained by Wiseman, their undead nature countering mind-related abilities. Acquiring these Heart-Seizing Demon Necromancers would dramatically boost Midi’s chances.

Though Midi had suffered heavy losses against Wiseman, his clever tactics initially countered Sandur’s attrition warfare. But eventually overwhelmed, he retreated.

The Seventh Temple finally belonged to Sandur. Feeling the Mind Crystal Pool’s assimilation and watching the special Necromancers submit, triumph filled him.

"Genius commander? What’s that worth against Blood Purification’s millennia of Experience? I, Sandur, will claim this trial’s Victory!"

"Brother, stay cautious," Shelly warned nervously. The meticulous girl suspected Midi’s retreat felt too convenient, like "the mantis stalking the cicada unaware of the oriole behind." Yet finding no evidence, she could only voice concerns.

"Everything’s controlled," Sandur waved dismissively, brandishing an ancient staff. "Our teacher’s trump card – this Staff of Divine Punishment can seize the trial illusion’s control instantly, unleashing psychic energy Bombardments to annihilate Midi. Combined with our current Undefeated Position, victory’s assured."

Despite his aggression, Sandur didn’t attack immediately. Both sides needed recovery after consecutive battles.

Time favored Sandur – he now held six temples from Third to Eighth, while Midi kept only three. The acquired Necromancers would soon become anti-psychic forces surpassing Star Exiles numerically. With this advantage and his cheat weapon, Sandur felt certain of ending Midi in one confrontation.

Days later, Midi seemingly recognized the widening gap and attacked first. Only then did the smug Sandur truly feel the genius commander’s pressure.

Despite Midi’s inferior troop strength compared to Sandur, he demonstrated masterful command over every unit deployment and tactical application, skillfully employing psychological tactics like baiting enemies and feigning attacks.

Though possessing numerical superiority with Shelly’s support, Sandur found himself constantly outmaneuvered and forced into passive defense, his initial momentum completely shattered.

"Was Midi deliberately holding back in previous battles?" Shelly murmured in shock, unable to comprehend how any commander could surpass textbook examples of renowned generals in troop management.

"Enough! We’ll crush his tricks with raw power!"

Driven to fury by Midi’s relentless tactics, Sandur unleashed his ultimate weapon. The instant the Staff of Divine Punishment activated, he seized control of the illusionary realm, directing its immense psychic energy to obliterate half of Midi’s forces with thunderous mental strikes.

Midi’s formation teetered on collapse, any commander’s nightmare scenario.

"Any last words, human?" Sandur transmitted through telepathy, the trial’s final phase now permitting communication between adversaries.

"Is this your trump card? How reassuring," Midi calmly replied through the mental link.

"You’ve already lost! How dare lower realm scum covet the Mind Maze’s ultimate reward?" Sandur sneered, relishing his advantage.

"You’re the one who’ll fall today," Midi declared aloud, his rasping voice carrying finality as he abandoned telepathic communication.

Before Sandur could retort, his most lethal Heart-Seizing Demon Necromancers turned traitor. Ignoring their commander’s orders, they ravaged the rear lines alongside their undead minions, slaughtering Heart-Seizing Magicians en masse.

"Impossible! You’re cheating!" Sandur roared as Shelly paled beside him. Their forces crumbled faster than Midi’s had moments before.

"Cheating?" Midi scoffed. "You never understood psychic energy or this trial’s true rules."

At his signal, Midi’s remaining troops charged through the broken lines. When the siblings finally faced Midi directly, they confronted psychic power beyond comprehension.

The mental strike left no resistance. Two corpses dropped as the ancient voice resonated approvingly: "You maintained composure against cheaters and broke constraints. You might be my chosen one."

The mental trial spanning days in reality and half a year in illusion concluded – Midi stood victorious.