Chapter 136: Shattering Limits

From the moment the Third-Stage Mutant appeared, the battle lost all meaning.

Aside from the Third-Stage Mutants who can hold back these top-tier beasts, everyone else is merely sacrificial.

But when the first Third-Stage Mutant fell, the battlefield’s carnage seemed to pause for a moment.

Even the machine gunners who instinctively pulled the trigger, as well as commanders and Awakeners, turned to stare in shock at the figure on that ruined building.

“Yenir… Is that really Yenir?!”

With the powerful vision of a Third-Stage, Xiao Hai fixed his gaze on that face.

He panted heavily, feeling as if a surge of blood boiled at the top of his head, distorting his vision into eerie illusions. The force nearly knocked him off his feet—an image he could scarcely imagine.

“He’s a Third-Stage?! How is that even possible?!”

In a state of disbelief, if he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes, he would have never believed such an absurd reality.

Had it been a matter of days? Or even half a month?

To him, it seemed like only yesterday that Yenir became an Awakener. In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a Third-Stage peer—perhaps even surpassing him! How could the world not appear so absurd, even horrifying?

So, is this why the forces backing Yenir helped him?

So, were they all wrong? Is the Willpower-Type Awakener actually the one with the most twisted talent?!

No… that can’t be.

The ripple from that sword strike was unmistakably similar to what had been observed before. Could it be?

He dared not think any further.

Stunned by a continuous barrage of surprises, Xiao Hai’s mind turned to a tangled mess, and he grimly realized that his pitiful experience could no longer explain what was unfolding. Every detail of Yenir’s performance screamed one undeniable truth.

That the Military’s claim of him having no potential, of his giving up, was nothing more than a laughable farce.

Now, standing atop the building, this youth who could cut down a Third-Stage Mutant with a single stroke might just be the most terrifying talent humanity has ever seen!

Ha! In less than half a month, to be able to rival a mid-Level Third-Stage genius—while those chosen geniuses in the Capital are still wastefully feedings Spirit Crystals to merely push into Second-Stage—what a pitiful state!

A wry, self-deprecating smile spread across Xiao Hai’s face. Even as he remained on the battlefield, he felt utterly bereft of any fighting spirit.

I… Xiao Hai… Have I really lived this long only to end up like a dog?

Yet, the monsters paid no heed to the shock and awe of Xiao Hai and his comrades.

As the first Centipede Beast perished, the second, enraged giant centipede split open its mandibles, its myriad compound eyes zeroing in on Yenir atop the building.

A flurry of slashing limbs, swift as scythes, shredded the pile of corpses below into fragments.

The beast’s killing instinct instantly shifted focus to Yenir.

But it merely turned its head.

Without wasting a moment, Yenir paid no mind to the trembling ground beneath him, his gaze calm as he stared down the repulsive, mountain-like creature charging at him.

In an instant, the Longsword in his right hand flashed as the long-prepared Sky Rift Radiance was unleashed.

“Wooo!”

For a brief moment, it was as if the very heavens and earth emitted a deep, resounding awakening. A silver-white curtain of light snapped together in an instant, and as Yenir’s sword cut through the air, the fierce howl of the blade mixed with the roar of a storm, emerging like the scythe of death in a heartbeat.

It was as precise as a surgeon’s scalpel, as if a divine force had torn open a masterpiece.

The devastating Sword Qi, channeled into a narrow, straight line, sliced cleanly through the body of the centipede beast.

So swift and elusive was the sword’s afterimage that it was nearly impossible to track with the naked eye; aside from the path marked by the fallen zombies on the ground, no trace remained.

After two seconds…

Much like the first variant, the giant centipede froze mid-split, as though beheaded like a sausage. With a sickening sound of tearing flesh, the creature split in two, unleashing a torrent of toxic, yellowish blood and innards that spilled all over the ground.

Sheathing his sword, Yenir leapt down. The battle was over.

After verifying that there was no third Third-Stage Mutant, Yenir walked steadily toward the defense line.

Under the gaze of thousands, he acted as if he had merely swatted two flies—each strike so clean and effortless.

At that very moment, the soldiers and Awakeners present couldn’t help but watch in awe as he strode in from the side of the zombie horde.

Incredible. Power so overwhelming it was chilling.

For a relatively weak Safe Zone, the strongest warriors they had ever seen were only the lowly early Third-Stage fighters. In their eyes, someone at Xiao Hai’s level was the pinnacle of what they could ever imagine. But now, that notion was shattering. Many of the new recruits even stared dumbfounded as Yenir neared, their eyes and mouths involuntarily widening.

It seemed as if they recognized Yenir.

In fact, many of them had even participated in the same tests as Yenir.

“Is that really Yenir?!”

“I… I don’t know…”

Swallowing nervously, many in the Military recalled the tremendous shock Yenir had delivered when he was first identified with an SS-level talent.

Yet, none of them could understand what was truly happening.

Wasn’t it rumored that Yenir was once deemed to have no potential and fell into despair? Didn’t they say he wasn’t even at First-Stage now?

So, what exactly is going on now?

Ignoring the stunned and incredulous stares, Yenir merely contemplated the conversation he would have shortly.

Not bad—this horde had only two Third-Stages as he remembered. If another one appeared, he’d really be in trouble. Once Dimensional Slash is unleashed, escaping unscathed isn’t likely.

Soon enough, the crack of gunfire and the shouts of battle resumed. This time, however, they managed to hold their ground.

………..

At the Rear of the Defense Line.

“What an explosive display…”

Standing outside a military tent, Zhang Tao and his companions watched the distant battlefield with grave expressions. Although far away, those two extravagant sword techniques still left them in awe. Hearing it from Chen Yong was one thing, but witnessing it firsthand was another.

“This level of power is probably on par with Commander Chen Kailai. Among the mid-Level Third-Stages, he’s top-notch. No wonder he’s so haughty.”

After sharing his evaluation, Zhang Tao and Wang Tian slightly revised their impression of Yenir. This kind of strength was much greater than they had imagined, and it was no wonder these two were so intent.

But as formidable as he was, the upcoming conversation was the real focus.

This display of power wasn’t exactly a pleasant surprise—nor would it convince them to invest further. Without costs and sincere talks, even a mid-Level Third-Stage wasn’t worth courting. After all, Yenir was just one man against a faction. The disparity was inherent.

While quietly exchanging opinions, Zhang Tao suddenly raised an eyebrow, eyeing a spot not far away.

“They’re coming!”

From the front lines emerged two figures—Xiao Hai, who had retreated earlier, and the returning Yenir.

Hmm?

The four of them paused, glancing in surprise at Xiao Hai, who trailed alongside Yenir in a daze.

“Why call Commander Tianfeng over? Wasn’t this meant to be a discussion?”