Chapter 166

Chapter 166: You All Come At Me Together

Though the opponent shamelessly adopted a numbers advantage tactic, Midi didn’t look down on the Host of Red Lotus Arena.

As a commander, he sought victory and prioritized results—processes meant little.

The Host before him clearly thought the same.

What struck Midi more was this: while everyone else dismissed Lionheart Arena as doomed, this Host remained vigilant. After Midi crushed four arenas in succession, the Red Lotus Host immediately sensed danger.

Not only did he swiftly rally the remaining five arenas, but he also crafted unavoidable tactics tailored to their strengths. Such foresight and intellect far exceeded that of a typical Arena Host.

In Year 985 of the Arad Calendar, when the Forest of Gran burned and chaos began, what mattered most? Talent.

By Year 986 of the Arad Calendar?

Talent became even more precious!

Wasn’t this smiling-tiger-like Red Lotus Host himself a rare talent?

At this thought, amusement flickered through Midi’s heart, curving his lips slightly.

Mistaking the smile for mockery, the Red Lotus Host chuckled calmly. “Forgive our humble methods, Elder Faye. Red Lotus Arena’s custom during challenges has always been two-versus-one—a hired expert leads the attack while our disciples assist. Even a draw would count as Lionheart’s victory. Fair?”

His plan aligned with Midi’s guess: a battle of attrition.

Though Red Lotus disciples wouldn’t attack, two fighters meant double the magic power. Pair that with a defense-specialized expert and demon arrays, and the formation became unbreakable.

To the Host, Midi—a pure offense-oriented Demon Swordsman—would struggle against such defenses. Even if he broke through, his magic and demon god power would drain drastically!

Crucially, three other Hosts waited nearby.

Five Hosts in one arena versus five separate arenas? The difference was time.

Previously, Midi controlled the schedule. That black carriage’s slow pace likely hid rest periods—maybe even rare potions for recovery.

This time, the Red Lotus Host denied him all rest. Four consecutive public battles would test his limits.

An open scheme: even if Midi saw through it, retreating would shatter his unstoppable image.

Yet the Host remained wary. This cunning youth might counter with sharp arguments. He braced for verbal sparring, ready to dangle tempting bait.

But Midi surprised him.

The black-haired youth scanned the crowd and said flatly, “No need for courtesy. Thank you for saving me travel time. Since the last five arenas are here, I propose—”

“What proposal?” the Red Lotus Host asked warily. Four pairs of eyes locked onto Midi.

Midi smiled. “Why not have you all come at me together?”

Together?

Together.

Together!

The words froze the arena. Five Hosts, experts, disciples—all faces twisted with shock.

Some burned with anger. This was outright mockery!

Some felt secret delight—if the five Great Arena experts truly joined forces, victory was an absolute certainty.

Others sneered—this Lionheart Arena elder might seem imposing, but he was just a self-important fool!

Different people, different views, different thoughts, different conclusions. Yet regardless, Midi’s declaration swept through Red Lotus Arena like a Fierce Wind, rattling even the disciples despite the five hosts’ presence.

The Host of Red Lotus, that cunning old fox, couldn’t hide his shock for the first time.

He’d planned for every scenario—except Midi playing this card.

Facing five experts at once eliminated battles of attrition, resolving everything in a single clash.

But why couldn’t this black-haired youth see? Fighting four experts backed by Red Lotus’s Ghost Cry Support was far more hopeless than any drawn-out battle!

What scheme was this guy plotting?

The Host’s mind raced fruitlessly for answers.

Midi’s voice cut through the noise: “Naturally, a one-to-five match favors you. Thus, I add one condition.”

A hidden move after all!

The Host’s eyes narrowed. This youth wouldn’t dig his own grave—his confidence must lie in this condition.

“What condition, Elder Faye?” The Host smiled tightly. “Seeking allies? That makes it a team battle, not a proper Challenge! We’ll refuse and continue sequential duels.”

Midi shook his head. “Overcomplicating things, Host. My terms are simple: if you lose, Red Lotus becomes Lionheart’s branch, leaving the Union to serve me. Should I lose, Lionheart disbands. Fair?”

What?!

The Host staggered. Not only had he misread Midi again, but this reckless gamble risked both Arenas’ futures!

Losing a Challenge meant temporary closure. Accepting this? It meant betting Red Lotus itself. Every instinct screamed trap—until the Union President whispered: “Don’t falter, Vice President! He’s bluffing!”

The Host’s face cleared. Of course! Midi feared attrition battles, so he fabricated this outrageous one-to-five threat. Any hesitation from Red Lotus would let Lionheart claim victory without fighting—"The Union fears five against one!"

A retreat disguised as advance!

Nearly outmaneuvered!

The Host glared. “We accept! Let us witness this ‘one-to-five’ spectacle!”

He expected panic—but Midi smiled like a man holding four aces.

Bluffing? Reverse psychology? Midi hadn’t bothered.

His true aim was simpler: he wanted Red Lotus Arena.

Lionheart thrived, but a thirty-year arena founded by the Iron-Blood Duke lacked depth. Without legacy, challenges like the Union’s would keep coming.

Red Lotus offered history, prestige, and Ghost Cry users—perfect reinforcements for Belmar’s army and the Hawk Brigade against the Delos Empire.

Absorbing Red Lotus meant instant alliance and long-term strategic power. Midi had expected resistance, prepared counterarguments…

Yet the Host agreed so readily! Clearly, they’d misread everything.

Better this way—no wasted breath.

One battle remained.

Metal rang cold as Black Sky sword left its sheath.

“Fight me.”

Midi’s voice rolled across the Arena, calm as a drawn blade.