Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Power and Strength

Xuzu, the nation of psionicists.

Situated in the far eastern reaches of Arad, it boasted over two thousand years of history. Though its territory spanned only half of Belmar’s size with barren lands dominated by mountains and valleys, there was one quality Midi deeply admired in his past life and valued even more now:

Xuzu had never been conquered.

Neither the ancient Perus Empire that once dominated Arad, nor the aggressive Delos Empire of today, nor mutated monsters or fearsome magical beasts could easily subdue this "small" nation. Its defensible terrain played a role, but more crucial was its enduring tradition—

Every citizen practiced telekinesis.

From age ten onward, nearly all Xuzu citizens trained in telekinetic arts. While most lacked the qualifications to become true practitioners, their training still granted Xuzu’s people superior physical constitutions compared to ordinary individuals.

This nationwide cultivation of telekinesis, paired with their exceptional physical prowess, frequently produced geniuses with extraordinary affinity for psychic abilities. Rugged terrain unsuitable for massive armies, a populace skilled in tactics, and an unbroken line of heroes allowed this modest nation to stand as an indomitable power.

Such was Xuzu.

In his past life, as a sworn enemy of the Delos Empire, Midi had interacted extensively with Xuzu. The Hawk Brigade had even taken refuge under its protection for a time, granting him intimate knowledge of its secrets. He understood well that its ruler, King Xian’an Kaiyue, was no complacent monarch but a man of grand ambition. With Sky City’s emergence imminent at the West Coast and signs of change multiplying, how could Xuzu ignore such opportunities while rivals scrambled for advantage?

Thus, when the handsome knight revealed his identity, Midi felt only fleeting surprise. Inevitabilities would arrive in their time—clashing with other factions was merely a question of when. Having already secretly clashed with the Delos-backed Zhenlu Arena, encountering Xuzu’s psionicists now seemed natural.

What troubled Midi was the timing. This young Vanguard General had chosen this precise moment to declare himself—a clear power play.

Originally, handling the impulsive Yunlang heiress posed little challenge. With his strategic depth and legendary feat of dismantling the Nine Great Arenas, Midi expected the gathered families to offer favorable assessments after today’s tea gathering, forging ties with him and the Lionheart Arena. Even Wells stood to gain standing through their friendship.

This was the ideal foundation Midi sought within the West Coast’s elite circles.

But now? As the psionicist named Liufeng proclaimed himself Xuzu’s envoy while demonstrating overwhelming telekinetic mastery, how would the observing heirs react? Forced to choose between the enigmatic Count of Saint Tower Island and a nation-backed envoy, their decision seemed obvious.

Having his influence overshadowed was unacceptable.

The simplest counter would be to assert greater authority. Midi needn’t even reveal his status as Belmar’s envoy—merely shedding his disguise and announcing “Midi Asreks” would suffice.

Midi Asreks: One of Arad’s renowned generals, lover of the famously powerful Queen of Magic, slayer of imperial assaults, Belmar’s Sword of Victory and Guardian. That name alone would send every West Coast family head scrambling to his door, reducing Liufeng to irrelevance.

Yet Midi refrained.

Revealing himself might bring momentary satisfaction but risked unraveling his plans. The Delos Empire and Belmar Kingdom’s greatest advantage in the Sky City conflict lay in their proximity to the West Coast. To preserve this edge, anonymity remained essential—even at the cost of temporary setbacks.

The Delos Empire and the West Coast were separated only by a wasteland, while Belmar possessed multiple trade routes connecting Faero Bay to the West Coast ports, granting it natural influence through geographical advantage.

By adopting the identity of the Count of Saint Tower Island, Midi could steadily channel Belmar’s power into the West Coast once he established his foothold there. The uniformed Belmar crews aboard Wells’ ironclads and the growing number of Belmar disciples in the Lionheart Arena demonstrated how proximity allowed Midi to accumulate strength quietly.

When true war erupted, Midi need only raise his banner to summon a loyal Belmar army already familiar with the West Coast—a sharp sword ready to strike. The Delos Empire employed similar tactics through the Zhenlu Arena to cultivate covert forces. Yet compared to Midi’s patient troop movements, the Empire’s Alchemist Association mass-produced level 40+ experts, rapidly boosting battle strength.

Revealing his true identity now would trap Midi in the spotlight, bound by invisible chains. The unremarkable title of "Count of Saint Tower Island" granted freedom to manage the Arena, mingle with elites, and invest widely. But as Belmar’s envoy, he’d never be permitted to plant pieces across the maritime families’ domains like pieces on a game board.

Xuzu’s envoy exposed his identity precisely because their distant kingdom couldn’t build hidden influence. Their only option was overt pressure and propping up allied families to seize Sky City opportunities. Now this psionicist Liufeng’s public declaration aimed not just to upstage Midi, but to force his hand—dragging him into open rivalry rather than allowing independent power-building.

But Midi refused to play the fool. This tea party was Wells’ carefully crafted stage for his social ascension. He wouldn’t surrender it to become another’s pawn.

Since Liufeng wielded political weight, Midi would counter with raw strength.

"An envoy from Xuzu? Rare indeed," Midi remarked calmly. "Though with your alliance to House Yunlang settled, what could a mere nominal Count add? Still, I wonder—how will General Liufeng resolve Miss Silvia’s predicament?"

His composure steadied the room, yet all eyes remained on Liufeng. The psionicist basked in the crowd’s awe before gesturing to Silvia Yunlang, who preened like a peacock at his side. "If the Count disdains Yunlang’s friendship," he drawled, "perhaps Xuzu’s might interest him?"

Gasps rippled through the gathering. Midi’s lips curled in faint mockery. Past lives and hard-won wisdom taught him nations traded only in interests, never friendship. Where Sky City and career awakenings loomed, what room for sentiment?

"Illusions of friendship drown in tides of profit," Midi countered, obsidian eyes piercing the psionicist. "But since you offer bait, I’ll play along. The Red Lotus Arena fell to my blade—take it from me likewise, if you dare."

"A challenge?" Liufeng’s gaze sharpened.

"Xuzu breeds telekinesis geniuses. Surely King Kai’s vanguard general won’t balk at a backwater arena?"

The barb struck true. Though young, Liufeng’s noble lineage and military rank brooked no disrespect. Flames of hostility burned behind his composed mask.

"Save your provocations," he snapped. "I’ll spar, but not befoul this gathering. Choose elsewhere."

"Where then?"

Liufeng pointed seaward where nothing met the horizon but endless waves.