Chapter 141: A Tense Delay in the Shadow of Power

It felt like needles pricking his back.

Under immense pressure from Yang Guoping, Tang Zhen struggled to keep his unsteady posture. Facing the formidable presence of the Third-Stage Senior Yang Guoping, he felt nearly crushed under the weight of that aura.

He knew all too well what suppressing the news would mean.

Failing to report a clearly exceptional genius would have severe consequences. If Yenir were to get into trouble during this period, no one could bear the wrath of the higher-ups. What was the Fire Seed Plan for? It was meant to select the true elite—this was a matter of national strategy!

Locking eyes with him, Tang Zhen turned pale and, summoning his courage, said:

“General Yang! I’m not suggesting we keep it secret—just a delay. Half a month… no! Even a week would do!”

As he spoke, a peculiar expression crossed Tang Zhen’s face—as if to remind them—and he lowered his voice:

“General Zhang’s youngest son is already in the first tier, but he hasn’t reached Second-Stage Peak yet…”

They were all shrewd.

Almost immediately after Tang Zhen’s seemingly unrelated remark, every officer in the room wore a puzzled expression.

At the head of the table, Yang Guoping’s anger momentarily froze before he snorted coldly and slightly dialed down his presence.

He understood exactly what Tang Zhen was implying and why he was under such pressure to delay the report.

The reason was simple.

General Zhang wielded immense power—a top echelon even among the elites. He was particularly invested in his youngest son earning a first-tier spot, as this directly affected resource allocation and the future. Whoever made the first tier would command vast influence and real power!

Yenir had already reached Second-Stage Peak; given his combat strength, his jump to Third Stage was practically guaranteed. Unlike other Willpower types, his ability wouldn’t falter due to insufficient power.

Once Yenir becomes the first to ascend to Third Stage—with his dual SS-level talent and even better inherent qualities—the coveted first-tier position would undoubtedly be lost.

Those resources are limited, especially the ones beyond Third Stage.

If Yenir performed well, Zhang Yang would merely be left scrambling for leftovers. As a member of General Zhang’s faction, Tang Zhen had every reason to be anxious!

“Staff Officer Tang, your loyalty—and your audacity—are truly something else…”

Yang Guoping glared coldly at Tang Zhen, his eyes piercing.

Although he despised this tactic, he couldn’t afford to offend General Zhang. Essentially, Tang Zhen’s words were a way to force their hand. Delaying the report might invite reprimand or the displeasure of the higher-ups, but not delaying was certain to earn General Zhang’s long-lasting grudge.

Tang Zhen had to buy time—time for Yenir to reach the Capital and for Zhang Yang’s strength to catch up!

“A week? That’s impossible.”

“Three days—at most, I can stall the news for three days! And if the young Master Zhang beneath you isn’t up to par, we can’t be faulted!”

“Besides, I advise you not to draw Yenir’s attention! The report and documents are already on file, and he even has the backing of the Deputy Commander of the North China Battle Zone. If something goes wrong, neither will your supporter come out unscathed!”

After delivering his words with icy detachment, Yang Guoping snorted and prepared to leave.

Factional disputes weren’t his concern. He admired Yenir—indeed, he was in awe of him—but he couldn’t afford to anger General Zhang. With both sides in play, this was the only path forward.

Besides, organizing the military dispatch and arranging for Yenir’s escort to the Capital required time—a decision that made sense both logically and sentimentally.

Whether General Zhang could boost his son to Second-Stage Peak in three days was now a matter for each to prove.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Tang Zhen exhaled deeply and dashed out of the meeting room without a word of farewell.

He hadn’t expected that the Yenir he’d deliberately held back would burst forth once more—now showing potential even more astonishing than before!

A Second-Stage fighter with Third-Stage strength!?

Damn it, what kind of monster exists in this world?

We must inform General Wang immediately!

……..

“Yenir!?”

“That Willpower-type Yenir—also dual SS-level—is on the verge of hitting Third Stage!?”

In the Third Group Army, General Zhang stared in disbelief at Tang Zhen’s message and, shocked, abruptly stood up from his seat.

“Though he’s a Willpower type, his talent carries Third-Stage traits. In solo battles, he even once single-handedly slayed a Third-Stage Mutant…”

“Backed by the North China Battle Zone Deputy Commander Chen Kailai, he’s about to come to the Capital to begin his Third-Stage trial!?”

His expression darkened.

As a top-ranking official, he was all too aware of what this news implied.

Such potential and performance were unprecedented in the entire Huaxia Battle Zone since the apocalypse. Needless to say, once Yenir reaches Third Stage, the first-tier spot would be his—an opportunity no one could snatch away!

He cared little about the backing force; a mere deputy commander from North China was nothing more than a title. Compared to Yenir’s Second-Stage Peak strength, Chen Kailai’s Third-Stage Intermediate level was insignificant. Although he couldn’t fathom how Chen Kailai had access to so many resources, he attributed it to Yenir’s Willpower nature—perhaps his absorption efficiency was exceptional.

“General Zhang! Zhang Yang must hit Second-Stage Peak within three days. Only then can both compete for the first-tier spot!”

Over the comms, Tang Zhen urgently pressed on. He was already too entangled with General Zhang; if Yenir ever caught wind of his delay, his future would be in jeopardy.

“Understood. You’ve earned your merit this time—I’ll note it down.”

In a measured tone, General Zhang replied, his expression shifting before ultimately choosing to contact his favored youngest son.

….

“Yang’er, I have some bad news. Your father needs to warn you—brace yourself.”

On the training field, a young man—shirtless with a muscular build—clutched a Spirit Crystal in his left hand while his right hand unleashed a flurry of punches, sweat streaming down his face. Seeing the sudden message from General Zhang, he couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“Didn’t I tell you before? Among the candidates for the Fire Seed Plan, there’s someone with dual SS-level talent like yours. Now, he’s already reached Second-Stage Peak and is preparing for Third Stage.”

His punches stuttered as Zhang Yang stared in shock at the message from his father. With an unlimited supply of Spirit Crystals, he’d barely climbed to Second-Stage Advanced—even with the support of at least twenty Third-Stage counterparts, every second counted.

Quick to pick up on every detail, he instantly understood his father’s meaning.

“Dad, is he going to steal my first-tier spot from me!?”

“Exactly.”

“In the coming days, I’ll arrange for higher-level Spirit Crystals for you. I need you to surge to Second-Stage Peak—at least match him at Third Stage. The first-tier position might not fall into his hands otherwise. And besides…”

As General Zhang spoke, a flash of hesitation crossed his eyes before he finally resolved:

“Head to the high-difficulty dungeons! In three days, only by challenging those dungeons can you bridge the gap. Some even make time pass slower than in reality. By the time you emerge, you might still fall short of him! Yang’er, do you have faith!?”

On the training field, Zhang Yang read his father’s message, drew a deep breath, and, raised by a lifetime of pride, refused to accept defeat.

“Father, rest assured—the first-tier spot will be mine! I refuse to be outdone by him!”

……