Chapter 410

Chapter 410: Preparation

A lively yet predictable challenge unfolded.

Midi and his companions straightforwardly attained the status of Tribe Warriors.

Galantis’s faction saw its strength substantially reinforced.

Meanwhile, Zaride not only lost warrior support but remained perpetually checked by Galantis within the elder council, left nearly powerless and sidelined.

As for Alexis, he showed no reaction whatsoever, permitting Midi’s group to forge alliances unimpeded.

This very inaction, however, elevated Alexis in Midi’s assessment.

A genuine expert didn’t waste energy chasing power struggles but maintained unwavering Focus on self-improvement rather than external authority—a principle Midi embodied when relinquishing Hawk Brigade command to wander the Sea of Clouds alone.

Alexis displayed not only masterful technique in mind-related abilities but unyielding mental discipline and ruthless pragmatism, marking him as a dangerous rival.

Midi sensed they’d inevitably clash during the Black Dragon Conference selections.

Through Galantis and Zaknavan’s accounts, Midi learned the Conference’s elimination process proved far stricter than imagined.

Among countless dark elf tribes and cities across the Shaded Realm, merely one hundred would earn qualification—a truly fierce competition.

Within the modest Wolfspider tribe alone, Midi faced someone as formidable as Alexis. What countless obstacles awaited on this path?

Soon, the Wolfspider Tribe’s region would host a large-scale "bonfire gathering"—an integral component of the Black Dragon Conference.

This event served dual purposes: tribes flaunted their might, while black dragon priestesses administered blood oaths to rigorously screen fighters for advanced selection rounds.

Though the Blue Serpent Tribe had collapsed post-territory challenge, other potent factions like the Fire Lizard Tribe would emerge. Their champion Risen—a Black Dragonkin of greater renown than Alexis—reportedly possessed unmatched strength and near-invulnerability.

The Water Spider Tribe meanwhile reportedly nurtured magic-specialized practitioners of exceptional skill.

Most significantly, envoys from Mososbury City itself would oversee the selection.

Cities symbolized regional dominance in the Shaded Realm, and Mososbury reigned as absolute overlord over the Wolfspider Tribe’s territory.

Situated a week’s journey deeper into the Shaded Realm, this dark elf-built City housed fifty thousand inhabitants—twenty thousand from major dark elf families, thirty thousand comprising servile races and slaves of varied origins.

While comparable to a mere town in Arad’s Belmar Kingdom, here it constituted a monstrous power. Its population dwarfed tribes by dozens of times, with most being practitioners above level sixty post-awakening.

Even a non-combatant life slave here could’ve ranked among Arad’s elites years prior. United under the city council, these fifty thousand high-level practitioners formed a war Behemoth capable of annihilating any neighboring tribe instantly—or elevating one to prosperity through mere inclination.

In fact, whether in personal power, commercial trade, or slave transactions, tribes depended entirely on the cities. When Midi first encountered the Wolfspider tribe’s merchant caravans, they were returning from business in Mososbury City. Even the artificial trade routes in the Shaded Realm had been built by Mososbury City’s forces. The fact they’d carved such extensive pathways through monster-infested wastelands showed how strong Mososbury City truly was.

Yet tribes rarely felt this pressure daily. Mososbury City didn’t manage surrounding tribes – no taxes, oaths of loyalty, or conscription existed. Their relationship resembled monopoly leaders tolerating small vendors rather than rulers and subjects. Cities gained rare resources through trade, while tribes obtained essentials, luxuries, and slaves. Simple and direct.

Everything changed when the Black Dragon Conference approached. Every Shaded Realm resident sensed cities stirring like waking behemoths. The reason? City councils controlled fighter qualifications for the event. Those entering Dark Dragon City brought back benefits for their factions. Rumors claimed successful Black Dragon warriors earned their regions the Dark Dragon God’s favor.

Thus, tribes desperately recruited strong fighters. Cities in turn screened tribes through events like the bonfire gathering. The Wolfspider tribe aimed to defeat rivals and impress Mososbury’s envoys, hoping to advance their warriors. But records showed only one Wolfspider fighter ever passed initial screening in a century – and that candidate failed later city selections. The tribe survived comfortably but lacked drive to excel.

As the tribe’s newest Warrior, Midi refused to grow arrogant despite his advantages – the Inheritance of the Sea Emperor, Eighth Apostle Rot’s guidance, and hidden trump cards. While strategizing boldly, he knew real battles demanded total focus. "One month until the bonfire gathering," he muttered. "I need better preparation."

Minimum goal: Reach Level 61’s peak. Without proper levels, even supreme talent meant nothing. Ideally, he’d hit Level 62 for greater safety margins. Witnessing Alexis’s psychic sniping taught him about local psychic resistance. Years ago, a Heart-Seizing Demon’s mental attack would’ve killed Midi instantly. Here, a Dark Elf Demon Swordman survived multiple hits, only bleeding from facial orifices. Harsh environments had given dark elves at least basic Thought Capturer resistance. To suppress them, Midi needed advanced mind-related abilities, not simple psychic blasts.

Alexis’s presence in a minor tribe meant Midi required stronger psychic defenses too. Becoming a high-level psychic user – perhaps even a master – became essential. The Legendary Thought Capturer/Psychic User hybrid called Ruler of Psychic Energy remained beyond reach for now.

Leveling posed its own challenges. Though no longer restricted, resources stayed limited. Dark Mushroom Forest exploration missions didn’t appear often. His new privileges helped – access to Wolfspider’s core areas like the Stone Cave of Inheritance and Alchemy Workshop. The former held no appeal given his superior sea heritage, but the workshop intrigued him. Special potions there might accelerate his growth.

Deciding immediately, Midi headed for the Alchemy Workshop.