Chapter 493

Chapter 493: Prepared

For the first time ever, the "Warrior" Thor actually compromised.

Facing Midi who possessed flying skills, he genuinely couldn’t devise a better strategy.

In the Shaded Realm, power, factions, authority, and reputation were all mere illusions.

Only one’s personal strength truly determined their status and influence.

Though Midi’s level remained at 64, his revealed trump cards of "High-Speed Teleportation" and Flying Ability already forced Thor to acknowledge his capabilities.

Even unwillingly, Thor had to accept this reality as his options became constrained.

Against such a dangerous opponent holding hidden cards, elimination would require thorough preparation. Random clashes like this offered no chance for decisive victory.

Thus compromise became Thor’s sole choice.

Yet despite escaping unscathed, Midi felt no complacency.

The brief but deadly skirmish revealed Thor’s terrifying prowess.

Though Midi’s combat strength surpassed Level 65 core disciples – having nearly killed Flame Serpent’s Chief Disciple Dakhni with one Black Iron Dragon Flame strike – against Thor, he couldn’t even deploy his flames offensively.

His only defense had been shielding himself completely with dragonfire to withstand Thor’s frontal assault.

This occurred without Thor seriously employing his Battle Mage patterns.

Midi shuddered imagining Thor surrounded by saturated combat patterns while teleporting – attacks that would never relent.

Though the Heavenly Dragon Strike’s flying ability established temporary balance, it cost Midi his hidden advantage.

Next encounter would find Thor prepared against aerial tactics, while Midi remained ignorant of Thor’s Demon Dragon bloodline capabilities.

The root problem was their level disparity – 64 versus Thor’s consolidated 67, matching major family heads in power.

This suppression and forced exposure deepened Midi’s craving for the Primary True Dragon Body Refinement Method.

Combining this with his Breath Technique promised lasting power growth beyond temporary boosts – accelerating both level progression and cultivation speed along the true King’s Path.

"Thor’s strong indeed," Zaknavan interjected, "but Black Crystal Forest rewards resource gathering speed, where we hold clear advantage."

The four retained their composure despite Thor’s display. Having earned fighter qualifications through bloody trials, they couldn’t be easily intimidated.

Mason nodded: "After deploying Dark Lighthouse, our black crystal efficiency will multiply. Flying Eyes already scout distant Black Crystal Trees for territory expansion. However strong, Thor can’t match our progress pace."

However, Midi shook his head slightly.

He didn’t want to appear weak or lower morale now, but as a commander, certain truths needed speaking.

Morale shouldn’t mean lying to oneself.

“Thor’s prepared. Even if he’s never visited Dragon God Temple, he’s obtained intel. Death Scorpion family must’ve given him tools,” Midi said coldly.

Back in Star Ocean’s Sea of Clouds core, when Midi entered Mind Maze, two Blue Truth Sect disciples had used special equipment to cheat the maze’s rules.

Midi knew major families like Death Scorpion wouldn’t play fair.

A thousand-year-old clan wouldn’t risk everything on core disciples’ levels during critical explorations.

Thor’s high level meant nothing if this gamble didn’t require personal strength.

Death Scorpion wouldn’t overlook this.

Impossible.

Thor’s calm expression upon entering proved he knew this place beforehand – and had ways to gather black crystals rapidly.

Truth matched Midi’s predictions.

Thor indeed carried Death Scorpion’s special tools.

“I’ll exchange now.” Like Midi’s group, Thor decided immediately after Dragon Head’s explanation.

Resource wars demanded early expansion, not frugality.

But fighters exchanged uneasy glances.

Had they arrived first at Black Crystal Forest, reckless expansion might work. But Midi held the advantage.

Rushing now risked weak defenses – one mistake could erase progress or get them expelled from Crystal Dragon Fortress.

Thor’s haste worried them.

Noticing this, Thor smiled at Dragon Head. “I’ll trade this black crystal orb, not my Black Dragon Remnant Token!”

A dark sphere glowed in his palm, radiating concentrated black crystal aura.

“Clever!” Dragon Head rumbled. “Let token-bearers stockpile points, teleport them out, extract tokens to form this orb. Costly technique requiring patience.”

As temple manager, he recognized the effort involved.

“This orb’s worth substantial Black Flame Coins. More, perhaps?” Thor pressed, confidence unwavering.

“300,000 coins. For such contribution, take this wide-area map too.” A black chart floated into Thor’s grasp.

Its marked territory surpassed Midi’s days of exploration. Every steam spring location shone clearly.

“Midi Asreks… enjoy my surprise.” Thor’s eyes gleamed as he stored the map.

That day, Midi’s Dark Lighthouse rose at the forward base, revealing all steam springs within 500 kilometers.

The advantage proved brief. Next day, “Warrior” Thor erected his Dark Lighthouse miles away.

Two towers faced off across the distance, experts’ tension thickening Black Crystal Forest’s atmosphere. Midi’s golden development era ended – the resource war became stalemate.

Midi’s team held one edge: their base grew gradually, their map forged through exploration. They understood local plants and magical beasts better than Thor, making collection efficient.

But this minor lead couldn’t outpace rivals.

On third day, Death Scorpion and Two-Headed Warwolf teams arrived.

Death Scorpion slightly outmatched Warwolves due to Alexis’ mind-related abilities. Initially wary of each other, both realized they lagged far behind Midi and Thor.

Though Simon and cautious Cort from Warwolves had trump cards, these paled against Mososbury City’s first family’s resources.

Thor’s ace granted 300,000 coins plus map.

Simon’s card yielded mere 50,000.

Warwolves scraped 40,000.

Against established Dark Lighthouse holders, these sums meant nothing.

Only path remained for Simon and Cort:

Cooperation.