Chapter 424

Chapter 424: Drawing Lots and Grouping

The old mage had not previously mentioned the relationship between the Water Spider Tribe and the Death Scorpion family, as he had his reasons.

Though the Death Scorpion would undoubtedly retaliate, their exact methods remained unclear.

Directly claiming the Water Spider Tribe would act on their behalf to target the Wolfspider Tribe would only weaken troop morale and invite panic.

But now that Ulhan, the Level 64 Ice Mage and Great Warrior of the Water Spider Tribe, had openly threatened them, the old mage had no choice but to explain everything to dispel any false hope within the team.

After giving this explanation, the old mage sighed inwardly, knowing the morale he had rebuilt using the Black Dragon monument would likely drop again.

Galantis, prone to emotion, might also fall back into self-blame.

Yet the outcome defied his expectations.

Though a few uneasy sighs lingered, key members seemed unshaken.

Alexis, having gained the aura of the "seventh stone tablet," planned to leave the Wolfspider Tribe. With his mind-related abilities, even a Level 64 expert held no terror for him.

Midi, with more trump cards than Alexis, was eager to test his new Horn King Greatsword. The threat only fueled his determination.

Galantis remained calm, her gaze shifting from her rival Zaride to linger on Midi’s back.

Zaknavan and Mason, seasoned in hardship, trusted Midi to handle the pressure.

“Bold words,” Ulhan sneered, narrowing his eyes as his threat fell flat. “But on the arena, you’ll learn your place.”

Bound by bonfire gathering rules, even the Water Spider Tribe couldn’t act recklessly. Suppressing his killing intent, Ulhan exchanged a tense glare with Risen before leaving.

Similar clashes erupted among other tribes, old grudges flaring as opportunities arose.

By day’s end, all fifteen tribes—thirty Black Dragon priestesses, 105 warriors, and Great Warriors—had gathered.

The next day, representatives from Mososbury City’s major families arrived.

Normally sending low-status envoys, this time they dispatched heavyweights, likely due to the Crystal Dragon Fortress’s dimensional heritage opening.

The city council’s two leaders—the Death Scorpion family and the Death Scorpion family—sent high-ranking observers.

The Death Scorpion family sent a martial arts master second only to their Great Warrior.

The Death Scorpion family sent their eldest son, Simon—a dark elf, brother to Sethe, and brother-in-law to the Water Spider Tribe’s former Great Warrior. His presence boosted the tribe’s momentum above even Risen’s Fire Lizard Tribe.

Simon’s arrival signaled his intent to witness the Wolfspider Tribe’s downfall firsthand, ensuring the Water Spider warriors fought ruthlessly.

“Level 65… So this is the caliber of Mososbury City’s top fighters,” Midi mused, eyeing Simon in the stands. At Level 62, he needed to grow stronger quickly—or risk exposing his secrets prematurely.

But for now, the bonfire gathering demanded his focus.

"In the name of the Dark Dragon God, I swear!" A solemn voice echoed through the air.

The voice came from one of Mososbury City’s three high priests. Guided by this proclamation, priests from various tribes activated the magical formations at the arena’s center, commencing the bonfire gathering’s blood oath ritual.

A colossal Dragon Head materialized above the arena, far larger and more lifelike than the one seen during the territory challenge. It gazed imperiously over the buildings below.

"With the blood oath sealed, let the lot-drawing commence under the Dark Dragon God’s watch!" Guards hauled forward a massive lottery box as the high priest spoke.

Numbered tokens were distributed to warriors of each tribal team.

Logically, numbering should’ve occurred during yesterday’s tribal arrivals for better order. But without the blood oath’s binding power then, cheating risks remained.

Every aspect of the lottery—from assigning numbers to priest-led draws—occurred only after completing the blood oath. This prevented even the strongest factions from manipulating results beneath the Dragon Head’s omniscient gaze. In the Shaded Realm, none dared challenge the Dark Dragon God’s authority.

Dark elves moved through the familiar ritual with practiced efficiency after initial confusion. Galantis and Zaride stepped forward for their tribes’ draws.

Nearly forty minutes later, group assignments were announced. Though merely preliminary rounds, these groupings sealed most tribes’ fates.

Four arenas hosted four groups. Only each group’s top four would reach the final match. Of 105 elite warriors, barely sixteen would earn promotions. The rest faced ruthless elimination.

Teams grouped with Fire Lizard Tribe’s Risen or Water Spider Tribe’s Ulhan effectively fought for only two slots—most would surrender rather than face these unbeaten experts. Their groups became instant death zones.

As results emerged, warriors prayed fervently to avoid these groups. Some secretly hoped the two titans would clash in the same group, eliminating each other early.

Neither prayer was answered. Risen landed in Group Two, Ulhan in Group Four. Wolfspider Tribe’s seed warriors Midi and Alexis avoided both, being placed in Groups One and Three. While tribesmen sighed in relief, the two warriors themselves remained utterly unfazed.

Zaknavan and Mason found themselves in Risen’s Group Two. Knowing they stood no chance against the Black Dragonkin, they planned immediate surrender when facing him. Whether they’d duel seriously against each other remained their secret.

Warriors swiftly dispersed to their assigned arenas. Preliminary rules mirrored Wolfspider Tribe’s points competition—victories earned points, defeats lost them. Even one loss could doom a warrior’s chances, making strategic concessions rare except against hopeless opponents.

In Group One’s arena, early matches between evenly-matched warriors turned brutal—more like death matches than point battles. The first three bouts left one warrior dead and another gravely wounded.

Then came Midi’s turn. His opponent was a Level 61 Demon Swordman from a minor tribe, wearing patchwork equipment. Though initially wary of Midi’s Level 62 status, the swordsman’s tension evaporated upon seeing the Wolfspider warrior’s chipped, rusted Horn King Greatsword.

With a bestial roar, the Demon Swordman surged forward engulfed in dark aura, charging headlong at Midi.

The Wolfspider warrior blinked in surprise—why would this weaker opponent choose direct combat? Was there hidden cunning? Arrogance?

It mattered little. Midi met the assault head-on.

Golden-Red Sword Lights erupted around him as he swung the battered greatsword with mountain-crushing force. The Demon Swordman flew backward like a severed kite string.

Group One’s first selection round ended instantly—Midi’s one-strike victory.