Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Shattering the Formation

Midi’s Black Sky sword flicked through the air.

The towering demon array instantly began trembling before releasing a piercing shriek. Like a burst balloon, it spewed out the power of the demon god and rapidly shrank until exploding into nothingness. A demonic gale swept through the Arena, stunning every spectator.

The Red Lotus Ghost Cry expert—seasoned through countless battles—looked even more shaken than the crowd. As a fellow Ghost Cry, he understood the impossibility of what Midi had done.

Frontal array destruction.

Every magic array, from the colossal Nibelungen Dragon Sealing Array to the smallest protective rune, possesses a core. Destroying this core breaks the array. But demon arrays differ—their cores aren’t fragile runes or obvious Eyes like those in national defense arrays. Instead, they form nearly undetectable magic nuclei condensed from demonic energy.

A Ghost Cry would hurl this core using special techniques, which then unfolded into a demon array. The core itself remained hidden within the eerie demonic energy, leaving no trace. Even identical Power Arrays varied between Ghost Cries—predicting a core’s location was futile, let alone striking that tiny point with a blade.

Yet the black-haired youth had done it.

One strike. The Red Lotus Arena’s proud demon array vanished like wiped dust.

As the array collapsed, the Sanshou fighter’s demonic enhancement dissolved. His iron tower-like frame lurched like a reined stallion, nearly toppling without Midi’s intervention.

The Sword Soul abandoned his charged stance to attack, masking his partner’s weakness. His Lightsaber became a storm of slashes—each glow trailed faint Afterimages until the space blurred with sword shadows.

Phantom Sword Dance: a Sword Soul’s signature skill. More shadows meant greater power, limitless in potential. This Union expert unleashed twenty-four shadows. Enhanced by the Afterimage Array, his flickering form made attacks unpredictable. He trusted even Midi would retreat.

Midi didn’t budge.

Simple parries with Black Sky sword deflected the onslaught—an iron wall stood between them. Midi then thrust forward, icy energy devouring every shadow.

The Sword Soul paled and retreated. Midi didn’t chase. He reversed his blade and stabbed the ground.

Another shriek—the Afterimage Array shattered. The Sword Soul’s blurred outline solidified. He avoided stumbling like his partner but found no opening—Midi had already shifted toward the judo expert.

Though grappling techniques feared no defense, the judo expert couldn’t bridge the arm’s length between them. For swords, ideal range. For grabs, an impassable chasm.

The judo expert had no way to counter Midi’s casual yet precise assault. His only option was retreat.

Another sword thrust shattered the third demon array in an instant.

By now, the Host of Red Lotus, association experts, and even disciples realized Midi’s goal – to destroy all demon arrays. This unknown young elder from Lionheart Arena dared challenge Red Lotus Arena’s strongest field while outnumbered five-to-one!

From the battle’s progression, he seemed close to succeeding.

The Host of Red Lotus’ face hardened like frost. Was revealing their trump card unavoidable? He sighed inwardly.

Every Arena had showy signature moves and hidden trump cards. Under public scrutiny without lethal options, the cunning host loathed exposing secrets. But letting Midi continue meant humiliation or defeat – risking Red Lotus Arena’s entire reputation.

No choice remained.

Gritting his teeth, the host nodded at their Ghost Cry expert. The man’s eyes flashed as the unchained demon god on his left arm roared. Surging demon god power repaired three destroyed arrays beneath experts’ feet, now radiating greater strength.

"Bring it!" The Ghost Cry expert taunted Midi, transforming the battle into a duel of array-building versus array-breaking.

Midi scanned the reconstructed arrays, noticing hidden secondary formations within them – even the untouched fourth array now concealed an extra layer. Array within array, dual-layered.

This technique required post-awakening mastery in his past life. Yet Red Lotus Arena wielded it at level 50 peak. Their century-long dominance in Faero Bay wasn’t just political.

Amused, Midi smiled. Becoming an afterimage, he lunged at the nearest judo expert. Despite the enhanced Power Array, Black Sky sword’s assault forced another retreat. As the judo expert withdrew, Midi struck the Power Array’s core again.

When the array shattered this time, crimson flames exploded beneath Midi’s feet like blooming roses.

Ghost Cry skill: Nether Flame Array.

Red Lotus’ Ghost Cry experts weren’t just defenders. Their hidden offensive trump card unleashed thunderous strikes when needed. Now demanded total victory.

Chilling Nether Fire fused with scorching heat, forming a flaming Behemoth that swallowed Midi whole. Arena temperatures spiked, burning spectators’ skin. Four experts choked on heatwaves.

The nearby judo expert paled – his Power Array had concealed this inferno? Had he lingered, he’d have been consumed too. He glared warily at Red Lotus’ Ghost Cry expert.

Observing others’ reactions and rival hosts’ concealed alarm, the Host of Red Lotus felt bitter. No alternatives remained – Midi must be crushed, secrets be damned.

As enhanced flames seemingly overwhelmed Midi, the host relaxed.

Suddenly flames contracted, swirling into scarlet tornado that tore through the roof, soaring skyward like blossoming red lotus.

Through sparks and ruins emerged the black-haired, black-eyed youth.

"Double demon arrays? Worthy of Lionheart’s branch." Midi swung his longsword, Sharp Wind extinguishing lingering flames.

He stood undefeated – war god silencing arrogant disciples, hardened experts, and scheming hosts alike. All bowed to unshakable awe.