Chapter 502

Chapter 502: Waves of Turmoil

While Midi focused on his cultivation and Rot rapidly recovered using the Soul Cleansing Elixir, chaos erupted in Snake Spine Valley where the Crystal Dragon Fortress’s teleportation rift lay.

The reason was simple: the outcome of this Crystal Dragon Fortress trial far exceeded the expectations of the major families.

Though Mososbury City’s Fighter Selection included fifty participants through both competitions and recommendations, the actual number sent to the Black Dragon Conference couldn’t reach that figure. Only seven fighters truly earned the qualification.

Thus, after selecting fifty fighters, the Mososbury City Council always used trials to further screen them, ensuring final candidates could not only battle in the arena but also adapt to Dark Dragon City’s challenges. The "selection" combined with the "small realm trial" essentially simulated the Black Dragon Conference and subsequent Dark Dragon City trials.

This time, the city council invested heavily by opening Crystal Dragon Fortress for the trials. Naturally, they expected greater returns. The Four Major Families representing the council hoped their fighters would excel, or at least bring substantial benefits from the fortress—ideally even the legendary Black Dragon Monument.

Ordinarily, the council set screening standards, but this Crystal Dragon Fortress trial required Black Dragon Remnant Tokens for entry. Thus, fighters who nurtured larger tokens and lasted longer inside naturally ranked higher—an unspoken rule in Mososbury City.

Typically, major families’ disciples dominated these trials. Firstly, their numbers allowed forming cohesive teams without internal disputes, unlike small families’ lone fighters or distrustful temporary alliances. Secondly, their high levels and resources let them gather more Black Crystal Plants through sheer level suppression, even if unskilled at adventuring. Most crucially, core disciples from major families possessed special methods to gain advantages in Dragon God Temple.

Everyone assumed the Four Major Families’ fighters would dominate until the end.

Yet this prediction shattered just one week into the trial.

The Flame Serpent family’s third-ranked Chief core disciple Dakhni got violently expelled, all protective gear destroyed and herself left comatose near death. Two days later, her remaining teammates got ejected after exhausting their Black Dragon Remnant Tokens.

Only then did the Flame Serpent family learn their entire team had been wiped out by one human—Midi Asrex.

This caused an uproar in Snake Spine Valley. Some doubted the claims, others called it exaggerated. Even the Death Scorpion family struggled to explain it, while the Flame Serpent burned with hatred. However, since Midi was Death Scorpion’s core disciple, Flame Serpent dared no open retaliation.

Their sole consolation was Risen—initially dismissed—still remaining in the fortress. Yet rumors claimed he’d allied with Midi, leaving Flame Serpent both hopeful and wary.

Over the next two weeks, more fighters got expelled until only three major families’ members remained. Unexpectedly, two unknowns—Mason and Zaknavan from small families—also persisted.

Apart from Flame Serpent’s disgrace, events mostly followed expectations. By past experience, lasting three weeks in Crystal Dragon Fortress was extraordinary. The major families attributed this to level 67 "Warrior" Thor’s exceptional efforts prolonging the trial.

The Death Scorpion family naturally basked in triumph.

The Death Scorpion family and the Two-Headed Warwolf family understood their fighters couldn’t match Thor, but staying in the dragon fortress promised benefits, so they eagerly awaited opportunities.

Yet when Thor’s group got teleported from the Dragon God Temple after three weeks, the major families’ Higher-ups realized their miscalculation.

All fighters had indeed emerged.

But only Alexis remained from the Death Scorpion team – the rest wiped out. The Two-Headed Warwolf family suffered total annihilation, not a single survivor.

The Death Scorpion team under "Warrior" Thor stayed unharmed.

Yet this "Warrior" clearly simmered with foul temper.

The root of his anger traced back to Midi Asrex.

"Our Death Scorpion family partnered with Two-Headed Warwolf due to slow exploration progress," Alexis lied smoothly, face impassive. "Midi trapped us in wildlife hordes. Few escaped the battle, only to face his ambush. Simon endured torture before death. I narrowly escaped his blade."

Though Midi had indeed destroyed both families, Crystal Dragon Fortress permitted such conflicts between fighters. Others couldn’t openly challenge him.

Alexis twisted facts to give these families justification for retaliation. Even if Death Scorpion suppressed matters, their hatred might spark assassinations – exactly his goal.

As predicted, family heads turned ashen, shooting venomous glares at Death Scorpion. How dare the "first family" act so arrogantly?

"Did Midi truly lure them into wildlife and ambush them?" Death Scorpion’s Higher-ups questioned. Three weeks prior, Midi had been mere Level 63 Demon Swordman. Eliminating Dakhni, then two major families seemed implausible.

When questioned, Thor coldly snorted. "He ignores family interests for personal gain. My words mean nothing to him. Ask him yourself!"

Even the Chief core disciple’s condemnation sank Midi’s reputation.

Searches began for Midi, but after full day’s wait, he remained missing.

"This human’s still inside Crystal Dragon Fortress?" Death Scorpion Higher-ups murmured in shock. Surviving beyond three weeks broke all records.

A human crushing three families, outlasting their top genius, shattering time records – what secrets did he hold?

"We’ll question him upon exit," declared the enforcement elder, eyes flashing anger. Already disliking Midi, he blamed the youth for Thor’s early return. Punishment seemed necessary.

"Shall we gift-wrap him for the other families too?" Veyna sneered.

"Silence!" The elder snapped. "Any discipline stays internal." Surrendering members would shame the first family.

Unexpectedly, usually reserved Thor cut in: "If he resists judgment, I’ll handle him. A Level 64 Demon Swordman with tricks dares disrupt our plans? He will be punished!"

Thor’s status silenced even arrogant Black Dragon High Priest Veyna. The Death Scorpion family head listened silently throughout.

All attention converged on the absent Midi – from three furious families to his own divided clan.

While storms brewed outside, Midi kept cultivating undisturbed.